Today we’d like to introduce you to Amy Shojai.
Hi Amy, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
I call myself the “accidental writer” since I never intended to author books. My dream was to perform on Broadway….yeah, that didn’t happen! *s* When I couldn’t find a job in the small Kentucky town after I first married, a veterinarian opened a new clinic, and I applied for office manager. I’d always loved animals–and when the interview included helping resuscitate Chihuahua puppies during the mom’s C-section, I knew I’d found my place! I shared that first of many unique experiences with my mom, and she told me I should write down the stories. So, I did–and the personal experience veterinary stories launched my pet-writing career.
The personal experience stories led to article assignments, and I interviewed veterinary experts from around the world. One December morning, I got a phone call from a New York editor who read my byline, and she offered me my first two book contracts, published by Bantam/Doubleday/Dell. Those books led to more opportunities, including a partnership with a high-power agent for many years. We produced a dozen award-winning nonfiction pet books together. Later, with the change in publishing, I took back control of my backlist and now publish independently, with eBooks, trade paperback, hardcover, and audiobooks (yes, I “voice” my own books in my own studio).
That opened up more avenues. In addition to the pet nonfiction, I also write a thriller series featuring pet-centric plots with an animal behaviorist, GSD service dog, and trained Maine Coon cat. The animals don’t talk, although they have their own viewpoint chapters, and character arcs in the stories. The animal characters arise from my expertise as a certified animal behavior consultant (through IAABC.org). Interestingly, my fiction readers love learning about the nonfiction reality of animal behavior, and the nonfiction folks enjoy the animal perspective in the fiction.
Another audience opened up when I partnered with a friend to write musical theatre productions. One of the most successful shows (all produced and published) features cats and dogs, with edutainment explaining animal behavior. STRAYS, THE MUSICAL, has been produced several times.
Over the years, many friends, colleagues, and strangers have contacted me for publishing advice, too. I helped found the Cat Writers’ Association (catwriters.com) and am a member of Dog Writers Association of America, Sisters in Crime, Thriller Writers, am an Honorary Lifetime Member of Oklahoma Writers Federation, Inc, and professional member of Alliance of Independent Authors. So, I put together a series of on-demand webinars covering several aspects of publishing. Those are available on my website.
The past couple of years, clients have contacted me to write original pet content, or “vet” and update existing material. I write for Reader’s Digest, Hill’s Pet Food Company, Chewy, Fear Free Pets and several others.
Okay, that’s probably far more than you wanted to know!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Yes, and no. Remember, this all happened by accident. Back in 1992, I quit my “real job” to focus on article writing, and then got the first two book contracts. It took another few years to land the agent.
I thought I’d arrived. I even got a job as a spokesperson for Purina Cat Chow and toured with them for several years all over the country giving cat-training demos. And then — 911 stopped the program, grounding planes and travel. It also sidetracked pet books for a while.
My agent couldn’t sell my proposals anymore. Publishers said readers could get the pet information for free on the Internet (never mind the information wasn’t accurate). I thought my career was over.
I accepted a job teaching high school choir and music to theater students. The frustration prompted me to write my first thriller (the book I’d always wanted to read), and that jump-started the next part of my career. I loved teaching, but I’m meant to write. I quit the “real job” at the end of that school year. Within three weeks, I had another book contract.
I reinvented myself from “traditionally” published with an agent to “hybrid” author and one-person show. I updated and released several of my out-of-print nonfiction books. Today, they outsell the original editions.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I specialize in writing pet-centric edutainment. That covers all the bases, from medical and behavior topics to fun slice-of-life profiles, chicken soup stories (I co-edited two of those books), or even product reviews. (You ain’t lived until you’ve reviewed poop bags for a client!)
Back in the day, I graduated with a double major in music and communication (theater and writing). So much of my fiction work includes those aspects. For example, my main character (September) in my thrillers plays cello, like me. And she also provides dog and cat behavior advice.
What sets me apart? Maybe I’ve been around longer than many of my colleagues. I joke that in dog years, I should be dead… Since I worked as a vet tech and am a behavior and care expert, I’m able to translate “medicalese” into language that anyone can understand. My stage experience allows me to do radio and TV interviews in a professional manner. I hosted a podcast for several years. And they still show re-runs of my Animal Planet appearances on Cats 101 and Dogs 101.
I’m also known for my jewelry. My blog is BLING, BITCHES & BLOOD because it covers the jewelry, the pets, and the thrillers. I’m also known roses, since our house at one time had over 700 rose plants–and yes, that’s in the fiction, since everything ends up in a book. I’m also known for my stained-glass windows and lamps I made that fill the house and the stained-glass tables and birdbaths in the garden. Yep, also in the thrillers.
A word on artists/creatives: I know dozens of authors. They not only write stellar books, they also create in multiple ways as performers, artists, or musicians. I’m not unique in that. Back when I first got that job as a vet tech and no longer had opportunities to perform onstage, I turned to writing. When my writing and publishing career went ker-flooey, I became a choir teacher. And in my so-called spare time, I surround myself with roses and recreate them in glass, or compose music, or play piano and cello, or sing in local performances. No artist is one thing but a kaleidoscope of creativity.
What matters most to you?
I was born to help the voiceless. I pray my work empowers pet lovers with the information they need to make good choices for their cats and dogs.
Now and then, I hear from readers that something I’ve shared has saved a relationship. I know that my first aid pet book has saved lives. That makes me cry, in a good way!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Shojai.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amyshojai
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyshojai.cabc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyshojai/
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/amyshojai
- Youtube: https://www.YouTube.com/amyshojai-cabc
- SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/amy-shojai/sets/strays-the-musical-cast
- Other: https://AmyShojai.com
