It’s not a realization that came to me easily or early on in my life as a chronic illness patient. It took me several years to finally recognize it and to see what had been in front of me all along. Not until I marked my submission tracker with that most depressing word, “Declined,” did … Continue reading
Sometimes you gotta learn things the hard way. Typically that refers to making the mistakes people tried to warn you about. In this case, learning the hard way meant having a concussion (two, actually) axed the coping skills that used to work for me and to finally learn some useful things about myself: 1) I was … Continue reading
2021 has been unusual for me, to put it mildly. My husband Éric and I had made a plan at the end of 2020 to write a book together, starting on the first of the new year. You probably don’t know me very well, but I’ll give you a hint; I’ve never written a book … Continue reading
Hey, nice to meet you. I’m Michelle. I’m a novelist, a radio professional, and a disabled person. I have ankylosing spondylitis, an immune-mediated auto-inflammatory disease that’s trying to destroy my hips, seize my rib cage, and turn my spine into one lone bone — oh, and chew on the rest of my joints for snacks. … Continue reading
Who loves receiving rejections? Isn’t it super fun? Submission rejections are my fave. Yeah, sorry, I can’t even joke-fake enthusiasm for them. For me, a rejection of my work stings like neuropathy, even if I can reason that it might not be a problem with the quality of my writing, but that the story isn’t … Continue reading
There was recently a themed writing call from one of my dream journals. It asked for works that feature or explore joy. Writing to a theme is one of my strengths, but I was flummoxed. The only take I have on joy is that I don’t have a take on joy. I see the world, … Continue reading
Hello to our followers! It’s Cait, your friendly neighbourhood young disabled crone and editor-in-chief of the Spoonie Authors Network. On my summer hiatus, I decided to relax by getting a shoulder issue, injuring said shoulder even further, and now moving on to Stage 2 of frozen shoulder. Wheee! So, my activities will have to be … Continue reading
Talia Johnson is a multi-faceted woman who is transgender, autistic, Jewish, queer, and more than the sum of her parts. She is an ordained Kohenet priestess, and her work centres on bridging faith and queer communities, educating, counselling, and mentoring. She has done freelance editing for queer and trans representation and is Chair of the … Continue reading
CW: This article has mention of grief over pet loss. Writing can be a very solitary craft. Often when I’m writing, I voyage to strange new worlds within myself. Sometimes it’s hard to come back because I can’t find my way home. Thankfully, I have had a few Muses throughout my life who have trod … Continue reading
Spoonie Authors Network 