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Luck and superstition concept. Happy lady with crossed fingers closed eyes over yellow studio

Like Michael Scott from The Office, I’m not superstitious, but I am a little “stitious.” I don’t open umbrellas inside. I throw spilled salt over my left shoulder. I don’t walk under ladders.

And I never say, “It’s going to be a calm week.”

Because that’s when you know it will most definitely not be a calm week. 

As a startup, most weeks we buckle up and hold on and try to catch this tiger by the tail. There’s a lot we do that mirrors what indie authors do, like keeping up with social media posts, running ads, writing the next release, and making sure our newsletter goes out.  

I had a moment last week when it seemed too calm. Too quiet. Too peaceful. 

It made me nervous. 

I ran through the project lists, obsessively checking missed tasks or things I must have forgotten. I sent frantic Slack messages asking for status reports.  

Nothing was on fire. Nothing broken. I hadn’t missed a major milestone. 

It wasn’t calm before the storm. It was just calm. 

We finally hit the stride the entire team had worked toward for the last nine months since we launched. The processes we’d implemented and the amazing people we’d hired were performing brilliantly. 

I relaxed a little. 

And then I knocked on wood. 

To Your Success, 

Chelle

Chelle Honiker, Publisher

Indie Author Magazine

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Chelle Honiker

Chelle Honiker is an advocate for the empowerment of authorpreneurs, recognizing the importance of authors taking charge of both their craft and careers. In response to this need, she has founded a media and training company dedicated to supporting these creative professionals. As the co-founder and publisher of Indie Author Magazine, IndieAuthorTraining, Indie Author Tools, and Direct2Readers.com, Chelle’s team of more than 80 writers, editors, trainers, and support staff provides resources and insights that help authors navigate the complexities of self-publishing. Her role as the programming director for Author Nation, an annual conference in Las Vegas, further exemplifies her commitment to fostering a community where authors can grow and succeed. With a career spanning over two decades in executive operations and leadership, Chelle has honed her skills in managing complex projects and delivering impactful training programs. Her experience as a speaker and TEDx Organizer has taken her to many countries, where she has shared her insights with diverse audiences.

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