S5-EP19: Shanti Hershenson: At 17, Thirty Books and a Mission to Inspire
Description
On this episode of Spirit Talk Show – Bedtime Stories for Grownups, Doyle welcomes Shanti Hershenson, a 17-year-old literary powerhouse who has already written 30 books — 17 of them published. Shanti’s work spans science fiction, fantasy, dystopian adventure, and deeply personal poetry, including her acclaimed novel-in-verse You Won’t Know Her Name, which confronts the painful realities of middle-school bullying.
Her story began in sixth grade with what she calls an “accidental” self-publishing experiment, but that early leap gave her the skills to grow into a prolific author and fearless advocate for young writers. Alongside her novels — including BioLock, The Accidental Insurgency, The Chronicles of Zyle Delane, and the forthcoming Good Kids Bad Choices — Shanti uses her 67,000-strong TikTok following to connect with readers, share her process, and amplify anti-bullying advocacy.
In this inspiring and refreshingly candid conversation, Shanti opens up about:
Writing 1,000 words every day since age 12
Balancing high school, friendships, and a relentless creative drive
Why poetry gave her the freedom to tell her most vulnerable story
How social media has transformed her career and community
The message she wants readers of all ages to hear: you’re never too young—or too old—to chase your dream
At once inspiring and deeply grounded, Shanti Hershenson proves that stories have no age limit—only courage and conviction.
Connect with Shanti Hershenson:
Website: shantihershenson.com
Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/Shanti-Hershenson
Instagram: @shantihershenson
TikTok: @shantiwhowrites
United States
