Shelby

Van Pelt

Novelist

Travels from: Chicago, IL

“When you’re not reading this book you’ll be hugging it.” — Jamie Ford, author of The Many Daughters of Afong Moy and The Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet

Shelby Van Pelt’s Remarkably Bright Creatures, was published by Ecco/HarperCollins (US) and Bloomsbury (UK) in Spring 2022. For fans of A Man Called Ove, this luminous debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium—and the truths she finally uncovers about her son’s disappearance 30 years ago.

After Tova Sullivan’s husband died, she began working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium, mopping floors and tidying up. Keeping busy has always helped her cope, which she’s been doing since her eighteen-year-old son, Erik, mysteriously vanished on a boat in the Puget Sound over 30 years ago. As she works, Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine, but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight tentacles for his human captors—until he forms an unlikely friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. As his affection for Tova grows, Marcellus must use every trick his old, invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late. Charming, compulsively readable, and full of wit, Shelby Van Pelt’s debut novel is a beautiful exploration of friendship, reckoning, and hope–a reminder that sometimes taking a hard look at the past can help uncover a future that once felt impossible.

Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, she’s now missing the mountains in the Chicago area with her husband and two children.

Shelby's Featured Titles

Remarkably Bright Creatures

Ecco |

May 3, 2022

Novel

Tova becomes acquainted with curmudgeonly Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus living at the aquarium. Marcellus knows more than anyone can imagine but wouldn’t dream of lifting one of his eight arms for his human captors—until he forms a remarkable friendship with Tova.

Ever the detective, Marcellus deduces what happened the night Tova’s son disappeared. And now Marcellus must use every trick his old invertebrate body can muster to unearth the truth for her before it’s too late.

Community Reads, Fiction, Friendship & Community, Mystery & Thriller

The World through Weird Eyes

How Non-Human Perspectives can Make Us Better Humans
Lessons I Learned From the Fictional Octopus in My Head

Glenview Library, 2024
“The author signing was amazing! Our patrons loved the opportunity to say “hi” to Shelby and take a quick photo with her. She was so gracious about all of it.”

Tupelo Reads, 2024
“Shelby was a joy- fun and engaging and an awesome presenter. She was perhaps the best we e had and we’ve had some great ones. She is lovely in every way!”

Indian River Literary Society, 2024
“Loved having her! The audience not only loved the book but enjoyed her very candid talk.”

Rowan College, 2023
“NYT best-selling author Shelby Van Pelt began her day at RCSJ visiting with twenty students from English and Freshman Seminar classes for a small group discussion on her debut novel, Remarkably Bright Creatures. The students were engaged before, during, and after the session, a number noting that they had read the book twice or more. Students inquired about the novel’s diction, plot, symbols, unique characters (especially its narrator), Ms. Van Pelt’s writing style, the publishing process, and more. The author remarked that she was touched and impressed by the students’ reception to her work and by their level of engagement after one especially enthusiastic student declared in her hearing that this was “the best day of her life. The evening concluded with the public event, attended by more than 200 RCSJ staff, students, and community members, some from as far afield as Stone Harbor, New Jersey. To the audience’s delight, Ms. Van Pelt read one of Remarkably Bright’s most recognized passages in the voice of its most beloved character, and then continued to discuss her debut novel, the writing process, her long journey to publication, and so much more with grace, humor, honesty, and humility. An especially impactful moment came when Ms. Van Pelt recognized the power and necessity of community-wide reading programs like RCSJ’s One Book, asserting that they unite diverse groups for a common purpose, create a safe and much-needed space to hone persuasive/argumentative, civil discourse, and promote relationship building across divides. In short, Van Pelt was both an awe-inspiring and delightful guest.”

Lewis & Clark Library, 2023
“The event was a great success! Shelby is a charming and relatable speaker. Her talk was a fun mix of personal anecdotes, information about writing and readings from the book. The audience was engaged and so excited to be there! We also appreciated Shelby’s willingness to sign books for the attendees and our local book store.”

Galveston Reads, 2023
“Shelby’s presentation was the perfect finale to an amazing season of programming based around her captivating book. Shelby was a pleasure to host, was generous with her time, and delivered a presentation that captivated the audience and lended itself to a remarkably engaging Q&A. Readers were left with an even greater appreciation of her work and writing process, hailing it as one of the best author talks in years!”

Zoraida Martinez, Santa Clarita event, 2023
“During the entire month of March, the City of Santa Clarita Public Library selects and reads a book for our One Story One City program. For 2023, the book that we selected was Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt. This year, like every other, we held an author conversation and although it was held virtually, Shelby was such a wonderful person to work with! She was ready and willing to answer our questions as well as those of the people attending the event. Our patrons were so delighted to hear about her journey and what she has in store next.”

“Meet a hardworking widow, a lost soul, and a giant Pacific octopus (yes, an octopus) in this heartfelt story that reveals there’s still plenty of living to do for those with their eyes — and hearts — open to the unexpected. A bright debut!” — Annie Romano, An Unlikely Story, Plainville, MA

“Remarkably Bright Creatures [is] an ultimately feel-good but deceptively sensitive debut about what it feels like to have love taken from you, only to find it again in the most unexpected places. . . . Memorable and tender.” — Washington Post

“A debut novel about a woman who befriends an octopus is a charming, warmhearted read.” — Kirkus Reviews

“A unique and luminous book.” — Booklist (starred review)

“The best books about grief find a way to illuminate the darkness of loss, and Remarkably Bright Creatures offers a masterclass.” — Marie Claire

“[B]rilliant upcoming novel about hope and reckoning.” — Business Insider

“Infused with heartfelt humor, Van Pelt’s elegant portrait of a widowed woman who finds understanding and connection with a clever octopus is refreshingly, if surprisingly, relatable. Despite the unorthodox relationship at its core, the debut novel offers a wholly original meditation on grief and the bonds that keep us afloat.” — Elle

Shelby’s Published Works