This regular post from the Alliance of Independent Authors celebrates ALLi member successes to inspire our indie author community. Our Member Milestones for August 2024 celebrates the successes of author members Matty Dalrymple, M.L. (Michael) La Ronn, Franke James, Anne Beall, Phillip Mottaz, Dawn Downey, Derek Farmer, Jay Ann Foley, Toni Cabell, John Daniel, and Michele Howarth. Congratulations to all those featured in this month’s roundup and to everyone in our community who has hit a milestone this month!
Do you have a member milestone to share?
We are always looking to hear from our members about your achievements; from those of you who are just setting out, to our most experienced Authorpreneurs. Whatever your achievement, if you are a member of ALLi, please tell us about your success stories using this form. We will share a selection each month with our members and our wider indie author network.
Author Members: Matty Dalrymple and M.L. (Michael) La Ronn
Matty Dalrymple and M.L. (Michael) La Ronn
Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Suspense Shorts and the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers; she also writes, speaks, consults, and podcasts on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. M.L. Ronn (Michael La Ronn) writes science fiction and fantasy novels and self-help books for writers, and has built a writing career, publishing ten to twelve books per year, while raising a family, working a full-time job, and attending law school.
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Published From Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker. We're proud to have been able to work collaboratively to pool our experience in and knowledge of how to succeed as an author speaker to create this book and to share our best practices (and pitfalls to avoid) with our fellow authors.
What have you learned?
Author Member: Franke James
Franke James
Franke James is an activist, artist and the author of four books. Her latest, Freeing Teresa: A True Story about My Sister and Me, is about choosing her sister’s freedom over her family. You can find Franke on Instagram, LinkedIn, and X.
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Author Member: Anne Beall
Anne Beall
Anne E. Beall is an award-winning author whose books have been featured in People Magazine, Chicago Tribune, Toronto Sun, Hers Magazine, Ms. Career Girl. She is the founder and editor of Chicago Story Press, a company dedicated to publishing great nonfiction stories and essays. On Facebook, you can find Anne E. Beall here and Chicago Story Press here.
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Author Member: Phillip Mottaz
Phillip Mottaz
Phillip Mottaz is a mystery author from small-town Illinois who is currently living in Los Angeles. You can find him on most social media channels @phillipmottaz.
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I published my third book, Deadly Maybe: A Gallagher Brothers Mystery, on August 21, 2024. I’m proud of Deadly Maybe because I set myself a very aggressive deadline. I started work on the manuscript a little more than a year ago. Since the subject relates to the then-defunct band Oasis and the thirtieth anniversary of their debut album Definitely Maybe, I knew my marketing opportunity was clear. I contacted fan groups and readers ahead of time to build some anticipation. Then, just six days later, the band announced they were reuniting! Suddenly, my niche project had a foothold in popular culture. This pushed me to take more aggressive action, contacting radio stations, podcasts, and other fan groups to keep the book in front of potential readers. I’ve managed targeted ads and different campaigns more effectively than I was able to for my past launches.
What have you learned?
I’ve learned that “launch day” is a workday. People told me to celebrate it, and I did (a little), but I also realized that launch day was an opportunity to push, so I did and have continued to do so. Another lesson from the whole reunion situation is to be flexible. I wasn’t expecting an opportunity like this, but now everyone seems to be talking about a band nobody was discussing much beforehand. I’ve learned to overcome my shyness and be more assertive.
Author Member: Dawn Downey
Dawn Downey
Dawn Downey writes introspective essays to lift your spirits and challenge your assumptions. The dilemma she strives to resolve: how to be a sensitive elder woman of color in an insensitive, white-centered, male dominated, youth-oriented culture. You can find her on Substack, on her blog, and on YouTube.
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Author Member: Derek Farmer
Derek Farmer
Derek Farmer is a retired teacher who likes to write and hopefully entertain others.
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I’ve recently self-published my book The Laird’s Wife. It’s historical fiction set in the highlands of Scotland in the late nineteenth century. Self publishing isn’t as easy as it sounds and I’ve navigated all the pitfalls and come through with an ebook and paperback version that I think look professional. The initial reviews are very encouraging and that is exciting.
What have you learned?
Author Member: Jay Ann Foley
Jay Ann Foley
Jay Ann Foley writes romantic mystery stories based in equestrian settings. She has just published her second novel. You can find her on Facebook.
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Author Member: Toni Cabell
Toni Cabell
Toni Cabell is a no-spice fantasy and paranormal romance author. She has published two complete YA romantic fantasy series and will release her first sweet and cozy paranormal romance in September 2024. You can find her on Instagram, Facebook, and X
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Indies Today just named Lady Apprentice—and my complete five-book Serving Magic series—as one of their top five picks for a YA fantasy series by an indie author! Here’s the article, dated July 5, 2024. In addition, the last two books in the series were recent award winners in The Wishing Shelf Book Awards in the teen category. Lady Spy was a 2023 Bronze Medal winner, and Lady Reaper was a 2023 finalist. Previously, Lady Apprentice was a 2022 finalist in the same awards program. I’m extremely focused on delivering a high-quality product to my readers, and I’m proud to say that I’ve never compromised quality for speed to market. I put each of my books through a rigorous editorial and copyediting process to ensure they are every bit as polished as a traditionally published novel.
What have you learned?
Don’t succumb to the temptation to rush through the writing, editing, and proofreading process. Don’t let anyone else’s negative reviews or feedback discourage you from your dream. Do enjoy every minute of your writing journey!
Author Member: John Daniel
John Daniel
John Daniel spent twenty years as a banking executive, primarily in Asia, before concluding his career in London. His research interests for writing include World War II in China and Hong Kong.
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My novel, Follow the Dragon: A Historical Novel of British Hong Kong, is now published and available. A devil’s bargain in South China during World War II haunts a bereaved British son and an aging Chinese billionaire, known as the Dragon, in Hong Kong. It’s too early for actual sales figures, but it seems to be well received. Almost three years of hard labor! I’ve had a serious interest in the time period of the novel—the seventies and eighties, when I lived in Hong Kong on and off—and the flashback period of World War II. It’s very rewarding to see the story in print.
What have you learned?
Author Member: Michele Howarth
Michele Howarth
Michele Howarth is aiming to publish her debut novel, Glitterballs, on October 31, 2024. You can find her on X and Bluesky.
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Not yet an ALLi member?
Not yet an The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) is a global membership association for self-publishing authors. A non-profit, our mission is ethics and excellence in self-publishing.
Everyone on our team is a working indie author and we offer advice and advocacy for self-publishing authors within the literary, publishing, and creative industries around the world. All the membership options and benefits, including free access to our collection of self-publishing advice ebooks, are on our website. Take a look and join us today.
Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue?
If you’re an ALLi member, head over to the SelfPubConnect forum for support from our experienced community of indie authors, advisors, and our own ALLi team. Simply create an account (if you haven’t already) to request to join the forum and get going.
Non-members looking for more information can search our extensive archive of blog posts and podcast episodes packed with tips and advice at ALLi's Self-Publishing Advice Centre.
