EC Stilson
{{short description|American writer}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = EC Stilson
| image = Author EC Stilson.jpg
| imagesize =
| caption = Stilson in 2014
| occupation = Novelist; editor, publisher
| yearsactive =
| birth_name = Elisa Stilson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1983|02|02}}
| birth_place = Price, Utah
| death_date =
| death_place =
| spouse = {{Plainlist|
{{marriage|Cade Hirsch Morris|end=divorced}}
{{marriage|Michael Magagna|2015}}
}}
| children = 4
| parents = Phil Stilson, Ruby Stilson
| alma_mater =
| party =
| footnotes =
}}
Elisa Stilson Magagna (born February 2, 1983), known by the pen name EC Stilson, is an American writer, editor, and publisher. She has also published blog posts under the name Elisabeth Hirsch. She is one of the founders of Wayman Publishing and Literati Publications. Stilson is , and personal appearances speaking across the United States.
Biography
Stilson attended Brighton High School. After graduating from high school two trimesters early, Stilson traveled to Hawaii and became a homeless violinist with guitar player Cade Hirsch Morris. Months later they returned to Utah, married, and had children. In 2001, her father was diagnosed with colon cancer. In 2003 her second child, a boy, died of birth defects after living 2½ months, and her marriage started failing. It was during 2001–2003 that Stilson wrote her first memoir, The Golden Sky.{{Cite web |url=https://www.amazon.com/The-Golden-Sky-EC-Stilson/dp/1460961978/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1_RVS0 |title=Infant Loss |access-date=August 31, 2017 |archive-date=April 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200414022821/https://www.amazon.com/The-Golden-Sky-EC-Stilson/dp/1460961978/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_t_1_RVS0 |url-status=live }}
In 2005, in an effort to cope with stressful situations, Stilson went back to school and received her associate degree from Western International University. In the following decade, Stilson wrote seven more novels under the pen name EC Stilson and also earned her bachelor's degree from Western Governors University.
In 2015 Stilson married Michael Magagna, former host of Utah After Hours (KWCR).[https://podcastaddict.com/episode/http%3A%2F%2Futahafterhours.wutzup.us%2Fpodpress_trac%2Ffeed%2F8%2F0%2F0001.mp3&podcastId=448898/ Utah After Hours Podcast, Episode 1, Jan 10, 2012.] The two moved to Idaho where Stilson was diagnosed with melanoma stage 2B in 2018. In 2020 this progressed to stage 4 melanoma, and doctors projected Stilson would only live two years following this diagnosis.{{Cite web |last=Paras |first=Julian |date=2021-03-05 |title=Local author reflects on dealing with stage-4 melanoma and how it's changed her life |url=https://www.kpvi.com/news/local_news/local-author-reflects-on-dealing-with-stage-4-melanoma-and-how-its-changed-her-life/article_7daf1992-7e11-11eb-a98b-676eeb14e232.html |access-date=2024-02-08 |website=KPVI |language=en}}
While battling cancer, Stilson began blogging again, and her blog, "Crazy Life of a Writing Mom," hit one million views.[https://www.kpvi.com/news/local_news/local-author-reflects-on-dealing-with-stage-4-melanoma-and-how-its-changed-her-life/article_7daf1992-7e11-11eb-a98b-676eeb14e232.html Blog Hits One Million Views] She and her family have begun checking things off of her bucket list together. Some of these items have included skydiving, visiting Italy, and even singing the "Star-Spangled Banner" at a semi-pro baseball game.{{Cite web |url=https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/always-find-the-good-pocatello-woman-fighting-cancer-writes-book-sings-at-grays-game/article_070db419-21b0-5cb9-8d56-8df79c31cb49.html |title=EC Stilson Sings at Baseball Game |access-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-date=September 27, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230927075638/https://www.idahostatejournal.com/news/local/always-find-the-good-pocatello-woman-fighting-cancer-writes-book-sings-at-grays-game/article_070db419-21b0-5cb9-8d56-8df79c31cb49.html |url-status=live }}
Business
In 2011, Stilson started a blog called Crazy Life of a Writing Mom, which would be categorized under Mommyblogs.{{Cite web |url=http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/ |title=EC Stilson's blog. |access-date=March 2, 2013 |archive-date=March 8, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130308012615/http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/ |url-status=live }} The blog was initially published under the pen name Elisabeth Hirsch,[https://web.archive.org/web/20110411171316/http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/ EC Stilson's blog from 2011 published as Elisabeth Hirsch.] with her stated goal to "write one hilarious, embarrassing, or otherwise outrageous moment each day for 365 days straight."
In 2011 Stilson founded Wayman Publishing. Five of its books became Amazon bestsellers in 2012, many of them in large categories such as women's memoir.{{Cite web |url=http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-golden-sky-hit-1-on-amazon-oh-my.html |title=Memoir: "The Golden Sky" and Women's Memoir |access-date=March 2, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304134827/http://ecwrites.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-golden-sky-hit-1-on-amazon-oh-my.html |url-status=live }}
Wayman Publishing went out of business in the fall of 2014.
From 2011 to 2013, several of Stilson's books were published, including The Sword of Senack, How to Lose a Tooth, and three memoirs in The Golden Sky series.
In 2020-2021, Stilson began fighting melanoma{{Cite web |url=https://www.kpvi.com/news/local_news/local-author-reflects-on-dealing-with-stage-4-melanoma-and-how-its-changed-her-life/article_7daf1992-7e11-11eb-a98b-676eeb14e232.html |title=Stilson Fights Terminal Melanoma |access-date=March 8, 2021 |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118204356/https://www.kpvi.com/news/local_news/local-author-reflects-on-dealing-with-stage-4-melanoma-and-how-its-changed-her-life/article_7daf1992-7e11-11eb-a98b-676eeb14e232.html |url-status=live }} and wrote two memoirs about those experiences: Two More Years and Ring the Bell.
Bibliography
- (2011) How to Lose a Tooth, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|1466473185}}
- (2011) One Wing in the Fire (The Golden Sky), Wayman Publishing, Independently published, Literati Publications, {{ISBN|1460961978}}
- (2012) The Sword of Senack, Wayman Publishing, {{ISBN|1461180694}}
- (2012) Bible Girl & the Bad Boy, Wayman Publishing, {{ISBN|1463653654}}
- (2012) The Best of ECWrites (Crazy Life of a Writing Mom, Book 1), Kindle Edition, Wayman Publishing, ASIN:B008AK75X2
- (2012) Homeless in Hawaii, CreateSpace Independent Publishing, ASIN:B00F3ZMZGO
- (2013) How to Avoid Having Sex, Wayman Publishing/CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|1482095262}}
- (2017) A Stranger's Kindness, Literati Publications/CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|1622537815}}
- (2022) Two More Years, Evolved Publishing {{ISBN|1622537815}}
- (2023) Ring the Bell, Independently published, Literati Publishing {{ISBN|9798854651738}}
= Additional publication credits =
- (2011) Christmas Lites I, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|146796204X}}
- (2012) Christmas Lites II, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|1480275042}}
- (2012) Open Doors: An Anthology, Wayman Publishing, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|1477455132}}
- (2012) Open Doors: Fractured Fairy Tales, Wayman Publishing, CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, {{ISBN|148015718X}}
- (2012) My Funny Major Medical, Bauu Institute {{ISBN|1936955105}}
= Podcast =
- Tips to Happiness with EC Stilson, October 2, 2023 – Present, Global One Media Inc.[https://ecstilson.global1media.com Tips to Happiness with EC Stilson, October 2, 2023 - Present, Global One Media Inc.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615123011/https://ecstilson.global1media.com/ |date=June 15, 2024 }}.
References
{{Reflist}}
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Category:American book publishers (people)
Category:American children's writers
Category:American book editors
Category:People from Price, Utah