Author Notes: Kickstarter, Retreats, and the Reality of Indie Publishing

Reading Retreats are Magic - even Martha Stewart Agrees

In this episode of Bookcraft, I’m taking you behind the scenes of hosting a reading retreat and sharing everything I learned from creating a cozy, restorative experience for book lovers. We talk about choosing the right location, planning the logistics, creating a relaxing atmosphere, and all the little details that make guests feel cared for — from meals and comfort touches to encouraging people to truly unplug and slow down for a weekend. I also share why I think reading retreats are about so much more than just books. They’re an opportunity to reconnect with yourself, step away from the constant noise of everyday life, and spend intentional time resting, reading, and being present. Plus, of course, we add some fun extras like chocolate making - yum!! If you’ve ever dreamed about attending a reading retreat, hosting one yourself, or simply creating more space for rest and creativity in your life, this episode is for you. So grab your biggest mug of coffee or tea, get cozy, and let’s talk all things reading retreats.

Author Notes: Kickstarter, Retreats, and the Reality of Indie Publishing

Welcome back to Bookcraft and to another episode of Author Notes, where I share what I’m learning in real time as an indie author balancing writing, publishing, events, and all the moving pieces in between. In this episode, I’m giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening lately — from organizing literary retreats and planning future events, to exploring Kickstarter as a way to help fund and grow my book series. I talk about what I’m learning about crowdfunding for authors, why pre-launch support matters so much on Kickstarter, and some of the things indie authors should think about before launching a campaign. I also share a few lessons from working on book two, the challenges of balancing writing with marketing and community-building. Plus some thoughts on the ongoing ARC and early review conversations happening in the publishing world right now. This episode is honest, practical, and a little bit of a creative life update all rolled into one. If you’re an indie author, aspiring writer, or someone curious about the behind-the-scenes of publishing and literary events, I hope you’ll find something helpful here. And I’m also very excited for more interviews coming up in Season 2. 💛 Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Bookcraft Podcast 01:00 Events and Retreats: A Creative Journey 04:13 Kickstarter Insights: Crowdfunding for Authors 08:08 Writing Process: Lessons Learned from Book Two 11:56 Community and Networking: The Author's Dilemma 16:08 ARC Controversies: The Challenges of Early Reviews 24:00 Looking Ahead: Future Plans and Podcast Updates Resources Kickstarter - https://www.kickstarter.com/ [https://www.kickstarter.com/] StoryGraph - https://app.thestorygraph.com/ [https://app.thestorygraph.com/] Draft2Digital - https://draft2digital.com/ [https://draft2digital.com/] Barnes & Noble Publishing - https://www.barnesandnoble.com/ [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/] NetGalley - https://www.netgalley.com/ [https://www.netgalley.com/] Don't have a copy of my debut novel yet? Never fear you can find it here: https://www.colleenheidecker.com/ [https://www.colleenheidecker.com/]

Season 2 - Writing Retreats, Messy Edits, and Finding Your Focus

In this episode of Bookcraft, I’m sharing a little behind-the-scenes look at what’s been happening lately — from a cozy writing retreat to some very real lessons learned while editing a long manuscript. I recently spent time at a writing retreat that I hosted, and it reminded me just how powerful it is to step away from everyday life and give yourself space to focus. No laundry, no distractions — just time to think, write, edit, and actually move your projects forward. I talk about what we worked on, why these environments are so impactful, and what I’m thinking about for future retreats. We also dive into my editing process (including tackling a 75-chapter manuscript 😅), what’s working, what’s not, and how I’m approaching restructuring, plot inconsistencies, and writing out of order. I share some honest reflections on the mental load of big creative projects, plus a few practical things that are helping — like using dictation during long drives and staying consistent even when life gets busy. This episode is a mix of cozy retreat vibes, real talk about the writing process, and a reminder that creativity doesn’t happen by accident, it happens when we make space for it. If you’re a writer, a reader, or somewhere in between, I think you’ll find something in here for you. Find my debut novel Undercurrents of Love on my website: https://www.colleenheidecker.com/ [https://www.colleenheidecker.com/]

Readers love events too!

Hello Book Crafters! Today I wanted to chat about reader events, how to think about them and create them. I have been offering events for years as I've always worked in Hospitality. But, I had to put myself into the mind of a reader that wanted to invest in an event like a retreat and find a way to better communicate all the exciting things that will happen at the event. Plus, we're going international next year! May 2027 we're going on a Reading Retreat to the Bahamas. I can't wait to be your guide for an epic adventure! Let me know too, what are some events that you love.

Author Notes: March 2026

Welcome back to Book Craft podcast and another episode of Author Notes, where I share what I’m learning in real time as an indie author building a book career from the ground up. This week I’m talking about something that every indie author eventually has to figure out: book distribution and discoverability. After publishing my debut novel Undercurrents of Love, I’ve been learning a lot about how different platforms actually work — and why relying on just one marketplace, especially Amazon, can really limit your reach. In this episode, I break down what it means to “go wide” with your book distribution, why platforms like Kobo, Draft2Digital, and library systems can open up entirely new audiences, and some of the common pitfalls new authors run into when they’re navigating publishing decisions for the first time. We’ll also talk about the importance of reader reviews, building trust with your audience, and why constantly moving your book between platforms can do more harm than good. If you’re an indie author, an aspiring writer, or just curious about what happens behind the scenes in the publishing world, this episode is a candid look at the strategy side of self-publishing and what I’m learning along the way.