Jill Carlyle
Jill is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and holds a BA in English Literature, a double master’s degree in English and Creative Nonfiction, and is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Fiction. She has published articles and essays covering everything from family, to feminism, to the importance of the female voice, along with the best-selling memoir Finding Fifty: A Memoir of Rising in Midlife and the highly anticipated debut novel Her Story So Far.
​
Jill writes stories that examine women’s identity, sexuality, community, overcoming obstacles, dysfunctional families, the mother/daughter dynamic, midlife, and second-chance romance.
"I write stories that women can see themselves in. A space to escape yet feel seen, heard, and validated. My characters are human; they could be your mother, daughter, best friend, or next-door neighbor."
When you turn the last page and set the story down, you will carry these characters with you forever.
​
Jill married the love of her life in March 2013. They happily reside in Las Cruces, New Mexico, with their two precious pups and one extraordinary feline!​
about Finding Fifty: A Memoir of Rising in Midlife
Finding Fifty is more than a memoir—it's a rallying cry for those who have ever felt weighed down by their past. Jill's narrative, shaped by loss, poor choices, failed marriages, and familial estrangement, is an empowering testament to the strength found in rising above the shackles of shame, trauma, and abuse. This is not just a coming-of-age story; it's a coming-into-age journey that resonates with the universal struggles of self-invention and lost identity.
Through the ordinary yet extraordinary life of Jill Carlyle, readers are invited to witness a bold reckoning and a courageous shift into midlife—a pivotal moment every woman eventually confronts. In "Finding Fifty," Jill's narrative unfolds as a beacon of hope, encouraging readers to confront their own challenges and embrace the extraordinary potential within their lives.
​
Join Jill Carlyle on this inspiring journey as she wrestles with a past she can’t control and discovers her profound power to shape the future that she deserves. "Finding Fifty" isn't just a memoir; it's a call to action, encouraging readers to unearth the extraordinary in their own lives and leap into a future filled with purpose and hope. This memoir is an invitation to rise above the odds, find resilience in the face of adversity, and embrace the transformative journey of self-discovery that awaits us.
about Her Story So Far
.jpg)
Kelsi Jo and Alex Kincaid wove a tapestry of life over three decades, marked by a deep love, three daughters, and an enviable existence that seemed flawless to all. However, when a sudden diagnosis tears through their seemingly unbreakable bond, the fabric of their perfect life begins to fray, revealing long hidden truths.
In the wake of her husband's passing, the dissolution of Kelsi's life is as swift as the scattering of Alex's ashes. Amidst the silence of her grief, Kelsi finds herself at the edge of the unknown, poised to delve into a narrative that has silently shaped her.
Embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Kelsi is ready to navigate the untold chapters of her existence, embracing the transformative power of loss to redefine her path and uncover the story that chose her.