Author By Day, Sleuth By Night

About Me

Shelli R. Johannes is the author of 18 books (out and forthcoming). She is the co-author (with Kimberly Derting) of the popular CECE LOVES SCIENCE series and PENNY (An Engineering Tale of the Fourth Pig). In addition to her tween and teen novels, she is also the author of the THEO THESAURUS series and SHINE LIKE A UNICORN. Her new chapter book in Chelsea Clinton’s “She Persisted” series on FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE comes out in March 2023.
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Shelli can often be found on highways and country roads saving strays and other jaywalking critters or volunteering with animal conservation groups. After earning an MBA in Marketing and working in Corporate America, she finally escaped to follow her passion for writing.
She lives in Atlanta with her own pack of unicorns: a British husband, two teens, two Goldendoodles, one sassy bird, and the many loud characters that “live” in her head. Shelli is addicted to exclamation points, puns, unicorns, and anything sciencey. You can always count on her to laugh at her own jokes, at least once.
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FAQs
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Do you have activities or educational guides? Yes, check my Educator or Fun Stuff pages.
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Have you always wanted to be a writer? No, not until I was pregnant with my daughter.
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Where do you get your ideas? News or something someone says.
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How long does it take you to write a book? 3 months
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Do you plot out your books or write organically? PLOT!
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What is your writing schedule? When I can...
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What is your advice for newbie writers? Keep going... it's easy to give up.
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What are some other jobs you’ve had in the past? Corporate America sucked me in for many years. I got out! Whew!
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Do you read all your emails? Always!
Favorites
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Favorite Movie of All Time: Harry Potter or Lord of the Ring series
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Favorite Comedy Movie: Hitman's Bodyguard
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Favorite Avenger Movie: Guardians of the Galaxy 1
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Favorite Romance Movie: Kate and Leopold
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Favorite Music Genre: Acoustic
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Favorite Song of All Time: Hallelujah
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Favorite Book of All Time: Pippy Longstocking and Travels with Charley
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Favorite Comedian: Jim Gaffigan or Kevin Hart
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Favorite Author: James Patterson or JK Rowling
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Favorite Color: Ocean Blue
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Favorite Food of All Time: Spicy Cheese dip
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Favorite Candy: Minstrels/Dark Chocolate
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Favorite Drink: Vodka martini, straight up, extra filthy, extra olives
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Favorite Season: Fall (so I can wear jeans :)
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Favorite Day of the Week: Saturday
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Favorite Poem: Two Roads Diverged