Interview with middle grade author, Shelley Sly

Interview with middle grade author, Shelley Sly

What do you like best about writing middle grade fiction?

I love writing for young readers. I remember being completely smitten with books as a kid. I really dove into the stories and believed in the characters. Now, as an adult, I’ve talked to many young readers who feel the same way about books as I did. It’s the best feeling to see a kid’s face light up when they tell you how much they liked your book.

Where did you get the idea for One Hundred Thirty Stars?

I’m a video game geek, and in my college years, I attended conventions dressed up as video game characters. It was such a unique experience that I just had to incorporate it into a novel. The silliness, the awkwardness… it was all loosely based on real events.

What's your favorite part about writing?

To me, there’s something exhilarating about having the chance to go places that I’ve never been, and having the chance to be people who are different from me, if only for a short while. Yes, I’m just using my imagination, but there’s something very real about the worlds that we writers create. It’s a beautiful escape.

Thank you so much for having me here today, Tyrean!

Thank you, Shelley! I picked up One Hundred Thirty Stars the other day and couldn't put it down! Poignant, sweet, and brilliantly written, it's one of my favorite reads from this year! 

Shelley Sly lives in the Washington, D.C. metro area with her husband and their chocolate lab mix. She writes middle grade novels about friendship, family, and figuring out where you fit in. Shelley is the author of WISHING FOR WASHINGTON, and her brand new release, ONE HUNDRED THIRTY STARS. You can find her online at www.shelleysly.com.

One Hundred Thirty Stars can be found at Amazon and Goodreads! (Highly recommended!)