I’ve always said that I write stories about found families and unlikely heroes, about the beautiful, messy business of being human. I pour my own experiences of resilience, trauma, and the quiet strength it takes to face down demons onto the page, hoping that they resonate, that they find a home with you, my readers.

But every so often, a piece of feedback stops me in my tracks and reminds me why I do this. Recently, I received this online review:

"Wow. Some books entertain. Others echo. Yours? It lingers. Long after the final page. Respect to your pen."

To the person who wrote this: thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. You’ve floored me, and you’ve managed to capture in a few short sentences the very thing I strive for with every world I build and every character I break.

For a story to "linger" is the highest compliment an author can receive. It means the world we created together felt real. It means the struggles of a legally blind graphic designer in a zombie apocalypse (Brace For It), or an autistic medical student discovering that her neurodiversity is a strength (The Connectivity Hypothesis), felt like your own. It means that the epic, world-altering battles in Tides of Ruin and The Trilogy of Thalvannar echoed with the same "radical resilience" that I believe is core to the human spirit.

My own life has been a story of fighting against overwhelming odds. From being a homeless teenager fighting for my own emancipation with a 300-page binder of evidence, to navigating the world as a neurodivergent woman with physical disabilities, I’ve learned that the things society often sees as weaknesses are, in fact, our greatest strengths. This is the truth I pour into every story. It’s the heart of Zahra and Adrian’s journey in The Spaces Between Us, where a chronic illness and a history of addiction become the catalysts for profound love and philanthropy. It’s the core of my non-fiction guide, Stop Hating Your Life, which is all about finding your own "moore" and embracing your inner badass.

When I read that my books "linger," it tells me that these themes of finding strength in the broken places are resonating. It tells me that our found family—this incredible community of readers and dreamers—is growing. Your words, your reactions, and your support are the fuel that keeps my "pen" moving.

So, thank you, dear reviewer, for this moment of awe. You haven't just reviewed my books; you've validated my life's mission. And to all of you who have joined me on these journeys, know that you are a part of this story, too.

With all my love and resilience,

Mariah Tyler Moore