Ally Dalsimer 

Ally Dalsimer, is an award-winning author, motivational speaker, and podcast host. She holds degrees in English and Psychology from the University of Richmond and a Master’s in Public Policy from Georgetown University. In her free time, Ally enjoys reading, traveling, and spending time with her children and her chubby rescue cat, Pooma. Meet Ally:

You are an author, but is it your day job? My regular day job and I parted ways a while back. I briefly branched out on my own, then ran for office, and later got into life coaching, motivational interviews, and speaking. Now I spend my days primarily writing and podcasting, though I plan to return to speaking when time allows, and priorities shift. 

I’ve just wrapped up a three-season, 30-episode #FabulousFriday podcast, which dove deep into my book, and am looking forward to Season 3 of a podcast I cohost with my actor/director son called “So, What’s Your Process?” where we talk with creatives from all fields about what they do and how they do it.  In addition, I write a weekly newsletter alternating between #AuthorLife News and #FiveMinutesofFabulosity (tips, tricks, and resources to motivate and inspire), and read books that I review on my “What This Author Reads” YouTube Shorts. On the writing front, I have two works in progress: a new-adult suspenseful romance and a middle-grade book about a friendship between a cat and a mouse.

Did you always want to be an author? When I was young, I did, but I grew up thinking writing wasn’t a “real career” (whatever that means) and didn’t have the confidence to strike out on my own without a guaranteed paycheck. Having said that, I majored in English, loved creative writing, and wrote extensively during my 30-year environmental career, including multiple articles, book chapters, and a long-running newsletter. So, in a way, I guess my new career is a natural outcome of finally having enough confidence in myself and my capabilities.

When I finished, I sent the document to my kids. They found it useful and shared it with friends. Ultimately, they convinced me to publish it, believing my words could help others. And here’s the thing: in writing the book, I discovered not only that I had something to say, but that I love writing. Love the process of creating, editing, revising, and refining. So, I’d say my kids inspired me to write, and writing inspired me to become an author.

How do you hope your book will uplift readers? My book is all about empowering readers to progress along their personal journeys – to embrace what I call their Inner Fabulosity (their inherent value and worth) so they can Maximize their Personal Potential (become the person they were always meant to be). Fabulous isn’t a one-and-done read; it’s intended as a touchstone, a reference, a place to turn when in need. Whether a person is dealing with the death of a loved one, divorce, a change of career or job, kids leaving home or coming into the world, or simply low self-esteem or lack of purpose, I’ve included motivational quotes and messages that will hopefully resonate at a personal level and help the reader move forward, even if incrementally.

What are you most excited about with this book? Honestly, the thing that excites me most is the feedback I receive from people who’ve read it. The most powerful thing anyone ever said to me was: “Your book made me feel seen.” 

How did writing a book help your career take off? Well, before the book, I had no writing, speaking, or podcasting career. Writing a book led me to become an author; success as an author led to public speaking and then to podcasting. I wouldn’t say my career has ‘taken off’ per se, as I feel I’m just beginning this new journey and have a long way to go, but I’m excited for what the future holds.

What advice would you give someone wanting to succeed in your professional industry? Go for it! Because if you really want to be a writer, you can do it – you really, really can. And that goes for anyone who wants to do anything. Will it take work? Yes. Will there be failures? Yes (those are learning experiences). Will people support you? Not always (distance yourself from those who don’t). Will you succeed? Yes (if you define success as doing what you love).

And also, if you want to be a writer, you have to write. As in, you literally need to set time aside every day or most every day, and put pen to paper or fingers to keyboard – books don’t write themselves.

How do you handle setbacks and criticism? I haven’t really had any setbacks. That’s not to say things go smoothly all the time; it just means that if things go sideways, I view that as a learning experience. Okay, here’s the actual truth: I take one day to wallow, then I get back to it. As for criticism, if someone doesn’t like my work, that’s okay – chances are, they’re not the intended audience. The only criticisms that bother me are when attacks are personal – I’m still working on my letting go strategies. We are all works-in-progress after all!

Being an author today is like running a business. How do you manage your publicity and social media and maintain engagement with readers? When my book first came out, I spent nearly all my time marketing and promoting it – a full-time job in itself, especially since I didn’t know the difference between a post and a story. When I became immersed in my current manuscript, I necessarily spent less time promoting my past work. Given my position as a “wellbeing authority” (one of my readers just called me that today!), I try to keep up with social media, which I’ve come to love, by setting a series of alarms and reminders. I also have reminders set for podcast promotion. As for reader engagement, I love interacting with my readers! They can DM me on socials, email me via my website, or reply directly to the newsletter I send out every week. 

How do you hold yourself accountable and achieve the goals that you set forth? If the goals are mine, who gets hurt if I don’t do what it takes to achieve them? Like I say in my book, “We are the ones who control who we are and what we do… It’s not a chore to work towards achieving your desires.” 

How do you structure your day and make time for writing? I don’t write every day. I’d love to, but that’s not my reality. Some days, I record book recommendations, do interviews, prep for or record my podcast, and even write articles! My workday begins after feeding and playing with the cat, which I do while drinking my tea and having my morning oatmeal – somewhere between 8 am and 9 am. I usually work until 5 pm when it’s time for other things. I almost always take at least one day a week off, though that day varies depending on my mood, the weather, and whether there’s food in the fridge.

What do you find most fulfilling in the career that you’ve chosen? It’s not just one thing. Fulfilling-ness for me = flexibility + creation + positivity. The motivational and author spaces are uplifting and empowering. It’s a heady combination that adds up to happiness.

What book uplifts you? Well, my own, of course, lol. Really, though, my favorite reads run along those by Tolkien, Suzanne Collins, and Anthony Horowitz. I love escaping into a brilliantly created world where I can lose myself in the well-crafted adventures of others.

Anything else you’d like to share with your readers? Yes. Whatever your dream, go for it. Don’t wait a decade only to find yourself exactly where you are now and just as unhappy. You are worthy, and your dreams are worthwhile. Also, avoid the bringer-downers in your life and find spaces and people that uplift you. It will make all the difference!

Meet Ally and learn all about her adventures, books, and engagements through her website.