By day, Shelley Widhalm is a freelance writer, editor, and the founder of Shell’s Ink Services, a writing, editing, ghostwriting, and consultation service based in Loveland, Colo. By night—and during every other spare hour—she pours her creativity into fiction, poetry, oil painting, drawing, and graphic arts. She loves to dive into creative spaces, where she can find magic … and fire. The magic comes in colors, shapes, sound, and the un-quieting of what normally is kept hidden … with the result, a burning of story.
Shelley’s storytelling is shaped by more than 20 years in journalism, including four years at The Washington Times and eight years at The Loveland Reporter-Herald. Following two industry layoffs, she successfully transitioned into freelancing, launching Shell’s Ink Services in January 2017. She writes original content for newspapers, magazines, and other trade publications and helps authors perfect everything from short stories to full-length novels. She holds a Master of Arts degree in English from Colorado State University.
Published Works & Accolades
Shelley is a prolific writer who has written eight novels, a short story collection, and hundreds of poems. Her published works include:
- The Fire Painter – A literary novel published in September 2026.
- Fifty Tips for First-Time Authors – An essential guide for writers published in 2020.
- Anthologies & Journals – Her short fiction and poetry are featured in Rise: An Anthology of Change (Northern Colorado Writers), Flash!: A Celebration of Short Fiction, Baby Shoes: 100 Stories by 100 Authors, Greyrock Review, and Sunrise Summits.
- Awards – She is a two-time third-place winner in the Poudre River Public Library District’s Battle of the Bards and took first place in the Loveland Business Team Poetry Contest. She is also a frequent featured reader at local poetry events.
Upcoming Releases
🌸 Text in Meter Poetry Project (January 2027) – A romantic poetry collection arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day. It follows the romance between a grocery store cheese clerk and an Army captain who pulls a vanishing act, leaving her wondering about second chances.
📖 Untitled Literary Adult Novel (Summer 2027) – The story of Maggie, an out-of-work journalist who finds herself entangled in a high-stakes false prophecy group and a romance gone wrong.
Literary Community and Daily Craft
Shelley is deeply embedded in her local writing community. She is an active member of the Writing Heights Writing Association, Pikes Peak Writers, and DazBog Poets, plus she attends one to two conferences a year, like the Colorado Gold and Pikes Peak writers conferences. She writes professionally, writes for fun, and has written a poem a day since 2017—because whether the day’s poem is a masterpiece or a rough draft, what matters most is her dedication to the craft.
When she isn’t writing or editing, Shelley is likely working on her next creative project, planning a travel adventure, or searching for her next dachshund best friend. She also likes to volunteer, including servicing as vice-president of the VFW Auxiliary at VFW Post 41 in Loveland, Colo.