Julie writes about finding out who you are, where you come from, and making sense of it.
Welcome to My Online Home!
I’m an author – memoirist, essayist, and columnist – who writes about finding out who you are, where you come from, and making sense of it.
On this site, you will find information about my books, media events, links to bi-monthly blog posts, and material relating to adoption. While many of my “That Girl This Life” essays focus on identity, family, and belonging, I also love to spotlight the quirky and tender moments which add color to daily life.
At 48, I was sent for a breast biopsy. This incident highlighted what closed adoption prevented my twin sister and me from knowing: our birth circumstances, family medical history, and genealogy. The subsequent search for our “personal story” consumed five years.
I chronicle the adoption search journey in my debut memoir Twice a Daughter: A Search for Family, Identity, and Belonging (She Writes Press, May 2021). The prequel, a coming-of-age story about what it was like to grow up as a twin and an adoptee, titled Twice the Family: A Memoir of Love, Loss & Sisterhood released in Feb. 2025 (She Writes Press).
My collection of essays, Belonging Matters: Conversations on Adoption, Family & Kinship (Muse Literary, Nov. 2023) is a compilation of my favorite “That Girl This Life” blog posts, essays from the monthly column I write under the same name for The Beacher Newspapers in Michiana, and other published work. Belonging Matters serves as a companion piece to both memoirs, supports the adoption community, and creates a conversation with those not touched by adoption.
Besides being an author, identical twin, and adoptee, I’m a mother, grandmother, and a recent widow. Because life has given me many roles to play, as well as experiences and challenges to champion, I plan to continue to craft material for publication that feels right to share.
My wish is that you stay here, linger, and find writing that resonates. Upon leaving this site, I hope you take with you a fresh new idea, perspective, or a topic to discuss with others.
“An engaging, endearing chronicle of a woman’s quest to find her origins.” – Kirkus Review
Join me on Social Media
New Release
RELEASE DATE: Sept 16, 2025
Published by Muse Literary
Jack and Lulu Go to the Tree Farm
By Julie Ryan McGue (and Illustrated by Mariia Stepanova)
Jack and Lulu Go to the Tree Farm is a lyrical and heartfelt tale about a boy named Jack who visits Weatherwood Walnut Farm. His great-grandfather once dreamed of planting a walnut farm as a gift for future generations—a dream carried forward by his family. Now, Jack has the chance to choose a tree of his own.
When he discovers a small oak standing proud among the saplings, Jack feels an instant connection. With a tiny surprise nestled in its branches and the weight of a legacy that takes root in him, Jack learns that family love can grow and endure like the strongest of trees.
Perfect for readers who cherish Miss Rumphius and The Giving Tree, this story celebrates growth, remembrance, and belonging across family seasons.
Writing Workshop
HOW TO WRITE A MEMOIR THAT READS LIKE FICTION WORKSHOP
I am holding a workshop ‘How To Write Memoir That Reads Like Fiction’ on Saturday, November 15 from 1:00pm to 3:00pm CST at Michigan City Public Library.
Special Announcement
That Girl, This Life
Weekly posts that focus on identity, family, and life’s quirky moments.
From Family Stories to Children’s Tales
Fall is here. Let’s talk about Trees.
From Bloomington to Santa Cruz: How Retreats Shape My Writing Life
Retreats and conferences turbo-charge goals and intentions.
The Queen Wave
What is it about a queen’s wave?
Don’t miss a blog post!
Receive my blog posts directly to your inbox.
Follow Me
Nov. 8: Julie will read her new children’s book during Story Hour at Words Bookstore in Maplewood, NJ at 11 AM ET.
Nov. 15: Julie will present a workshop at the Michigan City Library on “How to Write Memoir That Reads Like Fiction” from 1-3 PM. Sign up through the Library website.
Nov. 16: Julie will discuss “How to Write Compelling Memoir” to the New Buffalo Township Library from 5-7 PM ET.
Follow Julie by visiting her website, subscribe to her bimonthly newsletters, and listen to previous podcast recordings where she discusses topics like adoption, identity, family relationships, sisterhood and belonging.
