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S2, Ep. 57: Coffee Break with J. M. Shaw
Welcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author J. M. Shaw.
J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos.In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.In 2021, Shaw released The Ascension, the first book in her fantasy-adventure series The Callum Walker Series. She has since published three sequels, with more in the works. When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Join Book Coaches Canada, a group of Canadian Author Accelerator certified fiction, memoir, and non-fiction book coaches, for a weekend of webinars on writing, publishing, mindset, and strategies. Sign up for as many (or all the sessions) and check out the freebies and special offers. Write On 2026 takes place on May 30-31, 2026.
Register for free at write-on-2026.heysummit.com. And don’t forget to join “Prompt or Perish: Book Coaches Debate AI and the Future of Writing” and my session “The Sisu Method: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Writers.”
And did I mention? It’s free!
📚 Women Writing Circle
The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe
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By Liisa KovalaWelcome to the Women Writing podcast. In this episode, I’m taking a coffee break with author J. M. Shaw.
J. M. Shaw is a Canadian author of fantasy fiction who lives in Alberta with her husband and two young children. She’s been writing since childhood, building worlds from raw imagination and quiet observation, but it took years before she found the courage to share them. For Shaw, storytelling has always been more than a passion. It’s a compass. A sanctuary. A way to make sense of the chaos.In 2019, Shaw was diagnosed with autism and ADHD, a turning point that brought clarity to a lifetime of feeling “too much” or “too different.” Her intense focus, emotional depth, and ability to live inside fictional worlds became not flaws but the superpowers of a neurodivergent mind. These qualities shape her stories, infusing them with realism, heart, and meaning, and giving her the courage to finally share her creative works. Her worlds may be fantastical, but her characters—flawed, searching, and deeply human—resonate on a personal level.In 2021, Shaw released The Ascension, the first book in her fantasy-adventure series The Callum Walker Series. She has since published three sequels, with more in the works. When she’s not writing, Shaw enjoys connecting with nature, curling up with a good book, and dreaming up new worlds. She also finds joy in encouraging young writers to pursue their own passions.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
Join Book Coaches Canada, a group of Canadian Author Accelerator certified fiction, memoir, and non-fiction book coaches, for a weekend of webinars on writing, publishing, mindset, and strategies. Sign up for as many (or all the sessions) and check out the freebies and special offers. Write On 2026 takes place on May 30-31, 2026.
Register for free at write-on-2026.heysummit.com. And don’t forget to join “Prompt or Perish: Book Coaches Debate AI and the Future of Writing” and my session “The Sisu Method: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Writers.”
And did I mention? It’s free!
📚 Women Writing Circle
The Women Writing Circle meets every Monday from 6:30-8:00 PM EST. This offering is for paid subscribers. You can learn more about the benefits of subscribing here. Join us to get focussed writing done in the company of a supportive group of women writers.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit liisakovalawomenwriting.substack.com/subscribe