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 of our members at every level. A huge congratulations to the members featured today.
Author Dave Sivers
Author Member
Dave Sivers is the author of ten crime novels to date, including the popular Archer and Baines series, and the DI Nathan Quarrel novels. Find out more about Dave on Facebook.
Milestone
I appeared on the ‘Indie Alternative' panel at Crimefest 2023, one of the biggest crime fiction festivals around.
Why are you proud?
At my first Crimefest, 13 years ago, my detective characters, DI Lizzie Archer and DS Dan Baines, came to me fully formed. It had always been an ambition to appear there – behind the mic – and, six novels into the series, the dream came true.
What have you learned?
When I started self-publishing, Indie authorship was in low esteem in the publishing world. Nowadays no ambition is a mere pipe dream.
Author Carolyn Armstrong
Author Member
Carolyn Armstrong is an imperfect environmentalist and a children's book author of Earth-friendly middle grade fiction. Find out more about Carolyn on her website.
Milestone
I'm traditionally published, and my milestone after July 4th is that I will be a published indie author too!
Why are you proud?
Writing the best possible story you can write is difficult enough. Then there's the whole learning curve of indie publishing: KDP, Ingram, finding a writers community, editor, book designer, ARCs. It's a lot to take on. If I can do it, anyone can.
What have you learned?
A quote I recently came across: “Hard work pays off if you're patient enough to see it through.” As cliche as it sounds—that whole thing about believing in yourself and you can achieve anything—it's true. Don't tell me no because I will find a way to make it happen.
Author Marie Powell
Author Member
Marie Powell's adventures castle-hopping across North Wales resulted in her YA Fantasy series Last of the Gifted: Spirit Sight (Book 1) and Water Sight (Book 2). Marie is the author of more than 40 traditionally published children's and YA books, along with award-winning short stories and poetry, and non-fiction articles. Find out more about her on her website.
Milestone
Marie has had several recent milestones:
- Her new YA contemporary thriller manuscript recently won an Honourable Mention in the Stockholm Writers' Festival First Five Pages contest, from over 860 international entries;
- This summer, Marie will receive a SK Arts grant to write the first book in her newest medieval fantasy series: Chronicles of Meirionnydd.
- Marie served as the Virtual Writer-in-Residence for rural Saskatchewan authors from February to April,
- In May, she hosted a reading to launch an anthology she edited, “Opening Doors: Imagine,” with new writing by immigrants and refugees to Canada.
Why are you proud?
I'm excited by the international recognition for my thriller manuscript, which is it's a brand new direction for me, especially because it comes at the same time as support from Sk Arts to continue writing medieval fantasy. As well, serving as VWIR and anthology editor gives me the chance to give back to the writing community in my home province.
What have you learned?
The key to writing success is persistence. I've learned to ignore the setbacks and confusing times we face, and keep my focus on the writing. It's increasingly important to me to be an active part of a community of writers, here at home and around the world.
