About StoryLyft
Human stories. Human readers. Real connection.
StoryLyft exists to lyft stories and the voices behind them.
Authors launch with dedicated ARC readers, while readers discover books before they're released and grow into trusted voices within the book community.
Every story deserves the chance to find the readers it was written for. And the readers who help those stories get discovered deserve to be seen, too.
StoryLyft wasn't built behind closed doors. It grew from conversations with authors and readers who believed there could be a better way. But before I tell you how StoryLyft came to be, I think it's important you know:
I never intended to build an ARC platform. I simply wanted to help.
How StoryLyft Began
There was a time when I stopped reading.
Not because I stopped loving books, but because life just… happened. Between building a career, becoming a wife, and later becoming a mom, the version of me who could disappear into a story slowly faded into the background. I was so busy becoming everything everyone else needed that I didn't even notice I was losing pieces of myself along the way.
Then one day, wanting just a few quiet minutes to myself, I picked up a book by an indie author. I thought I was just reading another novel. Instead… somewhere between those pages, I remembered myself.
That author gave me more than a story. She helped me remember who I was. That's when I realized books don't just entertain us. Sometimes they quietly change the course of our lives.
StoryLyft is, in many ways, my thank-you letter to the indie author who helped bring me back to myself.
Before StoryLyft, I created DearFuturePublisher (DFP) as a way to document my own writing journey. But as I met more authors, I realized too many incredible stories were being overlooked — not because they lacked heart, but simply because they lacked visibility. I remember thinking, “Maybe I can help.”
So, I started reading, reviewing, and sharing overlooked books. As the community grew, one thing became clear: authors needed readers, readers wanted to help, and most ARC platforms felt transactional. Apply. Read. Review. Repeat.
I wanted something that felt human.
A space where authors, readers, and creators could build relationships instead of simply completing transactions. A space they could grow on their own terms, together: StoryLyft.
StoryLyft isn't just another ARC platform. It's a community built on connection. Because stories change lives, communities change careers, and every voice has the power to lift someone else's story. Whether your dream is to publish your own book, become a trusted reviewer, grow as a creator, or simply connect with fellow book lovers, I hope StoryLyft helps you take the next step.
What We Believe
- Great stories deserve to be discovered.
- Readers deserve recognition for the role they play.
- Community is stronger than competition.
- Relationships matter more than numbers.
- No one should feel like they're building alone.
- We rise by lyfting each other.
Where We're Going
My hope is that StoryLyft becomes more than a place to find your next ARC. It's where careers begin, friendships are formed, opportunities are created, and stories find the readers they were always meant to reach.
One Last Thing
If there's one thing I hope every person leaves here believing, it's this:
Your voice matters.
Somewhere, someone is waiting for the exact story only you can write…
Or the recommendation only you can make.
I know that because one story found me when I needed it most. The author who wrote it will probably never know what their words meant to me.
Maybe one day… someone will say the same about yours.
Welcome to StoryLyft. I saved you a spot.
Hi, I'm Ella!
Thank you for being here. StoryLyft wouldn't exist without this community. Every conversation, suggestion, and shared experience has helped shape what it's becoming. Whether you're an author trusting me with your story or a reader trusting me with your voice, thank you. I'm so grateful you're here.