Influential Woman · Indie author
Emily Marie Harrison
Freelance Editor/Writer, IngramSparks
Liberty, IN 47353
Her Story
About Emily
Emily Harrison is an indie author from Liberty, Indiana. She decided to pursue indie authorship in her early 20s after publishing under minor magazines, valuing ownership of her work. Harrison holds a degree in marine biology and has published Destiny, the first novel in a planned five-book dystopian thriller series set in a government-controlled world focused on survival. Her second book is scheduled for release next month. Drawing from her academic background, she intends to create educational and fun children's books on marine biology as well as an educational series addressing ocean cleanup and overfishing. Harrison credits her grandmother with encouraging her passion for writing from a young age and imparting the advice to stop caring about others' opinions. She emphasizes the importance of self-reliance and listening to oneself, particularly when writing becomes overwhelming, and notes that self-publishing platforms like Amazon and IngramSpark provide greater accessibility and control for authors despite ongoing inequities in smaller publications.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Emily
01What do you attribute your success to?
There are many things that I attribute to my success. If you can have a support system around you, whether that be friends or family or a partner, that’s fantastic. Those outside systems are a great advantage, but the most important part of your success is your determination, your discipline, and, most importantly, your faith in yourself. There will be times that you stumble; that’s okay. This is how we grow. You have to be able to look back at yourself in that mirror and be proud of who you see, be proud of the journey you’ve taken, and be proud of the next steps you’re gonna take.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
My grandmother told me to stop caring about other people's opinions. She was very blunt and would say who cares about what school assignments expect, just pursue what you love.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
It is really hard without a support system, but at some point you kind of find that in yourself. You can always count on yourself. If you're not living a life that makes you happy, you have the power to change that. It's important to find support in yourself.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
We are getting better with popular authors like Suzanne Collins and JK Rowling helping us advance, but smaller papers or magazines still have inequities. Self-publication like Amazon or IngramSpark, makes it a lot more accessible and puts control back in your hands, though you have to do your own promotion.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Listen to yourself, not other people's opinions. When writing gets overwhelming, take a step back to calm down or reboot. It's perfectly okay to take as long as you need, as there's only pressure that you put on yourself.
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