Welcome to Author S.R. Johannes
Bio:
Shelli Johannes-Wells started out writing for her local school paper, winning a state Nutrition essay contest for “Be a Smart Cookie”, and singing in a local Jazz band. Somewhere along the way, she earned an MBA in Marketing and embarked on an 18-year marketing career in Corporate America working as a marketing and communications consultant.
In 2000, Shelli traded in her expensive suits, way-too high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She started her own marketing & communications business, www.bilaninc.com, and continues creating materials for a variety of large profit and nonprofit clients, including Spanx, Goody Hair Products, Chick Filet, Delta, CARE, and the Boys & Girls Club of America.
Shelli’s dream is to publish children’s books and magically imprint the imaginations of kids. In addition to juggling nap schedules while attending client meetings, Shelli focuses on her writing. She is a frequent marketing speaker at SCBWI conferences across the U.S and runs a popular marketing blog, Market My Words (www.faeriality.blogspot.com) where she provides marketing advice for authors in the hopes of helping them better market their words.
In her spare time (yeah right!) and if the kids allow (yeah right!), Shelli obsesses over movies, reads children’s books (over and over), wishes she could squeeze in Bikram Yoga sessions, and dreams of sleeping in on the weekends.
She currently lives in Atlanta with her dog, British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess that someday will change the world.
Email: shelli@srjohannes.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes
Author Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/SRJohannes/249888602550
Personal Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes
Author Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes
Book Goodreads:
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12731861-untraceable
Blog:
http://faeriality.blogspot.com/
Interview:
If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?
I don’t know the time period – but I would love to go back and experience
If you could invite any 5 people to dinner who would you choose?
Oprah, Steve Jobs, Ghandi, Dali Lama, Joan of Ark
Maybe Brad Pitt or Keanu Reeves – but that would be for breakfast - ha!!
If you were stranded on a desert island what 3 things would you want with you?
Besides food and water - books, laptop (with great wireless plan), and picture of family
What is one book everyone should read?
The Prophet by Kahil Gibran
If you were a superhero what would your name be?
SuperScribe (I would be the dorky superhero who beats people with words)
If you could have any superpower what would you choose?
To heal
What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?
Magnum chocolate bars – Think ice creame with a layer of caramel with a layer of crunchy chocolate with another layer of caramel with another layer of crunchy chocolate.
If you could meet one person who has died who would you choose?
Jesus
What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast?
Smoked Salmon everything bagel with garlic creame cheese with one slice of tomato and one ring of red onion (yummy!)– not to be specific or anything. *runs off to make one *
Night owl, or early bird?
Night owl – definitely NOT early bird.
One food you would never eat?
Any kind of organ. Especially liver (though I have nightmares of my parents making me when I was little (shivers)
Pet Peeves?
Hypocricy and dishonesty
Saying you will do something and not honoring it.
Skittles or M&Ms?
Since my husband is from England, I have to say Minstrels (which is like a high end delicious, creamy MMs)
Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.
A new young adult wilderness thriller with a missing father, a kickbutt heroine, and of course - two hot boys.
Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?
There is a special edition coming in Jan/Feb with a different ending and the first 5 chapters of the next book.I do have a second book planned – Uncontrollable set in the winter.
What inspired you to want to become a writer?
I love to tell stories. But I never thought about writing until my daughter was born.
Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Knowing I created something on my own – something that touches people and makes them think in some way.
What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?
Pippy Longstocking. I loved that at that age – she was independent, confident, and creative
Is there a song you could list as the theme song for your book or any of your characters?
Grace by REM
What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Don’t give up and go with your gut!
If you could be one of the Greek Gods, which would it be and why?
Calliope – so I could be a muse to writers.
If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?
On the beach somewhere. I’m not picky.
What is your favorite Quote?
Do unto others as you would have them do to you. It has always stuck with me.
Who are your favorite authors of all time?
John Steinbeck, Kahil Gibran, Ann Rand, James Patterson (in the early years)
Can you see yourself in any of your characters?
I see pieces of myself in all my characters.
What's the best advice anyone has ever given you?
My dad always says Hero or Zero – I eithe rgo all the way for something or I don’t go at all.
Hidden talent?
I can sing
Favorite Food?
Mexican cheese dip (with a nice strawberry margherita)
What movie and/or book are you looking forward to this year?
Hunger Games
How do you react to a bad review?
Of course - it hurts my feelings at first. Especially if I don’t feel it represents my book. But I’d rather have good and bad reviews than no reviews. To me – that shows passion and if I touched someone.
If you were a bird, which one would you be?
Owl so I could stay up all night and watch people without them knowing.
If you were a super hero what would your kryptonite be?
Critisism
If you could have a signed copy of any novel what would it be and why? Bible. I could only imagine what God’s signature looks like J
You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?
My parents out of debt.
What do you do in your free time?
Write or play with kids
What are you the most thankful for?
My family being together, safe, healthy and happy
Untraceable:
16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.
When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.
One day, while out tracking clues, Grace is rescued from imminent danger by Mo, a hot guy who has an intoxicating accent and a secret. Grace has never felt a connection like this before, certainly not with her ex-boyfriend, the adoring, but decidedly unrugged, Wyn.
After a few run-ins with the town's police chief, her father's partner, and some new evidence, Grace travels deeper into the wilderness that has always been her refuge only to learn that her father's disappearance is not a mere coincidence.
Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.
Book Giveaway
1 ebook copy of Untraceable via Smashwords coupon
Open Internationally
Ends 1/5/12
WINNER:
Sally Schwartz
