The Year 2022 in Review
Celebrating the Publication of These Books:
Congratulations to My Clients on Their Award-Winning Books
Reba Ferguson’s A Soul Lives On: A Mother’s Memoir of Grief, Astrology, and the Afterlife (published in 2021) won a Silver Nautilus Award.
Teresa Wilhelm Waldof’s Wilhelm’s Way: The Inspiring Story of the Iowa Chemist Who Saved the Manhattan Project is a finalist for the Benjamin F. Shambaugh Published Book — Iowa History Awards and a finalist for an Independent Author Network Award. The book also earned an honorable mention in the Memoirs/Life Stories category of the Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.
Business News
In 2022 I worked with twenty-five clients, including eight new clients and two former clients returning with new projects.
I also provided pro bono services to a local Black-owned press, Strive Publishing: I did the interior page design and layout for Colnese M. Hendon’s Blend In or Fade Out: A Memoir.
Throughout the year I enjoyed collaborative work with publishing colleagues who provided copyediting, proofreading, cover design, illustration, indexing, and ebook production services to my indie author clients. Thank you to Kellie Hultgren, Madeleine Vasaly, Zan Ceeley, Heidi Peterson, Brittany Dowdle, Erin Lund, Rebecca Neimark, Jeenee Lee, Christian Storm, Zuza Hicks, David Robson, Leanne Franson, Jason Grossman, Sue Klefstad, Eve Morey Christiansen, and Erica Smith. It was a pleasure to work with all of you.
One of my favorite experiences this year was launching the Indie Author Marketing Chats. We had three—in January, April, and September. I created these Zoom gatherings to help my indie author clients find support and inspiration in their marketing efforts. Authors have shared successes, challenges, and great stories about taking their books out into the world. I loved how experienced authors offered their insights and support to newer authors. I also enjoyed reconnecting with some of my clients whose books were published several years ago! I’m looking forward to more marketing chats in 2023. The next one will be held on January 22 and will feature Charity Yoro presenting ways to use email and free tools to market your book. Contact me if you’re not on the list and want to participate!
All in all, I’m proud of our collective accomplishments in 2022, and I feel lucky to work with so many wonderful writers and publishing professionals.