Today we’d like to introduce you to GAYLE M. IRWIN.

Hi GAYLE M., it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?

I began writing when I was a teenager, poetry and short stories. I continued my interest in writing while attending college, working on the student newspaper and the creative writing journal. My second job after I obtained my bachelor’s degree was as a reporter for a small town in Montana, and, a few years later, I became the editor and reporter for another Montana small town newspaper, this one next to Yellowstone National Park, where I wrote many stories about wildlife, conservation, tourism, and small businesses. I moved to Wyoming about three years later, again serving as a reporter. I also became a freelance writer, crafting stories for newspapers and magazines. I continue to hold that position, writing for a few publications for more than a decade now. I retired from my “day job” more than two years ago, and operate my freelance writing and author business from my home. I became an author in 2007, starting with children’s books, and now I primarily write in the sweet romance genre, in which I weave pet rescue and adoption into the love story. This year, I’m branching out once again, planning to write cozy mysteries. I achieved a writing goal in 2025: publishing a nature-related story in “Wyoming Wildlife,” the publication for the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. I’ve wanted to write for a state-wide nature publication for many years, and the March 2025 issue of “Wyoming Wildlife” features a story I wrote about sandhill cranes. A person is never too old to achieve a personal or professional goal!

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

For a writer, rejection is a difficult challenge but one that comes with the territory. Pitching story ideas to magazine editors and to agents if a person is writing a book, takes courage and perseverance. For authors, however, another publishing avenue is available and is one many writers are taking these days: independent publishing. That is the route I’ve chosen for my books. Another challenge is learning HOW to indie publish and HOW to effectively market one’s book. As a freelance writer, I’m fortunate to have started more than 20 years ago, and I’ve developed a relationship with several magazine editors and publishers, so every year I write six or more articles for them. I’m expanding my efforts and reaching out to additional magazine editors/publishers in 2025 with hopes to add to my writing portfolio, especially in the nature-writing arena. I expect rejections to some of my pitches, but I also remain hopeful for at least one more acceptance, as I experienced last fall when my sandhill crane story idea was given the green light by the editor of “Wyoming Wildlife.”

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?

As a book author and freelance writer, my goal is to entertain, educate, and inspire readers. I enjoy sharing uplifting, heartwarming stories, from children’s books and sweet romance to nature articles and people profiles. I recently submitted a magazine article spotlighting an older couple active in their community, especially in helping high school seniors and young people via scholarships and employment on their ranch. They’ve also set aside their property in a conservation easement to protect the agricultural life and the landscape’s wildlife. Nature and animals are my passion, and however I can encourage people to more greatly appreciate those two things through my writing, I strive to do. I volunteer with and financially donate to several pet rescue and nature organizations, including contributing a percentage of book sales and article-writing income to such groups.

As an author, I write sweet and Christian romance stories in which I weave pet rescue and adoption into the love story. Many of the books are set near American National Parks, something else I enjoy and support. I also write children’s books and Christian devotionals in which dogs teach life and faith lessons, such as courage, faith, perseverance, loyalty, and nature appreciation.

I’m honored to be a contributing writer to 8 “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books with stories about dogs and national parks. I continue to submit to this publishing company to share stories that inspire and encourage readers with hopes of seeing another of my short stories published in a “Chicken Soup” book.

I’m also proud of showcasing my blind dog in several books and stories, including my first children’s book, “Sage’s Big Adventure: Living With Blindness” and a Christian devotional/memoir (traditionally published by Cladach Publishing in Colorado) titled “Walking In Trust: Lessons Learned With My Blind Dog.” Both books highlight Sage’s courage, perseverance, kindness, trust, and loyalty, helping readers, including children, understand that, though blind, Sage lived a regular, loving dog’s life: her blindness didn’t stop her from taking walks, swimming in streams, climbing stairs, having friends, or being loved and cared for. Her story encourages others to live a life of courage, perseverance, faith, and kindness, among other characteristics, no matter the obstacles faced in life. Sage was, and remains, my inspiration as a writer.

Other animals, especially dogs, inspire me, and they are woven into my works as well, including my puppy mill survivor, Jeremiah. My husband and I adopted him in 2017, a year after he and other small dogs were rescued from a horrible Midwestern puppy mill. His story is featured in a “Chicken Soup for the Soul” book, and he is the mascot for several of my sweet romance books.

I belong to two writers’ groups in my community and I’m a member of Wyoming Writers, Inc., the state-wide writers’ organization, through which I serve on two committees, including the 2025 conference committee. I’ve won a few awards from the organization, and two years ago I was honored with a First Place Award from the Wyoming Press Association for an article I wrote about Missing and Murdered Indigenous People. Again, bringing awareness and education, as well as inspiration and entertainment, to readers brings me great joy.

What does success mean to you?

Knowing I’ve positively impacted lives of people and animals and that readers enjoy my work are the most important aspects of my life as a writer. Knowing also I can be a creative who earns money from her talent and creativity is another ‘upside’ of my work. I may not be a best-selling author or have articles printed in large-scale newspapers and magazines, but yet making a difference in my corner of the world (and maybe in other places if people see my work in “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books) brings me a great deal of satisfaction and joy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gaylemirwin.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wycabinlady/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GayleMIrwin
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gayle-irwin-4a600631b/
• Other: https://substack.com/@wyowriter82601

Image Credits

Photos by Gayle and Greg Irwin
Book Graphics created by Gayle Irwin in Canva
Book Cover Images courtesy of Gayle M. Irwin, author