Shanti Hershenson: The 17 Year Old Teen Prodigy & Literary Powerhouse Behind 21 Published Books.

Guest Name: Shanti Hershenson

https://www.shantihershenson.com/

Instagram: shantihershenson

TikTok: shantiwhowrites

Summary:

In this inspiring episode of Poddin’ My Noggin, host C.K. Simms sits down with Shanti Hershenson, a 17-year-old author who has already published an astonishing 21 books. Shanti shares her journey from writing her first novel at 12 during the pandemic to becoming a sought-after speaker and literary voice for her generation.

She discusses her debut poetry book, You Won’t Know Her Name, inspired by her experiences with bullying, the evolution of her storytelling, and her latest work, Pontus and Electra to the Depths of the Sea. With a loyal TikTok following and a growing presence at book festivals and signings, Shanti proves that age is no barrier to success. Her message is clear—whether you’re young or old, it’s never too early or too late to chase your dreams.

Takeaways:

- Early Start, Big Output – Shanti Hershenson began writing seriously at 12 during the pandemic and has already published 21 books by age 17.

- Turning Adversity into Art – Her debut poetry book *You Won’t Know Her Name* draws from her personal experiences with bullying, offering both storytelling and social commentary.

- Business Mindset from the Start – She studied book marketing early on, building momentum with novellas and smaller works to gain audience trust before releasing her debut novel.

- Genre Versatility – While her passion is sci-fi and fantasy, Shanti has explored multiple genres, including poetry, dystopian fiction, and socially reflective works.

- Massive Creative Discipline – She’s edited novels as long as 250,000 words over multiple drafts, balancing school and writing commitments.

- Multi-Platform Promotion – Shanti uses TikTok (68k followers), in-person events, book festivals, signings, and giveaways to connect with readers.

- Events and Reader Engagement – She frequently attends festivals, speaks on panels, and hosts bookstore signings, often drawing readers who come specifically to meet her.

- Self-Publishing Strategy – Utilizes promotions, discounts, and early release on Patreon to build readership for new works.

- College Ambitions – She plans to study creative writing at Bryn Mawr College to deepen her craft and expand her career.

- Empowering Message – She encourages people of all ages to pursue their passions, insisting that neither youth nor age should be a barrier to starting.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Shanti Hershenson

02:19 The Journey of Writing at a Young Age

06:37 Publishing Process and Early Works

11:00 Exploring Themes of Bullying in Poetry

16:39 The Impact of Bullying and Healing Through Writing

19:40 Growth as a Writer and Recent Works

21:45 Exploring Fantasy and Sci-Fi Themes

23:04 Evolution of Writing Themes

24:54 The Journey of a Young Author

25:44 Navigating College and Creative Writing

27:43 Challenges of Writing a Long Novel

28:52 Marketing Strategies for Self-Published Authors

30:35 The Future of Writing and College Aspirations

33:07 Engaging with Readers at Events

35:40 Inspiring Others Through Personal Experiences

37:45 Encouragement for Aspiring Creatives

Keywords:

#17yearoldauthor #authorinterview #authortips #bookcommunity #bookfestival #booklover #bookmarketing #bookrecommendations #booksigning #bullyingawareness #fantasyauthor #indieauthor #inspiringstories #literaryinspiration #noveltoldinpoetry #nytbestsellergoal #patreonexclusive #poetrybook #PodMatch #podcastinterview #poddinmynoggin #selfpublishing #shantihershenson #tiktokauthors #writingadvice #writingcommunity #writinggoals #youngadultbooks #youngadultfiction #youngwriters

Want to be a guest on Poddin' My Noggin? Send C.K. Simms a message on PodMatch at https://www.podmatch.com/hostdetailpreview/1715119227867423c07672fbc