Reader, writer, traveler. Shannon McKenna Schmidt is the author of The First Lady of World War II: Eleanor Roosevelt's Daring Journey to the Frontlines and Back (Sourcebooks, May 2, 2023). She is also the co-author of Novel Destinations: A Travel Guide to Literary Landmarks from Jane Austen's Bath to Ernest Hemingway's Key West, 2nd Edition, and Writers Between the Covers: The Scandalous Romantic Lives of Legendary Literary Casanovas, Coquettes, and Cads.

In addition, Shannon has written for National Geographic Traveler, Shelf Awareness, NPR.org, and other websites and publications, including an Arrive magazine cover story featuring President Bill Clinton. She has been a guest on MSNBC's Morning Joe, Studio 2/WHYY, and the Travel Show with Arthur & Pauline Frommer, and has spoken at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, the Roosevelt House Public Policy Institute at Hunter College, the National World War II Museum, and other venues, including bookstores, libraries, museums, and historic sites.

From 2010 through 2017, Shannon traveled full-time—first in the United States by RV and then backpacking around the globe. She now lives in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Travel Passion: Shannon's passion for travel is reflected in her writing. Her journey to write The First Lady of World War II was inspired by a mention in Eleanor Roosevelt's popular syndicated newspaper column "My Day." The story of Eleanor's travel to Australia during World War II resonated with Shannon's own travel experiences.