In this episode of The Art of Imperfect Adulting, Amy Stone talks with Kelly Morgan f about her lifelong journey with weight, self-image, and healing through self-expression. Kelly shares how writing her semi-autobiographical novel, “Weight for It,” became a transformative act of self-care and self-discovery, and how helping fellow indie authors has become a new passion. Together, they explore themes of vulnerability, creative processing, and building supportive communities for underrepresented voices.

About the Guest:

Kelly Morgan is an author, publisher, and advocate for underrepresented writers. Based in Aurora, Colorado, she is the founder of Bright Headed Publishing and host of The Author’s Mic and Indie Reader Society. Kelly’s writing explores personal and social themes—her latest novel, “Wait for It,” offers a candid, fictionalized account of her struggles with weight and acceptance.

Main Topics Covered:

• Kelly’s approach to self-care: Meditation and morning affirmations
• The emotional roller coaster of weight loss and self-sabotage
• Writing as Therapy—how “Wait for It” emerged from personal pain
• Fiction as a tool to process and distance oneself from heavy Emotions
• Overcoming setbacks in the publishing industry and launching her own press
• Practical advice for indie authors and demystifying the publishing process
• Building spaces for authentic storytelling and underrepresented voices

Quote from the Episode:

“I can’t be the only one crying in my closet. I can’t be the only one that hears the scale when I step on it. Maybe this will help somebody else, knowing that they’re not alone in this journey.” – Kelly Morgan

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introductions and self-care routines
• 00:58 – Kelly’s meditation and affirmation practice
• 03:13 – Background of “Wait for It” and the messy middle of weight loss
• 09:28 – Early body image awareness and societal messaging
• 11:17 – Writing habits and harnessing creativity
• 14:11 – Deciding to publish and confronting feedback fears
• 17:38 – First publishing experiences and founding Bright Headed Publishing
• 22:56 – Relaunching projects post-pandemic and developing support resources for authors
• 30:29 – Writing as self-confrontation and therapeutic Growth
• 35:39 – Navigating extremes in wellness culture and finding balance
• 37:22 – Other avenues for healing and the power of meditation
• 40:39 – How to connect with Kelly & special offers
• 43:05 – Final questions & fun rapid-fire round

Special Offer:

Listen for details on how to get a free digital copy of “Wait for It” via a link in the show notes or newsletter!

Connect with Kelly at BrightHeadedPublishing.com

Buy Kelly’s Book: https://bookshop.org/a/87491/9798869232052

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Amy Stone Host

Amy Stone is a media entrepreneur, storyteller, and founder of The Art of Imperfect Adulting - a growing media platform featuring long-form interviews that explore the messy, non-linear reality of building a life.

Amy is a journalism graduate who started her career as a freelance newspaper photographer. Driven by the desire to be able to pay her bills she took a job in marketing and later client service at a tech startup in the late '90s before building multiple businesses of her own - including an award-winning family portrait studio she ran for 8 years. After closing the studio and moving through fitness and lifestyle coaching, she realized the work that mattered most wasn't offering her own expertise - it was creating a space where real people share real stories about the everyday choices that shape a life.