Shani Z. Nesmith
https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
This week it is my pleasure to interview Shani Z. Nesmith. Would you please introduce yourself to my readers, Shani and share something about your life.
I am a solo mom of a teenage daughter and a fur baby girl in my 40s. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, and still reside in Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor degree in Animal Science with the intention of becoming a Veterinarian, but I was horrible with Chemistry. In 2012, I earned a Master in Accountancy, and I have worked in Finance since 2014 in various capacities. I am now an accountant by day, and I write in my spare time.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in February 2025. My father had always encouraged me to write a children’s book in my adulthood, based on how he saw me interact with my daughter in her early years and because he saw my creativity in memory books that I used to produce for her each year of her early life. I had an idea for a story at least 10 years ago, but gave up because I didn’t know how to make it happen. I was especially worried about how to get it illustrated. My father passed in October 2023, and I decided to make an attempt after being exposed to AI. I found an AI application and entered prompts to create the characters and illustrated it myself bringing Bakari’s Brave Heart to life. Ever since, I have been flooded with ideas. So hopefully, there will be much more to come.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I like to mix up the age audience, but ultimately, I think I am sticking with children’s books. My first book was for young children, and probably best for a read aloud or bedtime story. My second book was a kid’s chapter book, because I enjoy being able to develop characters. I do intend to eventually publish an adult fiction novel; however, I will likely use a pen name for that book to separate myself from children’s books.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I actually do a combination. I typically come up with the characters first and make notes about what they are like. Second, I figure out their dilemma or scenario they find themselves in. Then I just start writing and see where it leads me. I LOVE copy & paste. Because it makes it easy for editing and moving parts of the story around.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Cookie the Detective CHAPTER 1:The Midnight Mystery
It was a cool Florida night, the kind where even the cicadas seemed to take a break from their usual buzzing. A crisp breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of damp grass and salt from the nearby coast. The world outside was quiet—peaceful. Cookie lay curled up at the foot of the bed, her tail twitching as she dreamed of chasing rabbits. Her ears flicked at a distant sound. A rustling, maybe? A soft thump? It was enough to stir her slightly, but not enough to break the warmth of sleep. Until—
BARK! BARK! BARK!
Her eyes popped open. The barking wasn’t coming from inside the house. It was coming from outside.
BARK! BARK! BARK!!!
She lifted her head, ears swiveling toward the sound. It carried from about 150 yards northwest—somewhere near the Garcia family’s house. The sharp, repetitive barks cut through the night like an alarm. She wasn’t the only one who heard it. “Ugh… not again,” her owner groaned, rolling over in bed. “Why is that dog barking so much?” He pressed a pillow completely over his head, muttering something about people being inconsiderate. Cookie did not like that her owner was disturbed; however, this was not normal barking.
BARK! BARK! BARK…whine.
Although she was still a little tired, Cookie leaped down from the bed, her paws padding softly across the wooden floor. She sniffed the air—nothing unusual. No strange scents drifting in through the window. But the barking? It was urgent. The dog wasn’t just making noise—he was trying to say something. Across the room, Blaze didn’t even stir. He was sprawled out in his plush dog bed, snoring lightly, his legs twitching in a dream. Cookie trotted over and nudged him with her nose. “Blaze, wake up.” No response. She tried again, firmer this time. “Blaze, seriously. Did you hear that?” Blaze—a blue, black, and white beagle—cracked one eye open, stretched dramatically, and let out a long yawn. “Mmm… nope. Didn’t hear a thing.” “The barking. How can you not hear that? It’s been going on for quite some time tonight.” Blaze flopped over, tucking his paws under his chin. “Maybe that dog just loves the sound of its own bark. Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Cookie sighed. “It doesn’t sound random, Blaze.”
BARK! BARK! ... pause … whimper … BARK!
Blaze groaned and covered his ears with his paws. “Maybe it just wants to play.” “Then why does it sound upset?” Cookie replied sharply, her tail flicking with irritation. Blaze rolled onto his back with an annoyed, dramatic sigh. “Let that dog’s owner figure it out. After all, our owners wouldn’t just let us bark at night all willy nilly without responding.” “Blaze,” Cookie responded, “Although you have a point, what if its owner isn’t at home?” Blaze almost gave his sister a tired warning growl, but stopped himself. He smirked sleepily. “I… Big Sis… am going to finish my beauty rest.” He shut his eyes. “Goodnight.” Cookie huffed. “You’re no help, Blaze.” She turned toward the window, staring into the dark night. Her gut told her that the barking wasn’t just noise—it was communication. But if it wasn’t just random barking… what was the message? Why has this been going on for hours? Cookie let her nose hover near the open window, inhaling deeply. Nothing strange. No unfamiliar smells. But still, she knew that something was just not right. Maybe… just maybe… this was a case for Cookie the Detective.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Blaze the blue, black & white beagle is my favorite character, because I enjoy his carefree personality. I also enjoy the challenge of giving him funny dialogue without being too annoying. It is a balancing act.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Cookie the Detective, because I sincerely enjoy bringing the Detective Team characters to life. My goal is to make it a series of 3-5 mysteries.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
I haven’t been given marketing advice from anyone directly, other than to slow down. My problem is that once I get and idea and the mindset to accomplish something…I will work non-stop to get the task completed. I lost a large amount of sleep while writing and illustrating Bakari’s Brave Heart. Not as much for Cookie the Detective, as I forced myself to find breaking points.
How would you describe yourself?
I would say that over the last 5 years I have gone from being semi-extroverted to being a complete hermit. I like to stay home and rarely have reason to leave my home. It’s almost as if I still live like we are in a pandemic sadly. I also consider myself a “Jack-of-all-Trades, but master of none.” I can be very independent, preferring to resolve most things on my own. Whether it be putting together furniture, small house repairs and updates, etc. I prefer to find a book, directions, or a YouTube video and do it myself. I have a very determined nature.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
When not working, I am usually found walking my Beagle—Snoopi, or spending time with my teenage daughter and immediate family.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Tough question!! I have not left the country. I definitely would love to see an island with Crystal clear blue waters…maybe Jamaica or the Maldives?? I grew up around water being from Jacksonville, Florida; however, I would like to see the type of water than you can see all the way down to the sand and creatures below.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Cookie the Detective was inspired by my dog Snoopi. We actually almost named her Cookie, so I used it for the book. The funniest thing about her is watching her attempts to chase squirrels. I don’t think she is fast enough to catch a squirrel, plus she is always limited by the leash. Snoopi usually gets really low and moves slowly along the ground trying to stalk the poor squirrel. I laugh inside because sometimes she approaches so slowly that it seems as if she thinks she can just walk up to the squirrel and say “Hi.” And of course, I enjoy when she gets the zoomies!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The topic first and I must admit cover art or the description entices me second. I have been reading a lot of non-fiction in adulthood. I have been big into “Self Help” or “Finance” books, but I do read fiction occasionally.
Do you have your own website?
I have a temporary site, but not yet an official domain name. https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes. I have three projects in the works. Book 2 of the Cookie the Detective Series will be coming out likely in May 2025. Next, I need to complete the illustration of the second book of the Adventures of Bakari series. Finally, I have started the adult fiction novel, likely to be released much later under a pen name.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Bakari’s Brave Heart will be having an eBook Countdown sale on Amazon (April 17-24). I also have a Countdown eBook deal on Amazon for Cookie the Beagle Book 1 starting on May2-8.Finally I hope to give away at least 5 paperback copies of Cookie the Beagle through GoodReads.
I am a solo mom of a teenage daughter and a fur baby girl in my 40s. I was born and raised in Jacksonville, and still reside in Florida. I graduated from the University of Florida with a Bachelor degree in Animal Science with the intention of becoming a Veterinarian, but I was horrible with Chemistry. In 2012, I earned a Master in Accountancy, and I have worked in Finance since 2014 in various capacities. I am now an accountant by day, and I write in my spare time.
When did you write your first book and how did it come about?
I wrote my first book in February 2025. My father had always encouraged me to write a children’s book in my adulthood, based on how he saw me interact with my daughter in her early years and because he saw my creativity in memory books that I used to produce for her each year of her early life. I had an idea for a story at least 10 years ago, but gave up because I didn’t know how to make it happen. I was especially worried about how to get it illustrated. My father passed in October 2023, and I decided to make an attempt after being exposed to AI. I found an AI application and entered prompts to create the characters and illustrated it myself bringing Bakari’s Brave Heart to life. Ever since, I have been flooded with ideas. So hopefully, there will be much more to come.
Do you always write in the same genre or do you mix it up?
I like to mix up the age audience, but ultimately, I think I am sticking with children’s books. My first book was for young children, and probably best for a read aloud or bedtime story. My second book was a kid’s chapter book, because I enjoy being able to develop characters. I do intend to eventually publish an adult fiction novel; however, I will likely use a pen name for that book to separate myself from children’s books.
When you write, do you start with an idea and sit down and let it evolve, or do you make notes and plot the chapters beforehand?
I actually do a combination. I typically come up with the characters first and make notes about what they are like. Second, I figure out their dilemma or scenario they find themselves in. Then I just start writing and see where it leads me. I LOVE copy & paste. Because it makes it easy for editing and moving parts of the story around.
Would you like to give us a short excerpt from one of your books?
Cookie the Detective CHAPTER 1:The Midnight Mystery
It was a cool Florida night, the kind where even the cicadas seemed to take a break from their usual buzzing. A crisp breeze drifted through the open window, carrying the scent of damp grass and salt from the nearby coast. The world outside was quiet—peaceful. Cookie lay curled up at the foot of the bed, her tail twitching as she dreamed of chasing rabbits. Her ears flicked at a distant sound. A rustling, maybe? A soft thump? It was enough to stir her slightly, but not enough to break the warmth of sleep. Until—
BARK! BARK! BARK!
Her eyes popped open. The barking wasn’t coming from inside the house. It was coming from outside.
BARK! BARK! BARK!!!
She lifted her head, ears swiveling toward the sound. It carried from about 150 yards northwest—somewhere near the Garcia family’s house. The sharp, repetitive barks cut through the night like an alarm. She wasn’t the only one who heard it. “Ugh… not again,” her owner groaned, rolling over in bed. “Why is that dog barking so much?” He pressed a pillow completely over his head, muttering something about people being inconsiderate. Cookie did not like that her owner was disturbed; however, this was not normal barking.
BARK! BARK! BARK…whine.
Although she was still a little tired, Cookie leaped down from the bed, her paws padding softly across the wooden floor. She sniffed the air—nothing unusual. No strange scents drifting in through the window. But the barking? It was urgent. The dog wasn’t just making noise—he was trying to say something. Across the room, Blaze didn’t even stir. He was sprawled out in his plush dog bed, snoring lightly, his legs twitching in a dream. Cookie trotted over and nudged him with her nose. “Blaze, wake up.” No response. She tried again, firmer this time. “Blaze, seriously. Did you hear that?” Blaze—a blue, black, and white beagle—cracked one eye open, stretched dramatically, and let out a long yawn. “Mmm… nope. Didn’t hear a thing.” “The barking. How can you not hear that? It’s been going on for quite some time tonight.” Blaze flopped over, tucking his paws under his chin. “Maybe that dog just loves the sound of its own bark. Sounds like a personal problem to me.” Cookie sighed. “It doesn’t sound random, Blaze.”
BARK! BARK! ... pause … whimper … BARK!
Blaze groaned and covered his ears with his paws. “Maybe it just wants to play.” “Then why does it sound upset?” Cookie replied sharply, her tail flicking with irritation. Blaze rolled onto his back with an annoyed, dramatic sigh. “Let that dog’s owner figure it out. After all, our owners wouldn’t just let us bark at night all willy nilly without responding.” “Blaze,” Cookie responded, “Although you have a point, what if its owner isn’t at home?” Blaze almost gave his sister a tired warning growl, but stopped himself. He smirked sleepily. “I… Big Sis… am going to finish my beauty rest.” He shut his eyes. “Goodnight.” Cookie huffed. “You’re no help, Blaze.” She turned toward the window, staring into the dark night. Her gut told her that the barking wasn’t just noise—it was communication. But if it wasn’t just random barking… what was the message? Why has this been going on for hours? Cookie let her nose hover near the open window, inhaling deeply. Nothing strange. No unfamiliar smells. But still, she knew that something was just not right. Maybe… just maybe… this was a case for Cookie the Detective.
Who is your favorite character and why?
Blaze the blue, black & white beagle is my favorite character, because I enjoy his carefree personality. I also enjoy the challenge of giving him funny dialogue without being too annoying. It is a balancing act.
Which of your books gave you the most pleasure to write?
Cookie the Detective, because I sincerely enjoy bringing the Detective Team characters to life. My goal is to make it a series of 3-5 mysteries.
What is the best marketing tip you have received?
I haven’t been given marketing advice from anyone directly, other than to slow down. My problem is that once I get and idea and the mindset to accomplish something…I will work non-stop to get the task completed. I lost a large amount of sleep while writing and illustrating Bakari’s Brave Heart. Not as much for Cookie the Detective, as I forced myself to find breaking points.
How would you describe yourself?
I would say that over the last 5 years I have gone from being semi-extroverted to being a complete hermit. I like to stay home and rarely have reason to leave my home. It’s almost as if I still live like we are in a pandemic sadly. I also consider myself a “Jack-of-all-Trades, but master of none.” I can be very independent, preferring to resolve most things on my own. Whether it be putting together furniture, small house repairs and updates, etc. I prefer to find a book, directions, or a YouTube video and do it myself. I have a very determined nature.
What do you do when you are not writing or reading?
When not working, I am usually found walking my Beagle—Snoopi, or spending time with my teenage daughter and immediate family.
If you could holiday anywhere in the world, where would you choose and why?
Tough question!! I have not left the country. I definitely would love to see an island with Crystal clear blue waters…maybe Jamaica or the Maldives?? I grew up around water being from Jacksonville, Florida; however, I would like to see the type of water than you can see all the way down to the sand and creatures below.
If you have owned pets, do you have a funny story you would like to share with us?
Cookie the Detective was inspired by my dog Snoopi. We actually almost named her Cookie, so I used it for the book. The funniest thing about her is watching her attempts to chase squirrels. I don’t think she is fast enough to catch a squirrel, plus she is always limited by the leash. Snoopi usually gets really low and moves slowly along the ground trying to stalk the poor squirrel. I laugh inside because sometimes she approaches so slowly that it seems as if she thinks she can just walk up to the squirrel and say “Hi.” And of course, I enjoy when she gets the zoomies!
What is the biggest factor for you when selecting a book to read?
The topic first and I must admit cover art or the description entices me second. I have been reading a lot of non-fiction in adulthood. I have been big into “Self Help” or “Finance” books, but I do read fiction occasionally.
Do you have your own website?
I have a temporary site, but not yet an official domain name. https://sites.google.com/view/akunna-publishing
Are you working on a new book at the moment?
Yes. I have three projects in the works. Book 2 of the Cookie the Detective Series will be coming out likely in May 2025. Next, I need to complete the illustration of the second book of the Adventures of Bakari series. Finally, I have started the adult fiction novel, likely to be released much later under a pen name.
Do you have any events or book promotions coming up that you would like to tell us about?
Bakari’s Brave Heart will be having an eBook Countdown sale on Amazon (April 17-24). I also have a Countdown eBook deal on Amazon for Cookie the Beagle Book 1 starting on May2-8.Finally I hope to give away at least 5 paperback copies of Cookie the Beagle through GoodReads.
