Michael Irleand earned her Master’s in Religious Studies from the University of B.C. with honors, diving deep into the world of Julian the Apostate—the last pagan emperor of ancient Greece whose beliefs laid the groundwork for what we now call New Age philosophy. But it wasn’t until a life-changing Near-Death Experience at thirty-five that her fascination with the paranormal really took off. That pivotal moment led her to pursue a second master’s in Theosophy and eventually a PhD in metaphysical parapsychology, where she explored how different Western spiritual traditions view the afterlife.
Today, Michael brings decades of experience studying the occult, ancient paganism, psychic phenomena, and supernatural experiences to both her fiction writing and editorial work. As a freelance editor specializing in metaphysical books, she’s polished over 100 manuscripts—everything from how-to guides and novels to training materials for lightworkers, healers, wellness practitioners, to legal books. She’s a member of several professional and writing groups, including Hay House Writer’s Community, Pitch to Published, the Federation of B.C. Writers, PEAVI (an editor’s association), and the Canadian International Metaphysical Ministry.
Michael’s journey has been anything but conventional. She spent fifteen years in the entertainment industry sharpening her business skills and writing chops, then dedicated twelve years to university studies that deepened her understanding of New Thought traditions and studying three ancient languages. She became an ordained minister, developed skills as an evidential psychic medium, and trained in wellness practices, including Medical Intuition and Sound and Pranic Healing.
Michael’s screenplay “Chasing Q” earned recognition in multiple competitions, taking second prize in the IATSE 891 Script Development Contest (juried by Praxis Centre for Screenwriters), reaching semi-finalist status in the Chesterfield Film Company’s Writer’s Film Project in L.A. and making it to the quarter-finals of the Maui Writers Screenwriting Contest. Her novel, The Gatekeeper, received Honorable Mention in the 2025 Hay House Writers Contest.
When she’s not helping authors bring their manuscripts to life with her editorial expertise, Michael can be found in her book-filled cottage in Sidney-by-the-Sea, a charming fishing village on the shores of the Salish Sea. You’ll likely find her curled up with yet another captivating book exploring metaphysical, spiritual, or supernatural themes. Learn more about Michael and her work at https://drmichaelireland.com/about
