Shelley Cass

Tell us a little bit about yourself, your hobbies and interests.

I've spent half my life writing - building entire worlds and people with my words. Epic fantasies, gritty erotic adventures, dystopian fantasies, children's books and now an urban gang vs corrupt system series with everything 'boy love'. Writing is my soul-burning passion, and teaching is my Clark Kent disguise.

When and why did you start writing books?

Funnily enough, I was not always a natural writer let alone author. I was terrible at maths, and was such a dunce with reading and writing that I had to do special programs (I stayed down in PREP!) to help my five year old self catch up. My sister made sure I knew the funny little shapes that made up the letters to my name, but I was otherwise the child who stared out the window, coloured the pictures rather than solving the activity sheet problems, and asked questions that had already been answered. Thanks to my miraculous childhood teachers, and my persistent mother, I went from drawing squiggles and mumbling/fake reading when it was my turn to read aloud in class ... to devouring picture books and everything beyond. I remember groaning every time mum made me sound out each word, reading each excruciating sentence over and over and feeling like I was never going to get it. I also remember feeling like the school library was a barrier, a place to feel embarrassed and jealous, until one day all of that practice seemed to make sense. I hadn't even realised it was happening until I half-heartedly-picked up 'Green Eggs and Ham' and realised I didn't have to fake read it - even on my own. I can't explain the shift in who I was at that moment. I was no longer the kid who was stuck. I was the kid who had proud parents, and who was given a whole Dr. Seuss book set to celebrate. I was the kid who came to rely on books for an escape from high school and who started writing for myself. I was also the kid who was never cured of the maths issues though. This isn't a fairy tale after all.

Which one of your books or characters is your favourite?

Raze of the 'Raze Warfare' series. He is Kiddo's opposite - a larrikin, a flirt, a wild card, and yet completely, unabashedly devoted to Kid. Kiddo grounds Raze, and Raze creates all of the noise and colour for them. I love that he is a comfort and constant for Kiddo (probably because Kiddo is most like me).

Which one of your books was the hardest to write and stretched you the most as a writer?

My epic fantasy 'A Fairy's Tale' series took me fifteen years to agonise over and perfect. It literally is EPIC, and intricate, and beautiful. Whereas the 'Raze Warfare' series is set against a gritty, urban backdrop, with very real people and relationships - it could be pared right back and gets straight into the action.

Who is your favourite author and book?

Megan Whalen Turner's 'Thief' series will never fade for me. It is brilliant, and I discover new things or continue to curl up inside as I read it, every single time.

What book are you reading right now?

'Raze Warfare' book three, 'Raze vs The Wolf'. It's nearly ready to be born.

Where do you get your inspiration for your books?

I sound like a crazy person. But it all comes from images and phrases that pop into my head, playing out a like a movie. A random song or moment I'm experiencing in reality might just suddenly spark it off.

What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

What is spare time? I struggle to relax. I have a motor going inside me all the time. Teach, write, mark, create, reasearch, repeat. But movies, TV series and audiobooks are sometimes the only things that help me get out of my own head, transplanting me into someone else's (still not crazy).

Do you have any new books in the works?

The final 'Raze Warfare' novel should be out by the end of 2021. Considering my fantasy trilogy took me fifteen years, starting as a teen, I'm doing pretty well these days. The urge takes over, and in my two week holidays I can smash out a whole novel (then spend every spare minute across the term refinining or recording it as audio). 'Raze Warfare' has been created in three separate stints across one year.