Michael Felty:
Beyond 442’s Up-and-Coming Author
In 2020, Michael Felty founded Beyond442Books and released his debut novel, The Course of Fate, a heartfelt tribute to the nurse who saved his daughter’s life. The following year, while battling West Nile Virus and mourning the loss of a loved one to cancer, he penned Her Final Stage, a gripping story born from pain and resilience. Both novels resonated deeply with readers, earning recognition as best-selling eBooks in the Medical Fiction and Biological Thriller categories.
Michael’s creative journey continued with The Heist School Trilogy, launched in 2024. This young adult thriller series follows Ally Robison, an international thief who becomes an unlikely hero to those in need. Inspired by his children’s courage in navigating intense social dynamics at a private high school, and shaped by his own reflections on bullying, Michael crafted a powerful narrative that quickly climbed the charts in the Young Adult, Action and Adventure genre.
Now residing in the suburbs of Chicago with his wife, Michael balances his literary pursuits with a successful career spanning over thirty years in the Fastener Industry. His stories are a testament to perseverance, empathy, and the transformative power of storytelling.
Inspiration Behind the Series
The Heist School Trilogy
The Perfect Score launches the thrilling journey of the Heist School Trilogy, followed by Against the Clock, originally released in 2025 as It’s Time That We Be Brave. The trilogy will conclude with Honor Roll Hero in Fall 2026, bringing Ally Robison’s story full circle: a daring international thief who becomes a hero for those who deserve justice.
This series was born from deeply personal experiences – watching my children navigate the intense social dynamics of private high school and reflecting on the bullying I witnessed in my own youth. These moments revealed a critical truth: our society must lead by example, teaching empathy and resilience while standing firmly against cruelty – whether verbal, physical, or digital on social media.
Through Ally Robison, I hope to offer readers more than a thrilling adventure. I want her strength to inspire those who seek justice and her compassion to remind us that courage and kindness can coexist. The Heist School Trilogy has already earned a place among best-selling Young Adult action-adventure eBooks, and with the incredible team behind me, we aim to do more than entertain – we strive to change lives.