I'm August Isley

(Auggie to a very special few, including my cara speisialta, Rev. Dr. Evelyn Rainey). 

If you're here, you are looking for expert advice on crafting the perfect manuscript into a best-selling book. So let me tell you a bit about myself.

I was born on October 5, 1980 in the US but migrated to Ireland after my parents died and was raised by my great-aunt  Rynagh and her Anim kara Euphemia during the 1980's and 90's. I was immersed in all things Gaelic. 

I helped design a game while in my twenties and haven't had to work a day since.

However, my dear Rynagh told me to share my love of things with the world (or I'd be considered a worthless piece of #%^#.).

Ever since I was a wee leanbh, I loved reading books of all kinds - fiction, nonfiction, poetry - you name it. But not just any books. I have a special fondness for quirky authors who write from their hearts and souls, who are not afraid to be different and original; who have something to say that no one else has said before. That's how I stumbled across Evelyn's quirky book Perky's Books and Gifts (so delighted to hear she's re-publishing it after the original publisher passed away.) I wrote to her. We became friends. (It really bonded us when I discovered the name Evelyn comes from the Gaelic Elbehaben - a haven for elves). I started writing reviews of Sheltering Tree Earth's books. Through Evelyn's influence, I began studying the Bible and Torah and other esoteric writings and now am considered a Bible Scholar by some (which shocked Euphemia but delighted Rynaugh - who had considered taking the vows herself when she was very young.)

As ShelteringTree.Earth grew, Evelyn started allowing me to field her author's research questions and so began the blog August Advice.

As of this writing, ShelteringTree.Earth publishes authors from all over the world, distributes books internationally, and proudly claims that about one-third of their books have won awards.

Now, three years of friendship in, I approached Evelyn with a partnership idea: She gets to maintain her publishing house as a traditional business which charges nothing for services and makes money solely on book sales, but I come along beside her as an imprint hybrid which makes money on services rather than book sales. We will use her wonderfully talented staff of freelance writing coaches and editors, so I don't have to train up a new batch - leaving the training in Evelyn's competent hands.

I like the flexibility and freedom of being my own boss, and I love that I can depend on Evelyn for her professional support and expertise - not only in publishing but in all things theological. Working from home also gives me time to spend with my family (my two daughters are the Grá mo Shaoil) and friends.

I would love to help you get your book into publishing shape!

dul i síocháin,

August