Guerrilla Marketing App for Indie Authors, Author Feature: Stella Fosse, New Book Releases, Poetry Contests, Book Fairs, Events & More
Indie Author Insights November 2025
“In love with words, her lover was a ghost; But silence was the one she loved the most.” ~ Stella Fosse
This is a long update which may be truncated by your email provider. Visit indieauthors.substack.com to view the complete newsletter. Also, I sometimes 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:
Adriano Ariganello, Ahhleeyah Grace, Alberto Rosado, Alvin, AMM, Andrew Van Wey, Back Stories: Karen Jacobs, Bob, Brian Mabry Edwards, Carla Conti, Chris Feliciano, Chris Stolle, Dianna Sandora, Elena Shuvalova, Fleur Hull, Guru Raghunathan, J. B. Velasquez, Jessalyn Jameson, J.J. Devine, Julio Varela, Just Kayla, Karen, Kathy Brunner, Kayla Button, Kelly Cook, Kerith Collins, K.K. Johns, LC Geier, Lily Porter, Lynn Hardin, Marylee Pangman, Author, Mike Nelson (Mike Deeze), Mioara Crenganis Mona Mehas, SCCunningham writes..., The AI Rabbit Hole, TL Clark (Author), Uncovering Florida, Vicki Peel, Ed.D., and Zoë Victoria.
Welcome to Indie Author Insights! We are looking forward to getting to know more about 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 November, Indie Authors, Book Lovers, and Curious Creatives
November is National Life Writing Month.
November 1st is National Authors’ Day and National Family Literacy Day.
November 12th is National Chicken Soup for the Soul Day.
November 29th is Small Business Saturday.
Fun ways to celebrate:
Read a book by your favorite author or a new release (see below).
Support an author: Purchase a book from a favorite author or a new one you’ve been meaning to read. You can find some books on the Substack Bookstore!
Connect with authors: Send a thank you note or message to an author.
Share your love for reading: Post on social media about your favorite books or authors using the hashtag #NationalAuthorsDay.
Inspire new writers: Encourage aspiring authors in your life to start writing their own stories.
Shop at your local bookstore or support them on Bookshop.org. I ordered Julia Cameron’s (one of my favorite authors) new book from there which was a few dollars cheaper than on Amazon and a percentage of my purchase went to the local bookstore Ink Drinkers Anonymous.
Submit a story to Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Locally, I will be celebrating National Writing Month at the Marion Public Library for their Local Author Book Fair on Saturday, November 15, 2025 from 1-3:30 p.m. and at Enchanting Garden on Saturday, November 22, 2025 from 12-6 p.m. Stop by and say hi if you’re in the area. I always give away freebies!
Did you know BookBub has Author Websites in Beta? I created my website in a few minutes. Check it out!
They offer a free 30-day trial, then it’s $9.99 a month. No affiliation, just wanted to share!
Stories From The Orchard
Thank you to everyone who contributed to our first anthology that will launch on Kickstarter in January to crowdfund a local indie author bookstore!
Cameron Chism, Chris Stolle, J.J. Devine, John Sherman, Kay Castaneda, Morgana Shea, Teresa Keefer, Tina Susedik, and Kathy Gerstorff (listing myself reminds me of Snoop Dogg saying, “I want to thank me!”). It really is a lot of work, but I believe it will be worth it.
Author Feature: Stella Fosse
Tell us about yourself.
I’m Stella Fosse, age 72. I write fiction and nonfiction for vivid crones. I’ve just moved from North Carolina to Oregon with my sexy English man friend and zero pets. My hobby is maintaining the carcass so I can keep writing. I also enjoy collage.
How many books have you written?
I have seven books out, six under the Stella Fosse pen name.
Rock On: Power, Sex and Money after 60, Write & Sell a Well-Seasoned Romance: Launch Your Author Adventure in Late-Life Romance, Vampires of a Certain Age: Five Hundred Years of Loving, Brilliant Charming Bastard: Getting Rich is the Best Revenge, The Erotic Pandemic Ball: Tales of Love in Lockdown, and Aphrodite’s Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica After Midlife. There are five more on my To Be Written list.
What is the most recent book you have published?
Rock On: Power, Sex and Money after 60 launched in August 2025. It’s a collection of essays on ten topics of interest to crones including creativity, healthcare, and the stuff in the title. Rock On was just shortlisted for the Nonfiction award from Advantages of Age. I had a mastectomy on Friday and am hoping my surgeon lets me go to the London awards ceremony in November.
What do you hope readers will take away from your book?
The paradox of aging is that there are losses and gains. Society focuses on the losses; we can focus on the gains: the perspectives our long lives provide, the shedding of early conditioning and shame, and the reclamation of our time. And creativity is our superpower.
What was the most challenging aspect of getting your book published, and how did you overcome it?
I used to publish my books with traditional publishers. Then my life partner developed our imprint, Baubo Books, and learned to do everything from production to publication. He’s amazing. If I die first, my writer friends will line up at the door with casseroles and say, “You poor thing! Come live with me and publish my books.”
Plus, my older daughter is a fantastic designer who creates all my book covers. I have no excuse not to publish a book every year.
How did you come up with the idea for your latest book?
I’d been writing essays and blogs for ten years when I went to a workshop with the fabulous Patrice Gopo, who explained exactly how to organize an essay collection and make it sing. Patrice is my shero.
What is your favorite genre?
That’s evolved over the decades, from science fiction to historical fiction to nonfiction. I write multiple genres, too, including revenge novels, vampire novels, books on writing, and now an essay collection.
What is your writing routine, and any specific habits or rituals that have helped you stay productive?
I am a binge writer and mourn the death of National Novel Writing Month. I have no routine. But I agree with Stephen King that the best way to live is to have at all times a book in draft, another in edits, and a third you’re actively marketing. If you’re moving on all three books every day plus hitting the gym, you’re golden.
How do you handle writer’s block or moments when you feel creatively stuck?
Sheer terror gets me through. I just turned 72, and my mother used to say that life is pretty great till 75 and then everything goes to hell. So I figure I have three years left to write all five books on my To Be Written list.
What are you working on next?
My first novel, Brilliant Charming Bastard, was about three women in their sixties with active love lives. But then I thought: How about 500-year-old women? That was the impetus for the Matriarchal Vampires series. Right now I’m revising the draft of The Vampire Vivienne, the prequel to my 2024 novel, Vampires of a Certain Age. Vivienne is a cross dressing swordswoman who fights in the battle of Agincourt in 1415, falls in love with Joan of Arc, renounces the English King and saves oppressed women. Next in that series will be Sibyl the Barber Surgeon.
After that I might finally get around to writing The Books of Zion, the book I most want to write. My dad grew up in a flat earth, faith healing cult and told me so many stories about the place. It’s past time to capture them.
If you could do a book signing anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Powell’s Books in Portland. So exciting to sign books in a war zone.
Where is the most exciting or unusual place you have promoted your book?
We launched Aprhrodite’s Pen: The Power of Writing Erotica after Midlife at Good Vibrations in Berkeley, California. Reading among the racks of sex toys was perfect for that book.
What advice do you have for aspiring authors?
Get Andy Couturier’s book Writing Open the Mind and play with the prompts. Writing is grownup play. Edit later.
What do you love about being an author?
Connecting with readers. Best thing in the world is to read a new reader review. I mean, look at this one: “Stella Fosse has written the ultimate crone atlas to guide us through the life changes we encounter in the decades after menopause. With Rock On, Fosse has given us a vision for options and insights for a future enriched by our native wisdom and fresh independence. If you are a woman over fifty wondering about the path ahead, you need to read this book.” - Billie Best, How I Made a Huge Mess of My Life (or Couples Therapy with a Dead Man)
What do you dislike about being an author?
Nothing. I love it. I was made for it.
What has helped you sell the most books?
No idea. My partner was a marketing VP and tells me I need to track sales data to learn what publicity and marketing is most effective. Definitely my next challenge.
What is the most valuable lesson you have learned on your journey as an author that you wish you had known before you started?
Marketing is part of the job. It begins before you write a word and never ends. If you want to have a good time as an author, learn to make marketing fun.
What is your favorite quote?
When I was a teen, this couplet popped into my head. I’m still trying to grasp it.
In love with words, her lover was a ghost;
But silence was the one she loved the most.
As for quotes by other people, I’ll go with Virginia Woolf: “The older one gets, the more one likes indecency.”
Where can we find you?
I blog and publish a newsletter from my website at: stellafosse.com
My Substack is at: substack.com/@stellafosse
My Facebook page is: facebook.com/StellaFosseAuthor
My LinkedIn page is: linkedin.com/in/stellafosse/
My Instagram is: instagram.com/stella.fosse/
Is there anything else you want to share?
I love Jane Friedman‘s advice to be a good literary citizen, which in my case means mutual support of crone writers. On the tenth of each month I publish a guest blog by a woman author or publisher over 50. If you have a new book you’d like to publicize and your target audience is vivid crones, check out the guest essay submission guidelines on my website at: stellafosse.com/stella-fosse-author/#Submissions
And finally, I want to share how grateful I am to live in a time when authors are our own gatekeepers. I adore the playfulness of writing a first draft and also take very seriously our responsibility as Indie authors to bring material to top quality before publication. Let’s all please read, re-read, edit and re-edit. Keeping Indie quality high benefits us all.
Stella Fosse
Email: stella@stellafosse.com
Website: stellafosse.com
Facebook: facebook.com/StellaFosseAuthor/
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stellafosse
Instagram: Stella Fosse
Substack: stellafosse.substack.com
Check out Stella’s Books and Stories:
stellafosse.com/stella-fosses-books/
The December Author Feature will be Dr. Mike Nelson. 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.
New Book Releases
The Daily Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
I credit Julia Cameron’s book, The Artist’s Way for helping me focus on my creative gifts and think of myself as a writer. Before reading her book, I never felt good enough to call myself a writer. No matter how many college courses or writing workshops I attended I couldn’t overcome the self-doubt and limiting beliefs. Doing “Morning Pages” became part of my journal writing routine and helped me work up the courage to write and publish my first Break the Cycle anthology. The Artist’s Way is the most influential book I’ve read on embracing creativity. I can’t wait to get her new book that encourages consistency in writing and a productive creative artist mindset.
Into The Darkness by J.J. Devine. If you like spicy romance with vampires and witches, check this one out!
Embracing The Old Witch in the Woods by Angela J. Herrington. Angela takes on Christian patriarchy and religious restrictions in a gentle and empowering way with her second book about deconstructing faith and healing from religious trauma.
Scribe Bytes
Gemini popped up a survey that asked on a scale of 1-10 how much their AI feels like an assistant. I gave it an 8 for Nano Banana which I used to create some graphic art designs.
Then, I discovered AI Studio and created a fun app for Guerrilla Book Marketing ideas for indie authors. Check it out and let me know what you think. I’m still playing around with this new technology. It’s mind blowing and fun!
Poetry Contests
Poetry Society of Indiana (PSI) Winter Poetry Contest
I am sponsoring the “Fierce Creativity” category for the PSI Winter Poetry Contest. I’m looking forward to reading and judging the poems for a $100 grand prize. You do not have to be a PSI member or from Indiana to enter this contest. It is open to anyone from anywhere. Check out the PSI website for more categories and details.
. . .
Gut Punch Literary Call for Poetry Submission
John Hinton, Gut Punch Literary founder, is working with Stage 1 Dance Academy for their 3rd Annual Words in Motion project that fuses poetry and dance. They are looking for positive, encouraging poems on the topic of “Family.”
The dancers will select the poems they like best and choreograph dances to interpret the poems. The selected poets will be given the opportunity to read their poem at the performance. Therefore, this opportunity is for Indiana poets only.
Submissions are open until December 13, 2025. One poem per poet. Please email your submissions to gutpunchliterary@gmail.com. Two guidelines: 12-point font, Times New Roman or similar, and no form/shape poetry. Performance of selected poems will be on April 12, 2026, at a location to be determined. If you have any questions, please email gutpunchliterary@gmail.com.
2025 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!
11/8/25 – Mark Saluke, Lucy’s Way Book Signing, Saturday, November 8, 2025, 1-4 p.m., Gas City Public Library, 135 E Main St, Gas City, Indiana.
11/12-16/25 — Christmas Gift & Hobby Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN. Look for Leland P. Gamson at this event.
11/15/25 — Harvesting Our Stories Local Author Book Fair, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 1-3:30 p.m. at the Marion Public Library, 600 S Washington St, Marion, Indiana. Look for Teresa Keefer, J.J. Devine, and me at this event!
11/22/25 — Enchanting Garden Holiday Enchantment, Saturday, November 22, 2025, 12-6 p.m., Enchanting Garden, 110 E 4th St, Marion, Indiana. Come see me 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 November 2025 issue of Indie Author Insights (#67). 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 paid subscribers and Indie Authors Association founding members:
Ashley Gary Johnson of Vita Continuat author of Silent Tears and Tiny Warriors: Lena & Luca.
Bess Sturgis (ghoulianastories.com) author of 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 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.
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.
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 HOPE
lessand Vice President of The Poetry Society of IndianaMike 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.
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.
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: #1. Self-Publishing with Dale, 2. The Life Strategies Playbook & Mentoring Program, and 3. Johnny B. Truant’s Inspired as F**k.
Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!
Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
LOL I used your mischievous app and it came back with the idea of printing medicine bottles with my URL and book title on them and leave them in public places. Not a bad idea accept for the littering part.