Ashley is a lifelong fantasy reader and first-time fantasy author! She has always loved fantasy novels, and was inspired to write her own, despite a full-time job as a Director at Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership, a nonprofit that helps individuals with high barriers access safe housing, in addition to being the mother of a rambunctious toddler, and her own ADHD.

The novel is called A Crown of Silver and Gray and it's a twist on the typical "late teen/early 20's chosen one." There's still a chosen one, Evika North, but despite a lifetime of hoping magic would find her, her destiny didn't reveal itself until her mid-40s. When she is finally thrust into the world of magic (populated by angsty and hormonal teenage heroines and heroes), she finds herself terrified of the strange politics, horrified by mating bonds, and knees too weak to ride a dragon. But if there's one thing a life of waiting for something to happen has made her, it's stubborn. This world will be saved...it just has to happen her way.

She's so proud of this story, but didn't realize how much it costs to actually get it professionally edited! Most editors charge by the word, and her manuscript is currently 97,000 words! She's looking to raise $6,000 which will help get her closer to achieving her dream of being a published author. Like Evika, it's happening later in life than Ashley had dreamed, but with enough stubbornness, anything is possible! Any donation is appreciated!