Maggie Stiefvater

Early Life and Education

Maggie Stiefvater, born Heidi Hummel on November 18, 1981, in Harrisonburg, Virginia, showed an early passion for reading and writing. By the age of sixteen, she had legally changed her name to Margaret and was already submitting manuscripts to publishers. After being home-schooled from sixth grade onward, she attended Mary Washington College, where she graduated with a B.A. in history. By the time she entered college, Stiefvater had written over thirty novels, including works on diverse topics such as the Irish Republican Army and high-fantasy narratives. Following her graduation, she pursued a career as a portrait artist, focusing on equestrian art.

Writing Career

Stiefvater's literary journey began with the publication of her first novel, "Lament," in 2008. She quickly gained recognition, selling the rights to its sequel, "Ballad," and her breakout novel, "Shiver," which is the first book in her acclaimed trilogy, The Wolves of Mercy Falls. "Shiver" achieved remarkable success, remaining on The New York Times Best Seller list for over forty weeks. The trilogy continued with "Linger" in 2010 and "Forever" in 2011, solidifying her status as a prominent author in young adult fantasy literature. Stiefvater is also known for her TEDx Talk for NASA in 2010, where she discussed her experiences as a self-identified "Bad Teen" and the influence of her youth on her career.