AWAI Success Stories

Looking for a little inspiration? Read some of our most recent success stories below.

And if you want to meet some of the AWAI Members who are now living the writer’s life thanks to their hard work and dedicated persistence, be sure and read our case studies.

Living the Writer's Life: Derek Coleman

Derek Coleman felt like his life was wasting away, working for meager pay at a dull job that required a prolonged commute. He made an escape plan and dove in, then found himself in a pickle when it didn’t work out the way he’d hoped. Writing came to the rescue, and brought with it unexpected joys. Enjoy Derek’s copywriting love story and take note of his unique long-term view to pursue joy to the very end.

Living the Writer's Life: Wanda Sewell

Wanda Sewell had been writing for as long as she could remember, but it never really took hold as a career until health needs sent her on a journey to find a flexible job that offered more income. Once she connected with Barefoot Writer, the world of copy opened up to her and she began to find her way with writing that’s meaningful to her. She’s since become an active voice in the Barefoot Writer Facebook group and is quick to share advice and give support to new writers.

Living the Writer's Life: Ashley Jonkman

Artistically inclined Ashley Jonkman found passion through writing early on in her adult life, but other pursuits soon filled her days. Then when the pandemic presented a unique opportunity to write for a nonprofit, her efforts blossomed into a full position, and she’s been in demand ever since. Discover how she overcame self-doubt by jumping at new opportunities and showing a genuine willingness to serve others.

Living the Writer's Life: Tim Geiger

Burnout hit Tim Geiger hard once he got his law practice up and going, which caused him to pause and look around for alternatives. But when copywriting entered the picture, another appealing opportunity came his way. Discover how Tim came to weave his two major interests together, and how he’s crafted a lifestyle of less stress, comfortable pay, and work he enjoys.

Living the Writer's Life: Chuck Warren

Chuck Warren really took “steering his own boat” to the next level when he entered the writing world. Discover how his quest to meld his two passions created a career of authority and autonomy, plus the freedom, ability, and income to live out lifelong travel goals.

Living the Writer's Life: Cheryl Malcham

Fed up with dead-end dabbling and ready for purpose and pay, Cheryl Malcham stumbled onto copywriting one dynamic night that changed everything. She hasn’t taken her foot off the accelerator since and has built a profitable writing career based around her interests, desires, and availability. On top of that, she’s proof that a remote copywriter can work for a client over the long term, effectively getting the best of both worlds with co-workers and colleagues but still comfortable in her own home clear across the country.

Living the Writer's Life: Rob Gramer

Though Rob Gramer was on his way to a safe and reliable career in the world of engineering, a goofy trick played on a classmate wound up introducing him to the world of freedom through paid writing. Once he’d gotten a taste for it, he couldn’t shake it, and today his life looks every bit as fun, profitable, and relaxing as the best writer success stories. Enjoy Rob’s entertaining and inspirational journey.

Living the Writer's Life: Gloria Rand

Gloria Rand was born with a love of writing but never expected the different twists and turns it would take her on. From finding connection in a new hometown to working in SEO to writing her own book, the skill of copywriting has allowed her to pivot in her goals and business interests many times. But along with personal satisfaction, writing has brought immense life satisfaction, thanks to the freedom to be there for others when it mattered most. Read on to discover how Gloria reshaped her writing business to fit her life needs many times over.

Living the Writer's Life: Jen Phillips April

When I spoke to her from her writing office in Playa del Carmen, where she’s been for six years, Jen Phillips April looked refreshed and sun-kissed. But that wasn’t always the story… Discover how she decided she’d had her fill of Pennsylvania winters and what brought about the glorious new writer’s life in the tropics that she’s enjoying now.

Living the Writer's Life: Dave Sharpe

Self-professed “bad employee” Dave Sharpe desired nothing more than control within his own life. When a piece of sales content caught his eye, he discovered how writing might be the key to his escape. Read on to learn how he transitioned from always wanting more to being the head of his own writing agency in a trajectory that’s changed not only his life but the lives of those closest to him.

Read more success stories …