Interview with Author Michelle Dean
MICHELLE DEAN is the director of educational programs at a non-profit organization, an adjunct professor at a local university, a children’s storybook writer, and a wife and mother of three grown sons. Her heart, passion, and drive lie in early education. She loves collaborating with directors, teachers, and children. She gained her master’s in early childhood educational leadership from the University of North Florida. This was known as the starting point for her non-profit group for early childhood educators, where she can show teachers the appreciation they deserve.
Tell me more about your latest book
My middle son had a desire to become a dental assistant. He would come home during the week and share all the technical terms as well as show us the cast of teeth that he had made. His love of learning ignited a story within me. Shelbo is a character based of a nickname that my older sister gave me when we were younger. I can remember being scared to go to the dentist. Children fear what they do not know. Therefore, as a children’s literature writer we have a duty to speak to children about the process of dentistry to remove the fear of the unknown.
Join Shelbo as she visits her Doctor of Dental Medicine, Dr. Insicisor, for a dental check-up and evaluation. She also meets her dental assistant, Edgar, and finally admits that she has been feeling pain in a tooth in the back of her mouth. Ouch, Owie, Ow! On this adventure, Shelbo learns about the technology used to fix her cavity. This book is the second in the series of Shelbo’s Adventures.
You may want to read Shelbo’s Adventures in Science: Natural Light and Man-Made Light, where you will meet Dr. Incisor’s son, Jax. Shelbo’s grand adventures will take you on a journey through STR2EAM concepts of Science, Technology, Reading, Religion, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. When you look to the future, what do you imagine yourself doing? Dream big, my friends!
What was the most challenging aspect of writing this book?
The most challenging aspect of writing the Shelbo’s Adventures series is the sheer cost of publishing the books. I have gone the self-publishing route. I had a seven-book series that was aching to come out of my mind. This series will revolve around a new educational movement STR2EAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Religion, Engineering, Art, Mathematics. The first two books in the series are completed and being sold online.
The second most challenging aspect of writing stories is marketing them after you publish them. I created an author’s website: www.shelbosadventures.com . My author’s website contains a shop, blogs, and book reviews. It has been challenging to market the products and the website. I also created a Facebook page @shelbosadventures for Shelbo and an Instagram @shelbo.adventures . I even purchased a budsies plushie of Shelbo and her best friend Jax. When we go on road trips, we take pictures of Shelbo’s adventures.
What is your normal procedure to get your books published?
I have gone the self-publishing route through Tellwell in Canada. I started writing children’s literature about 15 years ago and created a self-publishing company. I wrote 9 books and marketed them to local businesses. However, these books didn’t have the ISBNs.
Do you view writing as a kind of spiritual practice?
My favorite scripture is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 The series revolves around STR2EAM (Science, Technology, Reading, Religion, Engineering, Art, Mathematics. God is at the center of all my stories. This scripture will be a part of the whole book series. In life, everyone has a calling. It is up to us to walk in that calling or walk away from it. I choose to walk in it. Authoring stories that will impower children and allow them to see who they are in Christ is a perfect place to start every story.
How many books have you written so far?
The first book in the series is Shelbo’s Adventures in Science: Natural Light and Man-Made Light. This book is a rhyming book where the rhymes occur at the end of the lines. My second book titled, Shelbo’s Adventures in Technology: A Trip to the Dentist. This book is also in the poetic techniques genre as it contains onomatopoeia. This book is filled with words that sound like their meaning.
What’s the best way to market your books?
Both books I have marketed through word of mouth, social media, and sharing them with every early childhood center that I train at. I wish I had a fast-track way to market my books. Of course, recently I have been sharing my books on Facebook group sites geared towards children’s literature and education.
How hard or easy is it to establish and maintain a career in writing?
I have to say that that would be the end game for me. I would love to gain a book deal and travel around reading to children and their parents. That would be a wonderful dream come true. I am not so sure that that is easy to establish and maintain considering that I currently work for a non-profit, as an adjunct professor, and have my teacher group as well. However, a girl can dream!
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
If your goal is to author a book, then write it. Do not hesitate to live your dreams. There will never be a perfect time to start. Just start! When you write, write with passion. Tell a relevant story that people need to hear. You never know who you will touch through the stories that you weave. Weave a story that captures your audience and leaves them wanting more.
Visit Author Michelle Dean book links:-
Author’s Website
Amazon
Barnes & Nobel
Shelbos adventures | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)
Books A Million
Shelbo’s Adventures in Technology by Michelle L. Dean (booksamillion.com)
Shelbo’s Adventures in Science by Michelle L. Dean (booksamillion.com)
Walmart.com
Shelbo’s Adventures in Science : Natural Light and Man-made Light (Paperback) – Walmart.com
(1) Shelbo’s Adventures | Facebook @shelbosadventures
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