Shelly Sanders

I am an author, journalist, and aspiring artist. 

My next novel will be published by Harper Collins in April, 2022. Potentially entitled, Daughters of the Occupation, it explores intergenerational trauma after the Latvian Holocaust, and was spurred by ancestors, as well as the discovery of my Jewish roots as an adult.

My first three novels, Rachel’s Secret, Rachel’s Promise, and Rachel’s Hope (Second Story Press) were inspired by my grandmother’s escape from a Russian pogrom and subsequent journey to Shanghai. They received starred reviews, including Booklist and VOYA, and two were named Notable Books by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards announced by the Association of Jewish Libraries. 

Before I started weaving my family through historical narratives, I was a journalist, writing about everything from green architecture to Tourette’s Syndrome for the Toronto Star, National Post, Canadian Jewish News, Maclean’s magazine, Canadian Living, and Reader’s Digest. (To be perfectly honest, I did write about family in a few pieces; it was impossible to resist when all three of my children got lice at the same time, or when we hosted a Chernobyl child.)

Inborn curiosity drives my work. I am happiest when researching a new subject, and often have to force myself to start an outline, because I am consumed by facts, people, places, stories, and ideas. 

When I’m not writing, I paint, binge genealogy sites or, pre-Covid, speed skate and play tennis (I’m a two-handed backhander). I also review books for Jewishgen.org, and run the book club for my synagogue. I’ve read everything Alice Hoffman has written, just finished Mary Beth Keane's, Ask Again, Yes, and am now reading, It Didn't Start With You, by Mark Wolynn. During Covid, I have become disturbingly addicted to Netflix’s ‘Sugar Rush’ and Scandinavian murder mysteries.