An Interview with Shannon Shay
Shannon Shay writes emotionally-charged fiction that explores what it means to survive, to feel deeply, and to find light in the shadows.
Her debut novel, The Beating Silence, is a haunting and redemptive story about love, loss, and the courage to listen when the world goes quiet.
When she’s not writing, she’s dreaming up new stories about imperfect people finding extraordinary strength.
What inspired you to start writing this book?
This story started almost eight years ago and has been living in my head rent-free ever since. Life kept getting in the way, so it got pushed aside more times than I can count, but these characters refused to be quiet. They kept nudging me until I finally made space to sit down and write their truth. I’m honestly so grateful I finally listened to them.
Tell us the story of your book’s current title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?
The Beating Silence came to me pretty naturally, it just felt right. It captures that push and pull between chaos and quiet that runs through the whole story. There’s even a literal layer to it that breaks your heart a bit once you’ve read it. Honestly, it wasn’t even a decision. It was just the one.
Describe your dream book cover.
Honestly, I’m one of the lucky ones because the cover I have is my dream cover. I designed it myself, so it’s literally the image I’ve had in my head for years finally brought to life.
I knew it needed to hint at the heart of the story – time, fragility, and what’s going on inside Lauren’s world. The antique pocket watch at the center represents how time keeps moving, even when everything feels frozen. And then there’s the shattered, glistening glass around it, which really captures the pain and brokenness that leads to the ‘silence’ in the title.
It’s moody and atmospheric in all the right ways, and that contrast – beautiful but broken – pulls you straight into the emotional tone of The Beating Silence. I honestly couldn’t imagine a better cover for this story. I still get excited every time I see it!
If your book had a soundtrack, what are some songs that would be on it?
I always imagine The Beating Silence having a moody, emotional soundtrack. The kind that takes you through heartbreak, connection, and healing all in one sitting. Songs like Silence by Marshmello and Khalid, The Night We Met by Lord Huron, Niall Horan’s version of Something in the Orange, and Fix You by Coldplay instantly come to mind. They all carry that same mix of ache and hope that runs through the story.
And since I wrote most of it with Goth Babe’s station quietly playing in the background, I’d have to include Sometimes by Goth Babe – it has that peaceful yet bittersweet energy that mirrors the story’s quieter, more reflective moments.
What books are you reading (for research or comfort) as you continue the writing process?
Honestly, I haven’t read much while writing – I get so wrapped up in my own story that I don’t want anyone else’s worlds or words to bleed into it. When I’m deep in a project, I like keeping my head clear so the characters’ voices stay completely mine.
That said, my most recent reads were A Dose of Pretty Poison by Kelsey Clayton, and I loved every bit of it. When I do take breaks, I usually reach for emotionally-driven stories like that – the kind that make you feel something real. I’m drawn to books that explore heartbreak, healing, and human connection, which definitely bleeds into my own writing.
What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?
Before stepping into the author world, I spent about ten years working in recruiting and HR, mostly in healthcare. So I’ve spent a big chunk of my life talking to people about their stories, what they want, what’s broken, and what they’re hoping to fix – which definitely leaks into my writing.
Along the way, I also did a lot of digital marketing and creative work, such as designing graphics, running social media, and now creating my own book covers and promo art. I’ve always had one foot in the ‘day job’ world and one in the art side.
Something readers might not know is that I also write and illustrate children’s books for a friend’s animal sanctuary. So, on one side I’m over here breaking hearts with The Beating Silence…and on the other side I’m drawing cute animals for kids. Balance, right?
Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?
I’ve always loved storytelling. Even as a kid, I was that person constantly daydreaming, building little movie scenes in my head. Writing became the way I made sense of emotions, mine and everyone else’s.
There wasn’t one specific person who made me want to write, but my thirteen-year-old daughter has been one of my biggest inspirations. She’s the one who kept saying, “You need to write this,” and pushing me to take the story that lived in my head and actually put it on paper. Knowing she believes in me and seeing her watch me chase this dream makes me want to keep going and show her it’s never too late to create something of your own.
And I’ve always been drawn to writers and artists who make you feel something, even if it’s uncomfortable. That’s what I hope my stories do, too: reach people where it hurts a little, but also where it heals.
Where is your favorite place to write?
Honestly? Wherever I can steal a quiet moment. I’ve written chapters at my kitchen table, on the couch, even in the car waiting on my kids. As long as I’ve got a bowl of ice cream or some snacks, and a little peace, I’m good.
What advice would you give your past self at the start of your writing journey?
I’d tell myself to stop being so scared to just start. You’re going to doubt yourself, you’re going to rewrite the same sentence fifty times, and you’re going to think it’s not good enough. BUT IT IS. Just write it. Let the story breathe and trust that you’ll find your rhythm. The rest comes with time and heart.
What’s one thing you hope sticks with readers after they finish your book?
More than anything, I hope readers walk away feeling something. Whether it’s hope or that quiet ache that comes with understanding someone’s pain, I just want it to linger.
The Beating Silence is about love, loss, and finding your voice again after everything falls apart. If it reminds even one person that healing isn’t linear, and that silence can still hold strength, then I’ve done what I set out to do.
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