In this episode:

14 year old Shanti Hershenson has always been a writer but when lockdown happened, she decided to take the plunge and transition from short stories to a novel.

Bursting with energy and enthusiasm for her writing, Shanti says it’s too easy for teen writers to underestimate themselves and think that because they're so young, they can't possibly write a novel. 

But, she says, you can absolutely do it no matter what age you are. You just have to be consistent, write regularly and little by little you'll get better. But you must keep writing.

Shanti's best known book is You Won't Know Her Name, a novel that tackles the subject of bullying at school. Shanti was bullied and she was so angered by her school’s lackadaisical response that she wrote her novel - in verse form.

I asked why she chose to write it in verse, and she told me that’s the way the book wanted to be written. It was the most natural way to tell the story she had in her head.

The novel resonates with a lot of people her age because it acknowledges that most bullies are a friend of the victim. They are not a random kid from another class or year, but someone the victim knows.

Shanti Hershenson’s advice for anyone being bullied is to talk to a trusted adult, whether that be a coach, teacher, parent or other family member. Don't feel you've got to deal with it alone. There’s always one person you can reach out to who will know what to do.

Her advice for schools is to not shy away from the problem. Listen to the victim. They don’t make up being bullied. If the school doesn’t know it’s happening, then get observant. Make it a priority to find out what’s going on in your playground.

Shanti feels too many principals deny that bullying happens in their school, which doesn’t fix the problem.

Shanti Hershenson’s productivity rate is explosive and she shares her writing routine and how she balances school life and writing. The trick for her is to write as soon as she gets home, before switching off for the day.

We finish our conversation with Shanti telling me about book 17 and her hopes for the future, which I’m sure is very bright.

Book 17 is her most complicated story to date, and it’s clear she’s having fun writing it and is excited to share it with the world.

Connect with Shanti

Website: Author | Shanti Hershenson
Instagram: @shantihershenson

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