We were lucky to catch up with Shetal Shah recently and have shared our conversation below.

Shetal, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you wish you had started sooner?

I could say yes, but in truth, I believe everything has a reason. My journey to a creative career is unique, and every step along the way gave me the confidence and skills to be able to write my first book. The timing was perfect, actually. When I was a kid I loved to write creatively, but pursuing a career in education beforehand gave me the direction I needed to figure out what exactly I wanted to write about and what purpose I wanted my writing to have. It was through my experience as an educator, and later as a mom, that I realized that there was a diversity gap in children’s literature that needed to be addressed. If I wanted my own children to grow up thinking and feeling that their Indian-American identity is valued, seen, and appreciated then I knew it was paramount that they saw themselves in the books that they read. As a world studies educator, I saw the positive impact an inclusive curriculum can have on a student’s self-esteem. I also saw how exposing children to lives different from their own can be instrumental in growing compassion and empathy.

Shetal, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am the author of Shakti Girls, a nonfiction children’s book that celebrates the lives and accomplishments of remarkable women from India through engaging rhyme and poetry. Prior to writing Shakti Girls, I was a world studies teacher for 15 years where I learned of the positive impact that inclusive curriculum and literature can have on a student’s sense of belonging when they see their identity in the books they read. I also saw how one’s capacity for compassion and understanding grows when one read and learns about the experiences of others different from their own. My experience as an educator, and then later as a mother to young children, and my childhood growing up in America as a second-generation Indian-American compelled me to write Shakti Girls and make others aware of the inspiring stories of these women. Their stories are remarkable and moving, many of whom had to overcome extraordinary circumstances to make their dreams come true. Many of the women featured in Shakti Girls were an inspiration to me and pushed me to persevere when the writing got tough. Without their stories, I. may not have been able to write a book at all but learning their stories and ability to overcome hurdles allowed me to see myself in them and push through.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

I made two professional pivots in my life. One was a transition from a career in marketing to education, and the other was a change from education to writing & entrepreneurship. Each transition came with the fear of the unknown and the excitement to dive into learning about a new world. The second transition was probably the hardest one because I left the comfort of a job that provided financial stability to take a risk with no guarantee of a paycheck. But, it was a step that allowed me to tap into my creative side that was dormant for so long and bring together my background in business and education. It was an exciting time to be able to blend all my experiences into one pursuit: publishing & writing. There were times of uncertainty when I wondered if I had made a mistake making this pivot, but then I reminded myself that my ultimate mission to inspire children with empowering stories from India is a reason to push forward beyond doubt and fear.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

When I was an educator at girls’ schools, not a day would go by that I would not witness or overhear a teacher or counselor reminding students that their voice is a powerful tool in making change. It is through writing, whether it’s creative or nonfiction, I have found my voice to spark change. Writing has given me the platform to spark imagination and curiosity in young readers while giving them mirrors to see themselves in the pages of my books and a window into a world that is different from their own. It is through writing and by sharing stories of unsung heroes with remarkable and inspiring stories, I can do my part in creating a more inclusive world by exposing children to the stories of heroes from around the world.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shetal-shah.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shetal.shah.writes/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shetalshahauthor
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shetal-shah/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShetalWrites
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@shaktigirls1395

Image Credits
Holland Reid Photography