V. E. Schwab

Victoria Elizabeth Schwab (born July 7, 1987) is an American writer. She is known for the 2013 novel Vicious, the Shades of Magic series, and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, which was nominated for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. She publishes children's and young adult fiction books under the name Victoria Schwab. She is the creator of the supernatural teen drama series First Kill, based on her short story of the same name originally published in the 2020 anthology Vampires Never Get Old: Tales with Fresh Bite.

Early life and education

Schwab was born in California. She was raised in both California and Nashville, Tennessee. Daughter of a British mother and American father, she has cited her bicultural upbringing as the source of her creative inspiration. Schwab attended Harpeth Hall School, an all-girls Southern preparatory school.

She graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in book design in 2009. Schwab had completed her first novel manuscript (unpublished) during her sophomore year. She sold her debut novel, The Near Witch, to Disney before graduating.

Schwab later received a Master of Science in Medieval Art History, with a specialty in depictions of monstrosity in medieval art, from the University of Edinburgh.

Career

Schwab's debut novel, The Near Witch, was published by Disney in 2011. It is a fairy tale romance following the main character, Lexi, in a small town where children start vanishing. It went out of print in less than two years, but was reissued in 2019 by Titan Books.

The Guardian called Vicious "a brilliant exploration of the superhero mythos, and a riveting revenge thriller". It received a starred review from Publishers Weekly. The American Library Association's Reference and User Services Association likewise awarded it the top fantasy book in their 2014 Reading List. In late 2013, the rights for a film adaptation of Vicious were bought jointly by Story Mining & Supply Co and Ridley Scott's Scott Free Productions.

In 2014, Schwab signed a two-book deal with Tor Books, which included A Darker Shade of Magic and its sequel. Following main character Kell and exploring inter-dimensional travel, A Darker Shade of Magic was published in February 2015. It was widely well-received and earned a starred review from Publishers Weekly. In 2017, she signed another book deal with Tor for Vengeful, the sequel to Vicious, as well as for a new trilogy set called Threads of Power, which takes place in the same world as the Shades of Magic series; and Black Tabs, a standalone novel described as an "homage to Blade Runner".

In May 2018, Schwab gave the sixth annual Tolkien Lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford. In her lecture, she reflected on her first introduction to the genre, describing how she first encountered fantasy at age 11 through the work of J.K. Rowling. She described this experience as her "door" into imaginative and immersive literature, marking the moment she first fell in love with the other-worldliness and creative possibility of fantasy. Schwab views fantasy as a powerful tool that allows both writers and readers to step beyond the boundaries of the ordinary world and to explore alternate realities, perspectives, and social structures. In her remarks, Schwab argues that fantasy writers "possess a special kind of magic" and the "ability to change the world." They have the capacity to influence how readers view the world through the craft of imaginative writing, which can become a form of emotional transformation. In her writing she aims to use fantasy to subvert traditional conventions as well as challenge readers' assumptions and beliefs, and she encourages other writers to do so as well. Schwab stated that one of her central goals is to create a narrative "door" into a new world for her readers, the same way that J.K. Rowling did for her.

In 2020, Schwab joined the panel of Podcast Writing Excuses to discuss book themes and other topics.

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was published by Tor Books on October 6, 2020. It was heavily praised and nominated for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel. Exploring themes of memory and identity, the novel has sold over 2 million copies in the U.S.

Schwab has been the host of the podcast No Write Way with V. E. Schwab, in which she discusses the craft of writing with successful authors, since 2023. She offers deep dives into both her own process as well as those of her guests. Notable guests she has hosted include: Brandon Sanderson, Christina Lauren and Sarah Gailey.

In June 2025, Schwab published Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil, which topped the USA Today Bestseller List and The New York Times Bestseller List. The Chicago Review of Books stated that "In Schwab’s hands, even the well-trod territory of immortal bloodsuckers turns fresh and new."

Films and television

Film and Television adaptations of Schwab's work have gained increasing attention in recent years, with various projects in several different stages of production.

Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (film)

A feature-film adaptation of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is currently in development, directed by Augustine Frizzell and produced by eOne. The film will be written by David Lowery, with Schwab as a producer on the project. Coverage from Elle confirms Schwab’s active involvement, highlighting her praise for the screenplay as "love letter to the book".