The Dual Callings of Story and Healing For author Kelly Watt, storytelling has been an intrinsic thread woven throughout her life from a very young age. Writing her first crayon-illustrated story at age six—a tale entitled Three Kittens in Their Bed—she developed an early fascination with books, viewing them as gateways to the greater world during a childhood spent partly in boarding homes. As she grew, her creative path led her through university theater studies and journalism on health and fitness. Across all these endeavors, two fundamental callings remained constant: writing and healing.
For Kelly, narrative is more than mere entertainment; it is an avenue for finding meaning, making sense of human experience, and creating alternative realities where imagination offers satisfaction and escape.
From Gothic Fiction to The Weeping Degree Kelly’s entry into professional authorship began with her debut Gothic novel, Mad Dog. Needing guidance because she had written the ending first, she joined the Humber School for Writers, where acclaimed Canadian author Timothy Findley served as her mentor. Findley encouraged her to keep writing without the paralysis of premature criticism, teaching her that first drafts require encouragement above all else.
Decades later, amid the global upheaval of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kelly experienced another creative shift. Looking at her astrological chart, a friend noted that if she turned her hand to poetry, the words would flow. That conversation sparked her award-winning collection of poetry and flash prose memoir, The Weeping Degree: How Astrology Saved Me from Suicide.
The title derives from an astrological term—specifically the 29th degree at the end of a house or sign—which signifies a pivotal period where things fall apart before something new is born. Joining Judith Hill’s Manuscript Clan and publishing through the hybrid imprint Wild Rising Press, Kelly transformed a time of personal and collective grief into an exploration of trauma, resilience, and recovery.
Navigating the Shift Between Publishing Models Having experienced traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing models, Kelly recognizes the unique demands of each path. Her debut novel with Doubleday Canada faced extraordinary market hurdles when its release coincided directly with September 11, 2001. When releasing The Weeping Degree through a hybrid imprint, she realized that indie authors must secure their own third-party validation.
By submitting her work to contests, The Weeping Degree earned honors as a Distinguished Favorite in the Independent Press Awards (US), a Bronze Medalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards (UK), and longlist nominations for both the Whistler Independent Award and the Hamilton Literary Arts Award. Furthermore, Kelly reframed her approach to marketing, adopting the advice that social media is ultimately a tool for genuine connection and socialization rather than aggressive selling.
De-Escalating Panic: The Fear Inventory System Putting deeply personal work into the world inevitably triggers feelings of vulnerability and self-doubt. To manage the fight-or-flight response that arises during publishing, Kelly relies on emotional freedom technique (EFT) tapping, Rescue Remedy, and a structured Fear Inventory System:
- Map the Worst-Case Scenario: Write down the absolute worst possible outcomes your mind can conjure (e.g., public embarrassment, lost relationships, or critical failure).
- Determine Prevention Tactics: Examine practical steps to mitigate those risks, such as changing names, softening tone, or processing personal insecurity through tapping.
- Visualize the Desired Outcome: Formulate a clear vision of how you truly want the book to enter the world and how readers will positively respond.
Courage, Community, and Intrinsic Worth Kelly emphasizes that waiting for fear to vanish before taking action is a trap; true courage is feeling the fear and taking the dive anyway. Confidence is not a prerequisite to publishing—it is the earned reward that comes after stepping through the anxiety.
Supported by a community of fellow writers who share the same vulnerabilities, authors can learn to let go of external outcomes and trust the process. Above all, Kelly offers a grounding truth for every creator: your book is a reflection of your work, but it is not your identity. Regardless of how a book is received by the market, your worth as a human being remains unconditional and complete.
