Introduction by J K Mullins
Lyra is an American poet and nursing student who has been a strong supporter of the site. Lyra released her debut poetry novel In-Verse in 2025, and I interviewed her in September. This is our joint blog discussing our experiences.
Lyra’s book is available here and there is accompanying merchandise here.
Lyra on student life
Being both a poet and a nursing student can be hard to reconcile. Nursing school is busy! Between classes, clinicals, studying, clubs, and pondering future nurse practitioner programs, I have virtually no free time. And yet – whenever I do encounter spare seconds, I find myself writing verses in the Notes app on my phone or scrawling them on scraps of paper.
With all the information I need to consume in school, I am driven to create something, to produce something that comes from my soul. I do draw inspiration from my studies, particularly from anatomy. I have one poem in my book and a couple up on my Instagram page that combine my interests for art and science. Nursing itself is both an art and a science, so I think it’s fitting that I enjoy both.
Jason recalls
I was a student from late 1989 to summer 1992 and things have changed so much since then. What we now know as “the internet” was a University connected network where you could contact friends in other universities. It was called “Janet”, if I remember correctly, and it was all text based. Mobile phones needed a briefcase just for the battery.
Now the technology has advanced where you can capture any moments of inspiration on the go, as Lyra says, using phone apps. Self-publishing did not exist back then like it does today. So, whilst the ability to capture inspiration is greater, there is a lot of opportunity for lots of people to try and exploit the facilities that now exist and therefore lots of competition.
Lyra on poetry and nursing
If I weren’t so busy, I think I would be focusing more on creative projects. Perhaps publishing another poetry book, maybe even a prose novel (I have one in the works but not enough time to work on it!). I often find myself missing all of the English classes I have been a part of, reading Shakespeare, writing villanelles, and reading all the books.
However, nursing is a noble pursuit, and just as poetry is in my heart, so too the compassion that comes from nursing is in the heart of my soul. Therefore, while my time is short and my energy is stretched, I do adore being both a nursing student and a poet, and I love finding ways to interweave my passions for both.
Jason observes
I sense though that Lyra, your writing is driven by the enjoyment you get from being able to express your art and experiences as much as you hope for success as an author.
Lyra on In-Verse
My debut poetry book, In-Verse, talks about how my love for writing poetry developed. I never considered myself a poet growing up, and I still find it hard to refer to myself as such. The book is free on KU and available on Amazon. As I am overwhelmed by school, I have not done a ton to spread the word about In-Verse, but if you love stories of Christian faith, grief and loss, hope and healing, you should check it out. It is a worthwhile read! Help out a tired college student and give it a shot. Or check out my Instagram (@versesbylyra) to see some of my more recent work.
Jason on In-Verse
I bought Lyra’s book and whilst the genre is not one I traditionally would purchase I enjoyed it immensely (my review).
I have been seeking a new direction for myself in the last year and my own experience with self-publishing has led me to create my own website which has the ambition of highlighting the efforts of self-published author like Lyra. As I delved deeper into this world, I looked for different ways of promoting those works which has included a setting up an Etsy store.
The front and back cover of Lyra’s book makes a nice thoughtful wall canvas, for those you share you love for poetry.
Jason concludes
Lyra has been one of a handful of self-published authors who I have connected with that really supports the ideas that I have developed, and it is most appreciated.
Between us we haven’t yet disrupted the market but the combination of learning from a range of different people that would otherwise never know each other existed and the knowledge gained from exploring new opportunities is invaluable.
Lyra Wilder (poet, author, student nurse) / J K Mullins (The Book Hook Online)
