Mother’s Day, Mental Health, Scribe Bytes, Substack Directory, and Other Guerrilla Book Marketing Opportunities
Indie Author Insights #61 - May 2025
"To every mother writing through the quiet hours, holding space for others while healing herself—you are proof that strength is not the absence of struggle, but the courage to grow through the chaos." ~ WriterKat
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Welcome!
Let’s welcome new subscribers by checking out their books, newsletters, or other creative projects:
, Candice Gables, Pattson, , , , Lindsey Fry, , Patricia Grenelle, , , and Tracy of .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.
Introducing Scribe Bytes
I am honored to be included in
’s Women in AI and Data list. I have been interested in technology since I ran my fingers across a MacIntosh keyboard in the mid 80s. I thought about creating a separate newsletter solely focused on AI for writers, but I think I’ll start in this newsletter and see if it warrants further expansion.What I love about AI is that it gives more than one answer at a time. For example, I used ChatGPT to find out what’s going on in May that may be of interest to independent authors. I knew it was Mother’s Day of course. This will be my first Mother’s Day without my mother. On Mother’s Day, I plan to visit her grave for the first time since her funeral.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month which provides an opportunity to share about your books that touch on this topic. You could also write about mental health in your newsletter and share a link to any of your books at the end.
May is also the month of graduations. Do you have a YA novel, SciFi, Romantasy, or a personal development book that would make a great gift for a graduate? Now is the time to talk about it.
AI also suggested, “How to Set up a Summer Book Club Around Your Novel.” Doesn’t that make you want to know more? If you’re interested, I’ll expand on it in the next newsletter.
I also like the #IndieAuthorSpringShelfie contest idea to post creative photos of your books in bloom. I looked up that hashtag and it doesn’t exist. I’m going to experiment with it during the month of May and report back in June. I challenge you to jump on this free book marketing opportunity or stay tuned for promo posts on Notes, Facebook, Instagram, X, and LinkedIn.
Substack Library
Did you know you can add your book to the Substack Library?!
New Book Releases
“In a world where YouTube and ChatGPT make knowledge widely accessible, environment, accountability, and a sense of belonging matter more than ever.” ~
$10K Secrets by , , , and
If you publish nonfiction books, take note of this genius email-building marketing funnel. A short book written by successful authors who collaborated to create a newsletter publication on Substack, with a paid subscription that entices you to sign up for a year. Brilliant. I’m looking forward to learning more of their secrets!
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!
May 2025
5/3/25 – Ohioana Book Festival, Saturday, May 3, 2025, State Library of Ohio, 274 E. First Ave. #100, Columbus Ohio.
5/3/25 – Leland P Gamson will sign his books at the 6 Day Farm, 5039 S 600, Jamestown, Indiana, Saturday, May 3, 2025, 10 AM - 4 PM.
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 and Bess Sturgis 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. This is my favorite writers’ conference. Let me know if you register so we can connect to talk shop and share our workshop notes at lunch or dinner!
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 May 2025 issue of Indie Author Insights (#61). 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,
, , , Leland P. Gamson, Lloyd Mullins, Nancy Nau Sullivan, , and Teresa Keefer. Thank you for supporting aspiring and independent authors!Kathy Gerstorff
P.S. The next Indie Author Insights Substack Live will be Saturday, May 10, 2025, at 6 PM 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!