Stacey Marshall
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall
Author of Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes
Every child in Ms. Berrycastle‛s class is excited for the first day of school—every child except Katie. As the newcomer in school, poor Katie feels like she‛s swallowed a bowlful of butterflies!
Whether it‛s participating in class, presenting at show-and-tell, or joining in lunchtime chats, Katie finds herself shrinking with fear. But everything changes when a remarkable superhero swoops in, equipped with his incredible, fear-squishing shoes!
Through captivating, fun-filled storytelling and whimsical illustrations, Captain Courage & the Fear-Squishing Shoes will enable kids to:
• Look and feel as brave as a superhero in school and beyond;
• Attain confident communication skills
• Take a transformative and heartwarming adventure with Katie, discovering how to
conquer worries and self-doubt
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall
Author I draw inspiration from:
Maria Dismondy: Spaghetti in a Hot Dog Bun
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall | Author I Draw Inspiration From
Favorite place to read a book:
Wrapped in a cocoon of sheets and blankets in bed! I like the escapism of immersing myself in a book at night before going to sleep. It helps turn off the to-do lists in my head and allows my mind to unwind.
Book character I’d like to be stuck in an elevator with:
If I was stuck in an elevator for an unknown duration with a book character, I think I'd like to be stuck with someone like Martha Ballard from The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon, since she is known for staying calm in worrisome situations. Plus, I'd love to chat with her about her life in the late 1700s, as well as all her healing tips and tricks. And I'd be very interested to know what she'd think about modern medicine with our advancements in preventative care, as well as the significant role of women today in medicine. My guess is that she might be equal parts amazed and skeptical.
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall | Book Character I’d Like to be Stuck in an Elevator With
The moment I knew I wanted to become an author:
I decided I wanted to become a children's book author in third grade, as my truly magical teacher, Mrs. Pierce, animatedly read us countless engaging and meaningful stories each day. I vividly remember the silence (in our often noisy classroom) during reading time, as she transported all of us--her mesmerized students-- to myriad worlds through picture books and chapter books. She instilled in us a profound love of storytelling, and I decided at this young age that I wanted to create this magic for young readers someday.
When I published my first book in 2014, Mrs. Pierce was one of the first people to call me and congratulate me! And she told me that she had bought a copy of my book and donated it to the elementary school library.
Hardback, paperback, ebook or audiobook:
There's something I find uniquely comforting and special about holding a book--hardback or paperback--in my hands to read. I enjoy the tactile sensation of turning the pages, feeling the weight of the book, and using one of my many fun and whimsical bookmarks. The only drawback is that my bookshelves are jam-packed, despite giving away so many books.
I do like the convenience of ebooks (for travel) and audiobooks (for the car), but my favorite is still an actual book!
The last book I read:
The last book I read was Kristin Hannah's Magic Hour, which was a moving story that kept me hooked. I'm a huge fan of anything Kristin Hannah writes with her exceptional character development and storytelling.
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall | The Last Book I Read
Pen & paper or computer:
My family would probably describe me as a pen and paper girl, as I'm very old-fashioned and love starting my writing process by jotting down notes to flesh out ideas and concepts.Once I'm done with this creative brainstorming phase, however, I do move to my computer to start outlining my story. Then, I do all my revising and refining on the computer--that is, unless I have a great idea while I'm away from my computer. In that case, I always carry colorful pads and pens in my purse.
Book character I think I’d be best friends with:
The character who comes to mind is Roald Dahl's Matilda, as she’s a brilliant, brave, bibliophile, who embodies the magic of childhood curiosity. I can imagine the adventures we’d have together—solving mysteries, exploring libraries and standing up to bullies together. And it would be a blast moving objects around with her telekinetic powers!
Plus, Matilda possesses one of my very favorite qualities in a friend, which is loyalty. She exhibits such loyalty as she protects her friend Lavender from Miss Trunchbull's accusations and helps Miss Honey find the courage to stand up to her aunt. I also admire Matilda’s strength of character and perseverance. Who wouldn't want to be the BFF of such a special, playful, kind and adventurous character?!
Author Interview - Stacey Marshall | Book Character I’d be Best Friends With
If I weren’t an author, I’d be a:
Besides being an author, I'm a public speaking coach--both of which are my dream careers!
Like writing children's books to help kids learn to speak up with confidence/courage, coaching public speaking is deeply gratifying because it also allows me to empower individuals to find their voice. It's incredibly rewarding to witness confidence blossom and the transformative power of effective self-expression.
Favorite decade in fashion history:
Oh, the 1980s! What a vibrant, whimsical time for fashion! I love the Flashdance off-the-shoulder sweatshirts, dramatic earrings, neon leg warmers and oversized blazers. The 80s were all about expressing individuality and having fun with fashion. And, who could forget the iconic big hair! I think the 80s taught us that fashion is not just about clothes—it's about confidence, boldness, self-expression and creativity.
Place I’d most like to travel:
Iceland! I'm always seeking awe-inspiring trips and experiences. And with its idyllic landscape full of glaciers, geysers, waterfalls, bubbling hot springs and so many more natural wonders, Iceland is definitely at the top of my list! It seems like the perfect destination for wonder-seekers and storytellers to go!
My signature drink:
Peppermint tea
Favorite artist:
Dale Chihuly for his unique and colorful, large-scale glass art--especially his undulating chandelier series that resemble sea creatures. It’s amazing to think that his elaborate chandeliers are made of individual blown glass pieces.
Number one on my bucket list:
Besides going to Iceland. I'd love to see the tundra swan migration in eastern North Carolina. I imagine it to be a breathtaking experience, seeing these elegant birds traveling in large flocks from their Arctic nesting grounds to their wintering homes.
I can only imagine the spectacle of hundreds or even thousands of swans flying in V-formations across the sky. And the swans' calls, which are often described as clarinet-like hoots or even dog barks, would be such a unique auditory experience. I’m so excited to witness this someday!
But please don’t tell my family about my answer, because they give me such a hard time when I start talking about the tundra swans or any of my very cool (they’d say “random”) bucket list items!
Anything else you'd like to add:
I'm thrilled to share that my forthcoming book, Captain Courage and the Fear-Squishing Shoes, will teach kids tangible ways to speak with confidence and courage--skills they can use throughout their lives. It's been a labor of love, and I can't wait for it to inspire young readers to find and embrace their unique voices. And just a heads-up that if you plan to attend any of my virtual or live book events, you may find me dressed up like my superhero character, performing with puppets, and demonstrating Captain Courage's secret handshake and confidence dance!
Find more from the author:
Instagram: @staceymarshallauthor
Website: www.staceymarshall.com
About Stacey Marshall:
Author Interview with Stacey Marshall
STACEY MARSHALL is a best-selling author, public speaking coach, and speech-language pathologist. She loves helping kids (and grown-ups) of all ages communicate with confidence and courage in school and beyond. She has coached both student and
professional athletes in media-best practices, and is a winner of the Women Executives International Speak-Out. She earned her BA in English from Duke University and her MS from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
