I've pulled together 40ish questions - some bookish, some silly - and have asked authors to limit themselves to answering only 10 of them. That way, it keeps the interviews fresh and connectable for all of us!
Today we are joined by Shannon Jade. Shannon is an author and environmental scientist who believes in the real-world magic of storytelling. She is the author of A Song for the Earth, Seashells for Stories, Way Back When, Rainbow, and more, as well as having worked on books for several major publishers, including Rebel Girls and Wiley. Today, Shannon mostly writes adult fiction and poetry projects with a hopeful environmental focus, aiming to make the world a better, greener, and kinder place.
Why do you write?
My books centre the power of hope, particularly with regard to climate
and environmental issues. I write because I want to share that hope with
others, and I want to encourage readers to be a part of positive climate action
going forward.
What made you start writing?
I’ve been writing since I was five years old, when I insisted on putting
my self-illustrated rendition of an Australian animal Olympics picture book on
the pre-primary bookshelves. From the moment I knew what an author was, I knew
that was what I wanted to be. I’ve been writing ever since!
What do you do when you’re not writing?
When I’m not writing, I love making art and music, or else you’ll find me
spending time with family somewhere in nature, ideally with a nice cup of tea.
What’s the best money you’ve ever spent as a writer?
Does an investment in a creative writing degree count? Before moving on
to environmental science, I studied writing and publishing at university, and I
learned a lot, not only about the industry, but also about the stories I wanted
to tell.
Describe your book in three words.
Hopeful. Lyrical. Environmental.
What is your favorite book from childhood?
I remember reading all the Magic
Faraway Tree books and loving
them. I read them again a few years ago and loved them just as much!
What genres won’t you read?
I read across a lot of genres and categories, but I like my stories fun
and/or hopeful. I just can’t read horror, thriller, or crime fiction!
What’s on your literary bucket list?
I’ve ticked off a lot of literary bucket-list items: reading a book over
800 pages, reading a book in another language, publishing a book of my own … In
the future, I’d love to be someone’s favourite author, or to write their
favourite book.
Do you read the reviews of your books or do you stay far far
away from them, and why?
I know I probably shouldn’t read reviews, but I’m nosy, so I read them
all! I’ve had some lovely reviews that have stuck with me and really empowered
me as a writer, so I also try to keep this in mind and leave kind, encouraging
reviews for other writers. We’re all in this together!
What’s the one thing you wish you knew when you were
younger?
I wish I’d known just how many wonderful days were still ahead of me.
I’ve had some challenges to face in my time, but younger me would be so very
excited by the good things in my life today. I wish I could tell her that there
would so much light in the darkness.
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The wide, wild world is made of wonder, but as climate change reinvents the landscape, rich ecosystems are under threat. On a journey through Earth’s major biomes, January learns the plight of the planet. Armed with the power of a voice made for poetry, she turns her lyrics into a call for action. Is it enough to write a song for the earth and ask the world to sing along?
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