“The truth is, no one of us can be free until everybody is free.” ~ Maya Angelou
This is a long update which may be truncated by your email provider. Visit indieauthors.substack.com for all the news!
I hope you are staying cool. I’m busy with the bookstore and writing projects. I submitted my poem for the Rattle Poetry Contest where the grand prize is $15,000.00!
Wouldn’t it be amazing to win that much money for one poem? I would even be happy to win the $5,000 Readers Choice award or the $500 consolation prize!
If you write poetry, don’t let this opportunity pass you by! The deadline is July 15, 2026, 11:59 PM (EDT).
https://rattle.com/page/rppguidelines/
Craig Martelle is offering an amazing opportunity for a science fiction or thriller writer to co-author a book with him.
Craig has published over 200 books and is the founder of 20Booksto$50K, the Las Vegas Indie Author Convention now known as Author Nation, and Successful Indie Author. If I wrote in those genres, I wouldn’t hesitate to throw my hat in the ring!
Be quick if you’re interested because he’s closing the window soon!
I’m sharing this more as an inspiration for other successful authors to follow suit. Mentoring an aspiring author is a wonderful way to give back to the writing community!
Adobe is offering a virtual “field trip” for creatives to LEVEL UP and learn: The Art of Self-Promotion: Marketing Yourself as a Creative Professional - Simple ways to build your presence, share your work, and get noticed, Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 2–3 PM EDT .
Speaking of the art of self-promotion, James Patterson wins the award for his new book, Rocket’s Red Glare (Bookshop Affiliate Link, Amazon Affiliate Link). He posted it not as an ad, but as CNN Breaking News. That’s great guerrilla book marketing!
P.S. Check out James Patterson’s A+ content on Amazon. Bravo to whoever designed his page. It’s an inspiration to the graphic artist in me and a reminder to add A+ content to my next book!
I prefer Substack, but I like to check out other platforms to see what’s happening in the indie author community, and I love technology!
TikTok has a BookTok contest going where authors (and book lovers) can win up to $3,000 promoting books!
Get paid to promote my books and help others along the way—I’m in. I just need to clone myself to have enough time to do everything!
This Tiktok marketing strategy has me thinking about how we can do something similar on our preferred platform. What do you think Substack Team?
As a writer and indie author, there is one conference I never miss if I can help it—The Taylor University Professional Writers Conference! It’s my favorite conference for many reasons. Let me count the ways:
It’s close to home! I love that it’s only a 15 minute drive.
It’s a small, intimate gathering of writers and book lovers! Big events drain me and make me want to retreat to my room, which is why I’ve never attended Author Nation, even though I want to.
Attending authors can sell their books on consignment during the event. A few hundred book lovers looking to buy books with the money they saved going to this writers conference? Yes, please!
We can meet one-on-one with the presenters/faculty/experienced authors at the event and get priceless advice!
FREE headshots! Have you priced professional photographs lately? Indie author and Bookworm Orchard co-owner, Teresa Keefer said she paid $150 for a headshot for her book cover. Bookworm Orchard is offering headshots for $50 on July 25th, which is very cool because it’s from a recent high school graduate, Ari Brown, who is going to college in the fall to study photography. But, if you can get headshots included in the price of admission, why not take advantage of the opportunity?!
Hang out with other authors! I always meet someone new and reunite with authors I met from previous events. I especially enjoy meeting my subscribers in person!
Learn something new about writing, publishing, and book marketing. Do you love to learn? Me too, and I always do at this event.
Get inspiration for a blog post, newsletter, or book. I leave with a notebook full of notes that I love to share with other authors!
Me time. I’m making Julia Cameron proud with a long overdue artist date!
Beautiful, peaceful campus that makes me feel like I’m in college again. I’ll take all the anti-aging adventures I can get!
It’s not too late to join me! I’m attending the General Conference, July 24-25, 2026. They also have Pre-Conference Tracks for self-publishing and fantasy writing, July 23-24, 2026. Check it out at taylorprofessionalwritersconference.weebly.com/
P.S. Steven James, the keynote speaker, has a podcast called The Story Blender. I’m checking it out now.
The first interview I see is with Zena Dell Lowe who was the keynote last year. I missed most of her presentation and the conference because I was sick. Praying to stay healthy this year!
T.N. Finn is the Bookworm Orchard featured author of the month. Check out her books at Bookworm Orchard (428 S Washington St, Suite 101, Marion, IN. Summer Hours: Thursday-Saturday, 10 AM - 6 PM) or online at tnfinn.com (Bookshop link - choose your bookstore, Amazon affiliate link).
Check out these indie author new releases!
Reprisal (Blood Reckoning Book 5) by Teresa Keefer (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Trials by Shae Smith (Amazon Affiliate Link)
Under the Bubble by Mona Mehas (Bookshop Affiliate Link, Amazon Affiliate Link)
Iron Oath Sentinels by Lynda Cox (Bookshop Affiliate Link, Amazon Affiliate Link)
Special thanks to Indie Author Insights patrons for supporting this newsletter and indie authors. We appreciate you! Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat, Bess Sturgis, Chris McWhirt, Chris Stolle, Fleur Hull, Jill Ebstein, J.J. Devine, Karen Smiley, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Mark Saluke, Morgana, Michael Deeze, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Coley Crawford, Paul Cobbin, Sarah Styf, Sheri Ann Richerson, Teresa Keefer, Tina Susedik, and Wendy Mayhew.
Book Marketing, Networking & Selling Opportunities
Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest - Friday, October 2, 2026, 6-9 PM and Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10 AM - 8 PM, at the Harrison Center and surrounding neighborhood of downtown Indianapolis. Readings, conversations, opportunities to meet others in the literary community, book signings with authors, and plenty of literary activities for the whole family. Their website shows, “Registration opens later this summer” so keep watch on their website or social media if you want to set up at this event.
Attention thriller and horror writers! Bookworm Orchard has room for ten more authors at our Halloween Party, Book Signing Event & Paranormal Investigator’s Panel on Saturday, October 31, 2026 from 1 - 8 PM. If you are 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:
Do you have an upcoming book signing or event to share? Post in the comments or email kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.
Sandy Day, AtoZ Ebook Conversion, Stella Borzoni, Hold On for Dear Life, Victoria, The Journalizer Susan Hornik, Lorena Mayoral, Jolee Donnelly, Curiously Delulu, Coley Crawford, lexlucid, Matthew Holvey, Chris Trammell- On Life Work., Susan Hanniford Crowley, Stephen Kogon, Dylan, and Glenna Gill
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.
Thank you for reading the July issue of Indie Author Insights (#75). 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.
Thanks also to the Substack Publications recommending Indie Author Insights! Here are the top three:
Thank you for supporting independent authors. Write on!
I hope you have a safe and fun July 4th holiday!
Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Bookworm Orchard
P.S. I will do a live update next Monday at 2 PM (est), Join me if you can and let’s talk books! (A recording will be sent to paid subscribers.)
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