Shari Marshall — Author Press Kit

About Shari Marshall

Shari Marshall is a Canadian fantasy and nonfiction author. Her author press kit includes biographical information, books and publications, awards, reviews, media appearances, and information for journalists, booksellers, libraries, and event organizers.

Short Author Bio:

Growing up as an only child in a less-than-conventional household in rural Ontario, Shari Marshall had plenty of time to explore her imagination. Often found perched in a tree with a book or lost in the worlds of her own making, she developed a lifelong love of storytelling. In grade school, she was filling notebooks with tales she calls the “three M’s”: magical, mystical, and mysterious. Her passion for reading and writing never faded, leading her to become the author of numerous fantasy books.

Shari lives in Canada with her husband, their two sons, and two boxers.
To learn more about her books and upcoming projects, visit her website: sharimarshall.ca

Long Author Bio:

Before she started writing novels, Shari Marshall completed an Honours Degree in English Literature from York University. After that, just to shake things up, she went to the police-training academy for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. During her time moonlighting as a police officer, Shari focused her career on family violence and earned the title of Subject Matter Resource. Interspersed throughout, Shari also earned a diploma in Creative Writing from Winghill Writing School and a Writing Memoirs Certificate from Grande Prairie Regional College. Most recently, Shari completed her Editing Certificate through Simon Fraser University.

Shari grew up in a less-than-conventional household as an only child in rural Ontario. She had a great deal of time on her hands and an active imagination. It wasn’t uncommon to find her perched on a tree branch, reading, storytelling, or lost in some narrative that was rolling around inside her head. Her passion for writing grew out of her love of reading. She describes the stories she started committing to paper in grade school with the three M’s: magical, mystical, and mysterious. Now, Shari is an award-winning author of a non-fiction title, The Funny Side, and a prequel novel, Vizard, which is part of her debut urban fantasy series, The Ember Files. She has been published in Chicken Soup for the Soul, Parents Canada, Mamalode, and The RCMP Quarterly. She’s an active blogger at Brewing Coffee, Twisting Words & Breaking Pencils. When she’s not writing, Shari enjoys travelling, camping with her family, reading, doing puzzles, and drinking coffee. She lives in Canada with her husband, their two sons, and two boxers. For information on Shari’s next book, please visit her website at http://sharimarshall.ca.

Books by Shari Marshall:

The Lost Goblin Map

The Lost Goblin Map is a middle-grade fantasy and action-adventure novel. It is book one in The Dumps Series. Liam thought his new town would bore him—until a girl went missing and clues pointed to a mythical creature. Now he and his friends are searching for answers… but something is already watching them.

Dug Up

Dug Up is a standalone urban fantasy & mystery story that follows Emaline Bo Vesper’s and her attempts at a fresh start in Gwenwick Creek. Instead, a murder investigation, a town suspicious of magic, and a dangerous new enemy threaten to expose the powers she’s kept hidden. To stop a killer—and save herself—Emaline must embrace the community—and the magical gift she’s hiding—before she becomes the killer’s next target.

The Funny Side: Relatable Anecdotes from a Once-Frazzled Parent

The Funny Side is a nonfiction collection of laugh-out-loud, heartfelt stories that celebrate the chaos of raising kids. Whether you’re smiling in recognition or laughing through the madness, these relatable moments remind every caregiver of one simple truth: you’re never parenting alone.

Vizard

Vizard is a prequel in the Ember Files series. If you love powerful heroines, magical worlds, dangerous secrets, enemies-to-lovers tension, found family, and high-stakes adventure, step into the world of Vizard. The secrets are buried. The war is coming. And magic always demands a sacrifice.

The Ember Stone (Revised Edition)

Ember Stone is the first book in the Ember Files series. Kori Ember discovers that her own heritage ties her to a war spanning two worlds. Caught between ancient magic, deadly enemies, forbidden attraction, and a destiny she never asked for, Kori must learn to wield powers that could either save both worlds or destroy them.

Chimera and Curses

Chimera and Curses is book two in the Ember Files series. Kori Ember thought she’d earned a chance at a normal life—until an unexpected visitor hands her a mission that is anything but simple. What begins as a routine retrieval quickly spirals into a race against dark magic, deadly enemies, and a threat that could consume the world. With her loyal best friend and a frustratingly complicated love interest at her side, Kori has just seven days to stop the impossible.

From the Ashes

From the Ashes is the third and final book in the Ember Files series. Consumed by vengeance, Kyson Adelgrief will stop at nothing to destroy those he blames for his losses. When he strikes at the heart of The Influencers, Kori Ember and her allies are forced into enemy territory on a desperate rescue mission. As every battle demands another sacrifice, Kori must decide how much she’s willing to lose to end Kyson’s reign of terror.

Reviews & Praise:

“Marshall’s writing is marked by a deft blend of sharp humor and dark themes, making the narrative both engaging and thought-provoking. The interplay between lighthearted moments and serious, often grim situations adds depth to the storytelling, ensuring it remains both entertaining and impactful. Her world-building is expansive and richly detailed . . . A must-read for fans of action, magic, and the supernatural.” — The Prairies Book Review | Read Full Review

“Brisk, exciting fantasy with a strong heroine’s memorable origin story.” — BookLife | Read Full Review

“The Ember Stone is a promising debut and should provide a fun romp for fans of the genre.” — BlueInk Review | Read Full Review

“Readers in search of a witty, laid-back fantasy diversion will find much to love in Shari Marshall’s Chimera and Curses, a charming comic adventure full of rollicking hijinks” — IR, starred review | Read Full Review

“A hilarious, heartfelt ode to parenting in all its messy glory . . . Marshall’s latest book is a deeply honest, uproariously funny, and occasionally gut-wrenching collection of parenting anecdotes.” — The Prairies Book Review (The Funny Side) | Read Full Review

“Witty supernatural mystery reveals surprisingly weighty themes.” — BookLife | Read Full Review

“Clever, quirky, and packed with supernatural mischief.” — The Prairies Book Review | Read Full Review

Other Publications by Shari Marshall:

Pawing the Tree Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Wonder of Christmas October 2018
First Night Out The Quarterly summer edition Vol 82. No. 3 August 2017
That Old Rocker Mamalode October 2016
Lady Parts Parents Canada August/September 2016 (page 62 of hardcopy) – Reprint online February 6, 2021

Awards & Recognition:

Media Appearances & Interviews:

Author Signing Events:

  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Belleville, Ontario (October 3, 2026)
  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Peterborough, Ontario (September 12, 2026)
  • Author Signing Event – Coles In Lindsay, Ontario (September 11, 2026)
  • Vendor Booth – Belleville ComiCon (August 29, 2026)
  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Kingston, Ontario (June 14, 2026)
  • Vendor Booth – Stirling Fun Fair (May 22, 2026)
  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Peterborough, Ontario (March 13, 2026)
  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Belleville, Ontario (October 26, 2025)
  • Author Signing Event – Indigo In Belleville, Ontario (August 16, 2025)
  • Author Signing Event – Coles at the Grande Prairie, Alberta mall (October 19, 2024)

Media & Interview Inquiries:

For interviews, book reviews, author appearances, speaking engagements, event bookings, or other media inquiries, please contact Shari Marshall at WritingSparkleBooks@gmail.com.

Social Media & Online Profiles:

Updated summer of 2026