A Parent Without A Name

To all the step-ish parents out there parenting their hearts out.

May 15 • Emily J. Smith

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April 2026

Using AI in my day job atrophies my writing brain

The effects of AI are striking and contagious even when you refuse to use it for writing.

Apr 14 • Emily J. Smith

145

45

30

February 2026

One Year As a Published Author and the Biggest Career Break of My Life

Experimenting with monetizing my writing—and failing.

Feb 27 • Emily J. Smith

183

66

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When Music Stops Standing In For Love

Thoughts on love, infatuation, and growing up on Valentine's Day

Feb 14 • Emily J. Smith

13

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January 2026

Like the hivemind it depicts, Pluribus lacks a soul... on self-satisfied vs. striving art

The difference between Pluribus and Industry is visceral.

Jan 4 • Emily J. Smith

27

9

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December 2025

My year on Substack and choosing interest > algorithm in 2026

Top Substack essays this year (and ever!) and some intentions moving forward.

Dec 30, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

41

18

3

My Favorite Novels of the Year

My own little end of year list.

Dec 27, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

21

6

1

The Year I Published My Novel

Ups and downs, secrets and surprises.

Dec 12, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

68

23

7

November 2025

The Space to Live Your Dream

My first artist residency.

Nov 14, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

21

6

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October 2025

The VC-ification of Everything

A horror story and thought experiment for this 2025 Halloween!

Oct 31, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

37

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4

What It Costs To Write

The only reason I was able to write a novel is because I gave myself the time to try.

Oct 17, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

99

15

How Writing Saved Me From Myself

The loneliness of disordered eating and the paradox of modern womanhood.

Oct 3, 2025 • Emily J. Smith

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