Hello writers! This is me climbing up out of my writing/editing lair to take a deep breath and let you know what has been happening lately on Planet Erin.
First, a few personal updates:
After three years (threeyears!) I found a doctor who actually listened when I told her there was something seriously wrong with me — instead of half-listening and then telling me I was just getting old. This doctor performed a simple blood test and it turns out I have celiac disease (which would have been nice to know three years ago when I was still chowing down on Triscuits and Goldfish crackers all day long and wondering why my brain stopped working, my entire body hurt all the time, and I was having multiple migraines per week). Now that I’m vigilant about avoiding gluten, the difference in how I feel is astonishing. I finally have what I consider to be a normal amount of energy on most days, my migraines have decreased in frequency, I am only rarely in pain.
That diagnosis came just in time because, I also got married! And gained two sweet, beautiful step-daughters as part of the deal! One just started her freshman year in high school, and another just started her freshman year in college (and is close enough to sometimes come home on the weekends). In the past year, my household has more than doubled in size (not even counting the dog and chickens that were also part of the deal) and I love it — I wouldn’t change a thing — but WOW am I tired.
Next, some professional updates:
Earlier this year, I was invited to join Divine Feminine Publishing as an Acquisitions Editor, after working with Dr. Janina Scarlet on multiple book projects. Over the past few weeks I’ve been hard at work on our first project together — an anthology of short stories from the villain’s point of view. I am loving this work, and I so impressed with the stories we received! I can’t wait to share them with you (A quick note that if you are one of the writers who submitted a short story to our open call, expect to hear from me soon, possibly as early as next week.)
I’m also closer than I’ve ever been to finishing the first draft of a novel that I feel really good about. More on that later — as I get closer to finishing, I plan to continue posting about my creative process as a neurodivergent writer (as I’ve done in the past). I am also still working with coaching clients, including the 2025 Impact Award Recipient. (If you’re interested in working with me, I’m still taking a limited number of creative coaching clients, you can learn more about how to work with me here).
Finally, some fun news!
I was thrilled to recently hear from my dear friend (and former student) Stuart Wakefield about a short story he wrote in one of my classes that he decided to turn into a novella and self-publish.
From Stuart:
I just wanted to say thank you for the Short Story Summer program you did last year. Without it, I'd probably never have started Brain Dead Gorgeous - and now it's #1 on Amazon UK's YA Gay category and #1 on the Hot New Releases category, too!
CONGRATUALTIONS Stuart!!
I already pre-ordered my copy — I was lucky enough to read the short story version, and I immediately fell in love with the protagonist, and cackled out loud many, many times while reading it. I highly recommend you check it out!
Last, a reminder:
I’m still open to AMA (ask me anything) queries about how to navigate the creative process when you have ADHD, and I’ll publish your question (anonymously if you prefer) and my answer here on substack. This is an example of how I respond to questions.
Scroll to the bottom of the page and use my contact form to send me an email. Use the subject line, “dear erinwritesmagic,” and ask me a question. What are you most worried about when it comes to your creative process? How can I help?
I can share your name or not — it’s up to you. Just let me know if you’d like to stay anonymous.
I’ll answer your question in a blog post, and I’ll reply to your email with the link once the post is live.
Thanks for reading, take good care of yourselves, and keep writing!!
