Who is Amy Shojai?
The Accidental Writer
Nope, I planned to star on Broadway despite my shyness. Or live in a cave with a pet lion and wolf. Even as a kid, I dreamed big.
I always loved animals.
Dogs and cats shared my dreams and kept my secrets. Pets never judged or made fun of me. And I became someone else—brave, important, successful—within the covers of a book.
I acted out my daydreams as the story hero, always with a pet by my side. Mom told her friends, “When Amy grows up, she won’t have babies—she’ll have puppy dogs and kitty cats.”
Mom was right.
But not my books. More than once, teachers caught me reading a story hidden inside a textbook.
I grew up, but never stopped reading, always with a pet nearby.
Years of daydreams trained me to pretend unkind words and side-eye didn’t hurt. I created a public persona, a shield from the real me, complete with bling-icity.
Bling Is My Protection.
Hey, as a writer I get to make up words! The public Amy ain’t the same as the private Amy.
Do you do that, too?
The doctor interviewed me while performing a Chihuahua’s C-section and handing me pups to resuscitate. Ya can’t make this stuff up! When I shared that story (and many others), Mom said, “You should write them down.”
So I did.
I’d never considered writing.
Thanks to the tips, I sold eight stories in a row to Dog Fancy magazine, and later to Cat Fancy. All I can say is, doG bless mentors!
Success breeds success.
First articles led to future assignments and interviews with experts around the world. We played telephone-tag (this was before email) during lunch hours and after work. I wrote until midnight most days and weekends.
Little sleep, lots of work, but the JOY of it becomes addictive. My writing can save relationships—and pet lives. I am truly blessed.
With books on my resume, more writer-icity opportunities came my way. I even got an agent.
Imagine my surprise when other writers starting calling ME for interviews, for their own articles and books. Holy wow, that led to radio and television appearances (they still show some of my Animal Planet CATS 101 and DOGS 101 segments). Oh, and books, lots of books filled with dog and cat edu-tainment. You can check ’em out by clicking on the boxes. Go ahead. . . I’ll wait.
Cat Books
Dog Books
I quit writing. I got a job teaching high school choir & musical theater. But I missed what I’d lost, missed working from home with furry muses by my side, and missed making a positive difference in pet lives. I mourned the death of my accidental career…
Dreamers Gotta Dream.
I imagined her overcoming a painful past, partnering with a service dog that heals her. I sobbed as the story unfolded and cheered when the unlikely partners became heroes. Bad stuff happens, but good always wins with the help of her pets.
I wrote the thriller I’d always wanted to read.
The Thrillers
And when readers loved it as much as I did–and THE JAMES ROLLINS gave me a glowing cover quote!–that first roller-coaster story turned into a series. Who’d a-thunk it? You can check out the thrillers by clicking above. Go ahead, ya know ya want to!
Teaching taught me I’m a very good teacher. But I’m meant to be a writer. I stopped listening to my nasty inner critic and returned to what I love:
Empowering pet lovers through my work!
God put me on this earth to speak for pets—and advocate for you, dear reader. May you be blessed with an abundance of happy accidents!
On to the Next Big Thing!
Today, I don’t limit my dreams. I write cat and dog nonfiction in my books, my blog, and for select corporate clients. And I still daydream in my fiction books and theatre pursuits (see the SCRIPTS page, above).
I’m like a cat, and hate change. But I’ve learned to look on accidents and reinventing myself as opportunities.
After all, you gotta DREAM it first, before you can chase and catch that brass ring. I’m blessed with an abundance of furry muses who inspire my work.
Ask Amy
Now you know a bit about me, I’d love to hear about you. What do you love to read (or write)? And what furry wonders share your heart? Subscribe to my newsletter to share.
You’ll find lots of pet-centric resources here, from pet care books to thrillers, writing tips, and theater scripts. Browse away to find the book (or five!) you’ve always wanted to read!
I’m Available~~to Speak!
Choose your poison: In person, virtually, or on-demand webinars to address pet questions, writing and publishing, or even (gasp!) drama-mamma stuff! Check it out here.
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