Vanessa Riley is an acclaimed author known for captivating novels such as Island Queen, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and Queen of Exiles, an ABC View Lit Pick. She was honored as the 2023 Georgia Literary Fiction Author of the Year for Sister Mother Warrior. Her craft highlights hidden narratives of Black women and women of color, emphasizing strong sisterhoods, diverse communities, and power across historical fiction, romance, and mystery genres. Her works have received praise from esteemed publications like the Washington Post, Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Publisher Weekly, and the New York Times.
Beyond her literary achievements, Vanessa holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering from Stanford University and several degrees from Penn State, adding a research-oriented approach that emphasizes inclusivity in her storytelling about Caribbean, Georgian, and Regency eras, resulting in over twenty-five published titles.
As a member of Regency Fiction Writers, Crime Writers of Color, Mystery Writers of America, Women’s Fiction Writers Association, Christian Book Lovers Retreat, and the Historical Novel Society, Vanessa advocates for diverse voices and storytelling. She’s also working to increase Sickle Cell Anemia awareness. When not writing, she can be found baking, crafting her Trinidadian grandma’s recipes, and writing on her southern porch, fueled by the perfect amount of caffeine.
“Riley is at her best when she lets her Gothic impulses out to play…[readers] will not want to miss this.” — New York Times
