AMERICUS — Kourtney Latimore Shelley, a locally grown talent, has written a children’s book which has recently been published. It just goes to show that one can be multi-talented. In addition to founding a ministry and recording an album, she and her husband host a talk television show!
The author is married Antonio “Tony” Shelley, and they have two sons, Franklin, 6, and David, 1, whom she describes as “the greatest joys of my life.” The couple is also very excited about the baby they are expecting in February or March 2019. They live in the Middle Georgia area.
Currently employed as a sub-contractor for Georgia Power Co. Kourtney Shelley is the daughter of Frank and Robbie Latimore of Americus. She was raised in Sumter County, along with her brothers, Brandon and Philip.
She is a graduate of Sumter County Comprehensive High School and South Georgia Technical College where she received a diploma in accounting. Ultimately, she graduated from Fort Valley State University with a bachelor of arts degree in mass communication, with a concentration in television and radio broadcasting. She says she enjoys sharing stories, meeting people, and lifting their spirits however she can.
In the fall of 2014, Kourtney began a ministry called Muttlife: Made Uniquely Through Trials. In the summer of 2015, she released her first album, Discover Jesus, which is an 8-song compilation of original and traditional music, inspired by her grandmothers who both were singers.
And this summer, 2018, she and husband Tony began hosting a television show, KidzShine.
“As there is so much negative publicity pertaining to today’s youth, KidzShine was birthed to display the positive aspects of our young people,” Kourtney said. “Our goal is to help youth ages 5 to 25 by introducing them to available resources and highlighting their achievements. We will begin a tutoring and mentoring program as a KidzShine component as it is more than just a show.”
And as if that wasn’t enough, also this summer, Kourtney released her first children’s book, Doug Has a Duck, about a boy and his pet duck. She says the story shares the differences in friends and the joy of love and companionship.
Kourtney says that she’s always known she would write a book but Doug Has a Duck is not the first book she outlined.
“This book was simply inspired by a conversation. During the chat, I said aloud, ‘I am going to write a children’s book and name it Doug Has a Duck!’ That is just what I did! I knew this was one time that I had to follow my instinct. I am currently working on another children’s book with a series promoted by a character designed by my very artistic son, Franklin.”
Kourtney is having a book signing locally, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29 at Lake Blackshear Regional Library in Americus. She says she is the first children’s book author to have a signing there in 24 years. “This makes a hometown girl feel so special,” she said.
In addition to the book signing, books may also be purchased at www.iamkourtneywithak.com and eBooks are available on Amazon and other media outlets.