CHAPTERS OF SUCCESS: Local author Shelby Saville

Local CEO publishes debut romance novel

Shelby Saville is not your ordinary CEO. (Aside from the fact that, of course, being a CEO is anything but ordinary.) Over the past 25 years, the Elmhurst resident ascended the ranks at Publicis Groupe, one of the largest media holding companies in the world. Her impressive career has been focused on all things media: communications, digital strategy, marketing, advertising, and—her specialty—investment. In January, she was named CEO of Starcom U.S., a global agency headquartered in Chicago, and tasked with driving strategy and growth.

But her career in media was focused much more on numbers than it was on words. And words were her first love. As a child in Lacon, Illinois (a town of fewer than 2,000 people), reading and writing became Saville’s chosen pastime.

“Reading quickly became my favorite escape,” Saville recalled. “I was naturally curious, and books gave me a way to explore any topic, place, or person that caught my interest.”

That initial passion for storytelling in all forms, along with a lot of alone time in hotels and offices on work trips, inspired Saville to return to her roots. Amid long hours at the peak of her career in corporate America, Saville realized she had her own story to tell. Much to the shock of colleagues and friends, this story was a romance novel.

And They Had a Great Fall is Saville’s debut novel. Written during late nights and early mornings, or during any free 20 minutes she found in the margins of her day, Saville found that—ironically—this extra work was the perfect way to unwind from a busy day of being a full-time executive and full-time mom. And They Had a Great Fall tells the story of Jake, a young actor under the pressure of rising fame, Kat, a single mother and widow, and their secret, casual affair at risk of being something more.

Elmhurst Magazine talked to Saville about the writing process, what inspired her novel, and what’s next for this local superstar.

Elmhurst Magazine (EM): Did you always know you wanted to pursue a career in writing?

Shelby Saville: Yes, but my path took an unexpected turn. I initially dreamed of being a copywriter, but when I landed a job in the Media Department at Leo Burnett Advertising, I fell in love with both the company and media strategy/investment—figuring out where and how ads should be placed to reach the right audience.

EM: What inspired the switch from writing to advertising and then back to writing?

SS: The switch from journalism to advertising was driven by both practicality and creativity. I loved journalism, but breaking into the industry was tough. As a local reporter [Saville began her career at her hometown newspaper], I realized it would take years before I could be financially independent. Advertising gave me a way to work in a creative field while building a stable career.

Even though my focus shifted, I never stopped writing. In fact, I believe that although I’ve been in a part of Advertising that focused on the numbers, my storytelling abilities is one of my greatest strengths.

EM: When did you decide to write your novel, And They Had a Great Fall?

SS: The idea for the story kept rolling around in my mind, and the plot became very clear. One day, standing across our kitchen island, I looked at my husband, Scott, and said, “I need a laptop that isn’t for work. I think I have a book in me, and it’s about to come out.” By that evening, he had found me a refurbished laptop at Best Buy, and that was the moment everything started.

EM: Were there any authors or books that inspired this work?

SS: I was actually inspired by a single line in a GQ article by Daniel Riley. He was profiling a young, rising actor and described him as being in a “window of in-between-ity… While it was the beginning of something enormous for him, it was also, a little sadly, the end of something else—the very last days of the first part of his life.”

That line stuck with me—it was so poignant, both beautiful and sad. It made me think about those transitional moments in life, the space between the “before” and “after” when everything shifts. It’s often a time when we’re unconsciously redefining who we are. I became curious about what would happen if two people, both caught in that in-between space, were drawn to each other. One is facing change because of success, and the other because of tragedy. That question became the foundation for the story.

EM: What was the process like? How long did it take from start to finish?

SS: The first draft came out fast—about six weeks. But the real work was in the editing. I spent nearly a year refining and shaping the story.

EM: What were some of the challenges you expected when starting this process? What were some surprises you faced?

SS: I expected writing a novel to be challenging, but I was surprised by how much time and effort went into editing. I loved my first draft and thought the story was strong—but then I worked with a developmental editor who showed me some major flaws with the story, including starting it in a different place! The final version of the book is quite different from the first draft, and I’m so grateful for that process.

EM: How did you develop the characters? Did they change more than you expected over time?

SS: I developed Jake’s character by diving into the world of today’s always-on celebrity culture. I closely studied actors like Austin Butler, Timothée Chalamet, and Tom Holland to understand the intense fandom surrounding them and the impact it has on their lives. Initially, Jake was a bit childish and bratty, but as I kept writing, he became more layered—charming, complex, and deeply human. I wanted to show not just the glamorous side of being an actor but also the internal struggle of balancing art with the pressures of fame.

Kat, the career-driven single mom, was just as important to get right. I wanted to write a female character with real agency—someone who didn’t need or want saving. When I first started the novel, it was about Kat helping Jake find himself. But as the story evolved, it became much more about her journey—learning to let go and rediscover joy. That shift made the book even more meaningful to me.

EM: What was the most rewarding part of writing your own novel?

SS: Honestly, I’m just incredibly proud that I finished it! But what made the experience even more special was my teenage daughter, who became an unexpected creative partner. She was completely invested in the story, and we spent so much time discussing the characters and different plot points together.

After I finished the first draft, she looked at me and said, “Now what?” That moment made me realize she had been watching me learn something new. It became important to not just start this journey but to see it through so she could see her mom take on a big goal and finish it.

EM: How would you pitch your book to someone browsing a bookstore looking for their next read?

SS: If you love smart, emotional, angsty, and irresistibly complicated love stories, And They Had a Great Fall is for you.

EM: If you could pick a word or phrase to describe the book, what would it be?

SS: A love story about fame, sacrifice, and finding the courage to live authentically.

EM: Do you have any plans for future books?

SS: Yes, I enjoyed writing this one so much! I have a few other stories in the works. Also, some of the early readers began asking for a prequel to And They Had a Great Fall.

EM: Outside of writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

SS: My teen daughter is very sporty, so you can usually find me somewhere on York’s campus watching an event. Outside of that, we love to travel (especially to Disney), eat in downtown Elmhurst, ride my tricycle around town, and play with our two dogs and mean cat.

EM: What advice would you give to a young girl like your daughter or her friends as someone who is so successful in her career but also followed her passion and took a risk?

SS: You don’t need to define yourself or have other people define you by one thing in your life, and so be your whole self. This is part of who I’ve been for a long time; it finally came to a place where it was much more out in the world than just a hobby, escape, or whatnot. But I do love that moment when people are surprised by that…Every person has a million facets of who they are. For young girls, I would like for them to know that you can do anything you want to do.

To learn more about Shelby Saville or check out her debut novel out on March 11, 2025, visit ShelbySaville.com.

Saville and family have called Elmhurst home the last fifteen years.