LitCon, Hiking, Merch, Music & More

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

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!

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?

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 Meg Heckman 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?

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?

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, 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.