Meet Emily Holi
Emily Holi is a disabled PB/MG/YA author and short fiction writer whose work has appeared in Insider, McSweeney’s, and Door Is A Jar Magazine.
A mom of six, she writes emotion-forward stories for young readers. Her short story “Buttons,” featured in the Bram Stoker–nominated anthology Mother Knows Best (Black Spot Books), received a shoutout in a Publishers Weekly starred review. DIVA is her debut picture book.
Author of DIVA
Creative Process
My creative process usually starts with small, real-life moments, things I notice with my kids, bits of conversation, or feelings that linger from my own childhood. I tend to follow the emotional core of an idea first, letting character and voice lead before worrying too much about structure. From there, I revise a lot, shaping the story until the heart of it feels clear, playful, and true to the way kids actually experience the world.
Connection to Dance
I danced from elementary school through college, and it’s always been a part of who I am. Even though my path has changed, that love for movement, storytelling, and expression never really left me. It showed up in new ways, instead, including in the stories I write!
Thankful for Support from
Her kids (Eileen, Charlotte, Maeve, Lila, Will, and Freddie), her husband Tim, her mom and dad, and her sisters Molly and Claire.