Interviewing Author Shirell Bates

1. Tell me about your self what are your favorite books to read?

A. I am a mother of 4 who became known after going multi-viral while pregnant with my twins. My undesirable experience made national headlines in 2018 setting the tone of pain during a time of my life that was supposed to bring joy. During these viral experiences, I started getting cyberbullied by over 400,000 people through social media. I was inspired to write my children’s book ‘Woolly Bully’ out of the pain of being bullied and instead turned it into strength to take a stance against bullying.

My favorite books to read are actually children’s books! I especially love the classic Illustrated picture books like ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and ‘Brown, Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?’ It’s such a special time for my children and me to enjoy these books together during our daily bedtime stories. The colors are captivating and these books ignited a love for children’s book for me as reader and Author/Illustrator

2.when did you decide you were going to write a book?

A. I decided I was going to write this book early in my postpartum period with my twins. They were only 2 months old and God downloaded the desire to write this book and the book quickly came together! In between raising my 6-year-old and tandem breastfeeding twins, I was able to write the book in 21 days and complete every illustration in 2 months.

3. How did you come up with the name of your books?

A. The name just came to me. Woolly’s character is a woolly caterpillar who is also a bully. It was perfect!

4. What are you working on for 2020?

A. In July, ‘Woolly Bully’ will be available on ImagineTime TV’s youtube channel as a free storybook reading for everyone to enjoy! I am excited to be reading my book and bringing the fun, excitement, and important message of this book. This COVID-19 pandemic will not stop the important outreach that ‘Woolly Bully’ needs to make with audiences of all ages. When social gatherings become acceptable again, I look forward to getting back into schools and bookstores to do my storytimes.

5. How long have you been writing?

A. I have always been a naturally gifted poet and have loved writing, however; this is my first book.

6. What advice would you give other authors? 

A. Do it, afraid and all. I think authors often overthink and may even talk themselves out of the books the world needs from them. For me, I could have convinced myself that my circumstances going on made it bad timing to create this book but honestly it would have been a disservice to what I had been through. My pain would have been in vain if I chose not to help somebody else and use what God gave me to make a difference. 

7.where can people find you online?

A. My children’s book ‘Woolly Bully’ is available at major book retailers GLOBALLY!  In North America check out Barnes and Noble’s, Books-A-Million, Chapters/Indigo, Amazon, or your local independent bookstore. 

To find out more about my viral experiences inspiring the book, check out my blog “The Twin Bates”

https://thetwinbatesblog.wixsite.com/thetwinbates

8. Do you plan on making more books in the future?

A. Right now, ‘Woolly Bully’ is such a primary focus to continue to spread its important message. It continues to deserve my undivided attention-getting it into schools across the country and in the homes of our youth. In the future, I would love to expand ‘Woolly Bully’ into a book series and more!

9. How many books have you written?

A. This is the only book I have written.

10 did you go to college to be a writer?

A. No, I did not pursue higher education to be a writer. I have my Associates Degree in Liberal Arts simply for my quest for knowledge in general in the field of the Arts.