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.

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.

Welcome to the first episode of Author Notes, a new solo series where I’m pulling back the curtain on my writing life and sharing what I’m learning in real time as an indie author.

As I work on my second novel, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to navigate the publishing world. It’s not just about writing the book. It’s also about distribution, strategy, visibility, and building real connections with readers. In this episode, I talk about what I’ve learned from publishing my debut, Undercurrents of Love, and how I’m thinking differently about platforms like Amazon, Kobo, and going wide.

We’ll dive into why building your own newsletter is crucial (because Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page and platforms don’t give you reader data), how I approach series bingeability, and the importance of developing strong character voice guides. I also share what I’m learning about audiobook production and rights management because that’s a whole other layer of decision-making as an indie author.

I’m also exploring in-person events and direct sales, because visibility matters but so does sustainability. Indie publishing is a balancing act, and I’m figuring it out one decision at a time.

If you’re an indie author, an aspiring writer, or a reader curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is honest, practical, and meant to help you think strategically about your own author journey.

Sound Bites

"Building your own newsletter is crucial."
"Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page."
"Series bingeability keeps readers hooked."

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Author Notes
05:48 The Challenges of Indie Publishing
11:56 Writing Process and Discovery Drafting
17:55 Audiobook Production and Rights Management

Resources:

Book Funnel https://bookfunnel.com/
Draft2Digital https://draft2digital.com/
Libby by Overdrive https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby
Kobo Writing Life https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/p/writinglife
Amazon KDP https://kdp.amazon.com
Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/

Buy my eBook or paperback book:
https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

In this episode of Book Craft, I’m joined by author and event organizer Cathrine Swift, and this conversation was such a joy.

Cathrine started her journey at an early age; her love of storytelling and event planning turned into a career as a multi-genre indie author, event organizer, and passionate community builder.

She shares how discovering the indie publishing world changed her path, what it was like returning to writing after becoming a mom, and why supporting other writers has become such an important part of her work.

We also dive into the realities of self-publishing, balancing writing with marketing, and why focusing on the creative work still matters most.

If you’re an indie author, aspiring writer, or curious about publishing and community-building, this episode is full of insight and encouragement.

Find Cathrine on Instagram at:

https://www.instagram.com/authorcathrineswift/

Or her business page:

https://www.instagram.com/talesandtrinketsevents/

This week on Bookcraft, I’m showing up a little under the weather—but still showing up. Croaky voice and all, I wanted to share a short, honest reflection on what it really looks like to learn a new craft in the bookish world.

Whether it’s writing, podcasting, or building something new, the learning curve can feel steep and uncomfortable. In this episode, I’m talking about embracing that messy middle, finding joy in the challenges, and why the author community makes all the difference when you’re figuring things out. (Insert, I'm so grateful to my author friends with great suggestions!)

I’m also sharing a few practical tips for navigating your own creative learning journey—setting realistic goals, celebrating small wins, and giving yourself permission to be a beginner. I feel like writing book 2 in my series has set me back a bit but that might just be me being sick.

If you’ve been trying something new (and feeling a little wobbly about it), this episode is for you.

P.S. While I strive to have episodes published every Thursday, my voice was terrible all week but I still wanted to show up and record. I'll be back to regularly scheduled podcast day next week.

This week on Bookcraft, I’m doing something a little different. Instead of an interview, I’m sharing a solo episode about literary events, reader retreats, writing retreats, and why community has become such an important part of my creative life.

I talk about my journey as a debut author and what it was like writing my first book largely on my own. I realized I needed a writing community, and this realization led me to start creating spaces for both writers and readers to come together. From focused writing retreats designed to help you actually get the work done, to reader weekends built around rest, connection, and the joy of reading without guilt, this episode is all about giving yourself permission to slow down.

I also officially introduce The Reading Table, a slow, immersive, sensory literary experience I’ve been dreaming about for months. Centered around Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson, this month-long experience blends reading with food, memory, culture, and identity — inviting readers to spend time with a book in a deeper, more intentional way.

This episode is for readers, writers, food lovers, and anyone who’s craving meaningful creative connection. No matter how you enjoy books, there is a place for you here.

Don't have my debut novel Undercurrents of Love yet? Order here:

https://tinyurl.com/2974wuts
Amazon com

https://tinyurl.com/276bs4jf
Amazon ca

https://www.colleenheidecker.com/
My website

In this episode of Book Craft, host Colleen Heidecker sits down with Canadian paranormal romance author Scarlett Moro, and honestly? This conversation is a treat.

Scarlett opens up about her ambitious publishing plans, her writing rituals (timers, cozy vibes, and dogs included ), and what it really looks like to balance creativity with the realities of marketing and self-publishing. We talk candidly about social media burnout, building a community of true super-fans, and why writing what you love matters more than chasing trends.

We also dive into romance spice levels 🌶️, the importance of content warnings, Kindle Unlimited pros and cons, and the behind-the-scenes challenges of platforms like Ingram.

Scarlett shares thoughtful insights on local bookstores, in-person events, and how meaningful reader connections can be just as powerful as big online reach.

Whether you’re a romance reader, an indie author, or someone curious about the modern publishing landscape, this episode is packed with honesty, encouragement, and practical wisdom.

📚 About Scarlett Moro
Scarlett Moro is a Canadian author of paranormal romance known for emotionally rich stories, strong characters, and unapologetic passion for the genres she loves. When she’s not writing, she’s learning the ever-evolving world of self-publishing, connecting with readers, and building a career on her own terms.

👉 Learn more about Scarlett and her books: scarlettmoro.com

https://www.instagram.com/authorscarlettmoro/

🎧 Listen in for conversations about:
• Writing routines & creative discipline
• Marketing struggles authors don’t talk about enough
• Romance spice levels & reader expectations
• Community-building over chasing algorithms
• Self-publishing realities (KU, Ingram & beyond)

If you love honest author conversations and behind-the-scenes book talk, this episode is for you.

In this episode of Book Craft, I’m joined by Canadian poet Kim Germsheid, author of A Collection of Ashes, for a heartfelt conversation about poetry, loss, and finding the courage to finally share your work.

Kim has been writing poetry since childhood but always kept it private. Everything changed after a devastating house fire in 2022 destroyed her home—and all of her writing. That loss became the catalyst for publishing her first collection, transforming grief into something deeply resonant and powerful.

We talk about the surprising ways poetry connects with readers, Kim’s unique approach to sharing her work at markets, the realities of self-publishing, and her upcoming second poetry collection.

This episode is a beautiful reminder that writing the book is only a small part of the journey—and that sometimes, the work finds its readers exactly when it’s meant to.

Find Kim on these platforms:

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/mrs.eddie.vedder/

Indigo Books https://tinyurl.com/vr524fd5

Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0BYRGZY8W

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Kim Germsheid

01:00 The Journey to Writing Poetry

03:10 Connecting with Readers Through Poetry

07:51 The Role of Libraries in Accessibility

11:51 Navigating Author Events

16:27 The Challenges of Self-Publishing

21:55 Upcoming Projects and Future Collections

27:37 Book Trends and Personal Preferences

What does it really take to run a successful Kickstarter as an indie author—and live to tell the tale? 😅

In this episode of Book Craft, I’m joined by author Amanda Rautio, who just wrapped up her first-ever Kickstarter campaign (and exceeded her goal ). We dig into the realities of crowdfunding, from managing expectations and print runs to why Kickstarter has become such a powerful tool for indie authors.

Amanda also shares how her academic background in classical history shaped her novel, The Tale of Kore, her approach to writing fantasy rooted in Greek mythology, and why deep research is just as important as inspiration when it comes to rich, immersive storytelling.

We talk in-person events, book marketing, the many hats of self-publishing, and the pros and cons of platforms like IngramSpark and Amazon—no sugarcoating here.

Plus, we peek ahead at what’s next for Amanda, including a delightfully dark new project set in a metaphysical circus.

If you’re curious about Kickstarter, indie publishing, fantasy worldbuilding, or building a loyal readership one book (and one event) at a time, this episode is packed with insight—and a few honest laughs along the way.

Where to find Amanda:

https://www.themythosmith.ca/
https://www.instagram.com/themythosmith/

Takeaways

*Amanda Rautio successfully completed her first Kickstarter campaign, exceeding her goals.
*Crowdfunding is a vital tool for indie authors to manage print runs and pre-orders.
*In-person events help build recognition and a loyal readership.
*Research is crucial for Amanda's writing, especially in Greek mythology.
*The Tale of Kore was inspired by Amanda's academic background in classical history.
*Amanda emphasizes the importance of managing expectations during crowdfunding campaigns.
*Self-publishing requires wearing many hats, including marketing and distribution.
*Ingram Spark presents challenges for indie authors, similar to Amazon.
*Amanda's writing process involves a mix of inspiration and extensive research.
*Future projects include a dark fantasy set in a metaphysical circus.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Amanda Rautio and Her Journey
02:57 Kickstarter Campaign Insights
05:58 Managing Expectations in Crowdfunding
09:08 In-Person Events and Community Engagement
11:59 Research and Inspiration for Writing
14:59 Exploring Greek Mythology in Writing
17:59 The Rise of Haduwas: A New Adventure
21:02 Writing Process and Research Methodology
25:59 The Underworld Journey and Absurd Rituals
28:52 Easter Eggs and Reader Engagement
30:00 Series Structure and Future Works
31:00 Exploring New Dark Fantasy Concepts
32:35 The Challenges of Self-Publishing
34:34 Finding the Right Editor
36:37 Navigating the Publishing Landscape
39:16 In-Person Sales and Market Strategies

It's that time of year for many readers out there where they've got all the holiday books and no where to put them!

Today I am talking about a book unhaul I just did but in a bit of a different way. What books I am unhauling are ones I never really wanted on my shelves.

Take a listen to find out more and how some of the book unhauling I'm seeing online is problematic IMO.

And, haven't bought a copy of my book yet? Well this is definitely a book you'll want to keep forever. Buy it online at any of these locations:

https://tinyurl.com/2974wuts

Amazon com


https://tinyurl.com/276bs4jf

Amazon ca


https://www.colleenheidecker.com/

My website (hint, then you can get a signed copy!)