Shawn Marie (aka Shawnee) is a storyteller, illustrator, and midnight creator fueled by love, laughter, and the occasional batch of specialty desserts and breads. The second youngest of six-with four half-siblings already grown-she grew up alongside her younger brother and a big imagination.After over 20 years in the insurance world, an unexpected layoff left her lost and unmoored. But from that uncertain silence, a spark ignited. What began as a whisper from the universe turned into a calling.She lost her dad at 25-a moment that both broke and built her. Since then, Shawnee has poured her heart into caring for others, especially her fiercely loved 82-year-old mother, her disabled partner of 12 years, and her little brother she once feared losing to a brain tumor-proving that love shows up in the quietest, most powerful ways. Her mother, a source of unwavering support and gentle wisdom, became the inspiration for Millie the Muskrat, the heart of Shawnee's stories.In March 2025, with little illustration experience, Shawnee bought a drawing tablet and said, "Let's go." Days later, her first children's book was coming to life-proof that creativity needs only passion, not permission.Now living in Utah (or "Cali Lite," as she calls it), Shawnee writes cozy stories by day and draws whimsical characters by night. A nature-loving animal fan, she finds peace in camping, hiking, and feeding chipmunks while fishing. Equal parts silly and soulful, Shawnee brings warmth, mischief, and heart to every tale she tells. Though she never had kids of her own, her books are her legacy-filled with kindness, courage, and just enough whimsy to make you believe in magic again.