The Lit Ladies formed almost by accident. Three writers from wildly different corners of the literary world met inside the Women in Publishing community and discovered an unexpected common thread: we were all using expanded states and trance states to push past fear, unlock ideas, and actually finish/publish our books. What began as a few blunt conversations about writing, creativity, and altered states turned into a real alliance.

We span decades and genres—Diana writes visionary speculative fiction, Joyce writes cannabis-centered romance, and Melanie writes non-fiction about somatic movement—but the differences are exactly what make the group work. We trade craft notes, publishing strategies, marketing experiments, and the hard truths most writers avoid saying out loud. The through-line is support without performative positivity: every launch panic, every creative block, every public risk comes with two other women behind it.

We support each other through all stages of the writing and publishing process—drafting, revising, book launches, platform-building, and independent publishing strategy. As a small but powerful women’s writing collective, the Lit Ladies reflects what many authors are searching for: community, accountability, and honest conversations about the realities of building a creative life.

Readers, journalists, podcasters, and literary platforms looking for sharp, unfiltered perspectives on women’s writing communities, creative collaboration, expanded states and creativity, or the future of storytelling will find plenty to explore in our work and our partnership.

Diana Colleen

Joyce Gerber is an attorney, advocate and writer. She is the creator and host of the award-winning podcast, The Canna Mom Show, where she used her unique voice to change the narrative around cannabis and caregiving. When not advocating for cannabis normalization, Joyce is active with many community and civic organizations in Cambridge, Massachusetts, where she lives with her husband, daughter, cats and the occasional student from the Berklee School of Music. In her spare time she has managed a rock band, run for a local political office, and likes to create beautiful quilts for friends and family. Joyce has degrees from Northeastern University, Tufts University and Connecticut College. When asked to describe his mom, her son Josh said, “she’s a force to be reckoned with.” 

Melanie Smithson, is a Licensed Somatic Psychotherapist, Business Owner, Certified Spiritual Integration Hypnotherapist, and the award-winning author of Stress Free in 30 Seconds—A Slightly Irreverent Approach to Navigating Life’s Challenges. Through the highs and lows of life, movement has been there to support her in processing, transforming and releasing upsets. For thirty years, she has been sharing the wisdom of the body and the power of movement with her therapy clients and group participants. She is dedicated to broadening access to somatic practices to alleviate suffering, live light-heartedly, and foster a deeper connection to one’s inner nature. In Shake Yourself Free, Smithson offers a primer for locating emotions in the body and learning to tune into oneself.