Lily Meade

@lilymeade

Homeless novelist. Author of: THE HEX GIRLS: A ROGUE THORN 🐾 (Aug 26 2025) and THE SHADOW SISTER 🦋 (out now!). Here for books, equality, and Taylor Swift. @LilyMeade on most other platforms. Learn more: lilymeade.com

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Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jul 16

Update on Paddy (and me): She scared me last night with a return of the scary poop, but I did some research and it says it may take a couple days to resolve with the meds/rest.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jul 15

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jul 14

Please pray for Paddy. She’s not drinking water despite the terrible heat and her poop is liquid with blood. We’re on our way to an emergency vet. We don’t really have the funds for this or what she might need treatment for, but she’s my lifeline. I need her. Please help if you can.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 25

Paddy and I are doing our best to survive the increasing temperatures! These past few days have almost been worse than last week, but it’s been a bit more survivable thanks to your help. 1/2

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 16

I bet you can’t see guess the running theme in my latest additions to our Homelessness Help Wishlist. We just got our first heatwave of the summer and it’s been so hot I’ve been unable to think. But honestly, I’m terrified most for little Paddy. She’s been breathing hard even with constant water.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 15

We’re celebrating THE SHADOW SISTER’S third birthday the way we celebrated her second, with a library presentation! This is your only chance until fall to attend my most popular writing workshop! Join me at Woodmont Library to discuss fanfic, creativity, and writing for your favorite worlds!

attend my most popular program!

JUNE 27, 12 - 2PM
Woodmont Library Des Moines, WA
From Fandom To Fans Of Your Own:
How Fanfic Can Make You A Better Writer

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 10

It’s been a great day so far, even with the few hiccups! I got to spend most of it with my mom and big brother and then we saw my baby brother and sister in law! She took an (almost) complete family photo.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 9

Today is my birthday! And I’ll be honest, the best thing you could do is help me with funds to survive the next few months, either through my ongoing homelessness survival fundraiser (see my pinned post) or through my Cashapp ($Lilymeade) or Venmo (@Lily-Meade-1).

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 9

This is NOT the birthday vibe. They didn’t tell me when they said the sliding scale appointment in March wouldn’t charge me because of my income that didn’t include the labs they MADE ME take. I don’t have this kind of money. This is why I’ve been avoiding the doctor since I lost my insurance. 😭

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 5

New love of my life. I love hot sandwiches so much but they’ve been really hard to come by living in a camper. This has been such a great quality of life upgrade that I am seriously considering budgeting for a second backup in case I use this one so often it gives up on me, LOL.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 5

Genuinely never been happier to eat a sandwich. I love this panini press. 🥹

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 3

We got some new doggy teething treats from the wishlist and Paddy doesn’t know what to do with them. She’s been walking around carrying it like a comfort toy, LOL.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Jun 2

My birthday is in a week, which means that the next seven days are all about me (kidding). Unless… 👀 www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

Lily Meade@lilymeade· May 24

Now that I am off double deadline, I can focus on what truly matters: my birthday is in two weeks! There’s only two things I really really want. A new ice maker for surviving summer in the camper (last one died) and a Jurassic Park panini press for warm sandwiches. www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

Lily Meade@lilymeade· May 4

Just under 2 hours and over 1,200 words! It was really intimidating to dive into this story but I am super proud of myself.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· May 4

(Continued) 2/2 Additional ways to support: Venmo: @Lily-Meade-1 Cashapp: $lilymeade lilymeade.com/donate%EF%BF...

Mom has daily help loading and unloading her truck. My brothers are also helping her set up her stand when they can. She admitted yesterday she is glad she rested when she was supposed to, despite how behind we've fallen in bills, because she doesn't think she would have been able to handle her stand if she hadn't. She says she's feeling better every day and is now at a point where more movement is actually helping her heal.
I am really glad she's on the mend. Another reason I am striving so hard to increase my income and help us is because I know that despite her stubbornness, she won't be able to work forever. And she shouldn't. I want to help us so I can continue to help and support her. I felt like such a failure as a daughter this month telling her to rest when I had no way to fix the problems
"taking a break" worsened.
In addition to the two writing projects, I've booked another library presentation in June and have been working really hard on plans for my Patreon this summer. I had to be reminded by a friend that it was okay to

update you all even if I didn't have a crisis to report. Everyone is struggling, but that's doesn't mean that what I'm going through is somehow lesser or that you will no longer care. I hope you are all doing well and I promise to update again next month (if not sooner), no matter what.

Thank you so much for reading!
Please share and continue supporting my GFM or Patreon.

Additional ways to support:
Venmo: @Lily-Meade-1
Cashapp: $lilymeade
lilymeade.com/donate

Lily Meade@lilymeade· May 4

MONTHLY UPDATE: News on my writing efforts, Mom’s recovery, and my mindset lately. Please share and boost if you can. ♥️ Direct link to GFM: gofund.me/2d8b70f4d Substack link (most recent post): lilymeade.substack.com/p/may2026 1/2

MAY
HOUSING
FUNDRAISER
UPDATE

Additional ways to support:
Venmo: @Lily-Meade-1
Cashapp: $lilymeade
lilymeade.com/donate

Happy May, everyone. Can you believe we're almost halfway through the year already? I don't think I would fully trust that we've already lived so much of 2026 if I haven't been so laser focused on what I've wanted to accomplish in this time frame.
I didn't post a monthly update in April aside from the unplanned news of Mom falling because I've been struggling with how to keep you all abreast of life out here when nothing is really changing but nothing is getting much better either. I am deeply aware of how hard and expensive living in general is worsening for everyone.
I hope I have made it clear before, but your ongoing support and kindness means the world to me. I am so grateful for every donation and encouragement, but I feel a deep guilt for asking for help when I know others are also struggling. I am not too proud to admit I do NEED help, but it feels like I can never truly convey how much I appreciate it, no matter what do.
Maybe it's the American workaholic mindset in me, but all I can think to focus on is

Maybe it's the American workaholic mindset in me, but all I can think to focus on is proving to you (and myself) that l am doing all I can to "help myself."
I recently signed a contract for a very exciting short story opportunity and am currently on deadline for that. It doesn't pay a ton, but will be the first deposit to my business bank account since April of last year. That will help a lot, because I'm still on a $200 a month payment plan for 2024's taxes (that I couldn't prepay quarterly because we needed those funds to prepare for becoming homeless).
I did hear back from my accountant for this year. A benefit of being destitute means that I will only owe $260 for 2025, which means may owe my accountant more than I owe in taxes. That seems wild but I cannot mentally handle thinking about money to the level I would need to handle them myself, so I guess I categorize that expense as Mental Health. But... silver lining! This tax return should qualify me for state insurance again, so as soon as I file I'll try to start that paperwork again.

I am also working on a proposal for a potential bigger book deal opportunity (that I also can't go into detail yet on this point). All of this to say that I am trying really hard to bring in more income. As l've said before, writing is a job that requires a lot of work ahead of even the possibility of payment. I know I will get paid for the short story eventually, but I don't know yet if this proposal work will even move to further steps.
It's really scary to devote so much time on a What If when there are other things demanding my time, attention, and finances. Mom really struggled this month after hurting her hip. She is a fiercely independent woman and has hated being unable to do everything she is used to.
Convincing her to take it easy so she can heal has been an uphill battle, especially unable to cover the bills she couldn't contribute to when she couldn't work.
The fruit stand people (who own the property we live on) are now back for the summer and the benefit of working for people who consider you family is that

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Apr 5

LAST DAY of Norwescon! I had such a great weekend with all of you! I am excited for my final panels and to take the joy and inspiration this weekend gave me back to my writing!

NORWESCON
Lily Meade's
SUNDAY EVENTS

PANEL, 10 - 11AM
Publishing Dollars and Sense
@ Cascade 9

PANEL, 11 - 12PM
Not Instagram Ready: YA
Protagonists That Aren't Always
Perfect
@ Cascade 7 & 8

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Apr 4

Today’s Norwescon events! Thank you to those to came to my signing (there are only two books left in the bookstore!). I hope to see you at one of my panels!

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Apr 2

My book is in the nook! You can find signed hardcovers of THE SHADOW SISTER at the Norwescon Book Nook (and we hope to bring in a few paperbacks before the weekend is out).

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Apr 2

So excited for my first NorWesCon this weekend, especially attending as a paneling author! My mother and I will be around all weekend for bookish fun. Here’s a quick reference of my scheduled events for each day. I can’t wait to make new friends! Will I see you there?

NORWESCON
APRIL 2ND - 5th

Where to find Lily Meade this weekend!

NORWESCON
Lily Meade's
THURSDAY EVENTS
PANEL, 4 - 5PM
High School is Hell:
High School Heroes & Villains
@ Cascade 11

NORWESCON
Lily Meade's
FRIDAY EVENTS
PANEL, 4 - 5PM
Representation in YA
@ Cascade 7&8

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Mar 30

EMERGENCY UPDATE: Mom fell and hurt her hip last week and while (thankfully) it isn’t broken, she needs rest and time to heal. We need some additional support during this time of lost income so we can both focus on her recovery. Please share. ♥️ gofund.me/187754ed5

$This is not a full update, but it does impact our finances for the next few weeks. On Wednesday, Mom fell while sorting boxes at the storage center and got her hip, elbow, and chest. On Saturday, her hips hurt so bad they nearly gave out on her at the grocery store and she couldn't walk back from the car without my assistance. Yesterday (Sunday) | lovingly bullied her to go to urgent care, and then the ER, where we spent most of the afternoon getting imaging and bloodwork done. Thankfully, she has not fractured anything-a real danger at her age-but her hip is badly bruised. She was given several prescriptions and advised to take it easy for a few weeks in order to heal. This is very difficult timing for us as Mom's sole source of income (until fruit season resumes, which is also heavy labor) is grocery delivery, but she obviously cannot be walking long distances or lifting heavy items for a little while.$

We also have NorWesCon, a sci-fi/fantasy writer's scheduled this weekend. I am a panelist and signing author there and we'd planned to have her as my guest/assistant.
We already paid for the hotel and registration weeks ago and can't cancel it, but I don't even know how we'd go about requesting or getting accommodations for her right now. Conferences don't typically provide wheelchairs if you need one, but we don't have one of our own.
Right now, the idea to deal with this weekend is to have her take it easy at the hotel as often as she can. I don't know what we're gonna do when the weekend is over though because while we planned for three days of no income for her to assist me, we didn't plan on two weeks of no income for recovery.
We are in a really tight financial spot at the moment and in more dire need of support than normal. If you could support this fundraiser or contribute via Venmo (@Lily-Meade-1) or Cashapp (Slilymeade) at this time, it would be really appreciated.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Mar 30

Genuinely petrified. Literally google to see if Paddy could kill it for me and how to prevent any more from showing up. Added repelling scents to our wishlist and everything. I TRULY HATE MOTHS. I’m so upset. 😭 www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Mar 29

Took Mom to the ER because she fell and hurt her hip. Scans came back negative for a break (so grateful!), but she’s heavily bruised and advised to take it easy for the next two weeks. That will be really hard on us financially, so if you could boost that would be such a help!

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Mar 26

Update continued. 2/2

My mother and l are preparing for the return of fruit season when the owner of the property we stay at returns for the summer selling season). After a very cold and wet winter with several serious storms, that entails a lot of ground work and cleaning. It's particularly difficult with the weather change kicking up so much wet pollen and mildew. I can't tell you how many allergy pills I've double dosed and moisture-eaters I've opened in the RV in the past two weeks alone. That's been very hard on both my mother and I health wise, but at least in the warmer weather it's almost too hot for any bacteria to grow anywhere. Silver linings!
Right now, everything just feels like a season of transition. Here's to hoping things are finally changing for the better.
Either way, I'll keep you updated. As always, thank you for reading and supporting. I'll talk to you again soon.
Additional ways to support:
Venmo: @Lily-Meade-1
Cashapp: $lilymeade
lilymeade.com/donate

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Mar 26

MARCH UPDATE: It’s been a rough month mentally for me mentally, but I’m trying to focus on the good things (however few and far between). gofund.me/606db9970 1/2

Thank you so much for your heartfelt reception and support of this new fundraiser! I've drafted and rewritten a few takes at this first update in the past few weeks since I launched this. It feels like every time I try to take stock of life as it's currently serving me in order to plot ahead, something new rolls in and upsets everything.
I pride myself on being a master problem solver-a skill I've learned through trial, error, and a lifetime of chronic anxiety-but I'd prefer to actually set a plan into motion before having to scrap everything and start over. I have faith in my ability to pivot and overcome, but I wish I didn't need to do so all the time.
Some awful things have happened this year. Some great things have happened.
I'm trying my best to MAKE things happen (my preference being only good, in case you wondering, LOL). It's both terrifying and exciting to have a blank slate for so much of my future at the moment.

It's a scary time to be without a publisher or agent. Every week there seems to be news about more layoffs at publishing houses or entire imprints closing down. I know this has happened before and the industry survived, but it's still frightening to see options disappear every day.
I am scared to admit how terrified I am here, because so much of this industry relies on optics. You have no idea how many book tours are author funded or how much is spent on bookmarks and art commissions (and eventual prints) for preorder campaigns. A big chunk of platform in this industry is faking it until you make it. I'm really good at avoiding imposter syndrome at in-person events, but it swallows me when I'm alone.
I've spoken here before about how complicated it feels to have people assume everything is sunshine because I have multiple books published when my day-to-day life is... well, you're reading the first monthly update of my third annual homelessness fundraiser, so there's really no need for a metaphor to iron the point

here.
I truly do believe that the decisions I've made for my career lately will ultimately turn out to have been the wisest choice long term, but I can't shake how afraid I am that no one will ever want to champion my stories again. I also fear that it might hurt me professionally to be so honest about this, but the only thing that's helped me lately is other people sharing how they've gotten through similar situations.
I have to believe that telling the truth, even when it feels so vulnerably raw, will turn out for the best.
I have good news on the healthcare front: my financial aid for my migraine prevention shots was just approved through August, so I will still be able to receive the medical treatment that allows me to be a functioning and productive person for the next five months! I have to wait until I get my tax return back to try and see if the government considers me sufficiently destitute enough to get back on state insurance, but I'll keep you updated.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Feb 26

Transcript continued:

foreseeable payments coming in, I should be able to get back on state coverage soon. This is very good because my chronic illness (Neurofibromatosis, a genetic condition that causes tumor growths on nerves and chronic migraines) requires an expensive quarterly treatment to keep me at a baseline of health.
Since losing coverage, I had to put my faith in the financial aid program of my local hospital to cover this treatment. I haven't been able to see any other doctor for any other medical issues.
Because of my disability limiting my strength and healthy hours, writing is my sole source of income. I am working on other book ideas to eventually hope to submit to publishers, but that takes time. I'm also still seeking other IP opportunities and additional ways to monetize my work (including my Patreon, which will become a key focus of my efforts going forward). I promise I'm doing all I can to help and prove myself.

I will admit I am terrified. My limited income was the all I had not only to buy groceries and allow me to contribute to our bills, but my sole way of staying current on the credit card debt I amassed trying to avoid our homelessness in the first place. Since November, when I ran out of money from the savings of my last book payment, I have struggled to stay afloat. I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't increase my income or sell something soon.
When we became homeless two years ago, l thought there would at least be a small relief in the loss. Surely it would be easier to "pull ourselves up by the bootstraps/get back on our feet" without the crushing weight of being priced out of our hometown. But I had no idea how expensive long-term homelessness would be, especially in a society that has increasingly worked to make it harder and harder to exist without a permanent address.

I am trying to maintain hope, but it's hard when the only substantial changes I keep facing are ones that worsen instead of improve. I promise to continue to try, and this new fundraiser is part of that. I promise to keep you updated monthly on our situation and progress. Thank you for reading, your kindness, friendship, and ongoing support.
Here are additional ways to support if you don't like GM or would prefer to support elsewhere:
Venmo: @Lily-Meade-1
Cashapp: $lilymeade
Paypal direct link: Lily.la/paypal
Patreon (best for ongoing support):
Patreon.com/lilymeade
https://gofund.me/c43b67957

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Feb 26

I have made a new fundraiser for a fresh start in our ongoing journey of surviving homelessness. If you would be willing, I’d deeply appreciate any shares or even just kind words of support. Thank you. www.gofundme.com/f/ongoing-su...

Lily Meade

Ongoing Support For Homeless Family (2026)
Be the first to donate

(Additional ways to support at the bottom if you prefer other platforms instead of GFM.)
In April 2024, I made a fundraiser called
"Preparing to Become Homeless Again." After three years of trying to survive a rent increase of $500 to $2000 and then $2400 a month, we ran out of income and into debt covering basic utilities. The purpose of the fundraiser was to help cover the rent through the summer/early fall and to best position ourselves for long-term homelessness.
In addition to the last few months of rent, with the donations from that campaign, we were able to purchase a 40-year-old camper and get it towed to a shop, repaired, replace the tires, and the roof sealed to make it more livable in the cold and rainy Washington winter. After we moved out of our home in early October 2024, remaining funds were put towards trying to prepare the RV for long-term survival.

In February 2025, I made a new fundraiser for supporting the ongoing costs of surviving homelessness. This fundraiser is the 2026 edition of that need.
My mother and I have our camper and a small shed parked on the property of her summer fruit stand boss (who lives out of state when the selling season is over). We're allowed to stay here for the monthly cost of power and a portapotty because having someone here over the winter prevents theft of the expensive vehicles and tools they leave here. There is no running water for food or hygiene and we can't keep much cold food because the multiple storms of last fall broke our outdoor freezer.
I spent much of last year promoting and the launching my Scooby Doo IP novel, THE HEX GIRLS: A ROGUE THORN. Aside from that, I had a short story published in a horror anthology and signed and submitted two other stories to upcoming anthologies.

Throughout all those projects, I also spent a lot of time revising my second book with the publisher of my debut novel (THE SHADOW SISTER). However, early this year my publisher and I mutually agreed to part ways on this contract after a long development process made it clear we had different visions for this book. A few days ago, the cancellation letter was officially finalized.
This was an extremely difficult decision for me as I am not really in a good position to turn down guaranteed income. It is very scary to add even more uncertainty to my future. I believe in myself and my writing, but being a novelist is a difficult career to afford even when you have
"normal" resources available to you like proper shelter and healthcare.
I don't have healthcare at the moment, because my income was $200 over the limit last year with my tax return. Fortunately-or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it-with no

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Feb 25

A bittersweet update on my second book with my publisher. This is not the end of my publishing journey. Thank you for reading and supporting me and my books.

My publisher, Sourcebooks Fire, and I have mutually made the decision to part ways on the second book in my contract. After a long development process, it became clear we wanted different things from this book.
Stepping away allows me to continue developing the book in a way that feels true to the heart of the story.

I'm deeply proud of this novel and still invested in its future. I am also proud of my debut, THE SHADOW SISTER, and the partnership my publisher gave me in delivering that book to readers. While I am disappointed this collaboration couldn't continue with this project, I have faith in it and myselt as a writer.

I'm looking forward to what comes next.
Thank you for reading.

Lily Meade@lilymeade· Feb 23

Happy Birthday to my mom! She is 69 (nice) today! Please wish her a lovely day and many more birthdays with me! She spends her days doing grocery app delivery for income, but if you’d like to support her taking her birthday off, her Venmo is @Laurie-Meade-5 and her cashapp is $LaurieMeade111.