Indie Author of the Week! Carol Preflatish Meet Carol Preflatish, a multi-talented author and screenwriter from southern Indiana who has been captivating readers for over twenty years. Carol is best known for her Coyote Canyon Mysteries and Nathan Perry Mystery series, along with a collection of romantic suspense novels and two insightful non-fiction books. Her storytelling prowess has earned her multiple awards as a screenwriter. When she's not weaving mysteries, Carol enjoy

Indie Author of the Week! Henry Sipes From childhood dreams under starry skies to a distinguished career in engineering and astronomy outreach, Henry Sipes has dedicated his life to exploring the wonders of our universe. Henry’s fascination with space began early, leading him to earn a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from Purdue University. His commitment to sharing knowledge blossomed as he conducted astronomy programs for the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and other groups sin

Indie Author of the Week! Rita Spalding Rita S. Spalding studied in London and graduated summa cum laude from Murray State University in December 2024. She is a recipient of the 2025 Murray State Outstanding Senior in Sociology Award. She has been published in 18 Calliope anthologies, National Library of Poetry , AX-POW Magazine , The Heartland Review, Kentucky Monthly Magazine, Keeping the Flame Alive, Fallen, Rebirth, The Rye Whiskey Review, Walden’s Poetry and Reviews, Po

Indie Author of the Week! Richard (Ric) Stuecker Ric Stuecker is a prize-winning writer and poet living with his wife, Barbara, in Louisville, Kentucky. Ric has taught English, creative writing and social studies at Saint Xavier High School, the Saint Francis School (Francis Parker School) in Louisville and as an adjunct professor at Indiana University Southeast. A nationally known consultant in positive youth development, his books for teachers and youth workers, psychologis

Indie Author of the Week! Russell Thompson Russell Is the author of “Only Human”.  He began working on this novel when I was only eleven years old and he published it a month after graduating high school. The novel is about a criminal named Tom King who receives an unusual sentence: using his criminal knowledge to help the police department solve a cold case. For Tom, this may be easier than he thought. Because what better way to catch a killer, than when you’re a killer your

Indie Author of the Week! Denise Watts Educator, trainer, author, and gospel singer, Denise was educated in the New York City Public School System, graduating, with honors, with an academic diploma from the George W. Wingate High School in Brooklyn. She received her B.A. (Magna Cum Laude) in Psychology and Elementary Education from the Hunter College of the City University of New York.  She has two Masters degrees from the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary: The Master of

Honoring this year’s James Patterson Holiday Bonus winners and sharing how past recognition continues to shape what I am building next.

Indie Author of the Week! Stephen Zimmer Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author, editor, podcaster, and publisher based out of Lexington, Kentucky.  A writer in several genres of speculative fiction, Stephen currently has 33 books in print.  The editor-in-chief of Seventh Star Press, a small press with multiple imprints, Stephen founded and co-directs The Imaginarium Convention, a 12th year annual convention held in Louisville, Kentucky for writers and storytellers of all

Indie Author of the Week! S. Lee Davis S. Lee Davis is a Louisville-based author, nurse manager, and proud mother and grandmother. With a background in critical care nursing and multiple degrees under her belt, she brings both clinical insight and deep personal experience to her writing. Her debut memoir, The Girl in the Window , is the result of over two decades of healing, reflection, and courage. Written as a way to process and ultimately reclaim her voice, the book shares

Indie Author of the Week! James B Wells James Wells (PhD, MFA) is a retired Criminology and Criminal Justice Professor at Eastern Kentucky University's College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science. He has authored/coauthored sixty-five books, chapters, articles, and essays. As a result of learning his father's death in Vietnam is still classified, Dr. Wells has been on a quest to discover the truth, find peace for himself and his family, and write about it. Recent essays

☕ The Tea House Café Opening in La Grange! We’re thrilled to announce that The Tea House Café  is officially open inside From the Ground Up Books  at the Historic Ballard House  in downtown La Grange, Kentucky! Come enjoy a cozy, literary atmosphere with freshly brewed tea, homemade soups, handcrafted sandwiches, flaky scones, and delicious desserts.  Whether you’re stopping by for lunch, an afternoon treat, or a quiet moment with a good book, you’ll find something special wa

Indie Author of the Week! Wes Blake Wes Blake is the author of  Pineville Trace —winner of the Etchings Press Novella Prize and featured on Deep South Magazine’s Reading List—from Etchings Press, Univ. of Indianapolis. His fiction and essays have appeared in Electric Literature, storySouth, Appalachian Journal, and the Los Angeles Review, among others. He holds an MFA from the Bluegrass Writers Studio and lives in Nonesuch, Kentucky, surrounded by his cats and the 100 trees h

Indie Author of the Week! Jessica Lindsey Jessica Lindsey, a Kentucky native, weaves dark and romantic tales about vampires in her debut novel, Moonlight and Magnolias. When she’s not conjuring up worlds filled with magic and fantastical creatures you can find her galloping through the countryside on horseback or lounging with her pack of dogs. With a passion for reading and a flair for the paranormal Jessica invites her readers to dive into the shadows of her imagination. Le

Indie Author of the Week! Pamela Turner Pamela Turner drinks too much coffee and wishes she could write perfect first drafts. The author of paranormal suspense and urban fantasy, she’s published two novels, Annihilating Angel and When Angels Threaten, as well as two novellas, the Ripper’s Daughter and Rogue Vampire. The latter is the first book in her Louisville Paranormal Files series. She’s also an award-winning screenplay writer.    Growing up in Wisconsin, Pamela moved to

Indie Author of the Week! Andy Gowins Born in 1969, R. “Andy” Gowins grew up in the small town of Possum Trot, Kentucky. He graduated from the Western Kentucky University (Kentucky) in 1991 with a Bachelor of Arts and then again in 1992 with a Master of Public Administration. After graduating with his M.P.A. he spent several years working in corporate America before graduating from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary with a Master of Divinity (2002) and his Doctor of Ed

Indie Author of the Week! Dr. Angela Faith Dr Angela Faith, PhD, is a shamanic practitioner, metaphysical parapsychologist, and spiritual...

Indie Author of the Week! Ashley Nevison We are thrilled to shine this month’s newsletter spotlight on Ashley Nevison, an extraordinary...

After only a year in our Shepherdsville location, From the Ground Up Books has already outgrown its space. We are moving to 340 Buckman Street in the historic Old Bullitt County Bank Building, more than doubling our size and joining the exciting revitalization of Main Street.”

Indie Author of the Week! David Kummer David Kummer is a young writer who leans towards horror, mystery, thrillers, and young adult...

Indie Author of the Week! Elizabeth Bevarly Elizabeth Bevarly is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of more than eighty...