V. E. Schwab

V. E. Schwab – Life, Career, and Famous Quotes

Explore the life and work of V. E. Schwab—her early journey, major works, influences, philosophy, and timeless quotes. Dive into the legacy of one of contemporary fantasy’s most resonant voices.

Introduction

Victoria Elizabeth Schwab—better known as V. E. Schwab—is an American author whose name has become synonymous with rich, imaginative storytelling, morally complex characters, and worlds that straddle the boundary between light and shadow. Born July 7, 1987, she has, in a relatively short span, emerged as a major voice in speculative fiction—writing for young adults, adults, and middle-grade readers alike.

Her novels Vicious, the Shades of Magic trilogy, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, This Savage Song, Gallant, and more have earned widespread acclaim, multiple awards, and devoted fans across the globe.

In this article, we explore her life, career, personal philosophy, and the wisdom embedded in her work. Whether you’re a longtime fan or just discovering her writing, this deep-dive offers a fuller view of the woman behind the stories.

Early Life and Family

Victoria Elizabeth Schwab was born on July 7, 1987, in California, United States. Nashville, Tennessee.

Though details about her immediate family are relatively private, Schwab has shared that she was raised in a setting that fostered reading, creativity, and exploration. Her early interest in both science and art shaped her path: she initially planned to study astrophysics before ultimately shifting toward art and literature.

She attended Harpeth Hall School, a girls’ preparatory school in Tennessee, during her secondary education.

Youth and Education

At a young age, Schwab showed a broad range of interests. According to her own accounts, she was athletic as a child—engaged in soccer from around age four, as well as periods of gymnastics, volleyball, and softball.

She has described a love of storytelling from early on, and even penned an unpublished novel during her sophomore year of college.

Schwab attended Washington University in St. Louis, graduating in 2009 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree.

While still in school, she sold her debut novel The Near Witch to Disney (Hyperion), before her graduation—a sign of her early recognition in the industry.

Career and Achievements

Debut and Early Works

Her first published novel, The Near Witch, came out in 2011 under the Disney*Hyperion imprint (initially a young adult / middle-grade fantasy). Although not her most famous work, it demonstrated early promise and allowed her to establish a foothold in the publishing world.

Over time, she adopted different authoring names depending on the intended audience: Victoria Schwab for her young adult and middle-grade work, and V. E. Schwab for her adult and crossover fantasy. V. E. Schwab, unifying her brand.

Breakthrough: Vicious and Villains Series

In 2013, Schwab published Vicious, a dark fantasy / thriller about ambition, vengeance, and the boundaries between hero and villain. Vicious received strong praise—The Guardian called it "a brilliant exploration of the superhero mythos."

Schwab continued the series with Vengeful (2018), and subsequently Victorious (forthcoming). Warm Up and Common Ground.

Shades of Magic & Universe Building

Another milestone came with the Shades of Magic trilogy:

• A Darker Shade of Magic (2015)

• A Gathering of Shadows (2016)

• A Conjuring of Light (2017)

This trilogy explores multiple parallel Londons (Red, Grey, White, and Black), magic that enables travel between worlds, and complex interwoven politics and destinies. It drew acclaim for its ambitious world-building and compelling characterization.

Later, she expanded within that universe via the Threads of Power series (a spin-off continuing some of the magical threads).

Standalone & Young Adult / Middle-Grade Works

Schwab has also penned many standalone novels and series in the YA / middle-grade space:

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue (2020) — a genre-blending novel about immortality and memory.

• This Savage Song and Our Dark Duet (duology) in the Monsters of Verity series.

• The Cassidy Blake series (City of Ghosts, Tunnel of Bones, Bridge of Souls) which mixes supernatural elements and ghostly mysteries for younger readers.

• Gallant (2022) — a standalone YA fantasy.

• Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil (2025) — a new work spanning multiple timelines and stories, expected to be a major release.

In addition, she has contributed to anthologies and shorter works—such as First Kill, which was later adapted into a Netflix series (Schwab served as creator/producer).

Recognition & Adaptations

Schwab has earned a broad spectrum of recognition:

• Her work has been translated into more than two dozen languages.

• The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue was nominated for the 2020 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

• She delivered the Tolkien Lecture at Pembroke College, Oxford, in 2018.

• First Kill was adapted into a TV series which premiered on Netflix in 2022.

• Her new contract in 2024 was reported as a seven-figure book deal with Tor Books for Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil.

These achievements attest to her impact and trajectory in the literary world.

Historical Milestones & Context

• Fantasy Renaissance & Cross-Genre Blending: Schwab’s rise coincides with a period when fantasy and speculative fiction have gained more mainstream attention. Her narratives often blend fantasy, historical elements, romance, and moral ambiguity.

• Digital & Streaming Era: The adaptation of her short story First Kill into a Netflix series reflects the modern synergy of literature and visual media in the streaming age.

• Unified Branding Shift (2021): Her decision to unify her author name under V. E. Schwab reflects a broader type of brand consolidation common among writers seeking consistency across audiences.

• Publishing as Collaboration: Her multi-book deals, expanding trilogies, and spin-offs show how contemporary fantasy authors often build expansive universes rather than isolated works.

• Engagement & Community: Schwab maintains active engagement with readers via her website, social media, podcasts (e.g. No Write Way with V. E. Schwab), and writing panels.

All these milestones position her not just as a creative writer but as a savvy navigator of modern publishing dynamics.

Legacy and Influence

Though still relatively young, Schwab’s legacy is already significant:

1. Influence on New Writers
   Many up-and-coming fantasy authors cite her world-building, moral complexity, and crossover success as inspiration. Her approach—combining emotionally resonant characters with imaginative settings—serves as a model for balancing heart and high concept.

2. Bridging Audiences
   Schwab writes for middle grade, young adult, and adult audiences. By crossing these categories, she helps break down rigid genre silos, inviting readers to grow with her work.

3. Cultural Reach
   With translations, adaptations, and broad readership across demographics, her stories have global reach. Her willingness to engage in social media, public discourse, and community projects adds to her resonance beyond books alone.

4. A Canon for the 21st Century
   In time, works like Addie LaRue or Shades of Magic may come to be regarded as modern classics—texts studied for their themes of memory, identity, power, and the cost of ambition.

5. Encouragement of Bold Ambition
   Perhaps one of her most enduring impacts is how she demonstrates that imaginative risks—mixing genres, defying tropes, building long universes—can resonate deeply with readers.

Personality and Talents

Schwab has spoken and written about many facets of her personality and process that offer insight into what makes her unique:

• Versatility & Restlessness: She has described changing her major in college multiple times before finally settling on design and literature.

• Emotional Honesty: Her writing often explores darker, complicated emotions—loss, regret, longing, moral ambiguity.

• Play with Tropes: She has said, “I like to play with tropes.” She deliberately subverts expectations—heroes may be flawed, monsters may be sympathetic.

• World-First Approach: She frequently begins by building the world before filling it with characters. “I almost always start with setting! I have to know the world before I know how to populate it.”

• ** courageous with Rejection**: She has acknowledged repeatedly that rejection remains a part of her career, and her strategy is to persist. “I still get rejections – frequently … my goal isn’t to never fail … but simply to succeed more often than I don’t.”

• Sense of Wonder & Discovery: Her stories often begin with “what if” questions—if worlds could shift, if memories could vanish, if immortality carried a curse. She expresses a love for imaginative possibility.

• Community Mindset: Through her podcasts, mentorship, and public engagement, she fosters connection with readers and fellow writers.

Famous Quotes of V. E. Schwab

Here are some of her most resonant lines—quotes beloved by fans, reflective of her themes of memory, identity, and risk:

“What is a person, if not the marks they leave behind?”
— The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

“Plenty of humans were monstrous, and plenty of monsters knew how to play at being human.”
— Vicious

“I am a firm believer that a good plot makes for a fun enough read, but it’s not what binds us. If we don’t care about the characters, we won’t care — not in a lasting way — about what’s happening to them.”

“I almost always start with setting! I have to know the world before I know how to populate it.”

“I still get rejections – frequently – and my goal isn’t to never fail … but simply to succeed more often than I don’t.”

“I like to play with tropes.”

“Some people keep their heart tucked so deep, they hardly know it’s there. But you, you have always worn it like a second skin. Open to the world … It will make your life harder, but it will also make it beautiful.”
— Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil

These quotes reflect recurring motifs: memory, identity, love and loss, and the courage to take up space.

Lessons from V. E. Schwab

From her work and her life, here are some lessons aspiring writers, readers, and creators can draw:

1. Be persistent in face of rejection.
   Even a bestselling author continues to be turned down—but resilience and a steady output can shift odds.

2. Build your world with intention.
   Schwab’s insistence on knowing the rules before populating them helps her narratives feel coherent and immersive.

3. Embrace moral complexity.
   Her characters are rarely wholly good or evil. Real stories are messy—and that messiness drives engagement.

4. Cross boundaries when it serves the story.
   Genre blending, shifting audiences, expanding universes—all are tools, not constraints.

5. Let emotion anchor even the grandest stories.
   At its core, her work connects through love, loss, longing—the internal stakes that make external ones meaningful.

6. Stay curious and open to reinvention.
   Schwab shifted majors in college, switched author personas, and continues to explore new narrative territory.

7. Engage with your audience and craft community.
   Through podcasts, media, social media, and public talks, she demonstrates that a writer’s life doesn’t have to be solitary.

Conclusion

V. E. Schwab is a potent example of how stories can both enchant and linger—fantasy that feels human, characters who bleed with longing, worlds that challenge how we define identity and memory. From her early days selling a novel before graduation to her present status as a bestselling, internationally translated author, she has grown with intention and imagination.

Her work invites readers to reflect: What marks will we leave? Which stories do we carry? And in so doing, she cements her place not just as a popular storyteller but as a voice for a generation seeking magic in the everyday.

If you’d like, I can also suggest her most accessible starting points or reading order for her work. Would you like me to guide you through her bibliography or best entry novels?