Josie Miller
Author, Novelist, and Poet
Stigma is out now!
Books one through three of the Spring Day series have been released! Check out the books, meet the characters, and more below.
From the conspiracy of missing parents to fighting against a corrupt government, the Spring Day series is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat as you attempt to predict what will happen next. What started as a simple story has now escalated to unimaginable heights. One thing's for sure, no matter where you are in the series, you're in for one hell of a ride.The book series is currently available on Amazon in all formats.
Series Content Warning: The book series does contain mild cursing and references to suicidal ideation, sexual assault, and self-harm. The series' intended audience is ages 14 and older, though readers of all ages may find some of its content triggering or uncomfortable. Please read with care and don't hesitate to check out the additional resources below.
Begin (Book 1)
Lie (Book 2)
Stigma (Book 3)
Click on the images above to find details about each book in the series. They are in chronological order from left to right.
Curious what else Josie's written?In addition to her projects and novels, Josie has been published in several poetry and short fiction collections. She has also had academic research published during her time at the University of Montana.Click the buttons below to explore her other works or see what people think in the Press Archive.
Interested in Josie's work and want to track her progress?Follow Josie on Instagram @thejosiemiller to stay in the know! There's tons of spoilers, selfies, and general craziness that's just a tap away. Plus, the second anything comes out, you'll be the first to know. It's free, easy, and who knows? You might just want to stay.
Book 1: Begin
The first book in a seven-book series, Begin is sure to keep you entertained with heartfelt moments, humor, and even a disaster or two along the way. While starting off the series with a more lighthearted tone, don't be fooled. Beneath the surface, the consequences of their actions extend to depths that the characters can only begin to imagine.
About the Book
In a world that’s always watching, it’s easy to feel alone and left behind. When Jordan Castaldi’s family abandons her without a second thought, there’s no one left for her except for the voices in her head. Overwhelmed by questions of what could’ve been and why her parents left, Jordan just wants a life alone. However, when she gets community service with six strangers, everything changes. Painful memories resurface and the battle Jordan’s been avoiding her entire life is coming. The more she tries to avoid it, the more it becomes clear.It’s time to move on and find her own path. The only question is, where does it lead and who will she have to leave behind?Experience the heartfelt adventure of finding one’s true self and rediscover the true meaning of family in Begin!
Interested? Buy Begin here:
Book 2: Lie
Lie is the second novel in a seven-book series. Beginning with the tragedy that concluded Begin, Alwin is left to pick up the pieces any way he can. Already, the choices that he, along with his friends, have made are reappearing in their lives. Throughout the book, the stakes rise to near-astronomical levels.
About the Book
Working as the Chief of Literature, Alwin makes a living by creating lies. Hiding in the reality that he creates, it’s only a matter of time before it falls apart. Desperately trying to believe in a perfect world, Alwin does everything he can to follow the rules and protect a secret project codenamed Primavera— including turning against his closest friends.
In the heat of the moment, he burns the last reminder of his friend Jordan’s family. Now, he’ll do anything to get it back.Eyes watch him from all sides as he tries to turn back time. The line between right and wrong blurs until it’s impossible to tell the difference. From lying to the government to stealing its most precious secrets, Alwin is willing to do anything to give Jordan back her family.The only thing is, what will it cost him? And does Jordan even want it? Buried in what he wants to believe, Alwin runs from the truth.Maybe Jordan’s not the one who needs saving after all.
Intrigued? Buy Lie here:
Content Warning:This book discusses topics like limited drug use and suicidal ideation. It contains brief cursing. Lie’s intended audience is ages 12 and older. However, readers of all ages may find these topics triggering and uncomfortable. Please read with care.
Book 3: Stigma
Stigma is the third novel in the Spring Day series. Starting with the heartbreaking ruling that concluded Lie, Poppy is left to deal with the consequences of their plans.
About the Book
It turns out that breaking into a government facility to retrieve your found family’s past isn’t the best idea, and it certainly comes with consequences. Poppy’s been beaten, tortured, and abused— her last shreds of humanity forcefully stripped from her while her friends look on, mere miles away. After spending months in prison, Poppy’s ready to escape by any means necessary.Before she gets the chance to, she meets an unexpected ally who offers her a deal: her freedom in exchange for her friends' privacy.Poppy knows she shouldn’t question it, but she can’t resist. Wary of the manmade devil in a half-botched suit, she searches for answers she’s not sure exist. When mysterious artifacts appear across town, she desperately tries to connect their stories to her friends’ lives and save them from their imagined fates. Poppy’s world is turned upside down as she realizes the true cost of her freedom— the world around her is not what it claims to be.Poppy can’t turn back time or unsign the contract. She can only make the best of a bad situation, siding with Alwin, the man who left her in prison. Together, they pick apart a lost love letter and a forgotten family. All the while, Poppy runs from a reality she can’t accept.Not every question deserves an answer.
Curious? Buy Stigma here:
Content Warning:This book discusses topics like self-harm, sexual assault, and suicidal ideation. It contains limited cursing including the F-word. Stigma’s intended audience is ages 14 and older. However, readers of all ages may find these topics triggering and uncomfortable. Please read with care.
Meet the Characters
We start with seven people, all different and all struggling. They come from different areas of life, but all are brought together by what can only be considered fate. Lost, they used to wander alone but now they wander together.Meet the wanderers.Click on the images to learn more about each character.
About the Author
My name is Josie and I am a writer, podcaster, and content creator. I always find these bios difficult because it's impossible to define a person with a few words.In short, I am a 21-year-old English major from the University of Montana. Born and raised in the heart of the Rockies, I've been obsessed with writing as a way to overcome personal difficulties. With three self-published novels under my belt and more on the way, I enjoy experimenting with various forms including fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and journalism. I can often be found pretending my life is nothing more than an early 2000s music video or in the Liberal Arts building.Formalities aside, I'd also like to take a moment to be honest. I tell my story through my work. Every single one of my stories that you find is a part of me. No matter how small it may seem, the stories I tell are a part of who I am.
Why I Write
It's strange. As time goes on, I seem to find more stories. Truth be told, I don't think that I could've come up with things like this. I think that I have found them, lurking in the simplest of places and the simplest of things. I feel like my purpose in this world is to tell these stories, to share them with others.After all, the world is made with stories. Each and every one of us has our own story. These stories overlap and often become one at one time or another. Everything we've ever known and everything we've never known has a story. I feel like it is my job as a writer to share these stories with you. And so, one word at a time, I will share them. I just hope that you read them and that these stories impact you as they impacted me.
Contact Me
Connect with the author, meet like-minded fans, and more using the links below!For all business inquiries, please reach out at [email protected]. Responses are not guaranteed.
Riley: She's the youngest of the group, taken from her home at a young age. She's been moved from place to place, never really finding somewhere where she belongs- until now. Just when her memories seem to be completely faded away, an old book brings them back in full force. Eventually, two worlds intertwine until she has to choose. Who is her real family and who is just a friend?I stand here looking at your snow-covered photo, even though it's August and not December.
Noah: He's the mother of the group, always taking care of everyone whether they like it or not. Being an older brother and a kind of a father figure, his first instinct is always to protect and nurture. Still, sometimes you need to take care of himself. Soon, his responsibilities pile up until he has to choose what really matters to him- if he should take care of others or take care of himself.Should I have lost my voice for you in this ice-covered lake?
Sidney: He is the leader of the group, or at least tries to be. He often doesn't know what to do and struggles to decide what's best for the group. Working in the same building as Alwin, he edits peoples' work to make it okay for others to read. He glances down at the scar on his right hand, a distant memory of what would happen if you read things you weren't supposed to. Now, he wonders how much he can truly show the others and how much he has to keep hidden.I want to protect you, so I put on my mask once again to see you.
Alex: He's the one who needs someone now more than ever. Caught up in what could go wrong, his mind runs in circles until it can't run anymore. Late nights and even longer days wear away at him until only a skeleton stands in his place. His brother Vincent tries to help, but what will Alex do when his brother isn't there? Even his racing mind can't seem to come up with an answer. He tries to fight his anxiety, but what will he do when there's no one to catch him when he fails?Perhaps one day, even fear will be afraid.
Poppy: She is Noah's younger sister and a lover of puzzles. Growing up, she often used to do crosswords and word searches, always trying to find what was hidden. Now, asking questions and being so curious is no longer okay. The people around her forbid her to wonder, so what can she do when her mind continues to wander?You pull my strings until I am a puppet for you, not knowing who to believe.
Alwin: He's the oldest and struggles with control. Things are falling apart and he is desperately trying to fix it. Working as the Chief of Literature in a government branch called Discere, he makes a living by making lies. Now, his pyramid of lies is coming down on him. Buried in what he wants to believe, he lives in the world he creates.Sometimes you just can't handle the truth.
Jordan: She's the lost one, the one with no home, nowhere to go back to. Just an old, dusty trailer and a trash heap- quite literally. Keeping her head down and her earbuds in, she lives her life alone, just the way she likes it, or so she thought. When six strangers get stuck with her in detention, she does her best to keep her mouth shut, but they don't make it easy. Through laughter and trash bags, they begin to form a common bond. But as always, she can't help but wonder, what will she do when they're gone?You made me begin, but now I have to find my own end.
Publications
Note: These links may not remain accurate over time. Due to the constantly changing nature of the internet, it is impossible for the author to maintain accurate links on her site at all times. If a link does not lead to the appropriate work, please contact the author.
Poetry
Link TBA
"The Mountain in Me"- A poem that encapsulates the vastness of oneself through a rural environmental lens. It was published online in The Oval as an honorary mention.
"Election Day"- A short political poem published online in The Oval as an honorary mention. Available digitally as of 6/1/23.
"Alone"- A short poem that captures feeling lost within oneself. It was published in the Gifted Penman's Poetry Collection as a national poetry contest winner. Available in print as of 2018.
Short Fiction
"Peter Rabbit's Pastries"- Published in The Oval, the University of Montana's undergraduate literary magazine. Available in print as of 4/29/24.
Academic Research/Literary Criticism
"I Can Fix Him (No, You Really Can't): A Look Inside the Problematic Feminism and Allyship of the Swiftian Empire"- This 15-page article was published as part of the University of Montana's Women's Gender and Sexuality (WGSS) Capstone Project. It combines research and literary criticism to dissect some of Swift's older and current works through an intersectional feminist lens and examines her potential as an agent of change in society. It is available digitally as of 5/7/24.
Additional Resources
If you or anyone you know is struggling with self-harm or suicidal ideation, there are resources available to help.Crisis Text Line is one of many international organizations working to provide free, 24/7 mental health care and assistance in English and Spanish. They currently operate in the U.S., the UK, Canada, and Ireland.US— Text HOME to 741741
United Kingdom – Text SHOUT to 85258
Canada – Text CONNECT to 686868
Ireland – Text HOME to 50808If you need immediate assistance, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis lifeline at 988 (US).Anyone searching for additional resources (based on your residing country and topic) can find them through HelpGuide.org’s international helpline index.
Press Archive
Please note that the links below redirect to the original publishers' sites. Josie is not liable for any of the content or viewpoints therein.
"A Remarkable Bitterroot Native is a Self-Published Author" - Alternative Missoula