elisabeth rourke

writer. proofreader. editor. novelist.

Follow me. What I write. Where I write.

This is what I’m doing.

  • My Work as a Novelist.

    I write genre-driven fiction that explores identity, inheritance, and the private choices women make under public pressure. My work spans speculative suspense, psychological thrillers, and contemporary fiction, often centering millennial women reckoning with family legacies, ambition, and desire.

    I am currently seeking literary representation for my debut novel, WELCOME TO THE AFTERLIFE, while drafting STUPID, PRETTY and HOW TO MAKE A KILLING IN REAL ESTATE. I was accepted into StoryStudio Chicago’s 2024–2025 Novel in a Year program and have a short story, “T9 Dating,” published in Y2K Quarterly.

  • My Work as an Editorial Assistant.

    I’ve had the pleasure of working with Author/Speaker/Podcaster Polly Campbell, creating content, and promoting and editing her two podcasts and matching Substack accounts: Simply Write w/ Polly Campbell and Polly Campbell, Simply Said.

  • My Work as an Editor & Content Writer.

    My editorial background is rooted in professional, business-facing work. I’ve edited websites, marketing materials, form letters, cover letters, résumés, one sheets, and presentation slide decks, always with an eye toward voice and intent.

    While my focus is now fully on my own writing, this experience continues to shape how I think about voice, intent, and clarity in my own writing.