Becky Parker Geist's Indie Author Journey

Writing, Editing, and Marketing Children’s Books - Interview with Karin Fisher-Golton

In this episode, we sit down with Karin Fisher-Golton, a multi-talented children's book author and specialized editor, to explore the unique landscape of independent publishing for young readers. Karin shares her fascinating journey from using crowdfunding to launch her board book, My Amazing Day, to diving deep into historical research for her time-travel novel, The Clock and the Boulder. We discuss the intricacies of children's book editing, why developmental and structural editing are vital for young audiences, and how to ensure your manuscript hits the right age demographic. Whether you are an aspiring author looking to master your "elevator pitch," a writer interested in the benefits of poetry for honing your prose, or an indie publisher seeking community, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration. * https://karinfisher-golton.com/ [https://karinfisher-golton.com/] * https://www.pacificdogwoodpress.com/ [https://www.pacificdogwoodpress.com/]  * https://www.baipa.org [https://www.baipa.org] * See the video interview on YouTube [https://youtu.be/AWdlnnf7Jjg] #indieauthor #selfpublishing #childrensbooks #crowdfunding #writingtips #bookediting #BAIPA #indiepublishing #authorcommunity

The Copyright Detective – AI's Impact on Publishing - Interview with Dan Miller

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Judy M. Baker sits down with Dan Miller, famously known as "The Copyright Detective," to navigate the complex and rapidly changing landscape of intellectual property in the era of Artificial Intelligence. As AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT continue to evolve, independent authors face new challenges: How much can you use AI before you lose your copyright? Is your work being "scraped" without permission? And most importantly, what practical steps can you take right now to protect your creative assets? Whether you are a novelist, a blogger, or a non-fiction author, this episode provides a much-needed roadmap for "hardening" your work against the digital onslaught. Listen to hear a discussion about the AI Copyright dilemma, the three- month rule, dealing with web scraping, practical AI usage, and avoiding common pitfalls. Learn more about Dan: https://thecopyrightdetective.com/consulting/ [https://thecopyrightdetective.com/consulting/]  Learn more about the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://www.baipa.org [https://www.baipa.org] See the full video interview: BAIPA's YouTube Channel [https://youtu.be/CDWNKIzUmT0]   #IndieAuthor #Copyright #AI #Self-Publishing #WritingCommunity #IntellectualProperty #AuthorsGuild #IndiePublishing #Podcast #BAIPA

Two Years, One Van, No Plan: Patricia Sullivan’s Journey to Kathmandu

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Mike Van Horn talks with Patricia Sullivan, author of Overland Before the Hippie Trail: Kathmandu and Beyond, With a Van, a Man and No Plan. Patricia shares the remarkable true story of a two-year journey she and her husband took in 1965, driving a VW van from Europe through the Middle East and Asia all the way to Nepal and beyond. Patricia discusses how decades later she transformed old journals, letters, maps, and photographs into a compelling memoir, the challenges of writing about experiences from 60 years ago, and what she learned about indie publishing. She also shares the exciting news that Stanford University is archiving and digitizing her original travel materials for future generations. Learn more about Patricia and her book: https://patriciansullivan.com [https://patriciansullivan.com] Learn more about the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://www.baipa.org [https://www.baipa.org] #TravelMemoir #MemoirWriting #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #TravelWriting #AdventureStory #VanLife #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #HistoricalTravel #BookPodcast #WritersLife #Storytelling #BAIPA #IndependentPublishing

Magical Realism in a Debut Novel - Interview with Michelle St. Romain

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Becky Parker Geist chats with Michelle St. Romain, author of the debut novel, "Song of Belonging." Michelle shares her writing journey, the inspiration behind her literary fiction/magical realism novel set in French Louisiana, and the importance of community in independent publishing. Discover how a childhood memory sparked a story of family, mystery, and environmental awareness. Learn more about Michelle and her book: * Michelle St. Romain: https://michellestromain.com [https://michellestromain.com]  * "Song of Belonging" available wherever books are sold * https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Song-of-Belonging/Michelle-St-Romain/9798896361268 [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Song-of-Belonging/Michelle-St-Romain/9798896361268] * Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://baipa.org [https://baipa.org/]   #IndieAuthors #IndependentPublishing #LiteraryFiction #MagicalRealism #SouthernFiction #BookLaunch #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #MichelleStRomain #SongOfBelonging #BAIPA

Celebrating the Divine in Daily Life -  Interview with Susan Kirsch

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Judy Ann Baker sits down with poet and creative practitioner Susan Kirsch to explore an unconventional path to creativity, mindfulness, and spiritual reflection. Susan shares how her unique process—combining intuitive coloring with short-form “praise poems”—helps quiet the critical mind and unlock authentic expression. The conversation dives into her upcoming book Simply Go*d: Praise Poems Celebrating the Divine in Daily Life, a collection rooted in finding meaning, joy, and presence in everyday moments. Drawing from decades of journaling and a background in civic engagement, Susan reflects on shifting from public service to a more personal, artistic calling. Listeners will discover the concept of Ekphrastic poetry, the power of simple creative rituals, and how reconnecting with “source”—whether defined as God, goodness, or nature—can offer a grounding antidote to modern stress and uncertainty. This episode is a thoughtful invitation for writers, creatives, and seekers alike to embrace simplicity, creativity, and mindfulness as tools for both personal healing and meaningful expression. #IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #PraisePoetry  #MindfulCreativity    Susan Kirsch: https://susankirschcreates.com/ [https://susankirschcreates.com/] Buzzworthy Books: https://buzzworthybooks.com/ [https://buzzworthybooks.com/] Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://baipa.org [https://baipa.org/]