Indie Author of the Week! Nikki Lanier Dr. Nikki R. Lanier is a distinguished labor attorney, public speaker, author, and advisor, renowned for her expertise in equity, human resources, systems thinking and organizational effectiveness and the future of work. She is the CEO and founder of Harper Slade, a firm dedicated to creating workplaces where multiculturalism thrives as a risk mitigation strategy and macroeconomic imperative. Having held executive positions in various in

Some days you’re ready for intricate world-building and a cast of 40 characters. Other days you need short chapters and clear vibes. Both ar

Indie Author of the Week! David Strange David Strange is a respected Kentucky author who has written countless stories about local history for newspapers and for two books he cowrote titled “Bullitt County Memories” and “More Bullitt County Memories”. He was also chief editor and contributor for a well-received regional history of United and Missionary Baptist Churches titled “The Old Time Baptists of West Central Kentucky and Their Stories of Faith”. Now well past his sevent

Indie Author of the Week! Tony Acree Tony Acree is an award-winning publisher, novelist, screenwriter, and radio host. He lives near Louisville, Kentucky with his wife and talented twins.  Dark Harbor Pictures will be producing two streaming shows; one based on his Victor McCain thrillers. and the other on his Samantha Tyler thrillers. In addition, his screenplay, Songs of Bloody Harlan has been optioned for the silver screen by Jamezz Hampton and 1209 Productions . His

Indie Author of the Week! Ariella Talix Ariella Talix is a best-selling author from Indiana who writes spicy romance because she loves a great happy ending. Her books are all either MF or MMF (“swords” cross) stories for readers who share her belief that all love is beautiful. Ariella’s stories are full of humor and suspense. She has written bot historical and contemporary tales. Her Hearts of Gold series is a thrilling saga based on the 1849 Gold Rush.  Her contemporary bo

Indie Author of the Week! T.M. Lore T.M. Lore writes dark thrillers with enough twists to throw your neck out and enough emotional damage to keep your therapist employed. If you like morally gray characters, jaw-dropping turns, and yelling “WHAT?!” at your book at 2 a.m, you would love their work. When not plotting fictional mayhem, T.M. can be found avoiding small talk, befriending crows, or pretending to be normal in public. T.M. Lore writes dark and twisty things for adult

Indie Author of the Week! Robert Prather Robert Prather is the author of the award-winning book, T he Strange Case of Jonathan Swift and the Real Long John Silver . He has been featured on the popular series — History Channel’s, “ America’s Book of Secrets ,” and Travel Channel’s, “ Code of the Wild .” In 2021, Tim Farmer Productions produced a full-length documentary on his work that was featured on KET. Robert and his wife Karen live in Kentucky   Walk-In Wednesdays - Spiri

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