Michael Shea (July 3, 1946-February 16, 2014) was an American fantasy, horror, and science fiction author. Shea was best known both for his numerous dark fantasy novels, particularly his Nifft the Lean trilogy, and his contributions to the Cthulhu Mythos.
Shea's stories set in the Mythos are best known for being a contrast to most stories set in the Mythos, with his fiction often set in Los Angeles's seedy underbelly, and centering on the working-class and criminals dealing with Lovecraftian and paranormal phenomena from a boots on the ground perspective. He's also known for writing A Quest for Simbilis, set in the Dying Earth continuity, and the horror short story "The Autopsy", later adapted into an episode of Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities.
Works by Shea provide examples of these tropes:
- Working-Class Hero: Many of Shea's protagonists are working-class.
