Ashleigh Worley
Who is Ashleigh?
Hi! I'm Ashleigh. I dream of helping authors achieve their dreams and connecting readers with books that will change their lives.
The Writer
​In 2024, I earned an MFA in Creative Writing with a focus in speculative fiction and accomplished my lifelong dream of writing a fantasy novel!
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My MFA not only helped me grow as a writer, but it also prepared me to help other writers, too. Throughout my program, I focused on Speculative Fiction Writing (fantasy and sci-fi), which helped me strengthen my skills in worldbuilding, maintaining complex plots, and crafting well-rounded characters that readers will fall in love with. I also took courses like Editing & Coaching, where I learned how to provide thoughtful feedback, focusing on sharpening the story without altering the author's unique voice. On the marketing side, I studied Copy & Content Writing and The Publishing Ecosystem, learning how authors can position themselves in a crowded market and write web copy and query letters that will connect them with readers and agents. ​
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While earning my MFA, I also worked for my university in both the Newsroom and the school's creative writing journal, The Penmen Review. In these roles, I gained a great deal of experience in content creation and editorial management. I wrote SEO-friendly articles, fact-checked and updated stats, proofread everything from short stories and poems to news articles and interviews, and even conducted my own interviews with subject matter experts.
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This work made me realize how much I enjoyed writing stories for the purpose of connecting with a specific audience, and I want to continue doing just that for the bookish community.
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Long before grad school even entered my mind, though, I fell in love with writing thanks to fanfiction. After reading every Nancy Drew novel available in my school's library, I decided I would start telling my own stories. And I never grew tired of writing and creating.
The Girl
I grew up in the mountains of North Alabama and spent most of my childhood reading or playing outside. I fell in love with animals thanks to my mom, and that love followed me into adulthood. Today, I have six (yes, six!) cats who mean the absolute world to me.​
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When I'm not writing, you'll probably find me reading (usually fantasy + romantasy — Brandon Sanderson and Pierce Brown are some of my favorite authors), playing video games (World of Warcraft, Hearthstone, and The Sims 4), or listening to Taylor Swift.
The Why
It's not an exaggeration to say that books have changed my life.
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During some of my absolute worst times, I've turned to books, and they've saved me. I've seen characters who mirrored the darkest and loneliest parts of me, and I fell in love with them. And in turn, they helped me love myself more.
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I'm incredibly passionate about all representation in the publishing industry, and I aspire to help uplift minority and traditionally underrepresented voices. In particular, mental health and disability representation are near and dear to my heart, as someone who has had lifelong struggles with both.
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I want to work with authors, small presses, book boxes or shops, and anyone else who has a story they want to share. Because I promise, it is absolutely worth sharing.
