Guerrilla Marketing Tips From Taylor, Hollywood Script vs Adapted Novel, New Book Releases, Author Workshops & Events
Indie Author Insights #64 for August 2025
August is the season of results. For indie authors it’s a powerful reminder that every word sown can become a book, a breakthrough, or a bold new beginning. ~ WriterKat
Click here to view the complete newsletter online.
Welcome!
Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:
AJ LitSphere, Andreas Lehner, Anita McG, Ayoade Taiwo, Caroline brass, CRAIG JACKSON, Jacqueline, Julie Yonts, laurel, Leonard colebill, Linda Taylor, Marissa Malson, Mark Tomlin, Mike Monson (NIKASHRA), Mzee, Nathalia, Olivia, Peggy D’Adamo, Kyle R, Rob Janicke, Sheena Cundy, Susan, and Warren Brown.
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 August, Book Lovers and Indie Authors!
Can you believe harvest season is upon us? The first week of August is National Farmer’s Market Week. Have you ever set up at a farmers market? I have and can vouch that it’s more work than it appears to visitors. I love farmers markets. It’s a place to not only get fresh produce, but to connect with friends and neighbors. I haven’t set up this year due to health issues, but I’ve attended a few. I’m looking forward to enjoying the harvest from my garden and checking out Fresh Roots, our local farmer’s market.
Unfortunately, health issues also interfered with my long-awaited participation at the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference. I tried to attend a couple sessions, but had to leave early due to not feeling well. Plus, I didn’t want to take a chance on spreading whatever bug I had, which I suspect was the flu. I didn’t have a fever and had gotten past the worst of it, but the constant cough and fatigue kept me away during most of the event. I was very disappointed because it’s my favorite writers conference. I also spent a lot of time and money getting the physical copy of my 62 Book Marketing Tips and Christian Vision Board Kit and Workbook ready to launch at this event.
While I did get the books to the bookstore, I wasn’t able to stay to connect with other authors and talk about the projects. It makes a huge difference! I sold one book. I was upset about it until I realized that I should be rejoicing because I got two projects launched in a few months! It was an experiment. I was gauging interest. Now I know I need to tweak a few things for the next event.
While I was at the bookstore, I snapped a few photos of some good Guerrilla marketing ideas in action that I wanted to share with you. “Guerrilla” marketing is unconventional and low-cost or free marketing strategies that help your product stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Finding Hope When Storms Don’t Cease by Valerie Juillerat
Valerie’s display stood out because it was vertical among hundreds of books lying flat on the tables. She also had a big poster beside her books to draw onlookers in as they walked past the sea of books.
Mary Anne Quinn had an All-His-Kids newsletter email sign up list with her display. Simple. Free, Effective!
Shirley Thacker had a tri-fold color brochure listing all her books and contact info. This is a great way to introduce readers to your work. Plus, she had a sign showing all the charities she helps with her book proceeds.
Zena Dell Lowe was the keynote speaker at the Taylor University Professional Writers Conference. She is a Hollywood scriptwriter and founder of The Storyteller’s Mission. I was only able to catch the first of her three keynote presentations. The theme of Zena’s presentation was Reclaiming Heroism and The Hero Must Rise: Why the World Needs Your Story. It was phenomenal. I hope they have a video replay of her presentations! Here’s a little snippet she shared on X.
https://youtube.com/shorts/JScTTm_QTmg?si=3XxWWB3dFojqEL5x
Listening to Zena made me think about the historical fiction novel I’m working on. Who is the hero of that story? Also, I have thought several times throughout the years about writing a screenplay for the story instead of a novel, and taking it straight to a filmmaker. But, Zena recommends writing the novel because Hollywood loves adapting books to movies!
What she says makes sense! Think about all the book-to-movie production companies. Reese Witherspoon with Hello Sunshine, Shonda Rhimes with Shondaland, and Tosca Musk with Passionflix are a few of my favorite Hollywood producers that adapt books to movies. I’m also inspired by Karen Kingsbury who started a production studio, Karen Kingsbury Productions, to adapt her own books to movies. Dream big, keep the faith, and never give up!
New Book Releases
Decode Your Diagnosis by Paul Cobbin. Paul is releasing several chapters of his book on Substack and using the feedback to make his book better!
Karen Smiley is launching her Everyday Ethical AI book with a free sample chapter giveaway through August 25, 2025. Check out the Scribe Bytes section below to read more about Karen and her one year anniversary podcast featuring me!
The Love Thief by Arielle Ford
I discovered this book through an interview Marianne Williamson did with Arielle Ford. I’m reading it now! I love books about spirituality and personal growth.
Check it out at thelovethief.com
August 16, 2025 at 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Alex Hormozi will launch his latest book, $100M Money Models. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND that you sign up for his book launch event so you see his behind-the-scenes book launch marketing strategies. I attended the book launch event for his last book and can vouch that it’s next level. This FREE event is a must for indie authors who want to scale!
$100M Money Models Book Launch Event Details
Date: August 16, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. PT / 12 p.m. ET / 1 p.m. MT / 2 p.m. CT / 3 p.m. ET
Where: Live on YouTube
Cost: FREE
Register through my link here or visit writerkat.net. I don’t get any money to promote this event. Alex just has cool giveaways for affiliates and I believe it will bring book launch value to you.
If you sign up, you should also get in on the affiliate program because Alex is very generous with his prizes. He also shows you his email sequence and effective book marketing strategies that have helped him sell over a million books!
Fleur Hull created The Substack Bookstore where authors can list a link to one book for free! More links for paid subscribers. I think this is a brilliant idea and wish I would have thought of it. I’m just happy to see authors helping authors!
Win Money for Your Poem with Gut Punch Literary Contest
John Hinton, former President of the Poetry Society of Indiana, and founder of Gut Punch Literary is hosting his first poetry contest. Submissions are open through August 31, 2025. The prompt is “The Most Heartbreaking Moment of Your Life” which is a challenging topic!
I’ve entered two poems so far and have finished a third poem. But, I am hesitating to submit it because it is the most vulnerable poem of the three. I, of course, know I should enter it. Why are the raw poems the hardest ones to publish?!
The top prize is half of the entry fees and the opportunity to be published in the first Gut Punch Literary anthology. To enter the Gut Punch Literary contest, first acknowledge that your poem is original, unpublished, and no AI was used in any way. Then email your poem to gutpunchliterary@gmail.com, and send payment via Paypal or Venmo to that same email address. Good luck. I’m looking forward to reading the anthology, with a box of Kleenex!
Scribe Bytes
Check out my anniversary interview with Karen Smiley. I was her first guest when she started her podcast last year, and she invited me back to talk about what has changed since then. Who would have predicted AI would explode the way it has. Can you imagine where we will be with AI in five years? Subscribe to Karen’s AI6P or She Writes AI updates to find out!
Tom Kuegler started a new YouTube Channel, Creators Long Game, to help authors learn about AI.
“I want to help you amplify yourself with AI, not replace yourself with it. So I’m going to start very basically, showing you the ropes, before getting into more complex topics months later. If you’re overwhelmed, need clarity as a writer, and want to save hundreds of hours of your time, subscribe here!”
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!
8/23/25 — Lloyd Mullins will be participating in a book fair at the Erlanger Branch of Kenton Library, 401 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY, Saturday, August 23, 2025, 11 AM - 2 PM.
8/30/25 — Lloyd Mullins will be doing a book signing Saturday, August 30, 2025, 11 AM - 3 PM, at A to Z Books and More, 2508 Western Ave., Connersville, IN.
9/6/25 – Bess Sturgis (Ghouliana Stories & The Fairy Grandmother) will be at the Lexington Legendary Book Bash, Hyatt Regency Lexington, 401 West High Street Lexington, KY, Saturday, September 6 · 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. EDT
9/20/25 – City Wide Book Fair, Saturday, September 11, 2025, 12:30 - 5 PM, Gary Area Career Center, 1800 E 35th Ave, Gary, IN.
9/27/25 — Readers and Writers Rendezvous Author Expo, Saturday, September 27, 2025, 10 AM - 5 PM, Peoria Civic Center Ballroom, 201 SW Jefferson Ave
Peoria, IL. Look for Teresa Keefer, McKayla Jade, Brian K. Morris, and many other authors at this event. Spaces are still available!10/10-11/25 – Proof: A Midwest Lit Fest, Friday, October 10th - Saturday, October 11th at the Harrison Center, 1505 N Delaware St, Indianapolis, Indiana. Proof was developed by local poets Mitchell L.H. Douglas and Chantel Massey in partnership with Indiana Humanities. This free festival features: a book fair with local vendors, conversations about the literary Midwest, local and regional author readings, connections with publishers and literary magazines, workshops led by experienced writers, bookish activities for children and parents, an open mic with Indiana-based emcees, a local authors mixer. Plus, music, games, food, and drinks throughout the festival.
10/11/25 – Bess Sturgis (Ghouliana Stories & The Fairy Grandmother) will be at Books by the Arch, Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis At The Arch, 2 South 4th Street St. Louis, MO 63102, St. Louis, Missouri, Saturday, October 11th, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m. CDT.
10/18/25 – Petals Tea Shop & Bookstore Book Fair, Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 12–5 PM, at Petals Tea Shop & Bookstore, 3510 Augusta Rd, Booth 529, Greenville, SC.
10/24-26/25 – The Bloomington Book Festival, Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 26, 2025, 849 S Auto Mall Rd, Bloomington, Indiana.
11/12-16/25 — Christmas Gift & Hobby Show, Indiana State Fairgrounds, 1202 East 38th Street, Indianapolis, IN. Suzanne Purewal hosts an author section at this huge event. If you are interested in selling your books and related merchandise at this show, email Suzanne at pspurewal1@aol.com and she will send you the vendor manual and application form.
11/15/25 – LibraryCon!, Saturday, November 15, 2025, 11 AM - 3 PM, Fishers Library, 5 Municipal Drive, Fishers, IN. They are seeking artists with a focus on typical con-related merchandise. Comic books, pop culture, fandom content, etc. Must apply by September 8th.
I ran across this Google Spreadsheet of Author Events. Check it out 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 August 2025 issue of Indie Author Insights (#64). 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 our paid subscribers and founding members:
Jennifer Huston Schaeffer (whitedogeditorial.com)
Thank you for supporting independent authors. We appreciate you!
Kathy Gerstorff
WriterKat
Indie Authors Association
Loving these posts!
Thanks so much for the warm welcome! My debut novel, The Not So Average Life of Average Jane, is a light-hearted mystery following the adventures of Jane Smith, PI. She might be average, but solving murders isn't! https://www.justagoodbook.com/books For anyone who might give it a read--thank you! And I'd love to hear what you think!
I also love the round up of events you posted! I'll definitely be checking those out!