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Ian Schrauth

Award-winning Journalist and Bestselling Author

Award-winning Journalist and Bestselling Author Ian Schrauth, born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, has been captivating readers since 2014. He is currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science at St. Louis Community College and serves as a staff writer for The Montage, the college’s newspaper.

Ian's distinctive voice and pioneering themes have established him as a leading figure in the emerging genre of Anti-MLM (Anti Multi-Level Marketing) fiction. His bestselling works include The Opportunity and The American Way: The Good, the Bad, and the Lies I've Learned from Being an Amway IBO. His journalism has also earned a second-place award from the Missouri College Media Association for his investigative piece, From Ramen to Riches.

He continues to live and write in St. Louis, Missouri.

Upcoming Books

<p><b>From Bestselling Author Ian Schrauth, comes a retelling of the classic tale, <i>The Most Dangerous Game</i></b><br><p>When Department of Energy contractors Sanger Rainsford and Kimberly Henyard are assigned to a high-stakes scientific mission exploring remote islands and their fragile ecosystems, they know the risks. But there’s one island they’ve been warned to avoid—the forbidden one, shrouded in mystery and danger.</p><p>However, fate has other plans. Their ship unexpectedly veers off course and lands on this very island. Faced with the unknown, Rainsford and Henyard must now decide: continue their research and fulfill their contract, or turn back before they fall victim to the island’s dark secrets. But the price of curiosity may be higher than they ever imagined.</p><hr><br>Purchase Links coming soon.
<p><b>From the author of the bestselling novella The Opportunity comes another romantic MLM story, but the MLM doesn't stop at Multilevel Marketing.</b></p> <p>Will Daniels thought juggling college classes and a soul-sucking call center job was tough enough. But when he meets Ash, an enigmatic campus influencer promoting a dubious MLM scheme called “Faster and Harder,” life takes a wild, seductive turn.</p>  <p>What starts as an enticing opportunity to escape the grind quickly spirals into a whirlwind of hookups, high-pressure sales tactics, and a journey that forces Will to confront the fine line between ambition and exploitation.</p>  <p>As he navigates the treacherous waters of love, loyalty, and lust, Will must decide how far he’s willing to go to secure his future—and what he’s willing to lose.</p>

Current Books (English)

Ever since the FTC vs Amway ruling in 1979, Multi-Level Marketing companies have been multiplying their presents. With these companies multiplying by the dozens, so have their tactics.

Amway has had no exception to this.

The American Way” is based upon a true experience of what it’s like to be an Amway Independent Business Owner. From the good, to the bad, to the lies I was told throughout the wild ride, you can too make a decision if you want to give in, or take out.
Alison "Ali" Williams is in a depressed state of mind. She spends her hours slaving away at a call center while studying at a Community College.  As she is roped into the "business opportunity" by her new friend, McKayla, she is not only surprised about the business opportunity but is taunted by McKayla's upline, Hayden.  Will her thoughts of Hayden go, like the way she imagines her sales?  Will she learn Hayden's deep, dark secret?  Or will their relationship downfall?
Brie Lake, a woman shrouded in mystery, has spent a lifetime trapped within the confines of the enigmatic Mental Health Facility at Mearsea Hospital. She has never seen the light of day, until she gives birth to her baby boy, Jax, and is released.

Jax soon learns of his mother's pending passing and rushes to her bedside. Little does he know that her final words will unleash a haunting quest for the truth. "I'm not as crazy as everyone says I am. Trace my steps, and find me,"

Will tracing Brie's footsteps lead Jax to the liberating truth he seeks, or will he uncover sinister forces that seek to keep the secrets buried forever?
Every day begins the same: pounding headaches, cryptic notes, and a sense of unease that Mahx can’t shake. The handwritten messages left around his apartment, it suggest an intruder is watching his every move.In a desperate fight for his life and sanity, Mahx must confront the darkness closing in around him and unravel a mystery that threatens to consume him entirely.
Tammy never expected her life to take such an unexpected turn when she agreed to meet Mitch, a charming stranger she had connected with online. As their friendship blossoms, Tammy finds herself navigating uncharted territory, grappling with the uncertainties of young love.

As Tammy's journey unfolds with heartwarming moments, laughter, and self-discovery, she begins to open her heart to the possibilities, she faces a decision that could change everything.
When a young woman is found dead at an Amway business briefing, SLMPD Detectives Kendall Marie and RJ Kelmp are assigned to the case. As they delve deeper into the victim's life, they discover a web of deceit and betrayal that extends beyond the MLM world and into the highest levels of St. Louis' society.

Will they bring this killer to justice and stop this "Multi-Level Murderer"?
Senior Journalist Adele Bran finds herself at the heart of the investigation when a group of individuals orchestrates a daring break-in to uncover the hidden motives of their political opponents. As secrets unravel and dangerous connections emerge, Adele must navigate the treacherous landscape of power, where loyalties are tested and alliances are forged in shadows.

But as Adele's relentless pursuit of truth brings her closer to the heart of the conspiracy, she becomes a target herself. From the halls of power to the quiet corners of clandestine meetings, she must navigate a dangerous game where betrayal lurks at every corner.

With such a large story that can change the political landscape forever, Adele thinks she has made American history.

But at what cost?
Working a 9-5 job can sometimes be daunting, but it gets the bills paid. You don’t have to worry about living out on the street with all the shampoo, protein shakes, or Keto Coffee you would have bought in a Multi-Level-Marketing company, and you have money for yourself or your family. Sometimes, that's not always the case.In BEYOND THE VEIL, Author Ian Schrauth lists 65 side hustles you can do besides contributing to a scummy Multi-Level-Marketing Company. These side hustles can be done on your own time, you can be your “own boss” over, make as much (or little) as you want, and won’t have an upline making money off everything you do in the company.
In the halls of Oak Tree High School, Gary finds himself entangled in a world of mystery, discovery, and hidden desires. Tired of the turmoil that surrounds him, he seeks solace in the company of a secret admirer, a person known only as "X."

Their encounters are clandestine, passionate, and shrouded in uncertainty. From stolen kisses in abandoned classrooms to late-night conversations filled with secrets, Gary and X explore the depths of their connection. But as their bond grows stronger, questions linger. Will their fragile romance withstand the harsh realities of high school life? And can they navigate the complexities of their own identities while keeping their love hidden from prying eyes?

But beneath the surface, a silence lingers, a lingering question of whether they can ever truly be themselves in a world that seems determined to keep them apart.
Gary Heckerson is ready for a fresh start. College is a chance to leave behind the betrayals of high school, find his place in the world, and maybe—just maybe—fall in love again.

When he joins the school newspaper, he meets Connor, a confident and captivating photographer. Their chemistry is undeniable, but navigating desire, heartbreak, and self-discovery isn’t as easy as he hoped.

But will Gary achieve the goal of falling in love one again?
Faith Brown has always been the vocal one of the family. She hates the sounds of silence and loves the sounds of a song.

After a stunning karaoke session, she is not only met up with the man that can change her life for the good but change her life for the better.

Based on the story of the life and career of Ke$ha, Faith finds out what it's really like to be apart of the music industry firsthand.
Gary Heckerson never thought he'd care about politics. As a college student and school newspaper reporter, his world revolved around deadlines, gossip, and avoiding the ghosts of past relationships. But when he's assigned to cover the Libertarian National Convention, his perspective shifts.

Tasked with capturing the drama, debates, and personal stories that shape the political landscape, Gary uncovers more than policy points and campaign slogans. He faces the lingering shadows of heartbreak, the thrill of unexpected alliances, and the harsh realities of free speech on campus.

As tensions rise and secrets come to light, Gary is forced to question everything — about the candidates, the system, and himself.

When the world demands a choice, will he have the courage to make one?
Darlene Hoffman, a Scentsy consultant first described in The Opportunity, is the newest #bossbabe. While readers know about the interactions Ali had with Darlene, fans don't know about her backstory. How did she got recruited? Why is she taking a business class when she's already a "business owner"? Why did she appear at the meeting with Ali?