Indie Author Insights

How Much Do You Value Your Writing, Poem, Photography, Creative Art

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 09:01:17 GMT

Hello, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives,

What’s happening in your creative world? Share here, share there, share everywhere!

I was talking to D.L. Reavis at Bookworm Orchard about his Charlotte Lake Series, and the difference between the price of paintings versus books.

I often see paintings priced in the hundreds and higher while books are priced below twenty dollars, sometimes 99 cents, or free!

A recent high school graduate has some of her paintings and photography in our bookstore.

Her art teacher, who is now retired, stopped by and said her price on a photo of an old car was way too low.

He recommend pricing it at $125, especially since it’s a Silver Key winner.

“Silver Key” in photography is a distinguished award from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards, the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious scholarship and recognition program for creative teens in grades 7–12.

The art teacher made me wish there was a book expert who would price our books!

I don’t understand why we writers price our work so low.

Maybe it’s because we sell copies instead of the original manuscript?

That makes sense.

Then I ran across a colorful painting on Facebook titled, “Thank You” along with a poem titled, “All’ve It” by Matt Moberg.

I love when poetry is paired with artwork and music.

Someone asked if a copy of the poem was available. Sure enough, the artist/author shared a link where a copy of the poem could be purchased for $25 for a 12”x18” print—more money for bigger sizes!

That’s more like it.

Now, we just need to follow Matt’s lead by sharing our artwork on social media and waiting for someone to ask where they can purchase it.

Or, we can do as suggests in his book, Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook, and provide lots of value with an occasional call to action.

Hit me with your best shot!

Buy Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook Hardcover with Bookworm Orchard Bookshop Affiliate Link https://bookshop.org/a/121325/9780062273062
Buy Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook ebook with Bookworm Orchard Bookshop Affiliate Link https://bookshop.org/a/121325/9780062273079
Buy Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook audiobook with Bookworm Orchard Libro Affiliate Link https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9783987620553-jab-jab-jab-right-hook?bookstore=bookwormorchard
Buy Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook with my Amazon Affiliate Link https://amzn.to/4ughr0h
Listen to Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook audiobook on Spotify.

I highly recommend following Gary Vee for raw business advice and staying ahead of the ever-changing marketing trends.

That fact that you’re here, reading this, means you’re following one of his tips— which is to be on !

Bookworm Orchard co-owner, Teresa Keefer, will be on the road headed to the Science Project Brewing Company (611 North Street, Logansport, IN) for their Adult Book Fair, Saturday, June 20, 2026, 12-4 PM.

Teresa will be joined by indie authors , Connor Freeman, Jessica Miller, and Mona Mehas. Stop by and say hi if you’re in the neighborhood.

You can also take a page from these indie authors by creating your own roving bookstore. It’s easy, just get together with a few author friends and share a table at book events. It’s more fun and attracts more browsers—and buyers!

Looking for author events to attend? Check out these resources:

Writer’s Digest List of Book Fairs and Book Festivals By State

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. I hope are having fun in the sun and enjoying your summer reads!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and IAA members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro, Fleur Hull, , J.J. Devine, John Sherman, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, , , Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, Terra Chism, Tina Susedik, and Wendy Mayhew.

The Secret Guerrilla Marketing Calendar Indie Authors Use to Connect with Readers, Sell Books, and Save Money

Kathy Gerstorff — Tue, 02 Jun 2026 20:14:30 GMT

What if there was a free marketing calendar filled with hundreds of promotional opportunities every year?

Do you run out of social media ideas to market your book? Do you spend money on ads that don’t work? Do you struggle to make consistent posts?

Me too! All of it. Then it dawned on me to use the National Day Calendar as a prompt to post something every day, or at least more consistently.

Do you want to join me in the June challenge? It’s simple, just share something related to the National or World Day. You are welcome to link to your post in the comments!

June national celebrations include Father’s Day, Juneteenth, Pride Month, Alzheimer’s & Brain Awareness, and many interesting days that I didn’t even know existed.

These days provide opportunities for authors to share stories related to the day. You can also use these special days as a prompt to share a story that helps readers connect with you.

For example, June is National Dairy Month and June 1st was World Milk Day. This reminds me of a field trip I took in elementary school to a milk factory in my hometown of Anderson, Indiana. One of the workers we passed on the tour told me chocolate milk came from black and white cows. I believed him until I repeated the story at home and was told the truth!

Today, June 2nd, is National VW Bus Day. This day reminds me of a big festival I dream of doing that combines the creative arts, a VegFest, and VW vehicles. Doesn’t that sound fun? I’m totally fine with anyone who wants to run with the idea. I would renew my passport to show up at this event!

I plan to post something related to these awareness days on Substack Notes and my Facebook page to continue the example and create consistency; which is the holy grail of success on Substack and social media.

Here is a partial list of National, World, and Awareness Days in June. The number represents the date. There are even more days than the ones listed on National Day Calendar:

World Milk Day, Go Barefoot Day, Pen Pal Day, and Nail Polish Day
Rocky Road Day, VW Bus Day
Egg Day, Repeat Day, World Cider Day
Hug Your Cat Day, Cheese Day
World Environment Day, Doughnut Day, Veggie Burger Day
Drive-in Movie Day, Yo-yo Day, Trails Day, Gardening Exercise Day
Cancer Survivors Day, World Caring Day, Oklahoma Day
World Ocean Day, Best Friends Day
Donald Duck Day, Forklift Safety Day, Earl Day
Ball Point Pen Day, Ice Tea Day, Herbs & Spices Day
Making Life Beautiful Day
Loving Day, Movie Night, Peanut Butter Cookie Day, Red Rose Day, Jerky Day
Random Acts of Light, Sewing Machine Day
Children’s Day, Flag Day, New Mexico Day, World Blood Donor Day
Big Boy Day, Smile Power Day, Photography Day
Bloomsday, Fudge Day, World Sea Turtle Day
Eat Your Vegetables Day, Root Beer Day, Mascot Day
International Picnic Day, Wanna Get Away Day, Splurge Day
Juneteenth, Garfield the Cat Day, Wear Blue Day
World Refugee Day, Hike with a Geek Day, American Eagle Day
Father’s Day, Summer Solstice, Yoga Day, Selfie Day, Smoothie Day, Arizona Day
Kissing Day, World Rainforest Day, VW Beetle Day
Pink Flamingo Day, Hydration Day
Patch Day, National Take Back the Lunch Break Day
Catfish Day, Log Cabin Day, Leon Day
Beautician’s Day, Take Your Dog to Work Day, Chocolate Pudding Day
Summersgiving, Ice Cream Cake Day, Mural Day, Sunglasses Day
Alaska Day, Paul Bunyan Day
Camera Day
Asteroid Day, Meteor Watch Day, Social Media Day

2026 Indie Authors, Book Lovers, & Creative Artists Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

Bookworm Orchard Poetry & Prose Open Mic, Wednesday, June 3, 2026, 6-8 PM, at Los Amores Cantina, located in the lower level of the Boston Hill Center, 428 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana. Opportunity to recite poetry or prose from your books. You are also welcome to read poems and stories from your favorite books; and share about your upcoming events. Each person at the mic has up to five minutes per round to share.
Sharing this one for local book and music lovers!
Hoosier Books and Media $1 Book Sale and $5 CD Bag Sale, Friday, June 5, 2026 - June 6, 2026, 8 AM - 5 PM. More than 60 boxes of new inventory. Books. DVDs, Blu-Rays, VHS. CDs. Vinyl Records. Donations accepted.
Adult Book Fair, Saturday, June 20, 2026, 12-4 PM at the Science Project Brewing Company, 611 North Street, Logansport, Indiana. Join Teresa Keefer, The Freemans (Bob, Kim, Connor), Mona Mehas, and Laura Petrucce for a nostalgic, Scholastic-inspired event for grown-ups!
Indie Author Group Meetup, Saturday, June 27, 10-11 AM, Bookworm Orchard, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana. Join fellow authors to talk shop and learn about upcoming bookish events.

ParaUnity: The Paranormal Convention, Saturday, October 17, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM, Miami County Fairgrounds, 1029 W 200 N, Peru, Indiana. Join Teresa Keefer and the Freemans (Bob, Kim, Connor) to mingle, do mock investigations, see a Vikings demonstration, and check out handmade spooky art, haunted decor, gothic fashion, crystal work, metaphysical crafts, and creepy collectibles.
Bookworm Orchard Halloween Book Event & Paranormal Panel. Join Teresa Keefer, Erin Hayden, and the Freemans (Bob, Kim, & Connor) Saturday, October 31, 2026, 2 - 8 PM for an evening of supernatural fun! If you are an author or vendor interested in setting up at this event, please complete the Author Interest Form.

Check out these resources for other book fairs, author events, festivals, and book marketing opportunities:

Writer’s Digest List of Book Fairs and Book Festivals By State

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the June issue of Indie Author Insights (#74). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, Bess Sturgis Chris McWhirt, Christopher Stolle, , Jennifer Huston Schaeffer, , J.J. Devine, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson (Michael Deeze), Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, , Teresa Keefer, Tina Susedik, and Wendy Mayhew.

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Self-Publishing with Dale (Highly recommend for indie authors)
The Life Strategies Playbook & Mentoring Program
Johnny B. Truant’s Inspired as F**k.

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Welcome New Subscribers

, , , , , , , and ,

We look forward to getting to know you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Stories From The Orchard anthology proceeds benefit our Bookworm Orchard bookstore startup.

Thank you for your support!

Still Here?

Check out this post by . Pure gold!

Author CEO Society: Business | Immersion Storyteller |

How We Built a $2.8M(ish) Publishing Company, Almost Burned It All Down, and Found Something Better on the Other Side

I’ve been putting off writing this post for a long time because it puts me right in the feels. Love, hurt, triumph, success. The ability to feel gives us the ability to do it all again and again…

16 days ago · 39 likes · 18 comments · Jill Cooper

What's Selling at the Bookstore This Week, Dandelions, The Deal, and More

Kathy Gerstorff — Sun, 24 May 2026 02:14:33 GMT

Hello, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives,

This week instead of telling you what I’m reading, I’ll share what books sold at the Bookworm Orchard Independent Bookstore that I co-own with two other authors.

We sold mostly bookish merch this week like t-shirts, sweatshirts, and silicone squishy characters, but we also sold books. Romance has been the bestselling genre since we opened on Galentine’s Day.

Let me know if, “What’s Selling at the Bookstore” is something you would like to continue to see!

New Books Sold at the Bookstore This Week

The Pony Who Wanted to Be a Unicorn by Leland P. Gamson

Genre: Children’s

Camp Lessons by Erin Hayden

Genre: Children’s

Murder Uncorked by Erin Hayden

Genre: Mystery

Diamonds in Auschwitz by Meg Hamand

Genre: Historical Fiction

The Gangster’s Kiss by Ginger Ring

Genre: Romance

Remember When by Kathy Gerstorff and Elizabeth White

Genre: Poetry

My best friend and I wrote poems for this anthology to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s. We donate the proceeds to help provide care and support to families impacted by Alzheimer’s and accelerate global research.

Get Remember When paperback on Amazon with my Affiliate Link.

In case you’re curious about what I’m reading, it’s The Deal by Elle Kennedy. I got into her series thanks to the movie adaptation on Netflix.

Looks like I’m not the only one. Several of Elle’s books are now in the top ten on Amazon. What a dream come true!

Get Elle Kennedy’s books on Amazon with My Affiliate Link

What I’m Doing

My goal this week was to design 20 WriterKat t-shirts. I designed two and uploaded one! I used to play a memory game where you predicted how many you would get right before you started. I never adjusted my prediction from 100%.

I’ve learned over the years to make the adjustment.

So, my goal for next week is five designs made and uploaded. I probably should have started there! I ordered the one design from Printify and it looks like high quality material and screen printing. I like that.

This print on demand project has me thinking of getting my own t-shirt press – again! I tried it before in the ‘80s, but I lost interest, like most hobbies.

I’ve taken the shiny object route enough times to know that it’s a distraction, or Resistance with a capital R as calls it, from writing my historical fiction novel that I have gotten sidetracked on for nearly three decades!

I can do both, right?

OK, revised goal for next week: Five designs and pull my novel back out of File 13!

What I’m Listening To

In case I haven’t mentioned it before, I am a music lover to my core. My childhood dream was to be a country music singer like Tanya Tucker, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Jeannie C. Riley, Tammy Wynette... I love storytelling songs and often sing along!

Ella Langley reminds me of those long forgotten dreams. I love her new song Dandelion. That wildflower happens to be my favorite!

“Dandelions are masters of survival, thriving in even the harshest environments. Often dismissed as a common weed, this unassuming plant carries a deeper symbolism of hope, healing, and resilience.” ~ Ella Langley

Looking for author events to attend? Check out these resources:

Writer’s Digest List of Book Fairs and Book Festivals By State

If you’re an author looking for events and opportunities to sell more books, be sure you’re subscribed to Indie Author Insights. The next update will be emailed June 1st.

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. I hope you have a safe and fun Memorial Day weekend.

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

P.S. I would love to know what you’re reading and listening to!

LitCon, Hiking, Merch, Music & More

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 15 May 2026 09:00:36 GMT

Nothing beats the lived experience and devotion to your craft. ~ WriterKat

Happy May Days, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives

May is the real spring; flowers blooming, gardens growing, yards needing mowing, warm breezes, sunshine, and blue skies… It all makes me feel like being outside soaking up life. But first, a quick update!

WHAT I’M READING

Hike Indiana State Parks by Don Gulbrandsen

A nice perk of having a bookstore is authors contact us about their books, so I get to learn about books I may have otherwise not known about; and of course I have to share them with you!

Don Gulbrandsen contacted us about his book, Hike Indiana State Parks. Don has hiked ALL the trails in Indiana! He is also a certified Indiana Master Naturalist and a member of the Friends of Turkey Run and Shades State Parks, which are two beautiful parks in southern Indiana.

A recent hiking trip to see Dambo Trolls in Dayton, Ohio made me wish I would have hiked more when I was younger and healthier. I’m glad Don is sharing his passion for hiking to inspire us to shut off the electronics and take a hike!

Don’s book includes trail maps, running guides, and travel guides for all Indiana state parks, including recommendations for lodging/camping and fun activities beyond hiking. It has beautiful photos featuring every park.

Hike Indiana State Parks is a great guide for serious hikers, day trippers, and families looking for fun outdoor adventures!

Buy Hike Indiana State Parks on Bookshop with Bookworm Orchard affiliate link
Buy Hike Indiana State Parks on Amazon with my affiliate link

What are YOU reading?

WHAT I’M WATCHING

You’ve got to love the algorithm gods. Apparently, they have been reading my mind about creating merchandise for bibliophiles, poets, tea connoisseurs, and sassy cat lovers. They introduced me to who is making six figures PER MONTH selling t-shirts through POD (print on demand) in a very specific niche—Sloth HIKING!

Six figures and sloths got my attention! I’m binge watching all her videos and joined her WeScale Skool community.

I’ve sold merch off and on for decades, but haven’t made any real money from it. How does she do it? Oh, let me guess…CONSISTENCY—the bane of my existence!

Of course, like everything in life, you have to be consistent. Consistently create, upload, test, advertise, scale, repeat; consistently!

Meg has inspired me to give it a go again, using one platform and one niche. She recommends Shopify. While I prefer Red Bubble because it’s so much easier to use, I understand Meg’s logic and will make a real effort with Shopify instead of staying stuck in learning and consuming mode, aka my comfort zone!

My first design is based on my love of poetry and Chai tea. My best friend makes the best Chai tea. I’m always trying to talk her into selling it.

One design down, 19 more to go. My goal is 20 new designs a week. Anything to avoid writing! ;)

What are YOU watching?

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Linda Perry is on my radar. I love that a new generation has been introduced to her music thanks to the What’s Up?/Beez In the Trap viral videos.

I’m listening to her new album, Let It Die Here. My top three favorite songs from the album are Sunday Best, Albatross, and Feathers In a Storm.

What are YOU listening to?

WHAT I’M DOING

There is so much going on this weekend.

If I lived in California, I would be at Linda Perry’s Let It Die Here documentary premiere at The TCL Chinese Theater since The Roxie is sold out!

Instead, I plan to check out LitCon, the Marion Public Library Book Sale, and Mama Pearson’s Soaporium Spring Market before I have to man the bookstore while co-owner Joye Konig (J.J. Devine) mans the Bookworm Orchard Roving Bookstore at Los Amores’ Birthday Bash & Block Party.

If you’re in the area, come say hi and get in on the fun!

What are YOU doing?

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. I hope you get a chance to hike somewhere!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and IAA members: Ashley Gary Johnson, (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro, Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, Kay Castaneda, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, , Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Mother’s Day, Storytelling Day, Notebook Day, and Other May Days to Help Market Your Book

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 01 May 2026 09:00:59 GMT

To Bookworm Orchard we go to write, publish, and grow!

WELCOME

Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:

, , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcome to Indie Author Insights! We look forward to getting to know you and your writing journey. Please share your book launches, signings, and other events by posting info in the comments or emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Happy May Day, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives

May has many days to celebrate: Mother’s Day, Brother’s Day, Teacher’s Day, Nurse’s Day, Bee Day, Tea Day, etc.

May also has themes directly associated with reading and writing, such as National Get Caught Reading Month, National Short Story Month, National Mother Goose Day and Storytelling Day (May 1st), Star Wars Day (May 4th), National Biographer’s Day (May 16th), and National Notebook Day (May 21st).

These days provide creative opportunities for authors to join in the fun by sharing stories related to the day or book tie-ins.

Flash Fiction Institute

May Is National Short Story Month!

Julie Duffy founded the StoryADay.org creative writing challenge in 2010. She has written for Writer’s Digest, Writer’s Journal, Flash Fiction Online and is a columnist for WriterUnboxed.com. Her fiction has appeared in print anthologies and online…

2 months ago · 9 likes · Flash Fiction Institute and Grant Faulkner

Stories From The Orchard Anthology Update

The Kickstarter campaign was a flop. My biggest lesson learned with this crowdfunding effort was to not do it while simultaneously publishing the book and opening a bookstore!

No worries though; I kept moving forward by making the book available to purchase directly on our Bookworm Orchard website, on Bookshop, and Amazon. This was my first time using Draft2Digital and a local printer (for the hardcover with color interior).

Both Draft2Digital and Peerless Printing provided quality and timely service. I especially like that Draft2Digital partnered with Bookshop and automatically made our anthology available on Bookshop.

I LOVE that Bookshop gives a portion of their proceeds to independent bookstores!

We didn’t get to launch the book the way I wanted to because we were so focused on our grand opening on Independent Bookstore Day.

So, I will feature poems from the anthology during our next Poetry Open Mic Night, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 6-8 PM, at Los Amores Restaurant (located in the lower level of the Boston Hill Center), 428 S Washington St, Marion, IN.

Connor Freeman, Kim Freeman, Bob Freeman at Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening

Speaking of the Grand Opening, thanks to all the authors and visitors who showed up. We had a good turnout and appreciate the community support! Special thanks to for writing an article in the local paper promoting the event.

Thanks also to the Marion Arts Commission for providing a grant to cover expenses for this community event. It definitely takes a village to get a brick and mortar biz off the ground. We are grateful and on a mission to provide opportunities for indie authors to share their stories with the book-loving community!

2026 Indie Author Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

MAY 2026

Join us for our very first Bookworm Orchard Breakfast Book Club meeting featuring SOUR by Shae Smith on Saturday, May 2, 2026, 9-10 AM at the Boston Hill Center, 428 South Washington Street, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.
Indie Author Group Meeting, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10-11 AM, Boston Hill Center, 428 South Washington Street, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana. There is no cost to attend and you can just walk in. We talk shop, brainstorm, and share book marketing/signing/selling opportunities.
Growing Chocolate in Indiana Workshop by , Saturday, May 2, 2026, 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM, Boston Hill Center, 428 South Washington Street, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana. Sheri is the Bookworm Orchard featured author for May. Check out her books at the bookstore, on her website, Bookshop, or Amazon. She also selected Plant a Row for the Hungry as the Bookworm Orchard charity of the month which means proceeds from our one dollar used book sales will go to them.
RAGE (Reader and Author Gathering Event), Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM, Hotel Versailles, 22 North Center Street, Versailles, Ohio. Look for at this event.
Poetry & Prose Open Mic Night, Wednesday, May 6, 2026, 6-8 PM, Los Amores Restaurant Cantina, in the lower level of the Boston Hill Center, 428 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana. The first half-hour of this event will feature Book Jeopardy by Bookworm Orchard Co-Owner and author Teresa Keefer. Come join the fun!
Mother’s Day Event at Boston Hill Center, Friday, May 8, 2026, 4-8 PM. Stop by Bookworm Orchard for Mother’s Day greeting cards, seeds, and flowers!
Bookworm Orchard Roving Bookstore at Los Amores Block Party, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 5-10 PM. Downtown Marion. Authors are invited to bring your books and join Bookworm Orchard co-owner Joye Konig (Pen name J.J. Devine)!

Indy Lit Con, Saturday, May 16, 2026, 10 AM - 3 PM, Dallara Experience Hub, 1201 N Main St, Speedway, Indiana.
Newark Book Festival, Saturday, May 16, 2026, Newark, Ohio. Look for at this event.
Bookworm Orchard Roving Bookstore at Summertween, Saturday, May 23, 2026, 2-9 PM, at Cass County Fairgrounds, 2281 E Co Rd 125 N, Logansport, Indiana. Authors are invited to bring your books and join the Freemans for an evening of fun!

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs or this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events to see if there is an event that interests you!

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the May issue of Indie Author Insights (#73). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, Bess Sturgis Chris McWhirt, Christopher Stolle, Fleur Hull, Jennifer Huston Schaeffer, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, Kay Castaneda, Karen Smiley, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson (Michael Deeze), Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Teresa Keefer, Terra Chism, Tina Susedik, and Wendy Mayhew.

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Heart-Centered Creators, Marketing for Introverts, Haiku Poetry Day, Record Store Day, Indie Bookstore Day…

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 17:59:30 GMT

Happy Haiku Poetry Day, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

How are you enjoying National Poetry Month? I wanted to read a poem a day live for the month of April, but between taxes and opening a bookstore, my time has been limited.

Haiku poetry takes time excuses away because it’s only three lines…

OK, after writing the Haiku poem below, I take that back; it’s not as easy as it sounds! (P.S. Thanks to and ’s book Good Writing for my new-found appreciation of the semi-colon!)

Haiku is an ancient Japanese poetry form that consists of three lines with a 5-7-5 syllable structure. I’m more of a freestyle poet; a structure-rebel. I haven’t written a Haiku in years. Here’s my first attempt:

Poetry is fun, yes?
I like Haiku poetry best,
when my mind needs rest.

Oops! I forgot the word poetry has three syllables. With my Hoosier twang, I pronounce it “Poe-tree”...

That last line should be, “it puts my mind to the test!”

OK! I know those syllables don’t follow the Haiku structure. How about this one?

Poetry is fun.
I like Haiku poems best,
so my mind can rest.

I double-checked the structure with ChatGPT. It offered a nature-inspired version that creates more of a “show-not-tell” visual. AI is a great teaching tool for someone like me who loves learning!

Poetry is fun.
I like haiku poems best,
a still pond at dusk.

Are you up to the challenge of writing a Haiku poem today? Let’s see it!

What I’m Reading

I’m so glad , aka Gary Vee, joined Substack and shares his invaluable social media marketing wisdom with us! Below is what he shared today. No email sign-up required, no workshop funnel, no upsell; all of which he could have easily done without a blink from me because of the consistent consultant-level content he provides. No marketing gimmicks — just Gary Vee sharing his best strategies for free. All we have to pay is attention!

“I want you to have the tools to build the best possible social media strategy...And I want you to have it for FREE. The Day Trading Attention deck is a free piece of content I want to give you that is as valuable as a six-figure consulting practice.” ~ Gary Vaynerchuk

The Gathering

The Indiana Writers Center is launching a new subscription program called, The Gathering by Mail. It is a monthly mailing of poems, short prose, and small, thoughtful extras sent directly to your mailbox. Their intention is to capture tangible inspiration from the annual Gathering of Writers and stay connected throughout the year.

Each monthly mailing includes a small selection of writing (poetry, essay, hybrid work), a short letter from the Indiana Writers Center, something simple to keep (bookmark, print, etc.), and a writing prompt.

Joining their monthly mailing helps pay writers/teachers/artists, keep programs accessible, and sustain a vibrant literary community.

Membership is on a sliding scale with all members receiving the same mailing. You can choose $8, $15, or $20 per month. If this sounds like something you’d like to be part of, you can join at https://checkout.square.site/.../YVLDJQPMU2QZVLLC3H6J4WNH

The first mailing goes out the week of April 20th.

Here is the important part for writers or artists interested in contributing:
Please reach out to sarah@indianawriters.org.

What a fun and unique way to share your poems and stories!

Heart-Centered Creators

I have followed for many years. I love his positive spin on life and creative projects. I’m excited about his latest offering for heart-centered creators. I don’t know about you, but sometimes the ideas, infinite “To Do” list, and challenges of life are exhausting. Taking a moment to breathe with like-minded friends sounds refreshing!

The Abundant Life with Bob Baker

Free Workshop: The Four Pillars of Impact and Income

If you’ve been sitting on a big idea, coaching offer, course, book, workshop, or some other meaningful project you want to share with the world, this is for you…

2 months ago · 2 likes · Bob Baker

What I’m Watching

’ video on Draft2Digital and Barnes & Noble changes that affect indie authors. I appreciate Dale giving us timely, unbiased updates!

While I was working on my taxes, I watched The Offer which is a behind-the-scenes series about the making of Mario Puzo’s book, The Godfather, into a blockbuster movie. I had no idea about all the drama! It made me want to watch The Godfather again, which I did. When I get some uninterrupted time, I’ll write a blog post about my fascination with The Godfather story. Maybe I’ll do it on Father’s Day!

What I’m Listening To

The Introvert’s Guide to Quiet Marketing by and .

A common misconception about introverts is that we are shy. I’m not shy, but doing extroverted activities like hosting Poetry Open Mic events, or anything involving a group of people and leading/speaking, exhausts me. I feel like I’ve ran a marathon after a few hours of hanging outside my comfort zone.

These ladies get it and have found unique ways to create value as introverts. I’m all ears!

The Online Writing Club

The Introvert's Guide to Quiet Marketing | w/ Value Whisperer Melitta Campbell

I want to tell you something I don’t say often enough…

Listen now

2 months ago · 13 likes · 7 comments · Kristina God, MBA and Melitta Campbell

What I’m Doing

Taxes done before the deadline, thank goodness. I would be in big trouble as an author and entrepreneur if not for deadlines!

Now to focus on the Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening and Author Book Signing Event that’s only one week away on Independent Bookstore Day!

Special thanks to and for helping spread the word about this big community event. We are looking forward to seeing local (and travelling) book-lovers meet indie authors to enjoy this magical moment.

You can be part of our pre-grand opening celebration!

Come to Bookworm Orchard on Thursday, April 23rd for our Trade a Book Day. Drop off a used book and get a used book for free!

Friday, April 24th is Favorite Author Day. Come to Bookworm Orchard dressed as your favorite author or book character and get 10% off your purchase. I can’t wait to see if anyone is brave enough to do this one!

Saturday, April 25th, 10 AM - 3 PM is our Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening!
We are up to 30 authors helping us celebrate on Independent Bookstore Day. Bookworm Orchard is located in the lower-level of the Boston Hill Center, 428 S. Washington St, Marion, Indiana.

I hope YOU have an opportunity to stop by. If you are too far away or busy that day, you can still support our startup when you select Bookworm Orchard as your favorite bookstore on Bookshop!

April 25th is also the day we launch our first anthology, Stories From The Orchard. I’m working on adding a buy button to the Bookworm Orchard website for those who want to support our project without going through Kickstarter.

I haven’t put the obsessive energy into the Kickstarter campaign that it takes to succeed. The lackluster campaign is proof that too many projects going at once leads to what my mentor John C. Maxwell calls failing forward. I never think of any effort as a complete failure because if you try, you learn, and that’s a win in my book!

Book Festivals and Creative Arts Events Happening This Weekend

18 April 2026

Saturday, April 18, 2026

Poetry Open Mic at Encounter Cafe, 223 N Jefferson St, Converse, IN. Hosted by Shae and the Poetry Society of Indiana. 6-7:30 PM
Celebrate Record Store Day at Psychedelic Cellar! 207 S Washington St, Marion, IN. 8 AM - 5 PM
Word Out! Poetry & Coffee, Hancock County Arts, TwentyNorth Gallery, 20 N State St, Greenfield, IN. 2-6 PM
Midwest Literary Walk, 221 S. Main Street, Chelsea, MI. 10 AM - 6 PM
BookCon, Javits Center, 445 11th Ave, NYC. 8 AM - 7 PM
Teen Bookfest by the Bay, 209 W Water St, Corpus Christi, TX. 10 AM - 4:30 PM
Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, University of Southern California, 9 AM - 6 PM

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs for more events!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Happy reading and writing!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro, Fleur Hull, , J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, , Paul Cobbin, , , Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Live with Kathy Gerstorff

Kathy Gerstorff — Sat, 11 Apr 2026 18:50:12 GMT

Available for iOS and Android

Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening on Independent Bookstore Day, Poetry Open Mic, Author Feature - Darin & Sarah Fortner, Book Fairs & More…

Kathy Gerstorff — Wed, 01 Apr 2026 09:00:08 GMT

“Even if darkness precedes and follows us, we have a chance, briefly, to shine.” ~ Arthur Sze

This is a long update which may be truncated by your email provider. Visit indieauthors.substack.com to view the complete newsletter. Also, I use my Amazon affiliate link when an author link isn’t available. There is no additional cost to you when using affiliate links. It’s a quick and easy way to support this newsletter and the indie author community. Thank you!

WELCOME

Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:

, , , , , , , , , , Monica Morrison, , , , , and .

Welcome to Indie Author Insights! We are looking forward to getting to know you and your writing journey. Please share your book launches, signings, and other events by posting info in the comments or emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Happy April, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

Second quarter of the year already. Where does the time go?

April is National Poetry Month and National Child Abuse Prevention Month. We will kick off our Poetry Open Mic Night and have selected First Light Child Advocacy Center to receive our community table donations and $1 used book proceeds in honor of these national events.

Leland P. Gamson is the Bookworm Orchard featured author of the month. His children’s books make great gifts for Easter Baskets!

April is also Independent Bookstore Day and the Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening!

30+ local and regional authors are gathering to help us celebrate. Free swag bags filled with bookish items, snacks, and gifts to the first 25 shoppers.

Please share the good news, grab a friend, and join us for a month of fun and adventure!

April 1 - First POETRY OPEN MIC Mic Night at Los Amores, 6-8 PM. Fellow poet Stacy Savage and I will be the MCs. Come join us for a few hours of fellowship, food, and fun to celebrate National Poetry Month! Boston Hill Center (Lower Level), 428 S Washington St, Marion, IN.

April 2 - Easter Event at Boston Hill Center, 5-8 PM, 100 Easter Basket Giveaway, Meet the Easter Bunny, Face painting, Egg decorating, etc., 428 S Washington St, Marion, IN.

April 4 - The Spring Arts & Oddities Vendor Market, 11 AM - 7 PM, Miami County Fairgrounds, Peru, IN. Look for the Bookworm Orchard Roving Bookstore and Authors at this event!

April 12 - Faith-based Creatives Group Meetup at ’s house. I will facilitate on the topic of Poetry in honor of National Poetry Month.

April 25 - Bookworm Orchard Bookstore Grand Opening & Author Book Signing Event, 10 AM - 3 PM & Stories From The Orchard Book Launch, 4-6 PM, Boston Hill Center (Lower Level), 428 S Washington St, Marion, IN.

If you are not in the area, you can get your copy of Stories From The Orchard on Kickstarter. The campaign will run April 1st - 25th. Check it out at storiesfromtheorchard.com

Author Feature: Darin & Sarah Fortner

Darin and Sarah Fortner are a husband and wife writing team in west-central Indiana. They live with Tango, their red tabby, and enjoy reading, working various puzzles, playing cards, and watching a lot of movies. They also work as volunteer ministers in their community.

Their latest book, Cases of Owen Barham, is a series of short stories, in the tradition of the Sherlock Holmes casebooks, and takes place in 1920s England. The book is pastiche, deliberately written in the style and language of 1920s detective fiction, to give readers a feeling of discovering previously unknown Golden Age stories.

Read on to learn more about Darin & Sarah Fortner…

How many books have you written?

This latest release will be number five. Three of the previous four were self-published through Amazon KDP, as this one is. The exception was No Accounting for Murder, which we co-authored (Sarah usually sticks to the editing and illustrating side of the process); it was released by Wild Rose Press in 2023.

What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?

It is actually fairly easy to self-publish, using the KDP format, but it helps if you know someone who is technically proficient. The standard cover templates they provide tend to look amateurish, so if you want your book to look its best, you need to know what you’re doing!

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

It began with the central character, Owen Barham, who would be an outsider, not a policeman or professional sleuth. The sort of involved, unusual cases he would be faced with developed from that core idea, and of course the plots of the various stories would hearken back to the sort readers would expect in the 1920s.

What is your favorite genre?

Darin: Mysteries, definitely. I like stories with ending explanations that feel like watching a stage magician produce a rabbit from a hat. Agatha Christie was very good at that, as were John Dickson Carr, Ellery Queen, and Edward Hoch, to name a few.

Sarah: I like mysteries, because I like figuring out the murderer’s identity before the end of the story (and I’m pretty good at it!).

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

Unfortunately, as writing is not our primary source of income, it gets done when it gets done. For those who want to pursue it as a career, the advice would be to get started on it as soon as you are reasonably awake in the morning (whether you’re a morning person or not).

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

It helps to have two projects going at the same time. When stuck on one, just switch tracks and work on the other for a while.

What are you working on next?

The sequel to No Accounting for Murder. In it our husband-and-wife PIs are finally on vacation, but of course murder pops up there as well.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

While we want to emphasize the importance of honing skill in using language and plot devices, the truth is that the writing landscape has changed. The only way to approach it now is as if starting a self-owned business. You aren’t going to make money doing it unless you already have a fund that you can draw from for promotion, networking, marketing, videos, etc. All of that work will be on your shoulders, even if you’re fortunate enough to get picked up by a traditional publishing house.

What do you love about being an author?

Creating a finished product. In some ways it’s similar to a woodworker taking a block of hardwood and creating a beautiful bowl or statuette from it.

What do you dislike about being an author?

See our aspiring author's advice above. We would really prefer focusing on the writing, and leaving the selling to other people.

What has helped you sell the most books?

Friends and family are our primary readers, to be honest.

Where can we find you?

Facebook.com/FortnerCreations

Is there anything else you want to share?

Since we have no children of our own, our writing creations are like our children. They only came about through the happy discovery, after we got married, that we make a good team when it comes to shaping words and ideas into a polished product.

If YOU would like to be a featured author, simply write something up or answer the author interview questions you can find at writerkat.com and I’ll take it from there. There is no charge for this service thanks to the generous support of Indie Author Insights patrons.

2026 Indie Author Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

APRIL 2026

Tippecanoe Co. Library Annual Spring Author Fair, Saturday, April 18, 2026, 1-4 PM, Holman Branch (Meeting Rooms A & B), 627 South Street, Lafayette, Indiana.
Local Author Fest, Sunday, April 19, 2026, 1-4 PM, Hamilton County Fairgrounds Exhibition Center, 2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Indiana.
BOOKWORM ORCHARD GRAND OPENING & AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT. Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 AM - 3 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana. Attending authors include: Angela Herrington, April Decton, Ava Cuvay, , Bob Freeman, Chris McWhirt, Christine Lawrence, Connor Freeman, Elizabeth Woodrow, Erin Hayden, Jana Strickler, Jessica Miller, Laura Petrucce, Leland P. Gamson, Liz Flaherty, Lori Goss-Reaves, Mark Saluke, Mona Mehas, Pilar Del Ray, Rebecca Gulley, Rochelle Bradley, Shae Smith, , Stephanie Renee, Terra Chism, and Valeria Horton along with bookstore co-owners: J.J. Devine, Teresa Keefer, and Kathy Gerstorff.
Stories From The Orchard Book Launch, Saturday, April 25, 2026, 4-6 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana.

MAY 2026

Indie Author Group Meetup, Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10-11 AM, Boston Hill Event Center, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.
Reader and Author Gathering Event (RAGE), Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10 AM - 5 PM, Hotel Versailles, 22 North Center Street, Versailles, Ohio. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

Indy Lit Con, Saturday, May 16, 2026, Dallara Experience Hub, 1201 N Main St, Speedway, Indiana.
Newark Book Festival, Saturday, May 16, 2026, Newark, Ohio. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

SEPTEMBER 2026

Legendary Lexington Book Bash, Saturday, September 12, 2026, Lexington, Kentucky. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

OCTOBER 2026

Books By The Arch, Saturday, October 17, 2026, St. Louis, Missouri. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

Check out The Ultimate List of Book Fairs and the Google Spreadsheet of Author Events to see if there is an event that interests you!

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the April issue of Indie Author Insights (#72). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, Bess Sturgis, Chris McWhirt, Christopher Stolle, Fleur Hull, Jennifer Huston Schaeffer, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, Kay Castaneda, Karen Smiley, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson (Michael Deeze), Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Teresa Keefer, Terra Chism, Tina Susedik, and Wendy Mayhew.

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Indie Author Lessons, Kickstarter, Direct Sales, Book Covers & More

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 27 Mar 2026 20:53:20 GMT

Hello, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

The end of March already and I haven’t even started my taxes. You know what I’ll be doing this weekend. But first, I wanted to share a few things that may help or inspire you.

Your email provider may truncate this newsletter. Go to indieauthors.substack.com to get all the juicy details! Some of the books mentioned have my Amazon affiliate link. Thank you for your support.

WHAT I’M READING

I added reading a chapter of Good Writing by and to my daily routine. With the way my attention is hyper-focused on the bookstore and the anthology, I’m enjoying books with short chapters.

I’m learning a lot from this dynamic duo. I love the way Anne adds her humorous insights after Neal shares his expertise.

Good Writing is an educational and entertaining read for anyone who loves learning the writing craft with a little rebel flair!

Hallelujah Anyway

GOOD WRITING IS NOW ON SALE

It’s publication day for Good Writing: 36 Ways to Improve Your Sentences, a conversation between my husband Neal Allen and me, on all things writing. These tips will help you write better, sentence by sentence, whether you are writing a memoir, a novel, an email or a grant proposal. We hope you love it…

3 months ago · 197 likes · 29 comments · Anne Lamott

The Direct Sale Problem by Jill Cooper also caught my attention. I love the idea of an author ring. It reminds me of the early internet days when we did webrings for our blogs. It’s so fun to discover new reads and connect with fellow creative artists!

Author CEO Society: Business | Immersion Storyteller |

Author Ring is Open!

Author Ring is open! Being a Direct sale author doesn’t have to be lonely…

3 months ago · Jill Cooper

“Readers are not looking for one author to commit to indefinitely. They are looking for stories that make them feel something—and once they find that feeling, they want more of it.” ~

What I’ve Learned as a Veteran Indie Author by of A Sense of Belonging

Jill shares five important lessons she has learned as an indie author. But, what I notice most about her on Substack is consistently showing up and engaging with others, which is probably the number one low-cost/free way to stand out in a crowded marketplace, and grow your fan base!

A Sense of Belonging

What I’ve Learned as a Veteran Indie Author

In 2015, I published my first book as an Indie author. I had tried the more established, conventional path of working with an agent and a publisher, and I realized the odds would never be in my favor…

3 months ago · 5 likes · 8 comments · Jill Ebstein

WHAT I’M WATCHING

I have followed and of Write • Build • Scale since their beginning days on Medium. I was in their initial Facebook group and launch team that helped gather topic ideas. I even paid $$$ for their debut promotion product because I wanted to support them and learn their “secret” to success.

I would be a millionaire if I invested all the money I’ve spent learning marketing “secrets” over the past 20 years!

Sinem shares that big secret in this video for free. It’s her #1 tip and the simplest, yet hardest thing to do. Consistently show up and engage! Much easier said than done, but crucial to success on Substack and all the other social playgrounds.

5 Amazon KDP Mistakes That Are Wasting Your Money And How To Fix It by Sean Dollwet

Sean reminded me of a lively conversation about book covers that happened this week on my Facebook page when I asked, “Do you care if a book looks self-published?”

The majority said yes, a few were confused by what it means for a book to look self-published, and a few said they don’t care what the cover looks like.

My favorite response came from on Substack.

I agree with Joel. I personally don’t care what the cover looks like. I’ve seen #1 best selling books with no cover! A Court of Thorns and Roses 6 is #10 on Amazon right now, with no cover.

I just purchased two books by Patricia Leavy that I discovered while looking for books with no covers!

I care about the story, about the person behind the story, about the story behind the book. It’s the words that matter most to me even though I know that’s not what normally sells the most books!

“This healing love story means a lot to me, and I’d be so grateful if you would please show your support by picking up a copy for yourself or as a gift for a loved one. It has held my hand and I hope it does the same for you.” ~ Patricia Leavy

WHAT I’M LISTENING TO

Younger You by Miley Cyrus

What an insightful song that stirs nostalgic memories of when we were young and carefree. Adding it to my favorites!

WHAT I’M DOING

Taxes, unfortunately. I’ll know I’ve finally made it when I can outsource bookkeeping and taxes!

Saturday, I’ll be at Bookworm Orchard bookstore. I’ll do a live video from there. I can’t believe we’re less than a month away from our grand opening!

I also updated our Stories From The Orchard Kickstarter Campaign to add some more perks. I think I’m going to launch it on April 1st and just go with it.

For those who want to support our indie bookstore without going through Kickstarter, you can get the Stories From The Orchard Special Color Hardcover Edition at Bookworm Orchard or the B&W edition and ebook on Bookshop when it launches on April 25th!

Creative Arts Events Happening This Weekend

28 MARCH 2026

Poetry Society of Indiana Spring Fling, Saturday, March 28th, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM, Billie Lou Wood Visitor Center, 528 Lockerbie Street, Indianapolis, Indiana.

I would so be there if I didn’t have to run the bookstore. I’m especially interested in ’s Write to Heal workshop. Working to heal childhood trauma is how I started writing poetry!

Join Kentuckiana Romance Writers for Romance Books, Hooks & Crooks, Saturday, March 28, 2026, 11 AM - 4 PM, at Georgetown Optimist, 8260 Indiana 64, Georgetown, Indiana.
Venice Book Fair and Writers Workshop, Saturday, March 28, 2026, West Blalock Park, Venice, Florida

Check out The Ultimate List of Book Fairs for more events!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. There is a lot more going on, so be sure to look for the April Indie Author Insights newsletter on the 1st—no foolin’!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro, Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, , , , Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and .

New Books for Writers, Indy Indie Book Crawl, Bookworm Orchard On The Road

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 15:09:12 GMT

Happy Spring, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives

Spring is my favorite time of the year. Everyone is coming out of hibernation and life is bursting with colorful possibilities!

I’m doing a quick update on what I’m reading, listening to, and doing this weekend. I would love to hear what you’re up to.

As usual, I got the “Post too long for email” warning as I was typing this letter to you. So, just visit indieauthors.substack.com to read all the juicy news!

What are you reading?

I can’t get enough of learning about the writing craft and the business side of being an author. The two books out this week scratch that itch. They are from experienced bestselling authors and a small business owner with his finger on the pulse of the publishing industry.

I ordered my copies from Bookshop.org because they donate a portion of their proceeds to indie bookstores, like Bookworm Orchard.

These are the type of books I get in all the formats so I can read and listen now then reference later. I can’t wait to read their insights!

The Babylon Blueprint for Authors by David Hancock

Good Writing by and

Hallelujah Anyway

GOOD WRITING IS NOW ON SALE

3 months ago · 177 likes · 26 comments · Anne Lamott

Julia Cameron also re-released her book, The Prosperous Heart: Creating a Life of Enough, this week.

I credit her book The Artist’s Way for helping me realize I was a writer years ago when I didn’t feel I would ever be good enough, talented enough, or educated enough to call myself a writer let alone an author.

Now, I’m all about the creative life and read her insights every day with The Daily Artist’s Way!

Julia Cameron’s “new release” is also a reminder as an author that we can update our old books and introduce them to a new audience!

What are you watching?

Solid gold marketing advice from the one and only Gary Vee!

I have followed (aka Gary Vee) for many years. I even attended his VeeCon in Indy with my grandson. It was a fun and memorable experience.

When Gary Vee speaks, I listen. I’ve never seen anyone be everywhere all at once like him. I was happy to hear him say to hire writers! He said he hired a journalist to record his events and then interview him which he then posts on Substack. How exciting is that? We get the gold nuggets here!

What are you listening to?

I’m listening to Melissa Etheridge’s new album, Rise. My favorite song on the album is Bein’ Alive. Her uplifting message reminds us to keep looking for the beauty in life despite the trauma and tragedy of it. I’m happy she is a nominee for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and hope she wins. She has my vote!

What are you doing?

I’m visiting Bookworm Orchard on the Road in Alexandria and may drive on to Indianapolis for the Indy Indie Book Crawl.

I’m close to publishing our Stories From The Orchard anthology. We received the proof from Draft2Digital (D2D). This is my first time using D2D. I used Amazon KDP (previously Createspace) for many years, but I want to expand my horizons with the “go wide” evolution that pro indie authors Joanna Penn and recommend.

I listened to Gary Vee and posted the unboxing on YouTube Reels. Going outside my comfort zone feels a lot like a toddler trying to walk!

I haven’t given up on our Kickstarter campaign, but I haven’t been able to focus solely on it which is apparently what it takes to get it off the ground. We still need at least 25 followers to launch the campaign, so please follow and share.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/writerkat/stories-from-the-orchard

Book Events Happening This Weekend

19-22 March 26

Indy Indie Book Crawl is a four-day annual event in the Indianapolis area that encourages book lovers to visit as many independent bookstores as possible in one weekend and enter to win prizes!

21-22 March 26

Join us for our first Bookworm Orchard Roving Bookstore adventure on the road with local authors Teresa Keefer, Jessica Miller, Ryan Null, Bob Freeman, and Connor Freeman, at the Spring Bazaar in Beulah Park, Alexandria, Indiana.

What are you doing on Independent Bookstore Day?

The countdown is on for our Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening on Independent Bookstore Day. Follow Author Jessica Miller for her countdown posts!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. I hope you get a chance to get out and enjoy the first weekend of spring!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro , Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, Kay Castaneda, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Sheri Ann Richerson, Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Fresh Insights for Indie Authors, Curious Creatives, and CHF

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 20:03:50 GMT

“When we take steps toward our dreams, the universe will open doors for us, usually in unexpected ways.” ~ Joseph Campbell

Happy First Weekend of March, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

Spring is in the air. Hope is on the horizon.

What’s happening in your world this weekend? For me, it’s all about the creative arts community and following Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s advice to reverse heart disease!

also shares great tips from her 20+ years of experience as a medical doctor to help us heal chronic illnesses. I love her One Tiny Healing Habit publication. Her tiny healing habit exercise is exactly what gets me on the elliptical every day, even if it’s for a minute. It works!

, of Decode Your Diagnosis, has also been busy interviewing experts like to help us on our healing journey.

If you are dealing with chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, Lipedema, Heart Failure, CKD, etc., I highly recommend following this team of healers and see where it leads. My BNP numbers improved in two weeks by going back to the basics (WFPB SOS-Free). Not easy, but necessary if I want to keep playing the game of life!

Indie Authors Meetup

Saturday, March 7th, from 10-11 AM, we will have our second indie author meetup where we network with fellow writers, talk shop, and learn about upcoming book marketing opportunities. There is no cost to attend. We will meet in the Boston Hill Banquet Room which is located in the lower level next to Bookworm Orchard Bookstore and Los Amores Restaurant, 428 S Washington St, Marion, IN.

Celtic Folklore Workshop for Writers and Curious Creatives

Our first workshop follows the author meeting. It’s about Celtic Folklore. Three local authors experienced on the subject will lead the workshop. Outside of Outlander and a friend who speaks Gaelic, I have very little knowledge on this subject. I, of course, am curious and plan to attend. You never know what learning something new will inspire. If you are nearby, I hope to see you there. It would make a great artist date!

What: Celtic Folklore Workshop
When: Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11 AM - 1 PM
Where: Boston Hill Center, Banquet Room (across from Bookworm Orchard), lower level, 428 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana.
Cost: $20

If you are in the Ft. Wayne area, stop by to see Chris McWhirt. Saturday, March 7th, 1-3 PM. He will be signing his new book, Revelation: Book 3 Of The Adamic Chronicles, at Half-Price Books, 533 E Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Sunday, March 8th, ’s new anthology, AI Everywhere, launches. I’m looking forward to reading it and learning more about AI that definitely is everywhere!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Short and sweet. I hope you get outside to enjoy some fresh air and sunshine.

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro , Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, Kay Castaneda, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Sheri Ann Richerson, Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Celtic Folklore Workshop, New Book Releases, AI Everywhere, Author Features, Book Fairs & More…

Kathy Gerstorff — Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:10:45 GMT

The Celtic warrior fought with steel. The indie author fights with story. Persistence wins both battles! ~ WriterKat

This is a long update which may be truncated by your email provider. Visit indieauthors.substack.com to view the complete newsletter. Also, I use my Amazon affiliate link on some books. There is no additional cost to you when using affiliate links. It’s a quick and easy way to support the indie author community. Thank you!

WELCOME

Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:

, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Happy Spring, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives

Month three, already?! I’m happy to be on the other side of winter. The older I get, the more challenging winter seems. I love spring! Sunshine, fresh air, vibrant colors, and plenty of new books to read. Check out New Releases below to see what’s on my radar.

I have been busy getting our Bookworm Orchard Bookstore up and running. If you’re in the area, we would love to see you. If you’re far away, you can still help support us when you shop on Bookshop!

https://bookshop.org/shop/bookwormorchard

Please check it out and select Bookworm Orchard as your preferred bookstore if you don’t already have a favorite selected for your book purchases. Bookshop gives selected bookstores a portion of their proceeds without any additional cost to you. It’s a great way to support your favorite independent bookstore!

Indie Author Meetup

Our second local author group meetup will be Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10-11 AM in the banquet room across from Bookworm Orchard located in the lower level of the Boston Hill Center, 428 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana. This is a fun way to get to know other writers and learn what’s new in the world of indie publishing and marketing. Join us if you can!

Author Features

Check out these previous author features: Teresa Keefer, Bess Sturgis, Hiram Foster, Jill Ebstein, Leland P. Gamson, Paul Barile, Ashley Gary Johnson, Morgana Shae, Andie LaComb, Alan Losure, Austin Valenzuela, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Beth Powers, Joshua Dent, Sarah Styf, Dan Klefstad, Russell Nohelty, Stella Fosse, Birgit Constant, Kathy Marcuson, Herman Renfro, Benjamin Bradley, Barbara Shoup, Jill Ebstein, Mike Matzdorff, Paul Cobbin, J.T. Kelly, Marissa Malson, Tom McAuliffe, Stella Fosse, Michael Deeze, Randy Dupree, Christopher Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Craig Jackson, Nancy Simmonds, John Sherman, Jonathan Goodman, and Marylee Pangman.

Stories From The Orchard Anthology

The Kickstarter pre-launch hasn’t taken off like I expected. Several people have requested a way to support the book launch for the bookstore outside of Kickstarter. So, I’m looking at other distribution methods, including Draft2Digital who has partnered with Bookshop.org.

NOTE: If you publish on Amazon KDP, your book may not show up on Bookshop!

New Book Releases

AI Everywhere, Vol. 1: How Women Are Changing The World With Artificial Intelligence by Karen Smiley et al

How appropriate ’s #1 New Release, AI Everywhere, is launching during Women’s History Month!

When my youngest granddaughter was little, I used to read Rebel Girls to her, which is a book series about women in history. She loved it, and I always learned something new.

Learning something new is what AI Everywhere is about for me. I’m in awe of the women from around the world who are involved in this project, and grateful to Karen for bringing their stories to us. I love technology and am excited to learn how to use AI ethically.

Everyday Ethical AI

📢 Announcement: Volume 1 in the She Writes AI Everywhere book series is here!

Hi folks! I am excited to share some big news with you all. You may have noticed that I’ve been writing less often in this newsletter lately. I’ve been happily busy curating and preparing to publish our forthcoming SheWritesAI book “AI Everywhere, Volume 1: How Women Are Changing The World With Artificial Intelligence…

4 months ago · 5 likes · Karen Smiley

Revelation: Book 3 Of The Adamic Chronicles

Chris is launching Revelation, his latest sci-fi book #3 of The Adamic Chronicles, right down the road from me at the Gas City Public Library on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 11 AM - 12 PM. Come say hi and get a signed copy, if you’re in the area!

Autumn in the Skin by Connor Landon Freeman

Connor says his latest book is a horror and historical fiction story that is “dark, spooky, creepy...and boy is it weird.”

If you like spooky, creepy, weird stories, this one is for you!

Scribe Bytes

The past couple of months I have called ChatGPT my virtual medical assistant as I have used it to decipher lab reports. It helped me know that I should ask my NP for an echocardiogram, which probably saved my life! Because of the results of the echo, I’m following Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s SOS-Free WFPB (sugar-oil-salt-free, whole food plant-based) diet in an effort to reverse heart disease!

I have followed Dr. Esselstyn’s wife, Ann, and his daughter, Jane, on their YouTube channel for plant-based recipes, but I had no idea that sugar, oil, and salt damages the endothelial cells, and that green leafy vegetables along with balsamic vinegar are necessary to increase nitric oxide that the heart needs to heal.

I am grateful that AI is helping me be an advocate for my health!

Still, I would love it if AI could automatically format documents to books. I think I would become a millionaire if I created a bot that could instantly format books. If someone beats me to it, let me know!

2026 Indie Author Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

MARCH 2026

Indie Author Group Meeting, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 10 - 11 AM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.
Celtic Folklore Workshop, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 11 AM - 1 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.
Chris McWhirt Book Signing, Saturday, March 7, 2026, 1 - 3 PM, at Half-Price Books, 533 E Coliseum Blvd, Fort Wayne, Indiana.
New Orleans Book Festival, March 12-14, 2026, Tulane University, 200 Broadway Street, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Chris McWhirt Book Launch of Revelation: Book 3 Of The Adamic Chronicles, Saturday, March 14, 2026, 11 AM - 12 PM, at Gas City Public Library, 135 E Main St, Gas City, Indiana.
Venice Book Fair, Saturday, March 28, 2026, West Blalock Park, Venice, Florida.

APRIL 2026

BOOKWORM ORCHARD GRAND OPENING & AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT. Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 AM - 3 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana. Attending authors include: Angela Herrington, April Decton, Ava Cuvay, , Bob Freeman, Chris McWhirt, Christine Lawrence, Connor Freeman, Elizabeth Woodrow, Erin Hayden, Jana Strickler, Jessica Miller, Laura Petrucce, Leland P. Gamson, Liz Flaherty, Lori Goss-Reaves, Mark Saluke, Mona Mehas, Pilar Del Ray, Rebecca Gulley, Rochelle Bradley, Shae Smith, Sheri Ann Richerson, Stephanie Renee, Terra Chism, and Valeria Horton along with bookstore co-owners: J.J. Devine, Teresa Keefer, and Kathy Gerstorff.
Stories From The Orchard Book Launch, Saturday, April 25, 2026, 4-6 p.m., 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana.

MAY 2026

Reader and Author Gathering Event (RAGE), Saturday, May 2, 2026, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Hotel Versailles, 22 North Center Street, Versailles, Ohio. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

Indy Lit Con, Saturday, May 16, 2026, Dallara Experience Hub, 1201 N Main St, Speedway, Indiana. Complete interest form if you want to be a vendor.
Newark Book Festival, Saturday, May 16, 2026, Canal Market District, Newark, Ohio. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

SEPTEMBER 2026

Legendary Lexington Book Bash, Saturday, September 12, 2026, Lexington, Kentucky. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

OCTOBER 2026

Books By The Arch, Saturday, October 17, 2026, St. Louis, Missouri. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.

Check out this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events to see if there is an event that interests you!

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the March issue of Indie Author Insights (#71). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Bookworm Orchard Indie Author Bookstore in Marion Indiana Opens

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 19:29:00 GMT

For this Fresh Insights update, I wanted to show you what I’ve been up to lately. I, along with two other indie authors (Teresa Keefer & Joye Konig, aka J.J. Devine) opened a local bookstore!

We are in our “soft opening” phase from February 13-April 24, 2026, which means limited hours while we continue setting up and getting more books in from local authors and authors from around the world.

We’re off to a great start with several indie authors consigned with us, including , , Teresa McRae, T.N. Finn, Leland Gamson, Shae Smith, D.L. Reavis, Shae, , and many more!

You can see some of the authors’ books on Bookshop.org/shop/bookwormorchard. Be sure to select Bookworm Orchard as your preferred store — it’s a great way to help support your favorite indie bookstore!

More Than A Bookstore

Our mission is to be more than a bookstore. We want to offer a variety of workshops for all levels of writers and authors. Our first workshop will be on Celtic Folklore (in the video I pronounced it with a soft “S” instead of a hard “K” — I’m sure that’s like nails on a chalkboard to some Celtic fans. Sorry!)

Teresa Keefer, Bob Freeman, and Connor Freeman will lead the Celtic Folklore Workshop on Saturday, March 7, 2026 from 11 AM - 1 PM. It will be in the banquet room across from Bookworm Orchard, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana. The cost is $20 per person. You can pay at the door or at the bookstore.

We also want to be involved in the arts community and are starting with a Poetry & Prose Open Mic night at Los Amores Restaurant located a few steps away from our bookstore. Our first open mic will be Wednesday, April 1, 2026, 6-8 PM.

Fellow poet Stacy Savage and I will be the MCs. Matt Wilson, with the Marion Arts Commission and owner of the Psychedelic Cellar record store also plans to attend and help with the project, which we plan to continue the first Wednesday of every month. If you are in the area, we would love to see you at an upcoming event!

We also want to help the community and nonprofit organizations. We have a community table with items visitors can donate any amount. The donations will be sent to a different local charity every month. For the month of February, we will give donations to Grant County Cancer Services.

For the month of March, we are selling used books for one dollar each and donating the proceeds to the American Red Cross. These books have not been scanned and could be worth money if you are into reselling books instead of collecting them, like me!

What do you love about your local bookstore?
We are excited to be part of the growing arts community and are open to your suggestions!

Be sure to check out the March newsletter for new book releases and upcoming events!

Fresh Insights with Marylee Pangman, New Indie Author Bookstore at Boston Hill, Marion, Indiana Opens Galentine's Day

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 16:34:16 GMT

“You’re not done until you decide you are.” ~

Happy Lovie Dovie Weekend, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives,

This is an exciting weekend for me because I am opening a local bookstore after months of preparation and years of dreaming! Two other indie authors have partnered with me on this venture: Teresa Keefer and Joye Konig (J.J. Devine). We are all excited to talk shop with fellow book lovers, and bring a bookstore to our community!

Bookworm Orchard will open on Galentine’s Day, Friday, February 13, 2026, from 3-8 PM. We will then be open Thursdays & Fridays 12-6 PM, and Saturdays 10 AM - 6 PM. If you are in the area, we would love to see you. We are giving away lots of goodies this weekend including a book basket with a blind date book, cozy blanket, bookstore scented candle, and chocolates!

We also have a community table with lots of freebies. If you choose to donate, the proceeds will go to a different local charity every month. This month’s donations will go to Cancer Services of Grant County. This is one way we hope to give back to our community.

We are already lining up events including an indie author meetup on March 7th, 10-11 AM, followed by a Celtic Folklore Workshop from 11 AM - 1 PM!

Stories From The Orchard

Several people have asked us how they can purchase Stories From The Orchard and support our bookstore startup without going through the Kickstarter campaign.

We will have Stories From The Orchard available at Bookworm Orchard during our grand opening and the book launch on April 25, 2026. We are also in the process of getting on Bookshop.org where your purchases will help support our bookstore. I will post an update once that is set up is complete.

Thank you for your support. We appreciate you!

Featured Author: Marylee Pangman

Marylee Pangman is a Tucson-based writer and longtime desert gardener. She is 73 years old, lives in the Sonoran Desert, and has spent most of her life building things – gardens, businesses, and now stories. Marylee is married to her wife, Laura, and splits her time between writing, reading, golfing, and traveling

Marylee has written three books. One nonfiction and one creative nonfiction book on desert container gardening, and one novel: Whispers of Echo Canyon, the first novel in the Women of the Canyon series.

Read on to learn more about Marylee Pangman…

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers come away feeling seen. Especially women in their sixties and seventies who sense that something is changing, that another chapter is opening, even if they can’t name it yet. I want them to feel less alone in that moment.

What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?

Trusting myself. I had never written fiction before, and I didn’t come up through traditional writing programs. I overcame it by writing anyway, learning by doing, and allowing the story to unfold without trying to make it something it wasn’t. “Do it my way” is my motto.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

It’s all Riley’s fault. She is my first character in “Riley’s Garden Oasis” and I found I loved dreaming up the stories.

What is your favorite genre?

I really enjoy historical fiction that unites past and present. My favorite author at the moment is Fiona Davis. I find it intriguing.

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

I have no set schedule. My lifestyle comes first. I write on my phone so I can write anywhere. That began when we lived on Kauai. I started each morning, before sunrise at the beach and started journaling. Paper doesn’t work and a phone could slip into my pocket. So now, when I pick up my phone, it’s easy to get the creative juices flowing.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

I don’t think I’ve ever had writer’s block. I may run out of steam and need to take a day off but’s not being lost for ideas.

What are you working on next?

I’m working on the second book in the Women of the Canyon series, Mirage of Trust, which centers on Quinn, one of the women introduced in Whispers of Echo Canyon.

If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

In a park where women would come. I’d love to have one in Sydney Australia!

Where is the most exciting or unusual place you have promoted your book?

The gardening books were fun to promote. Garden talks turned into signings. From 60 - 350 people. Very exciting!

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Don’t wait for permission. You don’t have to know everything before you begin. Start where you are, write the next sentence, and let the work teach you.

What do you love about being an author?

I love living alongside the characters. Writing fiction has opened a deeper way of understanding myself and other women, and that feels endlessly meaningful. They keep me awake at night.

What do you dislike about being an author?

The noise. Marketing, comparison, and the pressure to perform can pull attention away from the work itself if you let it.

What has helped you sell the most books?

Direct connection with readers. Sharing the story slowly, honestly, and building trust over time has mattered far more than any single promotion tactic. Listening to readers’ comments.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?

There is no single right way to become an author. You can begin late. You can begin without credentials. The work counts when you do it.

Where can we find you?

You can find me on Substack at , Knowing Yourself through Fiction, maryleepangman.com, and on Amazon as the author of Whispers of Echo Canyon.

Is there anything else you want to share?

Whispers of Echo Canyon is the beginning of a five-novel series. Each book centers on a different woman, but together they tell a larger story about friendship, belonging, and what it means to keep becoming.

If YOU would like to be a featured author, simply write something up or answer the author interview questions you can find at writerkat.com, and I’ll take it from there. There is no charge for this service thanks to the generous support of Indie Author Insights patrons.

The Only Book Event on My Radar This Weekend

13 February 26

Bookworm Orchard Bookstore OPENS!
Friday, February 13, 2026, 3 - 8 PM, Bookworm Orchard will open during Boston Hill’s Galentine’s Event. If you are in the area, come check it out, get some goodies, and sign up for our book basket giveaway! Bookworm Orchard is located at 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana. It’s a great way to support local and independent authors. Plus, get some good reads for the book lover in your life. If you are an author, message me about how you can get your books in our bookstore!

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs or this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events for more upcoming events.

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Hopefully, it sparked your curiosity and inspired your muse.

I hope you get a chance to get out and about, do an artist date, spend time with your loved ones and enjoy this weekend of adventure and love!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat

P.S. I can’t wait to see Wuthering Heights this weekend after the dust settles from opening the bookstore. I’m going with my daughter and granddaughter. I’ve heard it’s a “re-imagining” rather than a remake. Still, I love when new generations are introduced to the classics. Emily Brontë’s one and only novel is trending over a century after she published it. So inspiring!

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Chris Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro , Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, Kay Castaneda, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Sheri Ann Richerson, Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Bookworm Orchard Bookstore Opens Galentine’s Day, Author Feature: Jonathan Goodman - Unhinged Habits, New Book Releases, Book Signings, Festivals, Fairs, & More…

Kathy Gerstorff — Sun, 01 Feb 2026 10:00:39 GMT

“Put less emphasis on your book’s launch and more on what you do post-launch. Don’t view the launch as the end-all. Instead, think of it as the beginning of a ten-year flywheel.” ~ Jonathan Goodman

This is a long update which may be truncated by your email provider. Visit indieauthors.substack.com to view the complete newsletter. Also, I use my Amazon affiliate link when an author link isn’t available. There is no additional cost to you when using affiliate links. It’s a quick and easy way to support me and the indie author community. Thank you!

WELCOME

Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects: , , , , , , , , , , , , and .

Happy February, Indie Authors, Book Lovers, and Curious Creatives

A lot is happening in February!

Bookworm Orchard is getting in on the “Read Every Day” challenge for the American Cancer Society virtual campaign during the month of February. Check out our Bookworm Orchard Facebook Page for details and to join in the daily reading adventure!
Sunday, February 1, 2026, 2-4 PM, Creatives Meeting at ’s home. Contact her if you are a local (Grant County, Indiana) author, artist, musician, or other creative who wants to join us for faith, fellowship, and fun!
Friday, February 6, 2026: Dracula: A Love Tale. I’ve been doing a countdown to see this remake!
Thursday, February 12, 2026: Wuthering Heights! I get giddy when I discover another Wuthering Heights remake. It’s my favorite gothic classic tale of all time. My dream is to write a story that is talked about, with movie remakes, over a century after it’s published. I’m still in awe that it was Emily Brontë’s only novel. Look for my review on Medium!
Friday, February 13, 2026, 5-8 PM, Bookworm Orchard Bookstore first day open! We will do a soft opening during Boston Hill Center’s Galentine’s Event. If you are in the area (428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana), we hope you are among the first to visit! During our remaining “soft opening” days, February 14 - April 24, 2026, our hours will be: Thursdays & Fridays 12 - 6 PM and Saturdays 10 AM - 6 PM.

We are looking forward to introducing book lovers to indie authors with books in our bookstore, including: , , Leland Gamson, Terry Shepherd, Tiffany Simmons, Amy Smith, Christine Lawrence, Chris McWhirt, Dale Mcfarlane, Floyd Barringer, Ginger Ring, Jana Strickler, Jessica Miller, Laura Petrucce-Bailey, Lisa Coffey, Liz Flaherty, Lynda Cox, Mark Saluke, McKayla Jade, Pilar Del Rey, Tina Susedik, Thomas Freel, and Valeria Horton. Of course you can also find the co-owners books in the shop: J.J. Devine, Teresa Keefer, and me (Kathy Gerstorff)!

February 23rd - My birthday! I would love to launch our Stories From The Orchard Kickstarter on my birthday. We need at least 25 followers to launch. If you would like to help me celebrate and spread the good word about our crowdfunding anthology to help fund the bookstore startup, please follow and share storiesfromtheorchard.com.

Author Feature: Jonathan Goodman

Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less by .

Jonathan Goodman is the author of the newly released Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less. It’s full of helpful frameworks to break bad habits and build your rich life by mastering the art of strategic subtraction.

Diary of a Book Launch

Unhinged Habits Launches Today!

I can’t believe the day is here…

5 months ago · 16 likes · 8 comments · Jonathan Goodman

Unhinged Habits is Goodman’s 12th book and second traditionally published mass-market non-fiction book. He has sold over 200,000 self-published books to personal trainers and gym owners.

If you liked Atomic Habits or Essentialism, you’ll love this book. Same lane, but a contrarian spin with more focus on the deeper values of relationships, health, and purpose.

Jonathan Goodman’s home is Toronto. He currently lives in Sanur Indonesia with his wife and three kids. This is their 13th winter living abroad.

Read on to learn more about Jonathan Goodman…

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

That they will break free of the patterns, routines, and habits they’ve accepted as normal, yet no longer serve them by building back into their lives the seasonality they’ve been designed to crave.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I wanted to write about my 8:4 seasonal way of living and how much it positively impacts my health, relationships, and work. As I spoke and she asked questions, we both knew it was a big idea.

Most modern self-help is rebranded Stoicism, Buddhism, or research. Fine, but those books have already been done well by Manson, Clear, Robbins, Holiday, et al.

These concepts, on the other hand, felt rich, new, and useful. The type of ideas that can only come from deep lived experience, exploration, and a tremendous amount of reading and introspection.

For 14 years, I’ve challenged both social and educational norms, accepting nothing as status quo. My entire adult life has been a search for a more exciting, purposeful, and meaningful life.

I’ve built businesses, lived in 10 countries, enrolled my kid in a school in Mexico, in Spanish, when he doesn’t speak the language, and he thrived. Heck, I even built the first-ever certification for a new field (online fitness training).

My agent and I both agreed that the timing is perfect for this book. It’s 2026––doing work you hate and being surrounded by people who don’t light you up is dumb. We all have the tools we need. You can just do things. What’s missing are the mindset shifts, permission, and frameworks for our modern world.

Honestly, the idea was so big that it scared me. There’s a strange anxiety that comes with releasing work you believe is life-changing.

What is your favorite genre?

I read 90% fiction to non-fiction these days. Most mass-market non-fiction, I’ve found, is a rehashing of 101-level material because it has the largest potential appeal. On most topics I’m interested in, I’ve already learned the basics covered in those books. Fiction has a way of helping me better understand nuance and apply deep life-lessons to my life. For this reason, my non-fiction books have a lot of storytelling and elements from fiction intertwined.

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

Nearly every morning I wake up at 6 a.m., drink coffee, and write for two hours. I’m 40 years old and have three kids (8, 3, and newborn). Over the past 15 years I’ve published 12 books and lived in 13 countries on the side of building multiple companies. I credit my morning routine for this output. It’s fluid enough to work at home, in hotels, and rentals in over 30 countries. And it worked when I was a single guy just the same as it does now for me as the father of three.

I’ve written out the details of my (admittedly mundane) writing routine on Diary of a Book Launch:

Diary of a Book Launch

The Admittedly Mundane Details of One Author’s Morning Routine

Nearly every morning I wake up at 6am, drink coffee, and write for two hours…

10 months ago · 13 likes · 8 comments · Jonathan Goodman

Where is the most exciting or unusual place you have promoted your book?

I once self-published two books from an off-of-the-grid eco-home in the North of Uruguay. The first time that I held my book was 26 days after its release. By this time I had sold 1,312 copies, invested $16,797.90 and was 7,532 km from home. You can learn more about my self-publishing journey on Medium: How to Self-Publish a Niche Book from an Off-the-Grid Eco-Home in Uruguay.

What do you love about being an author?

It satisfies my desired lifestyle properties. I want to be able to work from anywhere, put in a few focused hours of work each day, and disappear for a month (or more) and not have anyone care.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Put less emphasis on your book’s launch and more on what you do post-launch. Don’t view the launch as the end-all. Instead, think of it as the beginning of a ten-year flywheel.

What is your favorite quote?

“I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids. With these words I can condition my mind to perform every action necessary for my success. I will act now. I will repeat these words again and again and again. I will walk where failures fear to walk. I will work when failures seek rest. I will act now for now is all I have. Tomorrow is the day reserved for the labor of the lazy. I am not lazy. Tomorrow is the day when the failure will succeed. I am not a failure. I will act now. Success will not wait. If I delay, success will become wed to another and lost to me forever. This is the time. This is the place. I am the person.” ~ Og Mandino

Where can we find you?

My new book: Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less
Diary of a Book Launch on Substack: itscoachgoodman.substack.com
5 Reps Friday Newsletter: 5repsfriday.com
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jon-goodman/
Instagram: instagram.com/itscoachgoodman
Facebook: facebook.com/jonathan.goodman101/

Do YOU Want to Be a Featured Author?

If you would like to be a featured author, simply write something up or answer the author interview questions you can find at writerkat.com, and I’ll take it from there. There is no charge for this service thanks to the generous support of Indie Author Insights patrons.

New Book Releases

Unhinged Habits: A Counterintuitive Guide for Humans to Have More by Doing Less by

When Imperfect Becomes Enough by Robert Nguyen

STOP by Mikel J. Wisler

Scribe Bytes

ChatGPT continues to be my “bonus brain” that I use for everything from polishing my marketing copy to decoding lab results.

Now, I just need to find an AI that automatically formats books!

Hmm…

I asked ChatGPT, out of curiosity, if it can format books, and it replied, YES. Oh happy day, I love saving time and money!

I typically use Atticus or Canva to format my books. Atticus is a bit wonky, especially with poetry. I spend a lot of time cleaning up gaps and overlaps. Canva isn’t great for long prose. It’s better suited for picture books and poetry.

Once again, ChatGPT to the rescue. Let’s go!

ChatGPT asked if I wanted a sample or the full book formatted. A sample would be nice to make sure I like the layout and fonts.

So, I asked for a sample and waited. ChatGPT usually responds within seconds to requests.

Cue the wah-wah music…

After 15 minutes I asked where my sample was. It responded that it could take 24-48 hours.

Three days later…

I’m still waiting.

I guess it still hallucinates. :/

Back to dreaming about an app that automatically formats books!

2026 Indie Author Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

FEBRUARY 2026

February 5-8, 2026, The Savannah Book Festival, Savannah’s Historic District, Savannah Georgia
Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9 AM - 3 PM, Appalachian Word Fest, Event Center at The Ridge, 1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, Tennessee

MARCH 2026

March 7, 2026, 10-11:30 AM, Indie Author Group Network Meeting, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.

APRIL 2026

April 1, 2026, 6-8 PM, Bookworm Orchard’s first Poetry Open Mic Night to celebrate National Poetry Month. Fellow poet Stacy Savage and I will be the MCs. Hosted by Los Amores, 428 S Washington Street, Marion, Indiana. It’s in the lower-level of the Boston Hill Center. This Poetry (and Prose) Open Mic Event will be held the first Wednesday of every month starting April 1st. Come join us for food, fellowship, and fun!
BOOKWORM ORCHARD GRAND OPENING & AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT, 10 AM - 4 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana.
Stories From The Orchard Book Launch & Bookworm Orchard Grand Opening After Party! Saturday, April 25, 2026, 4-6 PM, 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.

Check out this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events to see if there is an event that interests you!

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the February 2026 issue of Indie Author Insights (#70). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, author of Silent Tears and Tiny Warriors: Lena & Luca.
Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), author of Where’s Bear?, Delamous the Dragon and the Terrible Nightmare, A Helping Hand: A Fairy Grandmother Tale, Algernon Zef, Ear Trouble, Ghouliana Stories’ The Shoe Troll Book #1, Ghouliana Stories’ The Gift Book #2, and The Kitchen Fairy.
Chris McWhirt, author of Glory Daze, Intervention: Book one of Adamic Chronicles Trilogy, Deception: Book two of Adamic Chronicles Trilogy.
Chris Stolle, author of 101 Leadership Lessons From Baseball’s Greatest Managers and 101 Leadership Lessons From Basketball’s Greatest Coaches.
Fleur Hull, founder of The Substack Bookstore.
Herman Floyd Renfro author of From Black Mountain to Blue Skies.
Jennifer Huston Schaeffer (whitedogeditorial.com), author of Mommy’s Boy.
Jill Ebstein, author of Alfred’s Journey to Be Liked, Hannah’s Journal to Be Happy, and Coming of Age at Forty.
J.J. Devine, author of Cheyenne Bride, Come Home with Me, Destiny’s Price, Into the Darkness, and Prisoner of the Night.
John Sherman, author of War Stories: A Memoir of Nigeria, Biafra, Marjorie Main: Rural Documentary Poetry, Santa Fe: A Pictorial History, and other books.
Karen Smiley, author of Every Day Ethical AI: A Guide for Families and Small Businesses.
Kay Castaneda, author of Emmie of Indianapolis: The Story of an American Girl.
Leland P. Gamson, author of Malgrim Joins A Gang, Toby the Lighthouse Keeper, ‘Twas The Night Before Christ’s Birth, If Your Dog Were a Human, Samson at the Olympics, Samuel and the Mystery Puppy, My Buddy and Me, The Pony Who Wanted to be a Unicorn, If Your Cat Were A Human, Little Red Riding Wolf, I’m Not A Bad Dog, Lokael The Donkey Who Carried Jesus, Why Can’t Dogs Talk?, Where is Grandpa?, Puppy School, Tamim: The Passover Lamb, Why Do Dogs Bark?, and The Irish Setter Is Mailing a Letter.
Lloyd Mullins (moonsthoughts.com), author of Thumperica and A Rare and Dangerous Beast.
Mark Saluke author of Lucy’s Way.
Morgana Shea, author of HOPEless.
Mike Nelson (Michael Deeze), author of Annie Abbott and the Race to the Red Queen, Annie Abbott and the Druid Stones, The Deathbed Confessions, The Heretic, For I Have Sinned, and Bless Me Father.
Nancy Nau Sullivan (nancynausullivan.com), author of The Boys of Alpha Block, Trouble Down Mexico Way, Saving Tuna Street, The Last Cadillac, and Mission Improbable: Vietnam.
Paul Cobbin, author of Decode Your Diagnosis.
Sarah Styf, author of Embracing the Journey, The Life I Never Knew I Wanted, Find Your Wander, and Daily Advent Reflections for the Wandering and Wondering.
author of Rock On: Power, Sex & Money after Sixty, Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance, The Erotic Pandemic Collection, Vampires of a Certain Age, Brilliant Charming Bastard, and Aphrodite’s Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica After Midlife.
Teresa Keefer (teresakeeferromance.com), author of Coming Home, Vincent, Samhain, Yule: Wheel of the Witch Book 2, Home Stretch, Lone Vengeance, Jude, Andrew, Saved by Luke, The Magickal Christmas Quilt, Christmas Magick, Cupid’s Magick Kiss, Rowena’s Song, Watermelon Moonshine, Namaste, Deadly Vision, Threefold, A Wing and a Prayer, Yesterday’s Promises, One Magick Yule, Blessed Be, A Home for Dixie, Beneath the Magick Oak, and Blood Vengeance.
Terra Chism, author of Fellow Fireflies, Who Told You That, and On a Wing and Prayer.
Tina Susedik, author of A Beacon for the Heart, Beyond Time’s Embrace, Galena Getaway, Love Beyond Lies, Love’s Second Ride, Love With a Side of Crazy, Missing Innocence, Missing My Heart, Operation Santa, Picturing Anabella, Saving Ellis, The Balcony Girl, The Banker’s Wife, The School Marm, The Trail To Love, The Unconventional Blacksmith, and Wild in Deadwood.
Wendy Mayhew, author of WISER: The Definitive Guide to Starting a Business After the Age of 50.

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Fresh Insights from John Sherman, First Indie Author Meetup, How Writing a Book is Like Baking a Pie

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 23 Jan 2026 10:02:12 GMT

“If you say, upon finishing a piece of writing, immediately, ‘Wow, this is so good. It needs nothing more,’ delete it and start over. That is as clear a sign as any that it is crap.” ~ John Sherman

Happy National Pie Day, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives,

I’ll take pie over cake any day! National Pie Day has me thinking about how writing a book is like baking a pie. Every book starts the same way as baking a pie: with intention, a little mess, and the hope that someone will want a slice.

The Crust: Foundation
Routine • Craft • Research

The crust holds everything together. It’s unglamorous: measuring, chilling, pressing; but without it, the whole thing collapses.

In writing, your crust is:

Showing up even when you don’t feel inspired
Learning the craft
Doing just enough research to support the story

No one praises the crust out loud, but everyone notices when it’s missing.

The Filling: The Story
Heart • Voice • Messiness

This is where the magic lives. The filling isn’t tidy. It spills. It changes shape. It’s your voice, your truth, your characters, your risks.

Too much structure here and the story tastes flat. Too little and it never sets.

Let it be a little wild. That’s where readers lean in.

The Bake Time: Patience
Editing • Formatting • Letting it rest

You can’t rush a pie — and you can’t rush a book.

Bake time is the waiting:

Editing passes
Rewrites
Formatting
Walking away and coming back with fresh eyes

Pull it out too soon and it falls apart. Leave it in too long and you burn out. Patience is part of the recipe.

The Serving: Sharing
Publishing • Reading • Connection

A pie isn’t meant to stay on the counter forever.

Serving is the brave part:

Publishing the book
Sending the newsletter
Reading your work aloud
Letting others taste what you made

You don’t get to control how it’s received, but you do get to decide when it’s ready to share.

I’m bouncing back and forth between the baking and serving stage with the Kickstarter campaign. It’s like I’m pre-heating the oven!

This is my first time crowdfunding a book. There is definitely a steep learning curve and it’s a little outside my comfort zone. But, going outside our comfort zone is where the magic happens, right? It’s where we get to enjoy that pie with others!

The pie (cherry is my favorite) for me is opening a bookstore where indie authors and book lovers meet. I can’t wait. Our first day open will be during a Galentine’s Event at the Boston Hill Center where Bookworm Orchard is located. Excited is an understatement. I’m nervous, anxious, excited — all rolled up in one! I love being part of bringing literary voices together and spreading my love of the creative arts to our community.

YOU can be a part of the excitement if you want. Simply follow our Stories From The Orchard campaign on Kickstarter and spread the word. There is no cost to follow, and you will be the first to see updates!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/writerkat/stories-from-the-orchard

If for some reason, you are not on Kickstarter* and still want to support the indie author bookstore startup, you will be able to purchase the Stories From The Orchard anthology at Bookworm Orchard during or after the book launch on April 25, 2026. All the proceeds will go toward growing the bookstore!

*If you are an indie author, I highly recommend joining Kickstarter to see how other authors use the platform as a direct marketing tool, and then try it for your books!

Featured Author: John Sherman

John Sherman lives in Indianapolis, Indiana. He loves history, art, gardening, old houses, historic preservation, and many kinds of food and drinks.

John has written nine books and two spoken-word CDs. The most recent is his CD, Home, poems about growing up on a farm in Jay County, Indiana. John says, “Life on a farm is hard, so I never want to sugarcoat it. I never wanted to be a farmer, but I value my upbringing in large part due to wonderful parents.”

His poems have appeared 100+ times in magazines. The manuscript for his third book, Marjorie Main: Rural Documentary Poetry, earned him a Finalist position in the Walt Whitman Award given by the Academy of American Poets.

John is the recipient of several Individual Artist Program grants for poetry and for photography; four Arts in the Parks and Historic Sites grants for poetry workshops; and his Creative Renewal Arts Fellowship resulted in his writing of the libretto for the opera, Biafra. He also received the New Mexico Governor’s Award of Excellence for Historic Preservation for his book, Santa Fe: A Pictorial History. He is a member of the Authors Guild, PEN America, ASCAP, the Indiana Writers Center, and a former member of the Bloomington Free Verse Poets.

He is now working on a photo project titled, “ME: Images of Pronouns” for an exhibition at the Damien Center.

Read on to learn more about John Sherman…

What’s your writing routine?

I like to write in total silence, alone, with no distractions. I love the process of writing and am always astounded when a writer says he or she wants to be done and hates the writing process. I love it! Whoever coined, “Writing is rewriting,” was spot on. Revision after revision is the way it goes. It can be frustrating but it is necessary and one always learns from doing it.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

I am rarely stuck and don’t have writer’s block. Having a deadline helps! I love writing so if one thing is not necessarily working, I can switch to another project or another genre.

I am continuing to work on three book-length manuscripts. One is completed (a novel) and I am revising it; a second is an autobiography that is at the beginning stage; the third is a novel based on my father’s family, dating back to my great-grandfather who was a Union soldier imprisoned at Andersonville where his brother died in his arms—the novel traces the impact of his horror on the succeeding generations.

If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

Paris. I hope to have a poetry book published by the next time I go and I have an English-language bookshop in mind. I was working at Peace Corps headquarters in Washington when I self-published my first book, a volume of poetry. I gave a reading at the office and sold a lot of copies, to my surprise and pleasure. I can still recall the feeling of joy overcoming me.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Work hard. Work long hours. Edit, edit, edit. Get advice. Take some of it, perhaps most of it. Rewrite, rewrite, rewrite.

What do you love about being an author?

The satisfaction of having written a beautiful sentence or a line of a poem. That exquisite moment when all seems perfect. Before one struggles to have that perfection with the next sentence or the next line and wants to scream, but drinks more cold water, clinches one’s teeth, and gets back to work.

What do you dislike about being an author?

Not getting published when one feels it is deserved.

What has helped you sell the most books?

Self-promotion. Being at just the right place at the right time when people are ready for your book.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?

I don’t recall what I was thinking, but I did assume I’d achieve greater success than I have.

Where can we find you?

mesaverdepress.com, (@mesaverdepress) on Facebook, Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn .

My website, mesaverdepress.com, offers a 20-minute video of the portion of the opera that was scored by Nathaniel Blume and performed at the Indianapolis Artsgarden, as well as his narration of an exhibit at the Harrison Center of more than 90 images, Nigeria On My Mind.

Is there anything else you want to share?

If you say, upon finishing a piece of writing, immediately, “Wow, this is so good. It needs nothing more,” delete it and start over. That is as clear a sign as any that it is crap.

Book Fairs and Events Happening This Weekend

23 January 26

Seventh Annual Sunshine State Book Festival, Friday, January 23, 2026, Best Western Gateway Grand, 4200 NW 97th Blvd. Gainesville, Florida.

24 January 2026

Bookworm Orchard’s first-ever author group meeting! We are looking forward to meeting local authors to talk about consignment opportunities and how we can assist you in making 2026 your best indie author year yet! We will meet Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 - 11:30 AM in the Banquet Room across the hall from Bookworm Orchard at 428 S Washington St, Suite 121, Marion, Indiana.
Author Meet N Greet, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 12-4 PM, Swayzee Public Library, 301 S Washington St, Swayzee, Indiana.

Booksville Festival, Meet 60+ Authors, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 AM - 4 PM, Hernando County Fairgrounds, 6436 Broad St, Brooksville, Florida.
JAX Urban Book Fest, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 AM - 6 PM, James Weldon Johnson Park, 135 W Monroe St, Jacksonville, Florida.
Seventh Annual Sunshine State Book Festival, Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 AM - 4 PM, Santa Fe College Fine Arts Hall, 3000 NW 83rd St., Gainesville, Florida.

2026 Local Author Fair Call for Authors

The Hamilton East Public Library announced their 2026 Local Author Fair. The event will be Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 1-4 PM at the Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Indiana.

The application deadline for interested authors and literary organizations is Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). This is a juried fair; please review the scoring rubric before applying. Learn more and how to apply here: https://hamiltoneastpl.org/call-for-authors-2026-hepl.../.

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs or this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events for more upcoming events!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Hopefully, it sparked your curiosity and inspired your muse.

I hope you get lots of reading and writing accomplished during the storm.

Stay Safe!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights paid subscribers (and comp subscribers from referrals/contributing to Stories From The Orchard anthology) and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Chris Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Floyd Renfro , Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Karen Smiley, Kay Castaneda, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Sheri Ann Richerson, Stella Fosse, Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.

Fresh Insights from PSI Premier Poet Nancy Simmonds, Kickstarter Update, First Author Group Meeting

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 16 Jan 2026 20:28:27 GMT

“Commit to the smallest goal possible, say five minutes of writing every single day for one year.” ~ Nancy Simmonds

Greetings, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

What’s happening in your creative world? I’ve made progress in the past week. I got the Stories From The Orchard — the book to bookstore anthology, Pre-Launch campaign ready to go on Kickstarter!

We need ten followers on Kickstarter for the follower count to show up publicly. According to Anthea Sharp, author of Kickstarter for Authors, we need at least 25 pre-launch followers to go live and have a successful campaign!

Please give it a follow at storiesfromtheorchard.com. I would also love your feedback on the campaign. I made it pretty simple: eBook, Paperback, and Hardcover along with the option to have your name, business name, or memorial name on our Backer Tree Wall which will be posted in our bookstore behind the checkout for all to see every time they visit.

I’m trying to think of cool add-ons that would make supporters want to sign up without adding a lot to sourcing or shipping. I know we have a lot of creative readers, and I would love to hear your ideas!

Would it be your name in the book? Those fancy sprayed edges? I guess that’s a big thing for books on Kickstarter. Swag like a tote, bookmark, candle, wildflower seeds (I’m not sure about the shipping rules with seeds), “I built a bookstore” pin/pen, or something else? Inquiring minds need to know!

Below is the link to preview the campaign and leave feedback there. You are also welcome to message or email me your feedback. I sincerely appreciate your support.

kickstarter.com/projects/writerkat/stories-from-the-orchard

I want to give a special shout out to who shared the campaign and was our first follower. Thank you, Karen. You rock!

Featured Author: Nancy Simmonds

Nancy Simmonds has lived in Fort Wayne, Indiana, for forty years. She and her husband grew up in Minnesota and then traveled during her husband’s medical school years and residency training but settled in Fort Wayne when he joined the Family Practice Program.

In 2016, Nancy retired from work in Admissions and Student Services at Indiana University Purdue University Fort Wayne. She stays connected to the campus with their fine music programs.

Nancy and her husband have four children and thirteen grandchildren, all of whom live a distance away from them. They currently share their home with a Shih-poo.

Nancy has been a runner for nearly sixty years. She competes in her age bracket as part of the Fort Wayne Running Club and in other city races. She also runs virtual races for the bling. Her favorite was the virtual Amerithon: exercising 3,521 miles across the United States. She also likes to walk, hike, swim, and bike throughout the year.

When Nancy isn’t writing or working out she loves to play with paper collage. Her latest project is 100 Days of Art which begins mid-February. She will produce a 4 X 6 inch piece of collage or other art every day and then use the finished work as greeting cards for the rest of the year, or as prompts for poetry. She has sent and received thousands of postcards from people around the world.

Read on to learn more about Nancy Simmonds…

In September of 2025, my first book of poetry was published, To Somewhere Else. Poetry inspired by my maternal great grandparents and their children as they lived as immigrant farmers in southwestern Minnesota.

Several years ago I started writing poems in the voice of my grandmother. I found a book of photographs published by the historical society of the area where she lived, and began using those photos as poetry prompts to imagine all of her family interacting with the people and places of that time. I researched issues new immigrant families face and incorporated some of those in my poetry as well.

As part of this project I began researching my family genealogy with our local Allen County Public Library Genealogy Department. It is the largest public genealogy resource in the United States. I have generations of names and dates. Alas, I have not been able to find many annotated details about my ancestors, therefore it is my hope that I can fill in the dashes between those dates with my poems, and these would be a legacy for my children and for theirs.

I am currently working on another series of poems about the next generation of ancestors: my mother and her siblings. There are very few photographs from that time frame and place in our library system and none at all from our family collections. Luckily the Farm Security Administration sponsored photographers during that time in history and I can use their work as inspiration.

I recently came across the Stafford Challenge, a community of poets committed to writing a poem a day for a year beginning on January 17 which is William Stafford’s birthday. I’ll be one of them.

I have a pretty basic writing routine. Quarterly, monthly and weekly I take a look at what I would like to accomplish as a writer, and make a loose game plan. My goal is to work at least fifteen minutes a day toward one of my goals. Relentless incrementalism is my mantra.

When I feel stuck I will peruse some sort of book of artwork. I start by describing what I see in the painting, print or photograph, and then work through what I think might be the feelings of the people depicted in the painting. I always come up with something to write about. And sometimes it’s actually worth keeping for revision at a later date.

My best advice for an aspiring author is to put your butt in a chair and write everyday. Commit to the smallest goal possible, say five minutes of writing every single day for one year. How can you not write for five minutes? What kind of wimpy excuse keeps you from a five minute writing session win? Not any. But if you try to commit for an hour every single day? Well… there are 365 excuses for avoiding an hour of work. I know every one of them. Don’t set yourself up for failure. A five minute writing goal? Easy peasy. And the majority of the days you will write waaaay longer than five minutes. And that’s your real win.

For fun get yourself a calendar and give yourself a gold star each day that you meet your five minute writing goal. That row of shiny gold will give the kid within you a thrill. And soon there will be so many stars you won’t want to break the streak.That’s another impetus to success.

As the current Premier Poet of the Poetry Society of Indiana you can find me at our spring and fall gatherings. You can also follow me on Facebook.

To Somewhere Else by Nancy Simmonds

Book Fairs and Events Happening This Weekend

17 January 2026

Tashema Davis Ma. Opening Reception Exhibition at Kennedy Art Center, 326 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana. Saturday, January 17, 2026, 1-3 PM.
Pen & Purpose Book: A Community Faith Book Expo, D.A.’s Banquets & Events, 777 River Oak Dr, Calumet City, Illinois. Saturday, January 17, 2026, 5-8 PM. CST

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs for more upcoming events!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Hopefully, it sparked your curiosity and inspired your muse.

Stay Warm!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights paid subscribers (and comp subscribers from referrals/contributing to Stories From The Orchard anthology) and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), , Chris McWhirt, , , , J.J. Devine, John Sherman, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins (moonsthoughts.com), Mark Saluke, Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan (nancynausullivan.com), , , , , Teresa Keefer, and .

Fresh Insights from Debut Author Craig Jackson – Beyond The Lies Addiction & Sobriety

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 12:44:25 GMT

“Publishing a book takes a village!” ~ Craig Jackson

Happy New Year–Week One, Indie Authors and Curious Creatives!

The new year is zooming right along. I haven’t even made my vision board yet! I’ve hit the ground running with working on getting the Bookworm Orchard bookstore ready to open in a month! I’ve always been up for a good challenge, and this is proving to be the best one in a while. We have already filled all the author book signing spots for our Grand Opening event on April 25th.

Several local authors will be joining us including: Angela Herrington, April Decton, Ava Cuvay, Bess Sturgis, Bob Freeman, Christine Lawrence, Connor Freeman, Elizabeth Woodrow, Erin Hayden, Jana Strickler, Jessica Miller, Laura Petrucce, Liz Flaherty, Lori Goss-Reaves, Mark Saluke, Mona Mehas, Pilar Del Rey, Rochelle Bradley, Shae Smith, Stephanie Renee, Terra Chism, and Valeria Horton.

We are excited to host the first of hopefully many book-signing events for indie authors and our book-loving community!

I’m also still working on the Stories From The Orchard anthology and Kickstarter campaign. The goal is to start the Kickstarter pre-launch on January 20th, so hopefully, I will have the link for you by the next update. The purpose of the anthology is to raise start-up funds for our Bookworm Orchard bookstore that will be located at Boston Hill Center, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana.

We will have our first author group meeting at Bookworm Orchard: Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 AM, to talk about consignments, events, and other book marketing opportunities. I hope you can join us!

Featured Author: Craig Jackson

Craig “C.S.” Jackson is an 11-year sober man on a mission to help the loved ones of addicts and alcoholics. He lives in New Hampshire, loves being involved with his two “screenagers,” playing “old man” basketball, and surfing (even in the winter in NH!). Now he adds writing to his favorite hobbies. Welcome to the writer world, Craig. It’s addictive in the best way!

Craig is in the process of launching his debut book Beyond the Lies. The ebook is available now and the paperback will be available January 20th. He already has the manuscript written for the second and third book in this series!

Beyond the Lies is for loved ones of addicts and alcoholics, who are frequently left out when it comes to recovery resources. With this series Craig takes the loved ones of addicts and alcoholics on a journey of understanding addiction in a way most people don’t, learning about the ways addicts manipulate their loved ones (so that the reader may protect themself), and he gives them a map for the sometimes long and windy road to recovery (for both the addict/alcoholic and their loved ones).

Read on to learn more about Craig and Beyond the Lies…

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

Readers will gain an understanding that addiction is much more than just using drugs and alcohol. I pull back the curtain on addict/alcoholic behavior, what goes on in the mind of an addict, and show the loved ones how they have been affected by chronic exposure to their behavior. I write about rarely discussed aspects of addiction and exemplify how these concepts play out in real life through parts of my addiction story, my wife’s story as a loved one, and the stories of many other people who are children, siblings, partners, and parents of addicts/alcoholics.

What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?

Deciding what publishing path to pursue–traditional publishing, custom publishing, or self-publishing–was the toughest. They all have their pro’s and con’s. The traditional publishing path seemed daunting, and to be honest I wanted to maintain creative control over the content and how it is delivered…but traditional publishing seemed to really be the way to gain instant credibility as an author. Self-publishing was attractive because I would maintain creative control, but finding all the resources to publish on my own felt like a tall task. So that left me with custom publishing. This is what I chose. Since I have a day job I had the money to pay a project manager at a custom publishing house to connect me with all the resources I needed. The challenge then became who to choose. I ended up choosing one I had a personal reference for and that was Clovercroft Publishing. Overall, it’s been a great experience.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

A few years after I got sober, my oldest brother was still in the grips of addiction. Every now and then his partner would call me and say things like, “Your brother claims he is sober; however I just know in my gut something is not right with him, but I don’t have proof.” I would then ask her to describe the situation, and I would instantly know exactly what was going on because I did the same things he was doing when I was active in my addiction. I would tell her what I thought was going on and I was pretty much right every time. After many calls over the course of a year, she eventually told me that I should write a book to be the “secret decoder ring” of addict behavior. And so that’s what I did!! (note, my brother is now 6+ years sober and they both are doing great)

What is your favorite genre?

I love reading thrillers/suspense at night, it helps me disengage my brain from the day’s activities. I also love reading spiritual books, namely the modern mystics (the likes of Eckhart Tolle, Michael Singer, Wayne Dyer as well as many others!) and spiritual fiction (books like “Breakfast With Buddha”).

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

I usually write in the morning while my mind is clear from daily clutter. Once I get going in my day job the mental clutter accumulates quickly! Because I am writing to help people who are touched by addiction, my writing must be useful to accomplish my goal. So, when I sit down to write, I set my intention by saying, “Please bring me the message that needs to be heard and help me arrange the message in a way that it can be received.”

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

I don’t force it, when it’s not there it’s not there. When I am “in the flow” my hands just type. Even during a writing session which is going well, if it has taken its course and I am starting to have trouble, I just stop. For me it’s really a feeling. That being said, sometimes when I am feeling stuck, I will go back and do some editing, especially on stuff I had written months before. I find that sometimes when I go back to things I had written months before, I get re-inspired because I’ll be like “Damn! That’s pretty good!”

What are you working on next?

This project has morphed so much since it started, and as planned now Beyond the Lies will be a three-book series. I participate in some help groups for loved ones of addiction, and what I came to realize is that the content I first started writing needed my readers to have some foundational knowledge for it to be effective. So, this first book Beyond the Lies was born. The original content I was working on at the beginning of the project is now “book 2” of the series, and the manuscript is probably 70% complete. I am hoping to have that released in about a year.

Where is the most exciting or unusual place you have promoted your book?

I am very early in this promotion process, so right now this interview for Indie Author’s Association is! I am very excited to see what people who don’t know me think of my work. When your friends and family say they like your writing, you can’t trust them! It’s like when they taste something you made, say it’s good and then discreetly spit out the food into a napkin LOLOL.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

It’s not like I am Stephen King or Eckhart Tolle here giving advice…but here goes: Just do it! Sit down and write. Create a routine, try to stick with it and if you need to take an extended break, then do so. Don’t feel bad about taking a vacation from your writing. There were times where I didn’t write for months, and then when I got back to it, boy did it flow. Another recommendation I have is to put your writing out there for people to read. Yes, there are people who won’t like it, but you can’t please everyone. The gift is in that one comment you get from someone who really connected with your writing.

What is your favorite quote?

I guess right now it’s something my dad used to say, not sure where he heard it: “Don’t believe everything you think.” So powerful because my ego tries to get me to buy a nearly constant (usually negative) narrative, speaks to me in my own voice, and can talk me out of good decisions and into bad ones.

Where can we find you?

My book is available on Amazon now (e-book is available now, paperback is launching January 20 and available for preorder):

Visit my free Substack publication where I have articles posted which are basically subchapters from Beyond the Lies re-worked to be standalone pieces.

The Collateral Damage of Loving an Addict or Alcoholic | CRAIG JACKSON | Substack

The Collateral Damage of Loving an Addict or Alcoholic

"Beyond the Lies" is here!

Have you ever…

6 months ago · 4 likes · CRAIG JACKSON

Finally, visit my webpage to contact me, and for updates on Beyond the Lies, upcoming projects and events, podcast interviews, etc. CSJacksonEvolve.com

Is there anything else you want to share?

I am deeply grateful for how welcoming and supportive Kathy has been. She has been willing to help me (someone she has never met), enthusiastic, and responsive! I also want to thank the numerous people along the way who have helped me bring Beyond the Lies to print…publishing a book “takes a village” !

Book Fairs and Events Happening This Weekend

10 January 2026

Sedona Book Fair (Sedona, AZ): Community Library Sedona will host the first Local Authors Fair. Visitors can meet authors, discover new books, and learn more about the stories and inspirations behind their work.
The Great Big Book Swap (Parsippany, NJ): An indoor book swap with coffeehouse vibes, music, and treats.
Maple Valley Local Author Book Fair (Maple Valley, WA): An event at House & Hazel featuring local authors.
The Signed Edition Book Fair (New Port Richey, FL): An event for finding signed books.

Check out Ingram Spark’s Ultimate List of Book Fairs for more upcoming events!

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Hopefully, it sparked your curiosity and inspired your muse.

Adventure Awaits!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights paid subscribers (and comp subscribers from referrals/contributing to Stories From The Orchard anthology) and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis, Chris Stolle, Chris McWhirt, , , , J.J. Devine, John Sherman, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Michael Deeze, Shea, Mike Nelson, , , , , , Teresa Keefer (teresakeeferromance.com), and .

Happy New Year, 1st Author Meetup, Author Feature: Chris McWhirt, New Book Releases, Book Fairs, & More

Kathy Gerstorff — Thu, 01 Jan 2026 10:00:27 GMT

“It is an ever changing environment. Start small.” ~ Chris McWhirt

WELCOME

Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:

, Patrick, , , Greg Carlton, , , , , , Mark Saluke, , , , , , , Paul Mellen, , Randy Dupre, , , , Stephanie Riddle,

Happy New Year, Indie Authors, Book Lovers, and Curious Creatives!

A clean slate! A new vision! Hope is in the air.

Our first local author meetup will be Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 a.m. at Bookworm Orchard located in the Boston Hill Center, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana. We will be discussing consignment opportunities at the bookstore, upcoming events, and ideas to make 2026 the best year yet for indie authors. Join us if you can. For those too far away or can’t make it that day, I’ll do a recap during my February live updates!

In the meantime, I hope you have a Happy New Year full of creative opportunities, adventures, and fun!

Author Feature: Chris McWhirt

Chris McWhirt is from Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is married with five grown children and two dogs: Buddy and Lucy. Chris has written three books along with short stories on Booksie and other websites. He is also a contributor to our Stories From The Orchard anthology!

His nonfiction book, Glory Daze, is about sandlot baseball. Last November Chris made his debut entry into the Sci-fi world with book one of his Adamic Chronicles trilogy: Intervention. He recently published book two in the trilogy: Deception.

Read on to learn more about Chris McWhirt…

What do you hope readers will take away from your book?

I hope readers take away a storyteller’s view blending science fiction as well as the supernatural as an alien ally artificial intelligence assists the US government in battling an alien invasion.

What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?

I worked with Amazon KDP and found using new tools and dealing with the constant sales options kind of akin to drinking from a fire hose. It’s more like I got through it as opposed to overcoming it.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I felt like science fiction needed older heroes. In my story grandparents along with their dog (who is based on my own deceased dog) head up a team formed by an alien intelligence known as Adam.

What is your favorite genre to read and write?

Since I have tried nonfiction sports and now science fiction. I think I would go with science fiction.

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

I start with a general outline and then go chapter by chapter.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

I did have some of that when I got to the ending of the science fiction book. It sat idle for a while until I realized I needed another book or two in the series.

What are you working on next?

I am currently working on book three of the Adamic Chronicles trilogy.

If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I have been to Tokyo a couple times. I love Japan and its people and would love to do a book signing there.

Where is the most exciting or unusual place you promoted your book?

I found the Creative Slingers of Ink event in Milford, Michigan to be exciting and different since it was a book fair with numerous other authors there. Most loved reading and even if not your genre they were interested in your approach. I drove a couple hours and only sold a couple books until the last hour or so and then sold a few more.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

It is an ever changing environment. Start small. Short stories and novellas are good. There are millions of books and authors out there. Publishers want proven superstars like Stephen King. But some readers find there are a lot of unknown or little known gems who can keep them enthralled as well.

What do you love about being an author?

I love how you can bring your own past and experiences into certain characters and parts of the plot. Several have found this in my science fiction book, Intervention.

What do you dislike about being an author?

One goal is for my friends and family to like my books. Many of them have gotten it but not read it.

What has helped you sell the most books?

I don’t have much of a marketing budget but have dabbled here and there. Being able to describe and promote my books one on one. That means getting out there.

What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?

There are millions of writers and tens of millions of books. You need to know your strengths and weaknesses within your genre.

Where can we find you?

Upcoming Featured Authors:

, Nancy Simmonds, and John Sherman. If YOU would like to be a featured author, simply write something up or answer the author interview questions you can find at writerkat.com, and I’ll take it from there. There is no charge for this service thanks to the generous support of Indie Author Insights patrons.

New Book Releases

Fellow certified John Maxwell Team Leader, Speaker, and World Changer, Randy Dupree, launched his debut book, Everyday Lean. Randy owns Forgepoint LLC,- a personal and professional transformation company.

Poet-Tree Imagazine published by .

Courtenay Nold’s Poetry Warrior Substack

Poet-Tree Imagazine!

Poet-Tree Imagazine Issue No. 5 is now released (a day early…

5 months ago · Courtenay Nold

Beyond The Lies by

The Collateral Damage of Loving an Addict or Alcoholic

"Beyond the Lies" is here!

Have you ever…

6 months ago · 3 likes · CRAIG JACKSON

Stories From The Orchard Anthology Kickstarter Pre-Launch

Stories From The Orchard anthology pre-launch begins this month on Kickstarter. I’m working on the account set up, rewards, and story now. A lot goes on behind the scenes for crowdfunding projects!

Special thanks to contributing authors: Cameron Chism, Chris McWhirt, Chris Stolle, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Kay Castaneda, Morgana Shea, , Teresa Keefer, and Tina Susedik for help bringing this anthology to life.

Hopefully, everything will be approved for the pre-launch in time for the next Fresh Insights update. Stay tuned!

Scribe Bytes

I continue to use ChatGPT for everything from researching health issues (I learned oximeter ranges and when to seek urgent care during a recent bout of influenza) to Galentine’s festival ideas (Boston Hill’s Galentine’s festival on February 13th will be the first soft opening for our Bookworm Orchard Bookstore). I’m loving this bonus-brain technology!

I asked it to give us some book marketing ideas for January. My favorite from the list was a reading challenge to read 12 indie authors books in 12 months. I also like the “Word of the Year” reader challenge. I always choose a word of the year to focus on and see where it pops up throughout the year. I never thought of associating it with a book!

2026 Indie Author Calendar of Events

Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities

Do you want to connect with authors, meet book lovers, and sell more books? Check out these opportunities:

JANUARY 2026

Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 a.m., 1st In-Person Indie Author Group Meeting at Bookworm Orchard, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, Indiana.

FEBRUARY 2026

The Savannah Book Festival, February 5-8, 2026, Savannah’s Historic District, Savannah Georgia
Appalachian Word Fest, Saturday, February 28, 2026, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Event Center at The Ridge, 1250 Middle Creek Rd, Sevierville, Tennessee

MARCH 2026

Venice Florida Book Fair, Saturday, March 28, 2026.

APRIL 2026

2026 Local Author Fair, Sunday, April 19, 1-4 p.m., Hamilton County Fairgrounds, 2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, Indiana. The application deadline for interested authors and literary organizations is Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 11:59 PM (Eastern Time). This is a juried fair; please review the scoring rubric before applying. Learn more and how to apply here: https://hamiltoneastpl.org/call-for-authors-2026-hepl-local-author-fair/

BOOKWORM ORCHARD GRAND OPENING & INDIE AUTHOR BOOK SIGNING EVENT. Plus, Stories From The Orchard Book Launch! Saturday, April 25, 2026, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., 428 S Washington St, Suite 101 & 121, Marion, Indiana.

Check out this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events to see if there is an event that interests you!

Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Thank You!

Thank you for reading the January 2026 issue of Indie Author Insights (#69). I hope you found it helpful. You can share information about your books, events, and what you want to see in future editions by emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association members:

Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, author of Silent Tears and Tiny Warriors: Lena & Luca.
Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), author of Where’s Bear?, Delamous the Dragon and the Terrible Nightmare, A Helping Hand: A Fairy Grandmother Tale, Algernon Zef, Ear Trouble, Ghouliana Stories’ The Shoe Troll Book #1, Ghouliana Stories’ The Gift Book #2, and The Kitchen Fairy.
Chris McWhirt, author of Glory Daze, Intervention: Book one of Adamic Chronicles Trilogy, Deception: Book two of Adamic Chronicles Trilogy.
Chris Stolle, author of 101 Leadership Lessons From Baseball’s Greatest Managers and 101 Leadership Lessons From Basketball’s Greatest Coaches.
Fleur Hull, founder of The Substack Bookstore.
Jill Ebstein, author of Alfred’s Journey to Be Liked, Hannah’s Journal to Be Happy, and Coming of Age at Forty.
J.J. Devine, author of Cheyenne Bride, Come Home with Me, Destiny’s Price, Into the Darkness, and Prisoner of the Night.
John Sherman, author of War Stories: A Memoir of Nigeria, Biafra, Marjorie Main: Rural Documentary Poetry, Santa Fe: A Pictorial History, and other books.
Kay Castaneda, author of Emmie of Indianapolis: The Story of an American Girl.
Karen Smiley, author of Every Day Ethical AI: A Guide for Families and Small Businesses
Leland P. Gamson, author of Malgrim Joins A Gang, Toby the Lighthouse Keeper, ‘Twas The Night Before Christ’s Birth, If Your Dog Were a Human, Samson at the Olympics, Samuel and the Mystery Puppy, My Buddy and Me, The Pony Who Wanted to be a Unicorn, If Your Cat Were A Human, Little Red Riding Wolf, I’m Not A Bad Dog, Lokael The Donkey Who Carried Jesus, Why Can’t Dogs Talk?, Where is Grandpa?, Puppy School, Tamim: The Passover Lamb, Why Do Dogs Bark?, and The Irish Setter Is Mailing a Letter.
Lloyd Mullins (moonsthoughts.com), author of Thumperica and A Rare and Dangerous Beast.
Morgana Shea, author of HOPEless and Vice President of The Poetry Society of Indiana
Mike Nelson (Michael Deeze), author of Annie Abbott and the Race to the Red Queen, Annie Abbott and the Druid Stones, The Deathbed Confessions, The Heretic, For I Have Sinned, and Bless Me Father.
Nancy Nau Sullivan (nancynausullivan.com), author of The Boys of Alpha Block, Trouble Down Mexico Way, Saving Tuna Street, The Last Cadillac, and Mission Improbable: Vietnam.
Paul Cobbin, author of Decode Your Diagnosis.
Sarah Styf, author of Embracing the Journey, The Life I Never Knew I Wanted, Find Your Wander, and Daily Advent Reflections for the Wandering and Wondering.
, Author of Chocolate Lover’s Garden, Under The Dragon’s Eye, The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Seed Saving & Starting, and The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Year-Round Gardening.
Teresa Keefer (teresakeeferromance.com), author of Coming Home, Vincent, Samhain, Yule: Wheel of the Witch Book 2, Home Stretch, Lone Vengeance, Jude, Andrew, Saved by Luke, The Magickal Christmas Quilt, Christmas Magick, Cupid’s Magick Kiss, Rowena’s Song, Watermelon Moonshine, Namaste, Deadly Vision, Threefold, A Wing and a Prayer, Yesterday’s Promises, One Magick Yule, Blessed Be, A Home for Dixie, Beneath the Magick Oak, and Blood Vengeance.
Terra Chism, author of Fellow Fireflies, Who Told You That, and On a Wing and Prayer.
Tina Susedik, author of A Beacon for the Heart, Beyond Time’s Embrace, Galena Getaway, Love Beyond Lies, Love’s Second Ride, Love With a Side of Crazy, Missing Innocence, Missing My Heart, Operation Santa, Picturing Anabella, Saving Ellis, The Balcony Girl, The Banker’s Wife, The School Marm, The Trail To Love, The Unconventional Blacksmith, and Wild in Deadwood.
Wendy Mayhew, author of WISER: The Definitive Guide to Starting a Business After the Age of 50.

Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:

Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard

Book Marketing Recap, Fresh Insights from Featured Author Chris Stolle, New Year's Eve Party

Kathy Gerstorff — Fri, 26 Dec 2025 10:01:20 GMT

“In the act of revision, there’s always the opportunity to create.” ~ Chris Stolle

Merry Everything Indie Authors and Curious Creatives,

I hope you are enjoying the holidays! This Fresh Insights features indie author Chris Stolle and a Book Marketing Recap of 2025 Featured Authors answering one of the most popular questions, “What helps you sell the most books?”

Before we dive in, I want to give a quick update on the Stories From The Orchard anthology, Kickstarter campaign, and Bookworm Orchard bookstore.

I’m working on setting up the Kickstarter campaign now and plan to pre-launch the Stories From The Orchard anthology in January. The purpose of the anthology is to raise start-up funds for Bookworm Orchard which is an indie author bookstore that I, along with two other local authors, plan to open at Boston Hill Center in Marion, Indiana.

An author meeting will be held at Bookworm Orchard, 428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, IN, on Saturday, January 24, 2026, 10 AM, to talk about consignment and event opportunities.

We are planning a soft opening February 13, 2026, 5-8 PM, during Boston Hill’s Galentine celebration.

Submissions to the Stories From The Orchard anthology is closed. Thanks to all the contributors who will receive a lifetime subscription to Indie Author Insider!

Book Marketing Recap: What helps you sell the most books?

One of the most popular questions asked by indie authors!

“Speaking, building relationships, and sharing my message with people face-to-face has helped me sell the most books. Connection beats advertising every time.” ~ Randy Dupre
“When I learned the ins and outs of the Amazon algorithms, it was an eye opener. Once I figured out how to use keywords I had a big spike in sales.” ~ Michael Deeze
“Book signings and selling direct via my website. ALSO better Meta Data and Book Descriptions. Get the software ‘Publisher Rocket‘ to research your books and your competition. Have confidence in your work! Selling when you have to look in a reader/customer’s eyes can work wonders. Ask yourself, ‘Why should someone buy this book?’” ~ Tom McAuliffe
“Making one-on-one connections and developing new and old relationships. I’ve been overwhelmed at the support and enthusiasm people have shown when they learned I wrote a book. I’ve had people reach out who I haven’t talked to in more than a decade to let me know they read my book. And I’ve been able to form new connections in my community through doing interviews and local book signing events. I’m so grateful to every one of my readers and supporters.” ~ Marissa Malson
“Time and persistence. I spent a few years practicing in public, mostly through the The Shepard & Kelly Mystery Series, and that really helped me get a sense of what worked and what didn’t. In that, I built a reader base and a great community of other writers who like to support one another. That’s made all the difference in the world.” ~ Benjamin Bradley
“Selling online on Amazon and selling in my hometown.” ~ Kathy Marcuson
“Press releases have been one of the best ways for me to reach potential readers, so I continue to use them to communicate with my audiences. I’ve built a solid email list, but I’m not sure it has been as effective as it is for many authors. Facebook advertising has also been great for building my readers.” ~ J.T. Kelly
“In the past, I sold the most by speaking with groups—sometimes in businesses, sometimes community get-togethers, sometimes places of worship. I would also speak at bookstores.” ~ Jill Ebstein

Favorite Substack Find

“Substack is better suited than any other platform to the kind of writing and sharing I want to do, going forward.” ~

Orna Ross makes my favorite finds list again with her thoughtful and thorough answer to the question, “Is Substack Good for Indie Authors?”

I agree with Orna. Substack is THE place to be!

Orna Ross Writes

Is Substack Good for Indie Authors?

This long article is based on the research I did when thinking about moving my reader community from Mailpoet and Kit and Patreon and social media all to reside here, on Substack. It’s not a post for my readers, but for indie authors who are thinking seriously about where their reader community lives — whether they write fiction, poetry, or non-fiction…

6 months ago · 88 likes · 43 comments · Orna Ross

Featured Author: Chris Stolle

Christopher “Chris” Stolle lives in Richmond, Indiana. He’s lived in other places such as Texas, Germany, and Florida, but always comes back to Richmond where his family is. Chris loves writing, reading, listening to music, playing fantasy sports, and cooking.

Chris has written two books: 101 Leadership Lessons From Baseball’s Greatest Managers (Coaches Choice, 2013) and 101 Leadership Lessons From Basketball’s Greatest Coaches (Coaches Choice, 2015) Chris also plans to publish a chapbook of short stories in 2026.

Read on to learn more about Chris Stolle:

What do you hope readers will take away from your books?

Although the books are geared toward managers and coaches, there are many lessons and takeaways for people in other roles and jobs. Many of the lessons can be applied in myriad ways for myriad people. My partner is a teacher and she’s used the book. I have a friend who’s a nurse who said she bought copies for other nurses. I believe there’s something for everyone in this book. My mom isn’t a baseball fan and she read the book in a day.

What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?

I knew the research would be the hardest part—and it was. For the baseball book, I thought I had several months to complete the manuscript. But I was asked to write it in four weeks. So I spent an intense two weeks doing all the research I could—and then I spent the third week writing the book and the fourth week having friends read a chapter each for their thoughts. Because each manager has a featured quote, it was sometimes quite challenging to find a good one for some managers, especially those who managed in the early 20th century. It wasn’t from a lack of available texts. It was because of my limited ability to get access to those texts. So in some cases, I had slim pickings of quote material. But for those men, I focused more on what leadership lessons I could gain from them rather than trying to find a lot of quoted material. In this way, some profiles have a slightly different perspective, which I don’t think is a bad thing.

How did you come up with the idea for your book?

I was working for Coaches Choice as a copy editor. I was editing 101 Leadership Lessons From Football’s Greatest Coaches and I felt like I could write the baseball version of the book. I asked my supervisor there whether I could do this. She said I needed to put a proposal together. I hired one of my editing friends to help and I was excited when they agreed to my proposal. I don’t know that I would have come up with this idea on my own, but I had a variety of life and work experiences I thought would fit well into this book.

What is your favorite genre?

I’m drawn to historical fiction because I love thinking about specific historical figures from different perspectives or totally re-imagined ones. I love writing historical fiction too. In fact, all the stories in my upcoming chapbook are historical fiction.

What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?

I’m not generally a creature of habit when it comes to writing. In other areas of my life, yes. But with writing, I write when I feel like writing. I think that allows me to make sure I have fun with writing. If it’s not fun, it’s not worth doing. I’m not being paid to write, so I want to write when the time feels right. And I think forcing yourself to write every day from 9 a.m. to noon can lead to more bad writing than you can handle, especially if your mind becomes drawn to other things at that time of the day. I have done NaNoWriMo many times, but I didn’t always write at the same time each day. I still “won” NaNo several times. I had days where I wrote 2,000 words and days when I could barely manage 500. But it all worked out in the end. I think that kind of “competition” showed me that routine wasn’t going to work for me.

How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?

I feel like writer’s block is an excuse created by a bad writer. No one has writer’s block. I should say that no one needs to have writer’s block. There are endless resources and endless prompts to help you write something. Maybe what you write isn’t related to your work in progress, but at least you’re able to write something when you’re feeling good and itching to write. So if I feel like I want to write but don’t have an immediate idea, I’ll find a prompt or I’ll research the etymology of a word and then write about that. Something is better than nothing. But moments of writer’s block (whether it’s real or not) are great times to work on rewriting something. In the act of revision, there’s always the opportunity to create.

What are you working on next?

Right now, I’m working on putting together three distinct poetry collections. I’ve been writing and publishing poetry for almost 40 years, so it’s well past time to be doing these. I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in early 2024 and I’ve been feeling the urgency more and more in case my symptoms really worsen and my body and brain won’t allow me to do such things as this.

If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I’d like to have a book signing wherever in the afterlife my dad is. While he wasn’t necessarily interested in reading my poems and stories, I got into writing because he was a sportswriter (and my mom wrote features). I got to be a sportswriter for a while and we were able to work together for a couple years. That’s one of the highlights of my writing career.

What advice do you have for aspiring authors?

Read. This helps you learn what you like and what you don’t like. You have to always be thinking about the process of writing, not the end result. You’ll seldom get the end result you hope for. So let that be a surprise while you focus on learning how to write, how to rewrite, and how to rewrite again. Writing shouldn’t be hard, but it’s not necessarily easy either. Reading and writing as often as you can—no matter how bad the book or how bad the writing seems—will give you continued experience in trying to discover how to become a better writer. People can try to teach you that, but it’s a personal journey. Writing is akin to taking apart a clock, remembering how the pieces fit together, and then putting the pieces back in their proper place. This is just what we do with words.

What do you love about being an author?

I love the reactions and questions I get from people. I also love sharing what I write with others, especially poetry, because I want someone who has a limited voice to be able to find a poem or story that resonates with them and gives them words they’ve been struggling to find. I can’t say I write as much of that kind of poetry as I once did, but you never know what someone will find in your writing that will help them answer a question, discover something about themselves, or encourage them to try writing.

What do you dislike about being an author?

There’s nothing to dislike about being an author. Every writer has different goals. I find it curious that there are successful writers who are recluses or never do interviews or don’t want fans. What did you think would happen if you became a successful writer? Why did you pursue that knowing all that might be required of you? Perhaps I don’t understand that perspective because I enjoy being an author.

What has helped you sell the most books?

Promoting my books on Facebook is what led to almost all the sales of my books. If my publisher has an offer of a discount for a few days, I let my Facebook friends and followers know about that.

What is the most valuable lesson you have learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?

Writing used to be something that was done by very few people. At least in terms of what was published. These days, with all the technology available, anyone can become a published author with the click of a button. It’s not for me to say that’s unfair or it’s cutting corners. I’ve worked in book publishing as an editor. I know how hard it can be for people to get published. I do think everyone has a story worth telling. I wish I knew how to cut out a lot of the noise. I wish I had known that it was going to require a lot more effort than I was putting in to get published. Not that I wanted it to be easy. I just thought it would be something I could do to supplement my regular income. But it requires more time, patience, and effort than I felt able to commit. I wish I didn’t have that kind of attitude toward writing, but if I committed more, I’d have to choose who or what would lose more of my time.

What is your favorite quote?

“Outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too dark to read.”

This has always been attributed to Groucho Marx, although there is no source that can verify that. I still think it’s a fantastic quote about books and about life.

Where can we find you?

My two books have dedicated Facebook pages:

https://www.facebook.com/101.Baseball.Managers

https://www.facebook.com/101.Basketball.Coaches

I also have a page dedicated to my writing:

https://www.facebook.com/chris.stolle.writer.editor

I can also be found on Facebook and Instagram:

https://www.facebook.com/christopherstolle

https://www.instagram.com/cstolle76

Is there anything else you want to share?

Give peace a chance. All you need is love. Thanks for reading.

Get Creative With Book Marketing

27 December 2025

International Children’s Book Club Festival - This virtual event is a good book marketing idea. It’s also a reminder to list our book signings and related events on Eventbrite!

31 December 2025

NYE at GCPAC. If I went out on New Year’s Eve, I would wear my “Professional Bookworm” shirt or a jacket with a QR code on the back that leads to my website. What Guerrilla Marketing (low-cost or free) book marketing would you be brave enough to do on NYE?

That’s your Fresh Insights update for this week. Hopefully, it sparked your curiosity and inspired your muse.

Happy New Year!

Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat

Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons and Indie Authors Association founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com), Chris Stolle, Chris McWhirt, Herman Renfro, , , , J.J. Devine, John Sherman, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins (moonsthoughts.com), Mark Saluke, Shea, Mike Nelson, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, , , Teresa Keefer, and Wendy Mayhew.