Hi! I’m Shirsten Shirts...writer and the founder of Project Published. I spend most of my time at home (writing!) with my three girls, two dogs, and one husband.
When I was 18 I loaded up my checkerboard mirrored, midnight blue Mini Cooper with a dorm fridge, 4 bags, and my stepmom in the passenger seat, and drove across the country for school. I could not possibly have been more excited. A big city, and the program of my dreams: writing, literature, and publishing. Aaah. I’d get to read, write, and learn about the publishing industry? Are you kidding me? Done, done, and done.
My whole life I have loved writing and publishing. (I know, what a weirdo, right?) In elementary school I wrote short stories, in high school I wrote poetry, and as an adult I have done freelance writing and editing. Through my life I have collected books and magazines and admired their inspiring words and creative ideas.
So when I had the opportunity to have someone teach me all about designing beautiful layouts, editing, meeting and networking with passionate people, and reading excellent writing, I was ecstatic. Buuut (isn’t there always a “but?”) that’s not exactly what happened.
Aching with homesickness, I transferred to a school 15 miles from home after one semester. And a year after that? I was married. By 21 I had my first baby. And shortly after came baby #2. Finally, I gave birth to my 3rd and (probably) last baby girl.
The last several years have been dedicated to diapers and entrepreneurship. I work from home, write, learn, and dream.
At the start of 2020, after publishing multiple nonfiction books, I set out to publish my first novel. I spent the year reading, researching, analyzing, and, of course. Writing. A lot.
I know becoming a published author is a goal of MANY others, and I hope that my journey can be helpful for those who harbor similar dreams. If I can do it, so can you. And better yet? You can let me do the hard work and research. Just follow along as I lay out each step day by day and week by week. Let’s become SUCCESSFUL published authors together.
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I am so happy to have you here and I cannot express how grateful I am. I've put so much time, energy, thought, and heart into building this community. Oh, and please reach out because I would LOVE to get to know you.
A Few Fun Facts About Me:
I love traveling, Disneyland, hot baths (I’m talking almost nightly), playing piano, Cadbury eggs, and organizing my house (or lounging in bed watching Netflix and letting my house turn into a disaster - but then I have fun making it nice again).
I have certifications in both Health Coaching and Emotion Code Energy Healing, but these days I mostly use those skills to help my friends and family, and not as a business.
I’m half Norwegian - that’s where the name Shirsten comes from. The Shirts is my husband’s fault.
I am TERRIBLE about taking pictures. I have one blurry picture from each of my girl’s births, and NONE from blessings, birthdays, or Christmases. Oops. But I’m currently learning more about photography and editing.
