Terminally Smiling: Joy That Lifts Even When Life Grounds You
by Cinder Shine Ernst

What if joy isn’t something you find after the storm - what if it’s something you carry through it?

Terminally Smiling is a luminous, soul-baring memoir from singer-songwriter and storyteller Cinder Shine Ernst, who knows firsthand how to live with beauty and bravery in the face of cancer, chronic illness, grief, and uncertainty.

This is not a book about pretending things are okay.
It’s about how to sing anyway.

Through poetic prose, deeply personal stories, and original songs woven throughout the narrative, Cinder invites listeners into her world, a place where rainbow resilience meets raw truth, and where hope doesn’t require a cure to be real.

Inside this book, you’ll find:

• Honest reflections on living with illness and loss
• Stories of love, laughter, and reinvention
• Original lyrics and songs that trace healing through music
• Inspiration for anyone facing life’s hardest chapters with heart

Whether you’re a seeker, survivor, artist, or simply someone trying to keep going, Terminally Smiling will meet you where you are, and remind you:
You are not alone. And you are still allowed to shine.

Perfect for fans of Glennon Doyle, Suleika Jaouad, and Kate Bowler.

About the Author

Cinder Shine Ernst is a writer, musician, and lifelong guide for those walking through fire with hope in their pocket. A two-time cancer survivor, she brings soulful honesty, quiet humor, and radiant resilience to everything she creates - whether it’s a book, a song, or a stage.

Terminally Smiling, is a heart-forward memoir with original songs, offering stories and soul medicine for anyone navigating illness, identity, or transformation.

Cinder teaches Rainbow Resilience!