Yesterday was the premier of Indie Author: A documentary for all those who dare to dream.
This is a project that started several years a go when filmmaker Adam Grady approached myself and Robin because he wanted to do a documentary about us and our lives. We laughed and told him he was nuts. Then we explained that no one would be interested in such a thing. After our initial phone call, I thought we had adequately dissuaded him. But like a bad penny he kept coming back. We were impressed my his persistence, but still questioned his sanity. His passion for making a documentary was unmistakable, and we have a soft spot for creative people trying to live their dream.
So finally, Robin came up with a compromise: “While I don’t think anyone will be interested in a movie about us, they might be interested in one about the “Indie Author” movement. I can reach out to some friends of mine, and maybe something with that expanded reach “might” be worth doing.
So back in October of 2023 a Kickstarter was launched – and fully funded! So Adam and his director of photography, Dustin Wood started filming. Much of it was done at our house in Virginia (and “the shop” – a converted church which serves as our warehouse), but he also traveled to Ontario Canada, Orlando Florida, Chicago Illinois, and a few other locations.
Yesterday the 90-minute film was premiered right here in Luray VA. People flew from all over North America: Alberta, Philadelphia, Portland Oregon, New Hampshire, Texas, Boston, Orlando, too many people and places for me to remember.
To be honest, I didn’t know what to expect. More than 70 hours of “ramblings” was somehow cut down to 90 minutes of independent authors explaining their trials, tribulations, just how hard the business of writing is, and ultimately how they succeeded. It’s an inspirational tale great for anyone who dares to dream and a must-watch for those seeking to tell their own tales through the written word.
Here is a list of some of the authors who were featured:
- Andy Wier, author of The Martian and Hail Mary
- Travis Baldree – audiobook narrator and author of Legends and Lattes
- Will Wight – author of the Cradle Series
- Michael J. Sullivan – some nobody whose written a fair number of fantasy books
- Bryce O’ Conner – founder of Wraithmarked Creative and author of The Mark of Kings
- A.C. Cobble – author of Benjamin Ashwood, Cartographer, King’s Ranger, Wahrheit and founder of Merrick Books
- M.L. Wang – author of Moon over Bright Haven and The Sword of Kaigen
- Emilie “delemhach” Nikota – author of cozy fantasy including the House Witch and the Burning Witch
- Lorian Ellis – Michael’s protege and author of the soon to be released Out of the Ashes
- Lidia Sherrer, author of Love, Lies, and Hocus Pocus
Even though this project was Kickstarted, costs were greater than expected, and Adam isn’t yet, in the black. All the funds raised by the links above will go directly to him in the hope that we’ll “make him whole” through “late backer support.”
The after party was a huge success. Rain thretened all day and a downpour happened just as we were driving form the theater to our place. But it let up and we had a gathering around the pool with drinks, food, and great conversations. The last of the people cleared out around 11:00 pm, and as such I woke up very late today. All in all, it will be a day to remember!