From selling sweets to Cyndi Lauper to being questioned by the US Secret Service, Shirley Novack has lots of stories to tell, but when her father died she came across the story that she wanted to write down. As a child, Shirley's Eastern European parents’ conventional beliefs were not to her satisfaction, so she worked tirelessly, pursuing education and working alongside pioneers of fetal surgery, despite only holding an associate's degree. She later shifted gears, bringing life to rooms as an interior designer and capturing the hearts and minds of students as an educator. Each career pivot reflects her multifaceted interests and her ability to adapt and thrive in various professional landscapes. The most compelling turn in Shirley's life came after the passing of her father, which uncovered a family history ripe with hardship and survival. His hidden past became the spark for her foray into the literary world, blending the lines between truth and fiction in her writing. In this episode Shirley also shares her insight into the challenges and triumphs of publishing and self-promotion, her journey through the publishing industry is an encouraging tale for aspiring writers, emphasizing that with dedication and a bit of luck, the dream of seeing one's work in print can become a reality. CreativityFound.co.uk Instagram: @creativityfoundpodcast Facebook: @creativityfoundpodcast and Creativity Found group YouTube @creativityfoundpodcast Pinterest: @creativityfound Twitter: @creativityfoun Researched, edited and produced by Claire Waite Brown Music: Day Trips by Ketsa Undercover / Ketsa Creative Commons License Free Music Archive - Ketsa - Day Trips Artworks: Emily Portnoi emilyportnoi.co.uk Photo: Ella Pallet Find episodes here Support the showSupport the show here Subscribe to the Creativity Found mailing list here Join the Creativity Found Collective here