Megan Walrod, a women’s empowerment coach, seasoned speaker, and self-proclaimed lover of mermaids, recently released her debut novel It’s Always Been Me. It’s an emotional tale that follows Sabina, a woman confronting a crumbling marriage and the slow loss of her grandmother. With the guidance of mythic Selkies, a paintbrush in hand, and grief in her gut, Sabina begins to reclaim her voice—and her life. I met Walrod on a sunny afternoon at a café tucked into the west end of Pearl Street.