Why I Chose a Pen Name — And What "A.E. Gormlaith" Really Means

Hi friends,

With the announcement of my memoir A Thistle Among Roses finally out in the world (still can’t believe I get to say that!), I wanted to take a moment to share something personal about the name on the cover.

You’ll see it isn’t the name most of you know me by. Instead, it reads: A.E. Gormlaith. And there’s a story behind that—one rooted in love, courage, and protection.

Writing this book was the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done. A Thistle Among Roses is not fiction. It’s not carefully edited to soften the sharp edges of my truth. It’s raw. It’s personal. It’s about the wounds I carried and the ways I found to survive and grow despite them. And because of that, I knew I needed to approach it with both boldness and care.

One of the biggest reasons I chose to write under a pen name was to protect the privacy of my family.

While this is my story, the people in it are real—and many of them are still part of my life. Some are mentioned with deep love, others with complexity, and some with pain. But I never wanted this book—if it reaches a wider audience (okay, when it does, universe, I’m manifesting!)—to bring any unintended attention, judgment, or harm to those I care about. They didn’t sign up to live publicly. I did, through these pages.

Using a pseudonym was my way of drawing a soft boundary. Of saying: this is my truth, but I’m telling it with intention and respect. Of giving myself the space to be fully honest, without the fear that my words might ripple into someone else’s life in a way they didn’t choose.

As for the name itself—Gormlaith is Scots Gaelic. It means “illustrious princess.” When I first came across it, something in me stirred. Not because I saw myself as royal or regal in any way—but because of what it symbolizes. To me, Gormlaith represents a woman who survives with grace. Who walks through fire and still chooses softness. Who may be thorned, but never stops reaching toward light.

Choosing this name felt like stepping into the strongest, most quietly powerful version of myself—the one who wrote this book when it felt too heavy to hold, who kept going even when the words hurt to write.

The A.E. are my true initials. They’re my quiet signature, a tether back to the person behind the name. The one who lived this life, and who finally found the courage to share it.

So no, the name on the cover isn’t meant to hide me—it’s meant to protect what matters most, while still allowing the story to live, breathe, and connect with those who need it.

If you choose to read A Thistle Among Roses, thank you. Truly. I hope you feel the heart in every sentence. I hope you see yourself in the pages. And I hope you know that behind the name A.E. Gormlaith, there is a real person who believes in the power of telling the truth with tenderness.

Thank you for holding this with me.

With all my heart,

A.E. Gormlaith