I wrote a book of poetry:

From ages 22–23 I wrote poetry — mostly to pour out the absolute anguish I was experiencing from my first true adult heartbreak. I needed to grow. To have a cathartic release. To make sense of the sh*t storm I was going through.

After being rejected from my top publisher, I put my book on the shelf and left it there to collect dust.

When I turned 30, I decided it was time to share this. I had given it to 5 beta readers back in 2018 and they loved it. It was time to be vulnerable.

As I began preparing to finally release it, one critic’s feedback resonated so deeply that it has since become the book’s official description:

In Retrospect is a collection of poetry that dives deep into the messiness of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery. With raw honesty and vivid imagery, McArdle captures the fleeting moments, unanswered questions, and quiet revelations that shape a life.

These poems are equal parts tender and unflinching, exploring the ache of letting go, the spark of new beginnings, and the challenge of finding yourself in a world that doesn't pause.

For those who crave connection and seek meaning in the everyday, In Retrospect is a companion for the reflective heart. Each page invites you to sit with your feelings, face your truths, and embrace the beauty in being unapologetically human.

(I'm also happy to share my work was featured in Publisher's Weekly).