Creating Space for Stories, Self-Care, and Second Acts – Henlit Central

By Carolyn Clarke

When I launched Henlit Central, I had one core mission: to create a vibrant, authentic space where women over 40 could connect through stories that reflect who we are at this beautiful and often overlooked stage of life.

“Henlit,” short for “hen lit,” may sound cheeky, but it represents a powerful shift. I wanted a name that embraced midlife and beyond with humor, confidence, and heart. I wasn’t interested in clichés or outdated stereotypes of aging—I was drawn to women who are bold, curious, rediscovering themselves, or finally claiming space for their passions. On Henlit Central, we celebrate books by and about women 40+, spotlight authors who found their voice later in life.

There’s a hunger for honest, empowering representation of midlife that blends humor, wisdom, messiness, and hope. Henlit Central offers just that.

But recently, my creative mission has expanded.

Like many women juggling work, caregiving, ambition, and emotional bandwidth in a fast-paced world, I found myself craving quieter moments. Small, intentional acts of creativity that didn’t involve screens or deadlines. Simple ways to ease stress and tap into mindfulness. And I knew I wasn’t alone.

That’s what inspired me to create the Mind Boosters Series—to start, we’ve created a word search book and a color-trace book crafted especially for women looking to recharge, reflect, and re-center.

The Mind Boosters Word Search Book has 100 puzzles based on 10 themes – for some of the themes, there’s an invitation to pause and explore words like “resilience,” “gratitude,” or “flow”—terms that do more than just fill a grid. They help you focus your mind while reinforcing gentle, affirming ideas. It’s a way to play and be present at the same time.

The Color & Trace book blends the joy of coloring with the calming repetition of tracing beautiful phrases and designs. It’s meditative, tactile, and soothing—ideal for winding down, jumpstarting creativity, or creating a screen-free ritual. I believe in the power of color and movement to unlock calm, especially for those of us managing busy minds and bodies.

As a writer and publisher, I see these books as an extension of the Henlit Central mission. They support the same audience—women in midlife and beyond—who are often navigating transition, growth, or rediscovery. Whether it’s a new career, a creative endeavor, caregiving, or simply needing a moment of stillness, the Mind Boosters series offers a soft place to land.

I’ve always believed that storytelling and self-care are deeply connected. Whether we’re writing a novel, journaling through grief, or doing a word puzzle over tea, we’re engaging with our inner world in a powerful way. We’re saying, “I matter. My experience matters.” And that, to me, is the heartbeat of both Henlit Central and Mind Boosters.

Sharing this journey with other women writers—especially those like Barbara Bos who’ve built nurturing, empowering literary spaces—feels like coming home. Women Writers, Women’s Books has long been a place I admire: a platform that echoes the same belief I hold dear—that women’s stories in all forms, at all ages, deserve to be seen, celebrated, and shared.

As Henlit Central continues to grow and the Mind Boosters series reaches more hands and hearts, I hope women will feel inspired to not only read and write more, but to take gentle steps toward their own creativity and calm. Whether that’s through a book, a puzzle, a set of colored pencils, or the courage to start something new—it all counts. It all matters.

Because we’re not done yet. We’re just getting started!

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Carolyn Clarke is the founder of Henlit Central, a literary lifestyle platform celebrating women through fiction, interviews, and community. She is the author of the novel And Then There’s Margaret and And Now There’s Zelda, and the creator of the Mind Boosters series of activity books for mindfulness and stress relief. You can find them here on Amazon US. Through both fiction and wellness, Carolyn aims to help women in midlife and beyond feel seen, supported, and inspired.

Color & Trace Activity Book for Adults: 50 Relaxing and Stress-Free Designs (Mind Boosters Series, Vol. 2

Relax, Color & Trace Your Way to Calm
Step into a peaceful world with this stress relief coloring book for adults. Whether you’re looking to unwind, recharge, or express creativity, this book offers the perfect mix of mindful relaxation and artistic inspiration.

Why You’ll Love This Book:

• Stress-Relief & Mindfulness – Promotes calm and focus through mindful coloring and tracing.
• Beautiful Mandalas & Easy Patterns – 50 single-sided designs from calming mandalas to simple patterns, perfect for any mood.
• Designed for Adults & Seniors – Easy-to-see designs ideal for beginners or experts.
• Empowering Messages – Each page includes a motivational phrase to uplift and inspire.

BUY HERE

And Now There’s Zelda: The Entertaining and Perfect Family Life Dramedy (Novel)

For fans of the international bestselling and award-winning author of AND THEN THERE’S MARGARET comes the perfect family ‘dramedy’. AND NOW THERE’S ZELDA takes readers on another relatable ‘slice of life’ ride as Allison Montgomery realizes the only way to survive the angst of family is to let go….and let it be.

“Fans of Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng and The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan will adore Clarke’s novel. It is filled with heart and drama.” –The Book Commentary

“A funny, uplifting story about one woman’s lesson in letting go-even though this means she has to make peace with her mother-in-law AND a potential daughter-in-law who just might be her sweet son’s biggest mistake.” –Maddie Dawson, Washington Post bestselling author of Matchmaking for Beginners

‘Perfect for women’s fiction book clubs.’–Lorne Park Book Club

Dealing with a controlling, manipulative, and self-absorbed mother-in-law can be a challenge. But when your child brings home a fiancé who’s completely unworthy, and the shoe is suddenly on the other foot, do you take the high road, or get down and dirty?

It’s been five years since Allison Montgomery’s beloved father-in-law, George, passed away and her cantankerous mother-in-law, Margaret, moved in. After nearly killing each other during their initial adjustment period, Allie and Margaret have finally buried the hatchet and have even launched a thriving home staging business together.

Today, Allie is enjoying life. That is until her twenty-two-year-old son, Cameron, unexpectedly brings home Zelda, his new fiancé. The problem is, no one has ever met or even heard of her. And when Zelda’s first impression raises more than a few red flags, Allie finds herself in unfamiliar territory.

Facing the prospect of becoming a mother-in-law far sooner than expected, and to someone unworthy of her darling baby boy, Allie’s protective instinct kicks in. And who better to turn to for guidance and support than Margaret, her former nemesis and master of the mothers-in-law’s dark arts.

Allie and Margaret launch Project Zelda, an intervention of sorts designed to show Cameron who Zelda really is and to prevent him from making a catastrophic mistake. However, with Zelda’s ingratiating behavior, Margaret’s occasional disappearances, and Allie’s doubts about turning into her own mother-in-law, will Allie find a way to reconcile her protective instincts or will history repeat itself?

BUY HERE

 

 

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: On Writing