Still Here

by Niamh Mulligan

Still Here is a psychological, deeply interior novel about a sixteen-year-old girl living with the aftermath of her mother’s death and the daily effort of appearing fine. At school, at home, online, and even in therapy, she keeps different versions of herself carefully managed, trying to stay invisible while carrying grief, anxiety, and exhaustion that no one fully sees. As she moves through ordinary routines, the story traces how a protective “shield” can become a way of life, and how silence can shape family relationships, friendships, and a sense of self.

Written in a close first-person voice, the manuscript explores masking, loneliness, memory, and the pressure to perform normality when you are struggling inside. It will resonate with readers drawn to honest, emotionally focused fiction about mental health, grief, and the hidden lives young people lead. This is a book for readers who appreciate intimate character study and stories centered on surviving what cannot easily be said aloud.