I'm excited to share my new volunteer position as Director of Programs for Literary Liberation. I look forward to co-creating practices that deeply examine intention & method, origin & accessibility by asking, "How can freedom be more than an idea for those of us on the margin?"

Usually science and female-bodied intuition are considered at odds. Dr. Kahn’s response is something different.

"The sun was shining through the picture windows on us. He told me he wanted better for me. We were smiling. He swept his arm around like a wizard. 'I free you from the patriarchy,' he said, and it meant something to me to hear that." opensecretsmagazine.com/p/divorce-fi...

The Center for Creative Writing x Survive Your Story cohost two monthly 90-minute silent write-ins on Zoom. Register to drop in (or out!) at any point & write or work in quiet community. Sat, 9/13, 11A-12:30P EST us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi... Sat, 9/27, 3P-4:30P EST us02web.zoom.us/meeting/regi...

The people who turn her away with words like "suck it up," "take a pill," "you're a liar"--these are the humans in the most pain. These are the humans who find themselves the ugliest, loathe themselves the most. These are the humans afraid of humanity... open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

We have incredible power when it comes to how we use our words. Many of us are familiar with having been silenced. Finding safe ways to be in conversation when we want to or when it’s required means sometimes using our words as a shield. open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

Writing the Body July 27, 2-4PM EST via Zoom Learn about how the body stores memory, and why, and take home practices for listening to the stories our bodies want to tell us. Scholarships available. rcwms.org/event/writin...

Before We Were Married, I Tried to Get My Wife's Attention open.substack.com/pub/survivey... It's profound to be with a partner who empowers you to show up even when it challenges them. #pride #lgbtq #memoir #writing

My 19yo, 12yo, me, and my 16yo. Queer and dear. Happy Pride! 🌈

It's time to sign up for my next workshop, and I have the perfect class for your internal Spring cleaning needs: Remaking a Memory Reframing our difficult memories allows us to remake them in a way that serves us. Register here: rcwms.org/event/remaki...

What happens when the books we read rip away our ability to hide from ourselves? surviveyourstory.substack.com/p/finding-ou... #writing #memoir #identity #discovery

What is gender anyway? Who gets to decide? I read and reviewed Yours for the Taking by @gabriellekorn.bsky.social creativewritingcenter.com/blog/beyond-...

Maybe My Brain Is My Final Frontier open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

substack.com/@esmewwang/n... It really sucks we can’t see Amanda Nguyen because of Bezos, Perry and the rest of the crew being loud and hateful.

You can drop in to ☀️ write with the light on ☀️ in beautiful community tomorrow or upcoming Saturdays. Join us!

“One truth is I can’t eradicate [shame] by not writing. Hiding never shrank shame. Another is this shame is not supported by evidence.” open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

Freeing hearts to love and be loved. 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈 💜www.FreedHearts.org💜 #DeconstructingFaith #LoveIsLove #FaithDeconstruction #Exvangelical #bisexual #Queer #gay #lesbian #nonbinary #transgender #lgbtq #LGBTQIA #Intersex #Pride #resistance #resist

Whether you drop in for a single session or stay for the full journey, this circle exists so that you don’t have to write alone. Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward. open.substack.com/pub/literary...

My copy of Molly House arrived. It’s gorgeous. 🥰😍 Wife is currently learning it so we can play! #boardgames #boardgamebabe

Let’s talk about when we don’t recognize ourselves—when it’s all too much, too fast, too soon. There’s work in doing. It’s showing me myself. Witnessing is hard. Lately, I’m extra keyed up, and as foreign as this feels, it’s all too familiar. #mentalhealth #write open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

Cuddly babies. #cats

Beacon Patrol, but instead of following the rules, I placed half the tiles according to the rules and the other half however I damn pleased. #boardgames

"Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward." #write #BIPOC #LQBTQ Circle | Writing with the Light On | 12 weeks open.substack.com/pub/literary...

Ever wondered how you can use writing for release and recovery? Expressive writing is science-backed technique. Join me for this 2 hour Zoom session to learn more and put it into practice. #write #release #recover rcwms.org/event/surviv...

Writing About Other People "Ultimately, the result of good memoir is connection. However, when a reader connects deeply with their protagonist, other characters may not get the same uplifted treatment." #writing #memoir #relationships open.substack.com/pub/survivey...

"Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward." Join a 12-week expressive writing circle for BIPOC writers, prioritizing QT voices. Weekly sessions, sliding scale, apply by 3/10. literaryliberation.substack.com/p/circle-wri...

Good morning! 🐈‍⬛

Trying to learn City of Six Moons. #boardgames

I updated my testimonial capture form in case you've worked with me in any writing capacity and would like to support the growth of Survive Your Story and my personal growth as a writing instructor: docs.google.com/forms/d/1tb5...

Get registered! Surviving Your Story: Expressing Writing for Release and Recovery with Shawna Ayoub March 23, 2025 Sunday, 2:00–4:00 pm EDT Register: rcwms.org/event/surviv... Scholarships available. These workshops are intended for those who identify as women, femme, and/or nonbinary.

"Here, we write with the light on—so that we can see and be seen, so that our stories can illuminate the path forward." Join a 12-week expressive writing circle for BIPOC writers, prioritizing QT voices. Weekly sessions, sliding scale, apply by 3/10. literaryliberation.substack.com/p/circle-wri...

She loves a warm vent. #cats

I don’t know how to tell you this, but I have a NIS 10th Anniversary Collector’s Edition of Firefly The Gameboard I need to sell. It’s boxed to ship within U.S. from zip 27705 (9.5 kilos). Asking $275 +Shipping. LMK if you need this #boardgame!

Listen. Someone had to finish the cornbread muffins.

Link me your posts on: ✍️Writing about other people 📝Autofiction 👩‍✈️+👨‍✈️+🧑‍✈️Composite characters ⏳Altered timelines I’m writing a piece by memoir student request and I’d love to include your work!

Are you fundraising for a business that: 🌈Is QT led and focused ⚕️Supports queer wellness and education 🏘️Provides community resources and/or a safe space? I will be developing and running 2-3 Zoom fundraiser workshops in 2025 on expressive writing. If you fit the above, let’s connect!

Will I be filling out every form for summer camp tuition assistance well in advance this year? Why, yes, I will. Because I’ve learned summer with a bored tween is not for me.

Preparing myself emotionally for therapy.

I was wracking my brain trying to figure out why the body of my chili was so bland. It was registering negative ethnicity. Reseasoned. Realized I forgot the tomato paste. I think we’re on track.

I wanted to make chili for dinner tonight (not football related), but my grocery order wasn’t fulfilled. Cheese and crackers it is.

This is a year of change for me. I have felt the pages turning. Positive change. Of seeing the results of years-long investments. I haven’t felt this before, but I trust it.

My cat, at 3 and 1/2, has started burping. Always at unexpected intervals. Each time, it’s a fun surprise for all of us.

Is this type of recognition from my cats too much to ask when I come home from running a series of overdue errands? Where is the appreciation? Where do they think their food comes from?

This mediocre book I’m listening to is the last in a mediocre trilogy and I’m really enjoying it.

Why is it that when you eat better you’re immediately hungrier? Like, I’m eating this way to feel satisfied.

Debating second breakfast before elevensies.

Bitoku is a super fun game. Highly recommend.