Vivian Shaw

Shaw is known for her critically acclaimed trilogy of novels about the fictional doctor Greta Helsing, who has a clinic in London for special-needs clients with supernatural abilities. Shaw's first novel, Strange Practice, was listed by the NPR Book Concierge as one of the Best Books of 2017.[2] In the sequel, Dreadful Company, Greta Helsing travels to Paris.[3] Dreadful Company appeared on the 2018 Locus recommended reading list.[4] In the third book, Grave Importance, Greta Helsing temporarily directs an exclusive mummy spa near Marseille.[5]

Strange Practice and its sequels reference many characters from classic vampire literature, including Lord Ruthven, Sir Francis Varney, and Abraham Van Helsing.[6][7] In an interview with the journalist Liz Bourke, Shaw stated that she once wished to be a doctor like her protagonist, and reads medical textbooks for fun.[8]

Shaw was born in Kenya, and lived in the United Kingdom before moving to the United States at age of seven.[1][9] She received a B.A. in Art History from St. Mary's College of Maryland in 2002, and M.F.A. in Creative Writing & Publishing Arts from the University of Baltimore in 2013.[10] She and her wife, fellow author Arkady Martine, lived initially in Baltimore[1] and as of 2020 live in Santa Fe, New Mexico.[11] She also is a freelance editor and graphic designer.[10]