Founders
Allie is an author who accidentally started a publishing design company. She’s a rebel at heart with a strong distaste for formal education—preferring the experiential and self directed approach to learning. She’s lived many lives in her three and a half decades with only one constant—a fascination with the human condition.
She dropped out of University where she studied psychology to go to beauty school, owned her own spa at 19 before selling it to travel the world, and finally settled down in a great art program…only to drop out with one class left to take.
She’s written books in Scottish pubs and atop Canadian mountains. She’s designed covers for NYT and USA Today bestselling authors as well as Penguin Random House. She’s taught author branding and marketing at the Storymakers writer’s conference. She’s worked as a beautician, bartender, documentary filmmaker, editor, and writing coach—always fueled by her love of people as odd as she is.
Allie’s an outside the box planner and researcher often beginning conversations with “I read this really great article that said…” She is driven by the need to learn new ways to do things and loves to do the hard work so you don’t have to.
Allie was born and raised a small town farm girl, and now lives in the Northern Canadian Wilderness with her husband, daughter, husky pup, and mountains of outdoor gear…
Jo (Jolene Perry) is a middle and high school teacher turned author. She began her publishing career in 2010, when she signed her first publication contract. Since that time, Jolene has written YA contemporary novels for Entangled/Macmillan, Albert Whitman Teen, and Simon Pulse. She’s also independently published a handful of novels and novellas for both young adults and adults. You can find Jolene on her website at www.jolenebperry.com
Jolene began teaching writing in 2011. She’s mentored workshops at The Storymakers Conference, taught on panels at Association for Writing and Writing Professionals (AWP), taught breakout sessions at Alaska Writer’s Guild, Alaska SCBWI, American Night Writer’s Association (ANWA), as well been a special guest at several writing retreats. She spent a year interning at the Bent Agency where she read over a hundred manuscripts.
She’s worked as a freelance editor, helped writers find agents, actors/community advocates find their writing voice, and strengthened projects for USA Today bestselling authors. She’s a former Author in Residence at Alaska Pacific University.
If you care about her formal education: Jolene graduated with a degree in Political Science and French, with an International Relations certification, specializing in Middle East Studies, as well as a secondary Ed certificate. She used this degree to teach middle school math before joining the publishing world, where she does her best to help authors find their voice, while continually re-discovering the joy of writing.
She’s an Alaskan living under the red rocks of the Colorado National Monument with her husband, two children, giant cat, two dogs, and moody mare.
Contributor
Haley Walden writes fast-paced, character-driven fantasy with magical adventures, spellbinding love stories, and unforgettable friendships. She’s a multi-fandom trove of geekery with a wide variety of obsessions, including Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and many more.
In her other life, she’s a marketing copywriter and editor who helps authors, entrepreneurs, and companies engage their audiences through articulate, informative, and fun-to-read copy. She has worked with New York Times bestselling authors, internationally-renowned entrepreneurs, and incredible business owners from across the U.S. and beyond.
Haley lives in Alabama with her husband and children. Find out more about her and her fantasy series, The Witness Tree Chronicles, at authorhaleywalden.com.
Intern
Jesse is an avid reader, feminist blogger, and student of history on their way to a phD.
They’re a kickass guitar player, learning to ride horses, and spend money on travel before all else. These are just some of their many talents. Jesse’s eye for detail makes them a fantastic proofreader. You can find Jesse online www.perrysedits.com
Waypoint Author Academy 