SHARON A. McDONELL

Debut Science Fiction Novelist 

Sharon A. McDonell

A Sacramento, CA native, I've worked in a lot of different industries. A truck driver, pizza cook, can manufacturing, sales manager, adult ed teacher, and career counselor.  In the 1980s and 90s, jobs for out lesbians, even ones with an MBA, were scarce. Eventually, I found a career in student advising and career counseling and enjoyed it until invisible disablities forced me to stop. My all time favorite career—though not well paying—is writing. I'm thankful that my disabilities encouraged and somewhat forced  me to learn a new skill, one I enjoy tremendously—most of time. 

Writing novels began after spending years writing my memoir. My unpublished memoir is about my years as a lesbian activist, and eventually a new mom in Sacramento, California. When I tried an AI story idea, I’ve enjoyed the experience so much I filed my memoir away. Afrer trying my hand at writing the first novel, I wrote my current debut novel. If people enjoy Surviving Sentience 2040 and want to read Dot 1.0, I may decide to rewrite the outdated, unpolished draft and publish it. Let me know!

My last sojoun into nonfiction essay writing, “The Schooling of a Lesbian Mom” appeared in the anthology More LGBT+ Families, published by Qommunity Media LLC in 2019. 

Upcoming Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: May 4, 2025
4:00pm - 6:00pm
Venue: Debut Book Launch Address: Dos Pinos Community Room 2550 Sycamore Lane
Davis, CA 95616
Notes: You're invited to join the author in celebrating their debut novel, Surviving Sentience 2040. Meet some of the people who helped make this book a reality. And thank you for your support!
Date: May 17, 2025
11:00am - 5:00pm
Venue: Placer Pride Address: Royer Park in Roseville, CA
Roseville, CA
Notes:
Date: May 31, 2025
10:00am - 4:00pm
Venue: Sacramento Book Festival Address: 3330 McKinley Blvd, Sacramento, CA 95816
Sacramento, CA
Notes: Shepard Garden and Arts Center next to McKinley Park. I'll be inside at my booth!

Recent Appearances/Events

Date Venue Address
Date: April 13, 2024
2:00pm - 4:00pm
Venue: Avid Reader on Broadway Address: 1945 Broadway
Sacramento CA 95818
Notes: