A.H. SHINN

Hi there! I was born in Seoul, South Korea and moved to the United States when I was a wee baby. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley. Yes, I was a Valley Girl. I grew up watching Saturday morning cartoons, read Sweet Valley High books, loved John Hughes's movies, wore jelly shoes, teased my hair, and stuffed shoulders pads under my shirts.

My dream as a youngster was to be a dancer and choreographer. Paula Abdul was my idol back then. Instead, I went off to college and became a science major at the University of California, Santa Barbara. I was in the College of Creative Studies and studied on Biology. I got a part-time job at a pharmacy, which, with my interest in molecular biology research, led me to the University of the Pacific, School of Pharmacy, where I received my Pharm.D. and Ph.D.

In Santa Barbara, I trained in taekwondo. When I moved to Stockton, a friend introduced me to shou shu kung fu and my excitement for Chinese martial arts began. Shou shu taught me discipline, focus, speed, power, and how to strike and evade like various animals. The principles of the art just blew my mind away! Then Kung Fu Kellie was created. I imagined a girl who learned kung fu from the animals themselves!  It took me 4 years to complete the first book, but along the grueling way, I developed a passion for creative writing. The series will consist of five books, and I hope you enjoy following Kellie and her adventures.

Thanks for dropping by, and happy reading!