Rachel Gillig

Rachel Gillig
Gillig speaking at Rose City Comic Con, 2025
Born (1989-09-23) September 23, 1989 (age 37)
California, U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Davis
Occupation
  • Novelist
Children1
Writing career
Period2022–present
GenresRomantic fantasy, gothic fiction
Notable worksThe Shepherd King, Stonewater Kingdom
Websiterachelgillig.com

Rachel Gillig (born September 23, 1989) is an American gothic romantic fantasy author. She is known for her duologies The Shepherd King and Stonewater Kingdom.

Early life and education

Gillig was born and raised on the coast of California. Both of her grandmothers were artists—one was a painter and the other, a pianist.

She has a bachelor's degree from University of California, Davis. Originally majoring in art history, she eventually switched to literary theory and criticism. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a preschool teacher and as an artist.

Career

All of Gillig's published novels have been parts of a duology. She has said that she prefers writing these because of a desire for her works to feel like "one long book with an intermission between".

Her first duology, The Shepherd King, consists of One Dark Window (2022) and Two Twisted Crowns (2023). Her second Stonewater Kingdom duology starts with The Knight and the Moth (2025) while its conclusion The Knave and the Moon is set for release in September 2026.

Many of her stories are inspired by folklore, particularly folk ballads. For instance, The Knight and the Moth was inspired by The Outlandish Knight.

Personal life

Gillig lives in California with her husband and son.

She has stated that she is prone to performance anxiety.

She is outspoken against artificial intelligence, calling it "theft" and opposing its impact on the environment and on users' critical thinking skills.

Works

The Shepherd King series

Stonewater Kingdom series

References

  1. ↑ Gillig, Rachel [@rmgillig]; (September 23, 2022). "It's my birthday today". Retrieved March 21, 2026 – via Instagram.
  2. 1 2 3 "Rachel Gillig biography". Fantasy Book Review. Retrieved March 19, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Rachel Gillig". Hachette Book Group. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Smitty1423 (July 18, 2025). Interview with Rachel Gillig. Retrieved August 30, 2026 – via YouTube.{{cite AV media}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  5. ↑ LaBarbera, Natalie (March 27, 2025). "ATTN, BookTok: I Chatted with Author Rachel Gillig About One of My Most Anticipated Romantasy Reads of the Year". PureWow. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  6. ↑ "The Knave and the Moon". Hachette Book Group. Retrieved March 20, 2026.
  7. ↑ McConville, Isabelle (June 3, 2025). "Knights, Gargoyles and More: A Q&A with Rachel Gillig". Barnes and Noble. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
  8. ↑ Rosenstein, Jenna (May 20, 2025). "Author Rachel Gillig's Self-Care and Beauty Secrets". Harper's Bazaar. Retrieved March 21, 2026.