We recently connected with Emily Holi and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Emily, thanks for joining us today. One of the toughest things about progressing in a creative career or as an entrepreneur is that there are almost always unexpected problems that come up – problems that you often can’t read about in advance, can’t prepare for, etc. Have you had such and experience and if so, can you tell us the story of one of those unexpected problems you’ve encountered?

I’ve always wanted to be an author. I wrote and “published” my first story when I was six years old [it was called LITTLE GIRL IN A BIG HOUSE]. After graduating college with an English degree, I was in hot pursuit of a writing career–but found none. I settled into marketing instead, and soon met my husband. Five babies later, and writing wasn’t exactly at the forefront of my mind.

After my fifth was born, I was diagnosed with MS. I was devastated, but determined to turn this challenging season into something meaningful. I began writing again–thoughts and feelings first, processing my emotions, until eventually I dove headfirst back into the world of fiction. I wrote dozens of picture books and several novels, eventually securing a literary agent. I was thrilled to be chasing my dream once again!

But then, more roadblocks. I made it to acquisitions five different times without securing a book deal. I was able to publish and sell several articles/short stories in the interim, but my ultimate goal of a book deal was still out of reach. I was determined to keep pushing, to keep writing, no matter what.

Then I became pregnant again. My newfound energy and passion were sapped by morning sickness, fatigue, and MS symptoms. I decided to part ways with my agent and put everything on pause. I know this is only a break, but still, it’s frustrating! That being said, I know writing will always be there. Even now, I am drafting stories in my head. Once a creative, always a creative, like it or not!

Emily, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I am a kidlit/freelance writer. Since reentering the literary world, I have dabbled in many genres. I have written satire/humor pieces for publications such as McSweeney’s, Points in Case, and Slackjaw. I have written lifestyle articles for Insider and craft articles for So You Want to Write and Oh Reader Magazine. I have had poetry and short stories published. But my true love is literary fiction!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Like most writers, I had to unlearn that talent equals success. I know I have what it takes to make it as a professional writer. But there is so much more that goes into a successful authorial career, the greatest of which is TENACITY. You will try, you will fail, you will try, you will fail again. Persistence wins the day. Developing a thick skin is an absolute necessity–this industry will crush you, if you let it. Don’t let it.

How’d you meet your business partner?

This is a story about my critique partners, some of the most incredible people I’ve ever met. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of two different groups–the BEAMS (for middle grade/YA) and the Golden Squirrels (for picture books). Not only are these ladies wildly creative and endlessly supportive, they’ve become some of my very best friends. Throughout every stage of my writing career, they’ve been my constant cheerleaders, my pillars, my therapists, and so much more. They’ve sent me champagne and gummy bears to celebrate wins, they’ve sent me flowers to pick me up during the hard losses. Even now, while I’m on a “break,” we talk almost every day. I would never have made it this far as a writer without them. And I don’t know where I would be without their friendship!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.emilyholi.com
• Instagram: emilyholi
• Twitter: emilyholi13

Image Credits
Victoria Russo (art), Molly Ippolito (graphic)