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Turning a class assignment into a published book isn’t an everyday undergraduate experience, but for Alexis Izyk, a senior marketing major at Alfred University, that’s exactly what happened.
As part of a Marketing Strategy course taught by Dr. Brittany Thierman, students were tasked with creating, publishing, and marketing a book over the course of the semester. While many classmates opted for coloring or activity books, Alexis saw the assignment as a chance to pursue a longtime goal.
“I’ve always wanted to write a book,” she said. “When we found out we had to create and sell one, it felt like the perfect opportunity.”
After brainstorming ideas the first night of class, Alexis began developing a contemporary romance novel. "Off Track" follows the story of Sloane, a driven business consultant traveling for a high-stakes merger, who is forced to take a last-minute train during a snowstorm. She ends up sharing close quarters with Oliver, a photojournalist—a pairing that leads to clashing personalities and, eventually, connection.
“It’s kind of an enemies-to-lovers story,” Alexis explained. “They’re complete opposites at first, and then they slowly come together.”
The project required students to publish their books through Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and track sales, engagement, and reach, providing hands-on experience with product marketing in a real marketplace.
Writing a novel alongside a full course load was no small feat. In addition to her marketing classes, Alexis was also completing her senior thesis.
“It was a lot all at once,” she said. “Everything was due around the same time, so there were a lot of late nights and not a lot of sleep.”
Most of the writing happened at her apartment or during desk shifts while working for Public Safety. The first draft came together quickly but required substantial revision. Alexis edited the manuscript herself, ran it through Grammarly, and asked her fiancé to review it before publication.
“One of the most rewarding parts was seeing my name on the cover and actually holding the book in my hands,” she said. “My family being so proud made it feel real.”
After publishing the book, Alexis shifted her focus to marketing, creating dedicated social media accounts and posting short-form videos across platforms like TikTok and Instagram, then cross-posting content to maximize reach.
“I think people connect more when they can see the person behind the product,” she said. “So I focused on sharing the process, not just promoting the book.”
Despite starting from scratch with new accounts, her posts quickly gained traction. She has since sold dozens of copies in paperback and eBook formats, along with additional reads through Kindle Unlimited, and has reached readers in states she’s never even visited.
“It’s crazy knowing strangers are excited for me,” she said. “The author community online has been incredibly supportive.”
For students who want to write a book of their own, Alexis' advice is simple: start.
“I put it off for a long time because I didn’t think it would go anywhere,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be perfect. Just write it.”
Through the experience, she also discovered new confidence in her ability to juggle multiple responsibilities and see a long-term project through to completion.
“This project made everything we were learning come together,” Alexis said. “It wasn’t just a class assignment—it’s something I’ll always have.”
