An Interview with Tabatha Shipley

Tabatha is the author of multiple written works, including the Kingdom of Fraun series. She believes strongly in the power of helping others and is always willing to help out a fellow writer or reader. Find and connect with her on whichever social media platform you love best.

Who/what made you want to write? Was there a particular person, or particular writers/works/art forms that influenced you?

I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. Some of my strongest memories with people are bonding over books or series that we both adored: with my grandmother it was the Alex Cross series by James Patterson, with my goddaughter it was Percy Jackson by Rick Riordan, with some of my students it was the Shadow Children series by Haddix. Books have the power to bring us to other places and teach us something. It’s something I have always been obsessed with. So, for me, writing became another way for me to share those pieces of myself and connect with others.

What other professions have you worked in? What’s something about you that your readers wouldn’t know?

I was a teacher for sixteen years. I taught Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading, and Writing. I taught from as low as kindergarten Math groups all the way up to ninth-grade Algebra 1-2 and pretty much everything in between. Something readers might not know is that I can label all the countries on a world map. It feels like a lost art lately and something I definitely don’t brag about enough. It used to suitably impress my students though. I still got it, guys. Trust me.

Tell us the story of your book’s title. Was it easy to find, or did it take forever?

I have always struggled with titles. Oftentimes they’re actually the LAST part of a project to be finalized. In the case of How to Schedule a Death, my most recent publication, the title was one of six suggestions I brought to my team to vote on. I knew the vibe I was going for so I pulled six phrases that actually appear in the book for them to look at. Most of the team had not read the book at this point. They were given only the vibe I was going for and the options. The decision was unanimous.

How did it feel when you first saw your book cover? Or when you first held your book in your hands?

For this one, I’m going back to my first book. When I opened that proof image from the cover design team for Breaking Eselda, I feel like I forgot how to breathe for a moment. I remember looking at that image and thinking, “Wow, that’s her.” I’d spent YEARS writing this girl’s story and to see an image that so completely captured her was a little shocking. Ten books and two special editions later, that is still one of my favorite covers.

What is one thing you hope readers take away from reading your book? How do you envision your perfect reader?

My perfect reader is one who comes to a book to be submersed in someone else’s world or situation. Whether you’re falling into Fraun or following a killer for hire, my books are going to take you somewhere else. In the process, you’re likely to learn a little about other people. My perfect readers are open to experiences that are not their own. In fact, they welcome them.

What was the most rewarding/meaningful part of publishing your book?

Hearing from fans, without question. If you’ve ever emailed me, messaged me, or stopped at my booth at FanFusion just to say hi and tell me you’re a fan…you made my whole day, just so you know. I love hearing from fans and talking to them, even if I often get a bit awkward and spin to talking about other things. You’re all the best. Thank you!

What new writing projects are you currently working on? Or, other projects that are not writing?

In Trust We Fall, my collection of short stories, is with ARC readers now! It comes out on October 8, 2024. This one dabbles in multiple genres and is a great way for readers who haven’t read some of my stuff to see if they’ll like my style. It’s also good for fans, of course, but they probably already planned to preorder!

Are you a writer, too? Submit your manuscript to Atmosphere Press.