Est. 2012 · Journalist & Writer
A decade of unexpected detours, one relentless thread — covering health, family, and the human stories that demand to be told.
“Every story starts with the truth someone else isn’t ready to tell.”
— On her approach to personal journalism
Some journalists cover events. I cover the moments between them — the ones that reshape how we live, love, and cope.
I’m Gillan Ritchie, a freelance journalist and personal essayist based in the United States. Over more than a decade, I’ve written about the subjects that don’t always make front pages but define our everyday lives: reproductive health, the uneven labor of parenting, community wellness, and the small revelations that come from paying close attention.
My work has ranged from reported health features for regional publications to deeply personal essays that explore what it actually means to navigate modern motherhood — including the stories I lived before I knew I’d have to write them.
“I found a passion for writing later than most, but once I started I couldn’t stop. A decade of unexpected detours only sharpened the instinct — the truth still demands to be told.”
Whether I’m profiling a small-business owner in Gainesville or writing a first-person essay that 100,000 readers will recognize as their own story, my goal is always the same: make the reader feel less alone in whatever they’re going through.
The air in the bedroom felt suffocating as I watched the timer, muted and off-camera during a work call. A deeply personal account of navigating an unplanned pregnancy that sparked national conversation about reproductive healthcare and the emotional weight carried by millions of women.
An examination of the invisible double standard in how society talks to mothers versus fathers — and what it reveals about who we expect to carry the burden of parenting.
From paleo to grain-free, a reported feature on how pandemic-era wellness culture extended its reach to our four-legged companions — and what veterinarians make of it all.
A reported feature following families who turned to consumer DNA testing kits for their pets — exploring grief, identity, and the booming science of animal genomics.
“Gillan has a rare ability to write about difficult, personal subjects with honesty and grace — the kind of journalism that makes readers feel seen.”— Editorial Collaborator
The air in the bedroom felt suffocating as I watched the timer, muted and off-camera during a work call. A first-person account that sparked national conversation about reproductive health and the silent weight carried by millions of women.
An examination of the invisible double standard in how society speaks to mothers versus fathers.
How pandemic wellness culture extended its reach to our four-legged companions — and what vets think.
Available for freelance assignments, editorial collaborations, essay commissions, and brand content. I bring the same care to every brief — whether 500 words or 5,000.