Michelle Sandlin

Bestselling Author,
Award-Winning Writer, and Poet

Hi! I’m Michelle. Thanks for dropping by!

I’ve spent my whole life as a writer. Even as a small child, there was something magical about holding a pen—it made me want to write. The simple act of putting ink onto paper captivated me, igniting my creativity.

Writing isn’t just what I do—it’s who I am.

It’s a passion. And that passion has shaped every chapter of my life, from my earliest writings to my bestselling book, Cancer Don’t Care. It’s a story that captures the resilience, hope, and humor that helped me face one of my most challenging moments.

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Don’t like to read? No problem! Now you can listen to Cancer Don’t Care on Audible as narrated by my daughter Kendall.

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Meet Michelle

Author, Writer, Poet

Michelle Sandlin doesn’t just write stories—she lives them. A bestselling author and award-winning writer, Michelle has a gift for weaving words into powerful narratives that resonate with readers. From journalism and poetry to memoir writing, her work has been featured in top publications like the Houston Chronicle (where she penned a weekly column for over seven years), the Houston Business Journal, and Mobility Magazine.

But in June 2021, life threw Michelle an unexpected plot twist: a breast cancer diagnosis. Suddenly, her world shifted from deadlines and storytelling to chemotherapy and survival. And survive she did—with resilience, humor, and an unstoppable spirit. After 16 grueling rounds of chemo, a double mastectomy, multiple reconstruction surgeries, and the removal of her ovaries and fallopian tubes, she is now cancer-free!

As for this website…

Take a look around. Soak in the good vibes. Discover my poetry. Read my latest blog posts. Get news and information about my upcoming book Words of Rhythm, and details about my soon-to-be-launched podcast.

Whether you’re a longtime reader or discovering my work for the first time, I hope you’ll find inspiration, encouragement, and connection as you explore my story.

My Debut Book

CANCER DON’T CARE: A Memoir

In this memoir, Michelle shares her raw, emotional, and at times, humorous journey. This book is her way of processing her thoughts, feelings, and insights about what happened, what she went through, and what it’s like to be on the other side. It’s about overcoming adversity by channeling your inner strength, maintaining a positive attitude, requiring the same of those around you, and fighting your way through. It’s about self-motivation, acceptance, and inspiration on the road to healing and inner peace.

My Poetry

On Being a Writer…

Being a writer is not a job.
It is not a choice.
It is a state of being.
It is at the core of my existence.
Nothing will stand in its way and nothing can prevent it.
It’s my creative mastermind.
It’s the course I travel blindly, but with an open heart.
It is the life I lead.
It’s the introspection and observation.
It’s where I find meaning.

Reviews

From People Magazine

Engagine and relatable, this inspirational memoir from the award-winning writer combines the harsh realities of cancer treatment with her inimitable sense of humor-and experienced perspective as a breast cancer survivor.

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From the Publisher

As the publisher of this memoir, I had the opportunity to be one of the first readers of this book. From the first page, Michelle’s story drew me in, and I knew it was going to resonate with a variety of readers. She skillfully and candidly recounts her experience in a way that makes you feel like you are there with her in every moment. While this is a book about her breast cancer experience, it goes much deeper than that. Michelle does an excellent job of including life lessons and motivational messages that will have a universal appeal. I think readers will easily find themselves within the pages of this highly emotional, inspirational tale. It’s easy to fall in love with Michelle’s writing style, which beautifully combines poetry and prose into every detail.

— Holly Chervnsik, President/Creative Director, SuburbanBuzz.com LLC

View Reader Reviews on Amazon

From The Husband

I lived this book. On reading it, I lived it again. It so completely captures everything that happened. I found myself right back in that place where cancer tried to bulldoze our life. That place where Michelle stood up, faced it down and said ‘No, I will not let you take me.’ That place where none of us around her were allowed to doubt for a minute that she would win this fight. That place where she did just that.

If you want to know what it’s like to go through the diagnosis, chemo, surgeries, the daily battle to keep believing that you will survive this, and to come out the other side intact and to somehow find a better, stronger version of yourself, then you need to read this book. It will inspire you.

— Ken Sandlin

View Reader Reviews on Amazon