Welcome back to member milestones. Today, the Alliance of Independent Authors is continuing the series of posts celebrating your success. As always, we're very proud of all our members at every level. A huge congratulations to the members featured today.
Author Kerrin Willis
Author Member
Kerrin Willis writes romantic historical fiction, and is a teacher, mother, feminist and bibliophile. You can find out more about her on Facebook.
Milestone
My second novel, Strange Arithmetic, released on March 21, 2023!
Why are you proud?
People doubted that I could handle being a full time teacher, full time single mother, and full time indie author, but I'm doing it all and doing it well and proving them all wrong!
What have you learned?
I can do anything I set my mind to. It might be hard, and I might want to cry sometimes, but it is always worth it in the end.
Author Tony Ganzer
Author Member
Tony Ganzer is an award-winning journalist, and has worked as a public radio host, podcaster, and communications professional for nearly 20 years in the U.S., Germany, and Switzerland. You can find out more about Tony on LinkedIn.
Milestone
I self-published my first book—Kneading Journalism: Essays on baking bread and breaking down the news.
Why are you proud?
I began this project as a way to learn new things, but it really became connected to personal and professional changes in my life. I began writing in earnest at the birth of my youngest child, wanting to blend two things I care about: quality journalism and bread. But after a car crash, I intensified soul-searching about my personal and professional goals. I call this book my capstone project on my journalism career to that point, exploring what journalism is and what it could be, all while deciding to make a career change.
What have you learned?
I learned many specific things about “going wide” in distribution and managing different services and channels. But I also learned that in this age of disposable media, a book can hold a longevity that reflects who the author is at a moment of time. I'm thankful to have put in the effort to do it right.
Author Jess Lohmann
Author Member
Jess Lohmann speaks for nature and the animals as an animal rights author, ethical marketing strategist and voice talent. You can find out more about Jess on Facebook.
Milestone
Lily Bowers and the Uninvited Guest was first published in 2019 and is now available in 4 languages: EN, DE, IT, PL. Because of subject matter as a middle-grade fantasy addressing the heavy topic of animal testing in a light way, the book project was shortlisted for the Lush Prize 2022 in the category of ‘Public Awareness'.
Why are you proud?
I didn't win the prize and it's OK. It was such a huge honor to be just one author amongst 6 large animal rights organizations who were in the same category, ie. Humane Society International for ‘Save Ralph' and I'm truly grateful for that.
What have you learned?
That you can raise awareness and inspire others to respect all animals as an indie author, but it sure helps to get recognition so that you know you're not alone in this crazy world you're trying to change, if just a teeny tiny bit.
Perhaps they will be very happy to look back on these milestones. Everyone has big milestones in life. They will probably become happy and grateful every time they look back on it.