S. L. Coney obtained a master's degree in clinical psychology before abandoning academia to pursue writing. In addition to making up stories, they work to help train and place people in tech careers. Shaw has ties to South Carolina, roots in St. Louis, and are still deeply disappointed their fins never grew in. Shaw's work has appeared in St. Louis Noir, Best American Mystery Stories 2017, and Gamut Magazine. Their novella Wild Spaces is forthcoming in August 2023 from Tordotcom Publishing and Titan Books.