Shayna Dorvilier

Author Bio: Shayna Dorvilier is an accomplished first-grade teacher based in North Carolina, driven by a profound passion for life, people, and the transformative power of education. She is happily married, a devoted mother to two sons, and a pet owner. Shayna is an enthusiastic communicator, thriving on engaging conversations and the exchange of ideas across diverse subjects such as love, education, and navigating life's journey. Furthermore, she finds immense joy in storytelling, inspiring others, and guiding individuals in discovering their unique gifts, talents, and purpose.

Author Interview:

1.What inspires you most to write?

My experiences, I feel that our experiences are unique to us. We write or tell the story best!!!! My students inspire me, the path and disruptions along that path inspire me!

2. What is your favorite genre?

Comedy, educational, fables ,self help and Thrillers.

3. Who is one author you admire if any and why? 

 I have a few...Eric Carle, an author who keeps children engaged through colorful stories!!! Tommy DePaola creatively writes engaging folklores ...Aesop and his fables that always taught lessons!

4. How do you overcome blank writing spells?

I take breaks…I wrote my first piece two years ago…I didn’t release it until this year. I take breaks and view the world from a different view and with a fresh perspective when I return to the piece.

5. What legal publishing advice can you give?

Don’t do this alone…Especially for your first book. Partner up with someone with experience, or a publishing company. Also, get in with a distribution company like Ingram. 

6. How many books have you written, are any a bestseller yet?

I wrote only one two months ago…. I am halfway to best seller status!!!!!!

7. If you had the opportunity to rewrite one movie script which would it be, why?

If I could I would rewrite Coming To America 2. The first one is my favorite movie and some classics shouldn’t be touched, remade or remixed lol.

8. What are some difficulties you've experienced in your writing career; how do you handle book critiques/criticism?

Well I am a first grade teacher…And I imagined that my school would have bought it like hotcakes…And to believe only 4 bought it…but the parents have been very supportive. I expected the community to respond more so…that’s rejection to me…I just think of ways to learn from the rejection and market the book differently…

9. What are your best experiences in your writing career?

How the parents and family have been super supportive. It takes 100 sales to be a bestseller. I am halfway there in nearly a month. My goal is 100 sales before the year ends. I’m so excited!

10. Do you prefer to write in silence and or have some sort sound in the background?

I love light music without lyrics…Like jazz and lofi music playing low while I write although I wrote my first piece in the silence and dark of postpartum depression…lol

11. What are some encouraging words you'd give to another author/writer? 

To not be afraid, make the leap!!!! If I can do it, so can you. I don’t have a ton of resources but I made it happen!!!!!! Any idea you have, bring it to a publisher. Also, if it’s a children’s book, do your own editing!

12. How did you decide the pricing of your material; how did you go about promotion/advertising and distribution of your work?

The publishing company recommended me choose between 9.99, 14.99 and 19.99. I chose 19.99 because of the labor and effort I put into it. The publishing company advertises and I advertise via social media. In terms of distribution, I distribute mainly via amazon. I have some orders through stripe and have to mail some out.

13. Why should anyone read your book?

How much time do you have? lol

First my book can be used for multiple purposes. It can be used by teachers, counselors and children, life coaches for teaching about different circumstances children face. It can also be used by caregivers and parents for teaching about gratitude. Parents and caregivers can use it for conversations about being kind and empathetic to one another. 

Second, my book again encourages empathy and emotional intelligence. It will teach children not to look at other children strangely and that they cannot help their circumstances.

Third, this book is a window and mirror book. A window because people can see other children’s struggles and a mirror because all children can identify themselves somewhere in this book.

Fourth, the book teaches children of diversity. It gets ahead of discussion dealing with sexism, racism and ableism.

14. Did you have a book coach?

Yes I did!!!!!!!! It was very helpful! I recommend it for any novel author.

15. What was your favorite subject in school?

My favorite subject was science. 

16. Are you self-published or have an established publishing contract elsewhere?

I am with a publishing company and I paid to have them coach me. Therefore, I didn’t sign a contract.