ADAM SHAUGHNESSY

Adam Shaughnessy began his career as an elementary school teacher. He taught a multi-age class of second and third graders at an urban, multicultural-themed magnet school for five years, during which time he was recognized by Connecticut’s Department of Education for exemplary teaching practice. After his time in the classroom, Adam transitioned to a role as district coordinator of out-of-school time programs, directing afterschool programs, enrichment programs, and summer programs for hundreds of young people from cities and towns throughout southeastern Connecticut. 

Throughout his more-than-a-decade career in public education, Adam’s two favorite pastimes were sharing stories with young people and sharing games with young people. In 2009, Adam began to focus on those two passions. He launched Grand Adventures, an enrichment program for elementary aged children that blends story and play by placing cooperative games in the context of sophisticated stories. 

At the same time, Adam began writing for young people. He completed a Master’s program in Children’s Literature at Hollins University and sold his first novel, The Trickster’s Tale, in auction in 2014. The Trickster’s Tale was released in 2015 and was selected for the BookExpo America Buzz List, the American Booksellers Association's Indies Introduce List and Indies Next List, and as an Editor’s Pick on Amazon. It was followed in 2016 by Over the Underworld. Adam is currently writing the third book in the series. 

Adam has been featured in articles in Kirkus Reviews, Publisher’s Weekly, and Education World and he has been a presenter or panelist at BookExpo America, the Miami Bookfair, The Museum of the City of New York, Yale New Haven Children’s Hospital, and at countless schools, bookstores, libraries, and museums throughout the country.  He is represented by Ammi-Joan Paquette at the Erin Murphy Literary Agency. He can be reached online at adamshaughnessy.com.