Patricia Scanlan prioritizes cancer recovery over writing

Author Patricia Scanlan is currently working on a personal project related to her recovery from breast cancer. She was diagnosed on December 13 and has undergone three surgeries. She is now waiting to begin radiation treatment. Scanlan is also promoting her new novel, "City Girls Forever." The book has achieved great success, going straight to number one, and its first print run of 12,000 copies sold out in just two weeks. She enjoys connecting with her readers, and many young women relate to her characters. Reflecting on her journey as an author, Scanlan noted that when she began writing, women’s stories were not as widely represented. She mentioned the shift in popular genres over the years—from women’s fiction to crime, and now to fantasy. She expresses her happiness at seeing more stories about strong women, like a recent novel about the goddess Morrigan. Beyond her writing, Scanlan has worked to improve literacy rates through libraries. She started the Open Door Series to help adult readers, after witnessing the need for engaging material. She values libraries for their role in promoting education and community. Scanlan admires the influence of her late parents and expresses deep concern for women's rights globally. She dreams of continuing her writing journey, including a co-authored novel about the goddess Macha. Despite her health challenges, her passion for storytelling remains strong, guided by the advice to write passionately and edit carefully.