This past summer, I reunited with my online writing group of ten years for an in-person weekend retreat. We filled our time with laughter, books, and conversations about writing that stretched from late in the evening to early in the morning. I have to be honest; I didn’t write nearly as many words as I’d planned going into the trip. But I left feeling excited about my works-in-progress and with my creative well overflowing—and that was so much more important.
As much as authors’ careers can be fueled by a love of storytelling, they also thrive on community, in any and every form. Starting November 1, both published and aspiring authors will take on ProWritingAid’s fifty-thousand-word Novel November writing challenge and encourage one another over the finish line. Later this month, authors and publishing professionals throughout the industry will convene in Las Vegas for the 2025 Author Nation conference, the largest indie author conference in the world. Throughout the remainder of 2025 and beyond, authors will forge friendships and business collaborations through virtual publishing communities or connect with writers locally or at in-person events, finding spaces for inspiration, encouragement, and connection wherever they can.
No matter what form they take, the partnerships and creative spaces we foster as indie authors are essential. They won’t always directly increase our sales or grow our businesses—though some do, as those authors who participate in multi-author series or collaborative projects can tell you. They will always fuel us as creatives, however, giving us space to celebrate or commiserate. Community helps us work through the challenges of publishing, continue creating when inspiration wanes or burnout looms, and adapt our businesses to changes in the industry.
This month, as authors of every experience level come together in so many different arenas, we’re celebrating the connections formed within the industry—the same kind that inspired this magazine in 2019. We’re also sharing how Indie Author Magazine will grow its support for authors in the coming year, with new publications and avenues for supporting authors at every stage. Writing can often feel like a solo venture, but publishing? In my experience, it’s far from lonely. And I am so excited to be there beside you all for the journey.
Nicole Schroeder
Editor in Chief
