91 ratings | 8 reviews | avg rating:4.78

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Shawn Nocher

Goodreads Author

Born

in The United States

Website

https://www.shawnnocher.com

Twitter

shawn_nocher

Influences

Anne Tyler, Elizabeth Wetmore, Louise Erdrich, Dorothy Allison, Elizab ...more

Member Since

December 2014

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/shawnnocher

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Shawn Nocher is the author of the critically acclaimed novels A Hand to Hold in Deep Water and The Precious Jules. Her short stories and nonfiction articles have been published in SmokeLong Quarterly, Pithead Chapel, MoonPark Review, Writer’s Digest, and Electric Literature, among others. A two-time Pushcart Award nominee, she teaches in the Master of Arts writing program at Johns Hopkins University, has given wings to two children, and lives with her husband and an assortment of sassy rescue animals in Baltimore, Maryland, where she writes in a room of her own. You can find her online via: shawnnocher.com / Instagram: @shawnnocher / Twitter: @shawn_nocher

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Popular Answered Questions

How do you deal with writer’s block?

Shawn Nocher The best cure for writer's block for me is to read really good short flash fiction. A lot of flash works by capturing a moment in time and while const…moreThe best cure for writer's block for me is to read really good short flash fiction. A lot of flash works by capturing a moment in time and while construction of the piece is important, it doesn't feel as daunting as novel construction. Good flash fiction inspires me and then I can dive into a scene of my own to get everything flowing. Transitions often make me stumble in my own work, but flash jumps right in and inspires me to do the same and then come back later to deal with transitions. If that doesn't work I simply take a long shower, crawl into bed, and promise myself to do better the next day.(less)

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What’s your advice for aspiring writers?

Shawn Nocher Read like a writer. Ask why a passage made you feel the way it did. Note the rhythm and tone and the way in which information is released--or not. Rea…moreRead like a writer. Ask why a passage made you feel the way it did. Note the rhythm and tone and the way in which information is released--or not. Read a few really bad books and ask yourself why they're not working. Be able to articulate what you see as failing. Try not to think of your assessment in terms of what you like and don't like in a book, and instead think of it in terms of whether or not it is doing what it either should do or what you think the author intended. You are studying craft.(less)

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Shawn Nocher’s books

Average rating: 4.33 · 975 ratings · 166 reviews · 3 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Precious Jules 4.43 avg rating — 625 ratings — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Hand to Hold in Deep Water 4.16 avg rating — 350 ratings — published 2021 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Precious Jules by Blackstone Publishing by Shawn Nocher (Goodreads Author), Unknown Author 0.00 avg rating — 0 ratings	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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7 posts
Shawn Nocher's Blog

Confessions of a Precocious Reader

I grew up in a home with many bookshelves that were constantly being stuffed with new releases. But there was one bookcase that remained...

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Published on March 17, 2025 07:00

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Shawn Nocher is now friends with David Stewart
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Shawn Nocher liked Jamie's review of The Precious Jules: "What a story! A drama filled family saga of a mentally challenged young girl put in an institution. Her story, along with her family and caretakers' unfold with buried secrets and guilt. The depth in this novel is amazing. Read it!"
Jun 27, 2024 10:41PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Shawn Nocher liked Elizabeth's review of The Precious Jules: "Our bookclub read this recently and I was so glad we did! This novel pulls the reader in immediately and wonderfully weaves family characters in a thoroughly Lovingly realistic way while telling a story larger than family relationships. I have ordered" Read more of this review »
May 24, 2024 12:08PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Shawn Nocher liked Kay's review of The Precious Jules: "One of the most engaging books I have read in years. The family dynamics are portrayed authentically with insight as to how one family wrestles with love and loss coupled with a very difficult situation. The exposure of the reality of placing a child" Read more of this review »
Apr 30, 2024 07:33PM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — The Precious Jules by Shawn Nocher <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">

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