Luck in Writing and Life, New Releases, Indie Author Book Signings, Contests, and Events
Indie Author Insights #59 - March 2025
May your words flow like ale at an Irish pub, your stories shine like a pot of gold, and your courage be bold like a Celtic warrior. Keep writing, for every tale is a treasure waiting to be found. ~ WriterKat
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Welcome!
Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects: Albert Linog, Anthony Lance, Chris Strauss, Craig Zaniolo, David Peter Redwood Warner, Gwynne Conlyn, Herman Floyd Renfro, J.B. Juke, Jennifer Dillard, Leslie Flemons, Michael McGeary, and Zara.
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 comment section or emailing kathy@indieauthorsassociation.com.
Getting to know Herman Floyd Renfro.
Herman is a retired Vietnam combat veteran with two purple hearts decorated by awards for bravery under enemy fire. He wrote a book about his experience called From Black Mountain to Blue Skies: A Soldier's Journey Home.
Indie Authors Association & Indie Author Insights Virtual Meeting
The next Indie Author Insights Substack Live will be Saturday, March 8, 2025, 10-10:30 AM Eastern Standard Time. You are invited to hop on during the live and talk about your book or ask any questions about self-publishing. A recording will be sent to paid subscribers.
Luck in Writing and Life
Luck. It’s that elusive, uncontrollable force that either propels us forward or leaves us stranded in the dust. Some people swear by it, while others insist that success is purely a matter of effort. But as indie authors, we exist in a space where talent, persistence, and a sprinkle of serendipity all collide.
Let’s be honest—writing a great book isn’t enough. We’ve all seen incredible novels go unnoticed while a quirky, typo-ridden book takes off like wildfire. Why? Timing, trends, algorithms, and a bit of good fortune.
But here’s the thing: Luck favors those who show up! The more books you write, the more chances you have to be in the right place at the right time. The more you market, the greater the odds that your book will land in front of the right reader. The more you engage with your audience, the more doors open unexpectedly. Luck isn’t just about random chance—it’s about increasing your opportunities to be discovered.
Life works much the same way. We’ve all had moments where a chance encounter changed everything—a conversation that led to an opportunity, a wrong turn that put us in the right place. But those moments don’t happen in isolation. They happen because we take action, because we step outside our comfort zones, even when we don’t feel ready.
How to Create Your Own Luck
Show Up Consistently – Keep writing, keep publishing, keep learning. The more you put yourself out there, the more “lucky” breaks you’ll encounter.
Take Smart Risks – Enter writing contests, pitch to podcasts or create your own, collaborate with other authors. You never know what might lead to something bigger.
Be Open to Surprises – The opportunity that changes everything might not look like what you expected. Stay flexible.
Play the Long Game – Sometimes, luck is just a matter of timing. A book that flopped at launch might suddenly gain traction years later. Stay in the game long enough to reap the rewards.
Luck alone won’t make you a successful writer, but persistence and preparation will make you lucky. So, keep writing, keep showing up, and let the universe do its thing.
New Book Releases
I preordered About Grace the moment I found out it was available. If Barbara Shoup writes it, I'll read it. I have attended her writing workshops and author events at the Indiana Writers Center, Indianapolis Public Library, and a few other places in Indy since the 90s. My dream is to attend her Creative Writing Workshop in Assisi, Italy!
About Grace is a coming-of-age story of a young woman who goes on a healing journey after getting locked up in a juvenile detention facility. It is a rare young adult novel that handles difficult subject matters with compassion, insight, and a touch of humor.
Yule: Wheel of the Witch Book Two by Teresa Keefer
Witches, elves, and romance make this second book in the Wheel of the Witch series a magical experience! Check out Teresa’s author interview about Samhain and the series. Her talk starts at 24:48.
Coming of Age at Forty by Jill Ebstein is the third book in The Alfred Series. Jill has written an offbeat fictional trilogy in which the characters grow, discover, and adapt throughout. Alfred’s Journey to Be Liked starts the series. Alfred is 14 and needs coaching. Hannah’s Journal to Be Happy follows, featuring Alfred’s closest friend, who is angry but journals her way towards understanding. Coming of Age at Forty offers the view that we are never too old to invite change.
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!
March 2025
3/1/25 – Books, Authors & Publishers Fair, Nashville Fairgrounds, Expo Hall 2, 625 Smith Ave Nashville, Tennessee. Look for Dan Klefstad at this event.
3/8/25 - 3/9/25 – Author Con at The Spine Bookshop, Smyrna, Tennessee, 10 AM - March 9, 2025 · 5pm CST. Look for Dan Klefstad at this event.
3/15/25 – DEADLINE for the Mounds State Park Annual Pete Domery Memorial Poetry and Photo Contest. Do you enjoy photographing nature and/or writing poetry? Deadline for entry is March 15th at 4 PM EST. Fee: $1 per entry. Photos must be taken in, or about, Mounds State Park, 4306 Mounds Road Anderson, Indiana. Poetry topics should be about Mounds State Park related topics (prehistory, Bronnenbergs, nature, etc.). Categories are poetry, youth poetry (ages 16 and under), poetry/photography hybrid, photography - plant, photography-people, photography-animals, photography-scenery, photography-youth (ages 16 and under). Stacy Savage and I will be a judge for the poetry category. For contest rules and entry form, please contact Sheree at sbelt2@dnr.in.gov.
3/22/25 – Lexington Book Festival, Saturday, March 22, 2025, 10 AM - 5 PM, 202 N Main Street, Lexington, North Carolina.
April 2025
4/12/25 – Hamilton East Public Library (HEPL) Local Author Fair, Saturday, April 12, 2025, 1-4 PM, at the FORUM Events Center, 11313 USA Pkwy, Fishers, Indiana.
4/19/25 – Poetry Reading, Saturday, April 19, 2025, 2-4 PM, at Minnetrista Nature Area Loop Trail, 1200 North Minnetrista Parkway, Muncie, Indiana with Stacy Savage, Kathy Gerstorff, and other members of the Poetry Society of Indiana. Bring your favorite poems to celebrate Earth Day, National Poetry Month, and the great outdoors with nature-loving friends!
4/26/25 – Indy Author Event, Saturday, April 26, 2025, 12-5 PM, 502 East Event Center, 502 East Carmel Drive, Carmel, Indiana.
May 2025
5/3/25 – Ohioana Book Festival, Saturday, May 3, 2025, State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Ave. #100, Columbus Ohio.
June 2025
6/7/25 – Words & Wonders, Saturday, June 7, 2025, 12-6 PM, Jackson Live & Event Center, 989 C Avenue E, Seymour, Indiana. Look for Sarah Styf at this event.
6/14/25 – Wild Deadwood Reads, Saturday, June 14, 2025, 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM CST, The Lodge at Deadwood, 100 Pine Crest Drive, Deadwood, South Dakota. Look for Teresa Keefer at this event.
6/28-29/25 – Midwest Bookish Fest, Saturday, June 28, 2025, 8 AM - 8 PM, and Sunday, June 29, 2025, 8 AM - 6 PM, Minneapolis Marriott West, 9960 Wayzata Blvd, Minneapolis, Minnesota.
July 2025
7/10-12/25 – Midwest Writers Workshop, Thursday, July 10, 2025 - Saturday, July 12, 2025, Ball State Alumni Center in Muncie, Indiana—or virtually, from the comfort of your own computer. You can sell your books on consignment at this event even if you attend virtually!
7/18-20/25 – Imaginarium Convention, Holiday Inn Louisville East, KY. Look for Dan Klefstad at this event.
7/25-26/25 – Taylor University Professional Writers Conference, Friday, July 25 - Saturday, 26, 2025. You can sell your books on consignment during this event. I plan to attend. Let me know if you register so we can connect to talk shop and share our workshop notes at lunch or dinner!
September 2025
9/6/25 – Beyond the Book, Saturday, September 6, 2025, 9 AM - 3 PM CST, Stark County Library, 152 W Culver Rd, Knox, Indiana.
9/6/25 – Book Bash, Saturday, September 6, 2025, 11 AM - 4 PM EDT, Hyatt Regency Lexington, 401 West High Street Lexington, Kentucky. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.
9/27/25 – Readers and Writers Rendezvous, Saturday, September 27, 2025, 10 AM - 5 PM, Peoria Civic Center Ballroom, 201 SW Jefferson Ave, Peoria, Illinois.
October 2025
10/11/25 – Books By The Arch, Saturday, October, 11, 2025, 10 AM - 3 PM CDT, Drury Plaza Hotel St. Louis At The Arch, 2 South 4th Street St. Louis, Missouri. Look for Bess Sturgis at this event.
10/24-26/25 – The Bloomington Book Festival, Friday, October 24 - Saturday, October 26, 2025, 849 S Auto Mall Rd, Bloomington, Indiana.
November 2025
11/12-16/25 – 76th Annual Christmas Gift & Hobby Show, Wednesday, November 12, 2025 - Sunday, November 16, 2025, Indiana State Fairgrounds. Contact Suzanne Purewal at pspurewal1@aol.com to save money as an author vendor at this event.
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 March 2025 issue of Indie Author Insights (#59). 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 patrons and founding members: Ashley Gary Johnson, Bess Sturgis, Bonnie Lieberman, Herman Floyd Renfro, Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Nancy Nau Sullivan, Sarah Styf, and Teresa Keefer. Thank you for supporting indie authors. We appreciate you!
Kathy Gerstorff
Thanks for your kind words, Kathy. I'd love it if you could come to Assisi!