To Bookworm Orchard we go to write, publish, and grow!
Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:
Bruce Landay, Chantal Morgan, Chelsea Day Chevalier, eriestreet.gallery, Greg Maxfield, John E. Dobbs, Pasha Avicenna, LaurieSue, Mark from AGP, Scott Elliott, Sovereign Publishing, Unretired Doug
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.
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.
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.
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 Cathy Shouse 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!
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 Sheri Ann Richerson, 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 Bess Sturgis 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 Bess Sturgis 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 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
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