Lisa Gerardy

Lisa Gerardy is a writer, educator, and survivor with a gift for turning pain into prose. A dedicated member of the gig economy, she teaches college writing across three universities online, expertly navigating grammar struggles, AI detection, and everything in between. In her upcoming memoir, Chasing Normal: Finding Love After Surviving Physical and Emotional Abuse, Lisa opens up about her journey through a traumatic childhood and the winding path she took toward self-acceptance and love. Lisa’s story begins with the harrowing experiences of sexual abuse from a step-uncle at age two, abuse by her mother’s boyfriend, as well as physical and emotional abuse from her own mother. Carrying the weight of these experiences, Lisa spent years searching for “normal” in her romantic relationships, using alcohol to ease her anxiety and navigate connections. After a series of turbulent relationships, she met her husband in 2005, who helped her realize that “normal” is an illusion—and that true love is about acceptance and resilience. Now, Lisa lives in Phoenix with her patient, supportive husband and her beloved Great Danes, whose affection comes with plenty of slobber and bruises. She cherishes visits from her son, who lives out of state, and continues to connect with readers by sharing her story of survival and healing. Chasing Normal reflects upon her journey from darkness to light, and reminds us all that love and healing can be found…even after the deepest of wounds.