Blogs & Interviews

November 05, 2019
Mark Larson interviewed both Shawn and his father, Reverend James Shiflett, as part of his research for Ensemble: An Oral History of Chicago Theater (2019, Agate Midway). The Body Politic Theater was run by Reverend James Shiflett during Shawn's youth and was the inspiration for the theatre of the same name in his subsequence novel, Hey, Liberal!

Playtime with Bill Turck and Kerri Kendall on 1550 WCGO Evanston, IL
December 02, 2018
In the first half, I discuss the challenges of humanizing evil characters, writing realistic dialogue, and how being a natural mimic helps me create authentic-sounding voices.
In the second half, Barbara DeMarco-Barrett talks to Jim Fusilli, editor of, and contributor to Crime Plus Music.
Mary Mitchell's thoughtful article in the Chicago Sun Times about HEY, LIBERAL! and integration.
"At a time when Donald Trump is stoking distrust among the races, and the Black Lives Matter movement is challenging police departments over police shootings of black people, “Hey, Liberal!” might be dismissed as a frivolous tome.
It isn’t.
This novel tells a piece of our racial history that must be included as part of the conversation if we are to heal our wounds."
September 02, 2016

August 30, 2016
August 29, 2016