Alexandria May Ausman began demonstrating severe psychotic episodes while still in her teens. She was abandoned by her family after being diagnosed with Paranoid Schizophrenia at age sixteen. Forced to struggle with this devastating illness alone, she has suffered medication resistant symptoms, numerous hospitalizations, homelessness, exploitation, and an uncaring mental health system. Despite the hardships, Alexandria managed to raise two healthy children to adulthood and has four beautiful grandchildren. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in psychology and held a job as a child abuse investigator. In 2003, she began a career as a diagnostic psychologist while working towards a Masters in psychology. Alexandria never forgot the experience of ‘slipping through the cracks.’ She worked tirelessly to help people suffering severe mental illness and/or all types of abuse have access to necessary services for over seventeen years.In 2017, she was published and became a professional model of “Goth fashion.’ and won the World Gothic Models contest in 2018. She holds the title of World Goth Queen for life. Alexandria began writing several series of fictional novels after a catastrophic return of psychotic symptoms in 2019. She obtained the Killer Nashville Falchion Award as Best Southern Gothic writer in August 2023, and is a finalist for her book Delusion of the Collar and the Key. Today, Alexandria is retired, and homebound due to crippling symptoms of Schizophrenia. She currently lives in Tallahassee, Florida, with her loving husband and a loyal support dog. Read more about this authorRead less about this author