✍️ Author Biography
🌍 American
📚 2 free books
⭐ Known for: Shutter (2015)
Courtney Alameda is an American author of young adult horror and fantasy novels, including Shutter and Seven Deadly Shadows.
Courtney Alameda is an American novelist recognized for her contributions to young adult horror and fantasy genres. Born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area, she pursued her passion for writing at Brigham Young University, earning an English degree with a focus on creative writing. Her early career included experiences working in bookstores and libraries, particularly with young adult services.
Alameda's literary career began with the 2015 young adult horror novel, Shutter, which garnered a Bram Stoker Award nomination. She continued to explore the genre with Pitch Dark in 2018, a science fiction horror novel that earned her a finalist position for the Cybils Award. In collaboration with Valynne E. Maetani, she co-authored Seven Deadly Shadows, a 2020 fantasy horror work that reimagines the classic film Seven Samurai. Her work has been recognized as significant within the YA horror landscape.
Beyond her novel work, Alameda has also contributed to comic books, co-creating the Sons of Anarchy comic Sisters of Sorrow. She has also penned a novelization for the World of Warcraft universe, War of the Scaleborn, and contributed a short story to a collection inspired by Alvin Schwartz. Alameda, who identifies as Latina, resides in Salt Lake City with her spouse and their dog.
Literary Debut and Recognition
Courtney Alameda's writing career launched with her 2015 young adult horror novel, Shutter. This debut work quickly garnered critical attention, leading to a nomination for the prestigious Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel in the same year. Her subsequent novel, Pitch Dark, published in 2018, further solidified her presence in the young adult speculative fiction scene. This science fiction horror offering was a finalist for the 2018 Cybils Award, highlighting its impact and appeal within its genre. These early successes established Alameda as a notable voice in contemporary young adult literature, particularly within the horror and science fiction subgenres.
Collaborative and Expanded Works
Beyond her solo endeavors, Courtney Alameda has engaged in notable collaborations. In 2020, she co-authored Seven Deadly Shadows with Valynne E. Maetani. This fantasy horror novel offers a retelling of the classic film Seven Samurai, blending familiar narrative structures with genre elements. Alameda also ventured into the world of comic books, co-creating the Sons of Anarchy comic book series, Sisters of Sorrow. Her writing portfolio extends to the popular World of Warcraft franchise, for which she authored the novelization World of Warcraft: War of the Scaleborn in 2023, focusing on the Dragonflight chapter. Additionally, she contributed a short story to Don't Turn Out the Lights, a collection inspired by the works of Alvin Schwartz, showcasing her versatility across different narrative mediums.
Notable Quotes
“You cannot not mention Courtney Alameda in a list of YA horror novels.”