Indie Author Day

By Cameron Rasmusson
Reader Staff

In the world of independent publishing, there’s no limit to creativity. It’s a fact worth celebrating when East Bonner County Library District teams up with the Idaho Writers League and regional authors for Indie Author Day.

Set for Saturday, Oct. 14, at the Panida Little Theater from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. there is no better event in the year for supporting independent authors and learning about their work. The day will feature readings and discussions with regional independent authors, as well as presentations offering tips on breaking into the art.

“I’m excited that local writers, publishers, editors and librarians will be collaborating and sharing experiences and advice on writing, editing and the successful marketing of books,” said event participant and Lost Horse Press Publisher Christine Holbert.

According to Marcy Timblin, library public relations director, organizers have put together a great lineup of authors for Independent Author Day. Exhibitors include Holbert; Tim Martin, author of “On Death and Flying;” Dawn Brinker, author of “Edgar and Me;” Tom Reppert, author of “The Far Journey” and “The Captured Girl;” Ken Fischman, author of “Sleeping with Wolves” and representing for “The Great Potato Murder” by Mary Haley; Jerry Ferrara, author of “Wild North Idaho;” Bill Percy, author of “Nobody’s Safe Here;” Deborah Elster, author of “Only From Heaven;” and Jennifer Lamont Leo, author of “You’re the Cream in My Coffee.”

Indie Author Day kicks off with a talk by the keynote speaker: Kitty Fleischman, publisher and editor of IDAHO Magazine. Fleischman will break down the ins and outs of writing for magazines before a brief break, after which, several independent authors will read excerpts from their books. Next comes the Indie Author Day video stream, which covers educational topics like marketing your books, writing fantasy novels, using pressbooks, budgeting the costs of self-publishing and producing a professional book.

The day continues after a lunch break with a panel of writers moderated by Kathleen Clayton, president of the Idaho Writers League in Sandpoint. Panelists, including Holbert, Martin, Fleischman, Communiqueink editor Bonnie McDade and Keokee Publishing president and founder Chris Bessler, will break down the challenges and opportunities in the world of independent publishing.

Another round of author readings follows later in the afternoon. Finally, Clayton will emcee more writing presentations, this time offering tips on writing memoirs or family histories and getting wired for storytelling.

All in all, Holbert believes it’s shaping up to be a valuable day for writers regardless of whether they’re seeking a publisher or going the self-published route.

“You may or may not know this truth — agents, magazines, journals, editors, publishers are all looking for a reason to say NO. Myself included,” said Holbert. “I want to find brilliant writing, don’t get me wrong. The terrible poems/stories/novels are an easy NO, and the exceptional ones are an easy YES, but quite often, you read a lot of ‘good’ writing, just waiting for it to head in one of two directions — screw up, and turn south, so it can be rejected right away, or, ‘keep going, tension increasing, lyrical voice, out of breath, spent, what a poem/story/novel!’”