Author Spotlight
For Allie Nava, whose debut novel July and Everything After was named a Hawthorne Prize Finalist, a First Horizon Award Finalist — a distinction presented by the Eric Hoffer Book Awards to celebrate superior debut works — and shortlisted for the Eric Hoffer Awards Grand prize, the best part of being a published author is the ability to make an impact. While the awards and recognition are certainly gratifying, the success of July and Everything After, which Nava describes as “a survival adventure and modern tale of resilience and transformation against extraordinary odds,” has given Nava a larger platform and a wider reach. “Because of the book and its success, I have had a chance to speak to different audiences about human resilience, and to explore the theme more deeply through both the writing and engagement process. Impact is what I strive for as an author,” Nava says.
“The world of niche publishers can at times be challenging to navigate,” Nava says, “and I had been talking to several publishers, but it was the conversation that I had with Gordon McCellan that tipped the scales for me. I appreciated the historic role that DartFrog had played in the community in identifying lesser-known authors, and was impressed with the integrity of the publisher and its leadership and employees, a group of people who are dedicated to the art of great storytelling, and equally a great publishing process.” That integrity, she says, “shows in both the selectivity of DartFrog as well as in the effective communication process used with authors, from editing and proofreading to cover design and production to publishing and marketing.”
July and Everything After is, says Nava, an adult coming-of-age story and “an exploration of reality, perceptions, and beliefs and our ability to shape them to live more positive and resilient lives.” The opening pages immerse the reader in a world that is likely unfamiliar to them – civil war in South Asia — and as the story progresses, “the protagonist and many other characters are transformed in profound ways by a cataclysmic event.” The story, which is told from the perspective of an American wrestling with issues of betrayal, self-doubt, belonging and identity, is a harrowing journey that allows the reader to see, Nava says, “the power of the human spirit unfold.”
If you are interested in learning more about Allie Nava, July and Everything After, and her work exploring the power of human potential and resilience, she publishes a newsletter at https://alliestories8.substack.com and can be found at www.allienava.com.
More Author Spotlights
Robyn Shumer, author of Bones: Anorexia, Anxiety, and My Path to Self-Love, offers change management consulting, as well as leadership and communication coaching via culture-building workshops, for her clients. “Whether I’m working with individuals, teams, or organizations, my goal is always the same: to help people show up fully, lead with impact, and create environments where everyone can thrive.”
Already a Publisher’s Weekly Editor’s Pick, Bones details Shumer’s struggle for self-acceptance and a healthy relationship with food. Shumer’s mantra is “Don’t be ashamed to share the stories that shaped you,” and she urges people to remove the stigma of shame and secrecy around mental health challenges and prioritize their own wellness. Readers’ reactions to Bones, which Shumer published as an audiobook as well as a print and eBook, have been overwhelmingly positive. “It’s been extremely gratifying to receive messages from readers who see themselves in my story,” Shumer says. “That kind of connection is why I wrote the book in the first place—and it’s been the most meaningful reward.”
Shumer was initially drawn to working with DartFrog based on the company’s service model and fair pricing, but she was also looking for a publishing home characterized by effective, respectful communication. Her initial meeting with Gordon McClellan sealed the deal. “Our meeting was thoughtfully paced and never rushed, and that confirmed that DartFrog was the right publishing partner for me. I felt very informed throughout the process, from submission to publication,” Shumer says. “The communication was clear and timely, and I always understood the next step. The team was consistently accessible and supportive, and their guidance was steady and thoughtful.”
Another consideration for Shumer, which was particularly important due to the personal nature of her project, was a collaborative approach to bringing the project to life. “Publishing with DartFrog was absolutely collaborative. My ideas were listened to, my work was respected, and my vision for the book was not only honored but amplified,” Shumer says. “I felt like DartFrog truly championed both me and my story. Our interactions felt personal, never transactional, and I appreciated being treated like a partner in the process.”
In between career-coaching, organizational consulting, facilitating storytelling workshops and retreats, and speaking to book clubs and other organizations, Shumer is enjoying life as a published author and contemplating her next project. “I would absolutely recommend DartFrog to other authors—especially those looking for a thoughtful, high-integrity publishing experience that still allows for creative control. And I would definitely return to DartFrog for my next book.”
If you’d like to contact Robyn Shumer about her work, you may learn more about her at www.robynshumer.com.
Author and adventurer Corinne Richardson, like many authors, dreamt of being traditionally published, and even had a New York literary agent. But as Richardson’s work moved further along in the development process, she realized that her agent did not share her vision. “My agent envisioned a ghostwritten book or a book that was my story told from my point of view. I knew the story belonged to Pem Dorjee Sherpa and I wanted to tell it in his words, from his perspective. Thanks to DartFrog, we were able to bring the book — and Pem’s voice — into the world.”
The result is Beyond Everest: One Sherpa’s Summit and Hope for Nepal, which won the First Horizon Award, a distinction bestowed by the Eric Hoffer Book Award for superior work by debut authors, and is now a finalist for the Foreword INDIE Book of the Year awards. In addition to editing, production, and marketing services, Richardson also opted to have an audiobook produced and was able to select from sample narrations of her book to find just the right narrator to tackle the Nepali words sprinkled throughout the text.
Richardson came to DartFrog after taking a self-publishing course taught by Carla King, who highly recommended DartFrog as a reputable publishing company. “My interview with Gordon McClellan led me to choose DartFrog. Gordon is knowledgeable, passionate about publishing, confident of the DartFrog team’s expertise, and most importantly, is a compassionate listener who immediately understood my vision for the book and the challenges of writing this particular story.”
While Beyond Everest was in the editing and production processes, Richardson was often on the move. “The DartFrog team members were always accessible and responsive, even while I was cruising at sea for months. I interacted with the team by phone, electronic communications and video conferences on book cover design, marketing, editing and production. All of my concerns, changes, and ideas were thoughtfully and collaboratively handled.”
Prior to publishing her first book, Richardson taught English and ESL at Montana State University. Recently retired, she now has more time to pursue her passions: mountain biking, skiing, paddleboarding, and boating the Inside Passage to Alaska. As is evident to anyone who reads Beyond Everest, Richardson’s active, outdoor lifestyle co-exists with her commitment to contributing to her immediate community and the world at large. This commitment is why Richardson chose to forgo her agent’s advice and find a publisher who shared her vision to tell this Everest story from the perspective of Pem Dorjee Sherpa, honoring the often overlooked and underappreciated Sherpas who risk life and limb to get climbers to the summit. “With Beyond Everest,” Richardson says, “the best part so far has been seeing a Sherpa’s climbing and cultural story move into the light. I keep dreaming of a movie!”
As a result of her experience, Richardson now has a deep appreciation for the benefits of indie publishing. “Although my original dream was to publish traditionally, I have come to have a deeper understanding of the problems associated with gatekeepers of literature vis-a-vis the traditional publishing route, both with agents and publishing houses. Through my collaborative experience with DartFrog, I now believe strongly in alternative publishing formats, especially those that empower writers,” Richardson says. “DartFrog cares about empowering authors and creating venues for talented writers to let their voices and work shine. Honestly, I cannot imagine a better first book publishing experience.”
If you would like to learn more or contact Corinne Richardson about her work, you may find her at www.corinnerichardson.com.