• Home
  • Books
  • About
  • Contact
  • Extras
    • AUTHORS I ADORE
    • BOOKISH GOALS
    • RESOURCES
    • THIS IS ME
  • Blog

Renée Shantel

indie author & unashamed daydreamer

Latest Release

Audrey Herringbone’s main focus has always been her YouTube channel dedicated to helping find missing persons, but when her best friend is the one to go missing things start getting a little too real.

Read Now

Join the Newsletter!

Subscribe to get Renée’s updates by email.

Thank you!

You have successfully joined our subscriber list.


What Are They Saying?

Unputdownable is not a word I use lightly. But I’m using it for this book.
Roz MacLaren Goodreads Review
This superbly-crafted book can best be described as “a ghoulish tale without any ghouls.” It dives deep into the frightening reality that is social media, the internet, the media itself, gossip, and high school dynamics all intermixed. It also highlights that trust is a sacred concept — but you need to be prudent as to whom you give it.
Cynthia BrubakerGoodreads Review
I honestly have so many good things to say about this book. The authors passion is clearly seen in the language that she uses and her descriptions of events are so vivid you’re literally right there…
KimmiGoodreads Review
The biggest plot twist – I definitely did not see that one coming. I nearly dropped my phone while reading that one sentence.
Charmelle HendriksGoodreads Review

About the Author

Renée Shantel started writing at the age of eleven, for no better reason than she was tired of waiting for Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix to be released. She has entertained dreams of being published ever since. She has taken several short courses in creative writing, book editing and publishing, and managed to have her first short story published in May, 2017.

When not writing, she can be found shooting analogue photography, casually learning to play the violin, or smothering her cats with love.

Learn More

reneeshantel

indie author & unashamed daydreamer

IN THE DAYS BEFORE Audrey Herringbone’s friends d IN THE DAYS BEFORE

Audrey Herringbone’s friends don’t agree with the subject matter of her video series, In the Days Before. They think talking about missing persons is too morbid a topic, and insist she would find more fame as a beauty blogger. They don’t agree that her work is important. Who wants to talk about the missing when you could talk about fashion? For them, it’s a no-brainer.

Then Audrey’s best friend goes missing, several hours after they publicly argue about her channel, and Audrey becomes the public’s number one suspect.

Thrust head first into one of her channel’s narratives, Audrey’s about to learn that sometimes the obvious answer isn’t the right one—and you can never be too careful who you trust.

IN THE DAYS BEFORE is available in paperback, ebook, and on KU.

#yamystery #yathriller #mysterybooks #thrillerbookstagram #youngadultfiction #booklovers
WIP WEDNESDAY UPDATE After months of being stuck WIP WEDNESDAY UPDATE

After months of being stuck on the first three chapters of project: wisteria — chopping, changing, editing, rewriting — I have FINALLY moved past them and made actual progress on this novel!

I’m not sure what my final word count is going to land on, so you might see that change with updates. But generally I land around 80k, and it feels like a safe bet at this point. I’m eight chapters in, and (for the moment, at least) really happy with the progress being made. Here’s hoping I can keep up the momentum!

Big thanks to my silent cheer squad — in particular @cb.novelist who’s been keeping me motivated and generally just being an amazing human. She has a new release this month, and you should definitely check it out!

#wipwednesday #progressupdate #indieauthorsofinstagram #writinganovel
NOVEMBER DAILY WORD COUNT I’ve been desperately t NOVEMBER DAILY WORD COUNT

I’ve been desperately trying to get back on track with project: wisteria, and part of that is getting into the habit of writing every day. Even if it was just a sentence or two, I wanted to hold myself accountable. To show up.

So here’s how I did for November.

Not every day was a good day, but that’s okay. I know from past experience that I can write up to 10,000 words in a day (I don’t recommend it, it’s exhausting), but I’m not in that space right now. This is where I am. But every day that isn’t a 0 is progress.

I’ll admit, a lot of this month has been taking chapters from my first draft and altering them to fit the second. So despite how little NEW words I wrote this month, I’m excited to share how much progress I’ve made with project: wisteria this Wednesday!

Stay tuned. 😉

#wordcount #writinganovel #indieauthorsofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram
this coming off the back of my little review bomb this coming off the back of my little review bomb is INCREDIBLE!

I had no idea these awards even existed, so THANK YOU to whoever nominated IN THE DAYS BEFORE for not one, but THREE categories! You’ve made this little indie’s day! 🫶🏻

I’ve placed the clicky where the clicky normally goes, so check it out and vote for all your faves!

#indieauthorawards #indieauthorfacebookawards #indieauthorsofinstagram #nominated
View on Instagram

Thanks for stopping by! ♡

Find Me Online:

  • Amazon
  • Goodreads
  • Books2Read
Theme by SkyandStars.co
Back Top

Copyright © 2025 Renée Shantel