About Me
My Story
Shelli R. Johannes is the author of 25+ books for children and teens. She is the coauthor of the Cece Loves Science series, Penny (An Engineering Tale of the Fourth Pig), and the Farm Friends series (6 books). She is the author of the Theo Thesaurus series, Shine Like a Unicorn, and Florence Nightingale (in Chelsea Clinton's "She Persisted" series.) And for teens, Shelli is the author of six novels, including the Nature of Grace series (Untraceable, Uncontrollable, Unstoppable), ReWired, Breathless, & On the Bright Side (MG).
After earning a master’s in marketing and working in Corporate America, Shelli traded out her heels and suits for flip-flops and jeans so she could follow her passion for writing. Shelli can be found on highways and country roads, saving strays and other jaywalking critters, or volunteering with animal conservation groups like the Atlanta Zoo, the Dolphin Project, and Bosley’s puppy orphanage.
Shelli lives in Atlanta with her own pack of animals: a British husband, two kids, one sassy bird, one fish, two Goldendoodles, and the many loud characters that “live” in her head. She is addicted to true crime, exclamation points, and bad puns. You can always count on her to laugh at her own jokes—at least once.
FAQ
What ages are your books for?
My picture books and early readers are for ages 4–8, my chapter books are for ages 6–9, and my teen novels (Nature of Grace, ReWired and On the Bright Side) are for readers 13 and up.
Which of your books are good for teaching science?
The Loves Science series (Cece, Libby and Vivi) covers real STEM concepts like forces, states of matter and buoyancy. Penny teaches engineering and simple machines, and Farm Friends explores farm science like pollinators and animal care.
What order should I read the Nature of Grace series?
Read them in this order: Untraceable, then Uncontrollable, then Unstoppable. It's a YA wilderness thriller about 16-year-old Grace, who searches for her missing forest-ranger father in the Smoky Mountains.
Do you have free teaching guides?
Yes. Free educator guides and activities are on my Free Guides page for Loves Science, Theo TheSaurus, Penny, Shine Like a Unicorn, Nature of Grace and ReWired.
Do you do school visits?
I visit schools in person and virtually. See my programs and book a visit on my School Visits page.
Who do you write your books with?
I co-write the Loves Science and Farm Friends series with Kimberly Derting. The rest of my books I write on my own.
Where can I buy your books?
They're available at bookstores and libraries, and online at Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Buy links are on each book's page.
Have you always wanted to be a writer?
No, not until I was pregnant with my daughter.
Where do you get your ideas?
News or something someone says.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It usually takes me about three months to write a book
Do you plot out your books or write organically?
I'm a plotter. I outline my books before I start writing.
What is your writing schedule?
When I don't procrastinate.
What is your advice for newbie writers?
Keep going... it's easy to give up.
What are some other jobs you’ve had in the past?
Corporate America sucked me in for many years. I got out! Whew!
Do you read all your emails?
I always love to hear from readers.
Fun Facts
I like dark chocolate and cheese dip (although not together) and the occasional straight-up, extra-dry, extra-filthy martini with extra olives.
I cry a lot. At. Everything. Commercials. Movies. TV Shows. And if you cry around me (or if I even sense that you are about to cry or could cry), I lose it. I'm a baby.
Even though I pretend I'm tough, I'm extremely sensitive. My toughness is a total facade, except when I do Bikram Yoga in 110-degree heat. Then, I'm a bada$$.
I am very honest. Actually too honest. I will always tell it like it is. And that gets me into trouble... a lot. So if you don't want to know if your butt looks big in those jeans, don't ask.
I am an amazing multi-tasker. Ask my hubby. (Actually, I'm juggling 10 things as I write this.)
I love animals and nature and am completely heartbroken at the way we treat both. Oh yeah, I cry about that too.
I love Milos Sweet Tea and any kind of flavored coffee with flavored cream. In fact, I like a little coffee with a lotta cream. (SEE my cream addiction below).
I love to laugh, especially at myself. I work hard to be a silly klutz - it does not come easy. Let's just say, I always have one person laughing at my jokes - even if it's usually just me.
I am addicted to Delights White Chocolate Raspberry Creamer and horde bottles when it comes out every Dec. (Seriously, it is a problem.) I also horde Trader Joe's Peppermint Joe-Joes and Peppermint ice cream. Hmm, maybe I have a food hoarding problem?
When I was 10, I got dragged down an asphalt street by a big dog (in my mind it was a werewolf, but that's another story.) Sadly, my teenage babysitter put band-aids on every single scratch and road burn patch. What I learned - ripping off 3 boxes of bandaids really hurts! (Needless to say, my pet walking business was a total bust. And not that you need to ask, but YES I did cry.)
I love to read in bed and am obsessed with any movie (past or present) any T.V. (Walking Dead, The Following, and anything CW). Now, I'm also obsessed with Apple Tv+, Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime. Sounds like I have a lot of problems.
I am very loyal to my friends and the people I love. I will stick by them through thick and thin. I am learning how to let go of people who are not loyal to me. And then I might secretly haunt you or have revenge in the form of glitter bombs.
I'm a slight hypochondriac and germaphobe. Seriously if I sneeze - it must be something serious.
I don't eat leftovers. Old food whether it's on my plate or in the sink is totally gross. Unless I drop an M&M and then it's the 5-second rule!
My first car was an apple-red 1984 Toyota Celica Hatchback. By the time I turned it in, I had a pink boom box on the seat, no air-conditioning, and poured a quart of oil in every morning just to get to work. I traded it in for a Jetta at $500 (True story.)
I have two kids that make me laugh and who actually think I'm as funny as I think I am. :) I do bribe them to laugh but that's not important.
I worked in Corporate America for about 10 years and barely got out alive. I now work as a freelance copywriter for various companies. I think my creativity managed to survive. I hope.
I am still seeking my true purpose and hope it helps people someday. I want to make a difference.