About

Michael Shawn Keller

Writer and speaker in Sonora, Kentucky — and a friend to anyone still finding the door out of the closet, or out from under a bully.

Michael Shawn Keller with his son, Jack

Michael Shawn Keller was born and raised in a small city in Connecticut, the middle of a large family — five brothers and two sisters. He lives now in Sonora, Kentucky, with his husband, Jonathan, their son, Jack, and their daughter, Amariah.

For a long stretch he was a business owner, hustling. The work now is slower: family life, and a new chapter toward becoming a special education teacher — while he keeps writing books and showing up to speak. He has always liked helping other people smile, and he still believes we should learn something new each day, whether we are two or ninety-two.

He came out later than he wished he had. The years in the closet, and the drinking that went with them, are part of why he writes and speaks now — especially for young people who should not have to make the same mistakes. Jonathan, and the rest of his family, met that truth with love. A lot of the time, he says, the fear is larger than the room.

He enjoys reading, writing, traveling, camping in Lincoln, Maine, and being around Jonathan, Jack, Amariah, and friends — laughing. Each book is on a topic he feels is truly important. Together we can learn and grow from each other, while having a few hearty laughs along the way.

Mike holding the English and Spanish editions of Room 308

Why the books exist

“The biggest mistakes I made were when I was in the closet. I don’t want kids to make the same mistakes and end up getting hurt or sick.” That is the through-line — from Room 308 to Bullies Among Us to Life in a Week. The work is personal, and it is meant to be useful.