From Paralegal to Poet: Writing, AI, and Fatherhood with H. A. Callum

What happens when a lifelong writer spends twenty-five years building a legal career instead, and then a global pandemic forces the choice back into his hands?H. A. Callum is a writer, poet, and educator from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Before becoming an author, he spent over twenty-five years as a legal professional, working on some of the largest environmental, pharmaceutical, and financial cases in U.S. history. He nearly failed English in high school, yet went on to earn his MFA in Creative Writing from Drexel University and now teaches writing at Delaware Valley University. His debut novel, Whispers in the Alders, was published in 2018, with his newest young adult novel, Red, White & Buttercup, releasing in summer 2026.In this episode, H. A. shares how a pandemic layoff, as a single parent to daughters with health needs, forced him to finally pivot to writing full-time, how his background in intellectual property law shapes his perspective on AI and creativity, and why he believes writers can grow and thrive alongside AI instead of fearing it. He also opens up about being a girl dad to five daughters, advocating for child protection laws, and why he tells his students that anyone can be a storyteller, no matter what they were told in school.WHAT WE TALKED ABOUT:- Nearly failing English, then earning an MFA in Creative Writing- Pivoting to writing full-time after a pandemic layoff as a single parent- How intellectual property law shapes his view of AI and creativity- Why he believes AI can be an opportunity, not an enemy, for writers- Advocating for child protection laws and food allergy awareness- Redefining fatherhood as a single parent raising five daughtersCONNECT WITH H. A. CALLUM:Website: hacallumwrites.com