Today is the 100th birthday of my favorite author, Flannery O'Connor. 🦚🎂

In honor of this momentous occasion, this month's installment of Why I Dyed My Hair Purple: B-Sides features an essay about Flannery that didn't make it into the final book.

Flannery and I had similar life-altering experiences at the same points in our lives, and in this essay, I imagine going through these turning points along side her.

I fully admit that it takes a LOT of liberties, and I expected that I'd be asked to cut it. The essay about Flannery that is in the final book is a lot more unified, while this one is kind of a mess.

Yet, I feel like today is the perfect occasion for me to share it.

Read or listen here.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

A couple of years ago, my husband and I started attending a new church, and one of the biggest changes we encountered was how worship was conducted.

No projection screens. No elaborate musical arrangements. Just voices raised together, singing from hymnals, word for word.

At first, it seemed like a small difference. But over time, I realized something: when you sing an entire hymn, you’re not just singing—you’re telling a story.

As a writer, this realization was powerful. Hymns aren’t just expressions of worship; they’re narratives rich with truth and meaning.

And in a world saturated with screens, holding a hymnal in my hands has become a sacred, set-apart experience.

I’ve written about this in my latest Substack post, exploring the beauty of hymns as storytelling and how they’ve deepened my appreciation for both faith and art.

Plus, I share one of my favorite hymns that captures this beautifully.

Read or listen now!

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

I spent last weekend at the Square Halo conference in Lancaster and tried a bunch of really cool, new stuff.

Learn about my experiences with songwriting, pottery, letting go of traumatic elementary school experiences, and the benefits of stepping outside your artistic box.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

Confession time: I didn't always like Lord of the Rings.

This is a dangerous admission given that I run around in a lot of circles where the books are revered.

Yet, today, I count them among my favorite stories.

What changed? I'm honestly not sure...but on this week's Substack, I'll share my story and explore some ways that our relationship with books can change over time.

Maybe we can have a discussion and you can help me figure it out.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

Welcome to the inaugural installment of Why I Dyed My Hair Purple: B-Sides, where I share outtakes from my essay collection, Why I Dyed My Hair Purple and Other Unorthodox Stories!

This piece explores my somewhat off-brand fascination for monster truck races, how it all got started, and why experiencing the passions of other people just might have rewards waiting for you.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

People are often surprised to learn that Metallica is one of my favorite bands.

It's true that I'm not a huge metal fan, but their melodic approach to the genre and thought-provoking lyrics fascinate me.

In my newest Substack, I talk about their often-misunderstood 1996 album Load.

Specifically, I explore my favorite track, "Hero of the Day," in the context of my experiences struggling with mental health issues in the church and how the song sheds light on the dereliction of duty in our marriages, families, and spiritual communities, as well as our culture's fascinating with hero worship and idolatry.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

This week, I reflect on my time at the Rabbit Room’s North Wind Manor during the winter edition of The Habit Membership writer's retreat.

As I celebrate the release of Why I Dyed My Hair Purple and Other Unorthodox Stories, I’m struck by the passage of time—not just in my own creative journey but in the growth of my community.

Five years have passed since I joined The Habit, and in that time, I’ve found a creative family, gained deeper insight into my vocation, and witnessed remarkable growth in the talents of my fellow writers.

Join me as I share the joy of these reflections and celebrate the gift of community and creativity.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

This week on my Substack, I’m reflecting on something unexpected.

Several people from my church family have now read Why I Dyed My Hair Purple—and their feedback has been overwhelmingly positive.

I wasn’t expecting harsh criticism, but given my past experiences with religious people judging my art, I couldn’t help feeling a little anxious.

Their comments, however, revealed something I never intended: this book is about more than I thought.

Join me as I explore what it means to relate to the person I was before Christ, the role of evangelism, and how our writing has the power to change people.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

Sharing your work with readers is a big reason why writers do what we do...

...but it can also be one of the most agonizing and anxiety-provoking parts of the process.

This week, I talk about how I've processed this reality during my first week of Why I Dyed My Hair Purple's release and offer a creative liturgy as a response.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com

Celebrate the release of Why I Dyed My Hair Purple with a lesson on writing, some artifacts from the Purple Hair Era, and some thoughts on this book entering the world.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit korimorgan.substack.com