Carol Shaben

At 42 I left a corporate career to pursue my passion: telling stories of often overlooked or underrated individuals who, through their courage, heroism and conviction, deeply move and inspire us to be our best selves. I was surprised and delighted when my first book, Into the Abyss, sold to Penguin Random House Canada, Hachette (US), and Macmillan (UK), and that it continues to find its way to readers internationally. My most recent book, The Marriott Cell, co-written with award-winning Egyptian-Canadian journalist, Mohamed Fahmy, with a forward by Amal Clooney, was an incredible collaboration that speaks to the importance of independent journalism and freedom of the press at a time when "fake news" first began to impact the way we see the world. Having worked as a journalist, I feel that if we pay close attention to the ordinary people and everyday events that intersect our lives, they can teach us much about creating a better world; one without racism, poverty, violence, oppression, or environmental degradation. Finally, I consider myself a humanist—someone who strives to live an ethical life guided by reason, inspired by compassion, and informed by knowledge and experience. The writing and creative projects I undertake are driven by this philosophy and by my deep commitment to promote the greater good of humanity.