At the Spinal Dread event, I'm delighted to sign my award-winning book, Born of Dirt & Dust, a collection of speculative fiction filled with psychological horror, urban dread, dark fantasy, and a bitter taste of sci-fi. Bite-sized stories you can sink your teeth into again and again.

Whew! I hope you enjoyed reading the above excerpt from my current novel in progress -- a haunting thriller with the main character's toddler brother as the primary victim of a questionable death.

I gain tremendous pleasure capturing memorable moments chatting with new friends who stop by my booth, ask about my books, my writing process, and me. But most of all, the gift I receive is their friendship and hearing more about their creative spirit, the joys and challenges in their life, and their journey achieving their wildest dreams.

I've always believed that Indie authors bring a special magic to the world of book publishing, especially when it comes to writing niche, unfiltered, authentic stories that shed light and truth about our humanity and the world we live in.

If we choose to listen with an open mind, an open heart, together we can be a light that never fades.

This coming month in June, I'm filling my weekends with opportunities to build more relationships and to be present in our local communities. Where there are opportunities to give back and grow stronger together, to hear from new friends and to highlight their stories, I feel an unbreakable amount of hope that is truly meaningful to me. Every voice matters. Every life brings value. I will always carry your story in my heart.

When we join together and encourage one another, not only do we create a beneficial and embracing community, we also build a creative force that propels us forward together, infinitely. There is always space to showcase your work and always your community to appreciate all that you do.

Live events can be a surprisingly powerful lever for indie authors—not just for selling books, but for building a sustainable career.

At The Untold Story Bookstore, the warm and comforting vibe is very intentional. It's a place where everyone is welcomed to grab a book, take a seat, relax and read for as long as you desire. It's a safe community space, where local poets, writers, readers, artists, jewelry designers, cookie bakers, families and their children come for that cozy feeling of belonging. Of knowing you're embraced by friends.