Hi!
I’m Irvy
AUTHOR • YOUTUBER • ENTREPRENEUR
QUICK FACTS ABOUT ME
I graduated with Honours in Professional Writing from Centennial College.
I published my first YouTube video in January of 2015. At that time, my channel revolved around self-improvement.
Currently, my content focuses on helping authors achieve their dreams.
Founder of AuthorTemplate.com, a website with resources to ease the stress of marketing for authors.
I’m a Swiftie. My fave songs include: hahaha! imagine being able to pick a fave Taylor Swift song. OMG!!
My cat is the love of my life. Her “official” name is Luna but she’s been Bebe since day one.
Me a few years ago. 😅
My Bebe
My first YouTube Video. 🤭
THE JOURNEY
1985-1997
I was born in Bosnia in 1985. In 1992, a war broke out, so my family had to flee to Slovenia where we spent a couple of years in a refugee camp. We immigrated to Canada in 1994 and have called it home ever since.
When I was 12 years old, I built my first website on GeoCities, one of the first commercially available internet services that made it possible for people to publish websites. Wild to think I’ve been building websites since the dawn of the internet. Anyway…
When I wasn’t building websites, I was a semi-permanent fixture at the library. Mostly, I went there to read about the mysteries of the Universe, but one day a misplaced novel altered the course of my life.
Its pink cover stood out against an array of dark spines, but it was the handsome MMC that made me pick it up. And so it was there, amongst the stars, that my love for Romance novels flickered to life.
The Falcon and the Flower by Virginia Henley–the first romance novel I ever read. If you’re interested in checking it out click here.
1997-2004
The last couple years of high school, I spent reading any and every romance book I could get my hands on. In secret of course–I didn’t need anyone knowing I was devouring sexy historical romance novels in my spare time. Especially not my parents–yikes!
Soon, my love for reading morphed into a desire to write. I began penning my first novel, but, a few chapters in, I shelved it as I felt I couldn’t do it justice.
After high school, unsure of which career path to pursue, and feeling the pressure to do *something,* I went with what I was good at: hair.
2004-2010
Eight months into a ten-month Cosmetology program, I told the guy I was dating that I was contemplating joining the military. His response was: “Absolutely not. All women who join the military are sluts.” So guess what I did? I broke up with him, quit hair school, and joined the military–all in the same day.
I started basic training in October of 2005, and went on to become a Combat Engineer in the Canadian Army.
Me during my army training.
2010-2016
After my stint in the army, I had to get a “civilian job” so I went to college to become a Paralegal. But it wasn’t for me, so I switched to Photography against everyone’s advice. “You’re wasting your time and money. You’ll never make a dime. Everyone and their dog has a camera these days,” they said. I graduated in 2013.
Against all odds, I ran a highly profitable headshot business. I won awards, was published, and I even worked behind the scenes in the movie industry. I met quite a few celebrities during my time as a photographer but I’m not the kiss-and-tell type, so no name dropping.
Incidentally, all the success made me panic–imposter syndrome kicked in, and so naturally, I self-sabotaged and quit.
Some of my headshot & portrait photography.
2016-2020
Unhappy and uncertain in which direction to head in, I took a year off to reevaluate my life. Additionally, I was deeply insecure and overweight–two things I needed, and wanted, to change.
I documented my journey on Instagram and YouTube, which, turned into a business venture. My following skyrocketed, and business boomed. I loved making YouTube videos, but my heart wasn’t into running a business that revolved around weight loss.
During my WL journey.
2020-2025
And all the self-improvement and personal development I had undergone led me to one conclusion: not pursuing your dreams is cowardice.
I am many things, but a coward I’m not.
So, I enrolled in and graduated with Honours from a Professional Writing program. With the question (and excuse) of “am I a good enough writer?” answered and out of the way, I began writing. Five weeks and 100K words later, I typed “the end” on my first Romantasy novel.
My goal was to be traditionally published. And on January 1st, 2023 I sent my first query letter. 140 rejections later, devastated, I pulled that novel out of the querying trenches. After a brief bout of self-doubt, I went on to write my second book which I opted not to query. My third is a work in progress.
This is where my first manuscript lives. I will publish it someday, but for now its resting.
2025-present
It took me a long time to realize that, in order to be happy, I need variety when it comes to my career. And so while my ultimate dream is to be a published author, it’s not the only thing I want to do.
I love business and, more than that, I LOVE making YouTube videos. So I’ve decided to take all the skills I’ve learned and insights I’ve gained in business, writing, and publishing to create content to help authors who might be struggling in these areas.
The truth is: whether traditionally or self-published, authors are required to market their books–there’s no way around it. But most authors struggle with this and all that it entails.
And that brings me to you.
Let’s be real: as an author, you only want to spend your time creating and writing about incredible characters and their stories. That’s it. You don’t want to deal with the business end of publishing–especially not the marketing.
6.2 million views in 30 days! 🤯
And so, my mission is to pass on all that I know about marketing, social media growth, publishing, and writing via my YouTube channel. I’ve also created AuthorTemplate.com to provide you with easy DIY website, social media marketing, and branding templates to save you time, money, and energy on the business end of your author career so you can focus on and have more time to do what you’re truly passionate about: writing.
Love,
