Interview With Author Shawn Casselberry
Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
As an author and contributing author, I’ve written over 15 books, including as a ghostwriter for a bestselling author. As an indie publisher, I’ve been part of around 15 more. I’m an obsessive writer, usually working on multiple projects at a time.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is “The Hemingway Bible.” The idea just struck me one day, “what if there was a cult that used a classic novel as their Bible?” It made my head spin and I knew I had to write a book about it. I grew up as a pastor’s kid in a conservative household, so I knew firsthand the dangers of religious extremism and wanted to explore that. I’ve always had a writer’s crush on Hemingway, since I did a report on him in AP English in high school, so I thought what better author to choose. I wrote this during the pandemic, when lots of people were writing about the end of the world because it felt so imminent. This book is unique in that it starts after the world’s been annihilated and envisions how we can rebuild a world that’s more peaceful, compassionate, and sustainable.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I write my books on my phone. I write late at night or early in the morning, so I will just use the notes section of my phone and write for hours in bed. I don’t know how many other writers do this, but yeah, I type most of my books using only two thumbs! For some reason, I’m able to really focus in when I write on my phone and block out everything else. After I finish the first draft, I’ll email it to myself and then do the rest on google docs using all my fingers.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Hemingway, obviously! I’m captivated by the myth of the man. I even drove six hours to Key West one night just to get a glimpse of his old house, then turned around and drove six hours back. He was larger than life, and really became the standard for so many writers. And yet, tragically, he ended his own life. Other author influences are Kurt Vonnegut, Octavia Butler, and Maya Angelou. I say Maya Angelou because her book “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,” was banned by fundamentalist parents during high school because she wrote openly about being abused as a child. It was almost twenty years later when I actually read it. I didn’t want ignorance to win. After reading it, I was saddened, because I thought of all the kids that could have benefitted from hearing her story and maybe not felt so alone. Now, I make a point of reading banned books and writing books that people will likely want to ban.
What are you working on now?
I have three books that I’m working on at the moment. Two are nonfiction. Well, sort of. One book is about how everything is fiction. So basically, it’s a nonfiction book about how everything is fiction! I also started an actual fiction book about two childhood friends in Massachuetts who graduate college and become ghost detectives. It’s like Nancy Drew meets X-files.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I send out an e-newsletter to friends, family, and fans, post on the socials, and then pray to the writing gods for favor. I actually prefer promoting other authors so I post a lot of author interviews I’ve done with people I’ve helped publish on my website.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Most great authors got rejected multiple times. You need to send out at least 100 inquiries. All you need is one acceptance. If your book isn’t accepted, Self-publish it.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
My sixth grade teacher wrote “keep writing” in my middle school yearbook. She believed I’d write a poetry book some day. A couple years ago I wrote a poetry chapbook and dedicated it to her. The best advice I’ve heard is also now my email signature: “keep writing.”
What are you reading now?
“Sun House” by David James Duncan. It’s transcendent.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Ironically, I make more money ghostwriting and publishing other people’s books than writing my own. I will continue to balance the two. I love writing and I love seeing other people publish their books. There’s nothing like the joy of seeing first-time authors get their books out into the world. I consider myself a book doula.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
“The Brothers Karamazov” by Fyodor Dostoevsky because it would keep me occupied for a long time and I could use all those pages for firewood if needed.
“Dune” by Frank Herbert because I am determined to finish it one of these days.
“How to build a Raft”
Author Websites and Profiles
Shawn Casselberry Amazon Profile
Shawn Casselberry’s Social Media Links
Author Interview Series
To discover a new author, check out our Featured Authors page. We have some of the best authors around. They are just waiting for you to discover them. If you enjoyed this writer’s interview feel free to share it using the buttons below. Sharing is caring!
If you are an author and want to be interviewed just fill out out Author Interview page. After submitting we will send it out in our newsletters and social media channels that are filled with readers looking to discover new books to read.
If you are looking for a new book to read check out our Featured Books Page.