The Author’s Mic™: Why I’m Building a Magazine for Independent Authors
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I’m creating a magazine called The Author’s Mic™: The Voice of Independent Authors. I want independent writers to have a place to submit original work, be read, and have that work considered for publication. This episode is about why I want that space to exist and what I’m building toward for the first issue in spring 2027.
Watch the full episode:
The Magazine I Wanted to See
I believe in creating spaces when I keep looking for something and cannot find it. I wanted a magazine where independent authors could submit their writing and where readers could find their stories alongside information they actually want about the indie publishing space.
The magazine will be quarterly. I want it to include original writing, author stories, resources, scam awareness, and conversations about what is happening in independent publishing. I also want to feature authors of color and make room for work that readers might not otherwise encounter.
One planned recurring feature is Love Is a Villain. I will give writers that premise and invite them to make something original from it. I want to see where different authors take the same idea.
What It Means to Submit Your Work
I want authors to send poetry, short stories, and their own perspectives. If a piece is selected, I want its author to know it was read and chosen for the work itself. Paying to be in the magazine will not be part of the process.
That matters to me because I have followed a call for submissions, spent time preparing a story I cared about, and only later learned that publication required money. I know what that feels like. You think somebody is considering your words, and then you discover the opportunity depends on whether you can pay.
I want being published in this magazine to mean that the editorial team saw something in the work. I also hope that, as the magazine grows, I can eventually pay writers for what we publish. That is a goal, not a promise for the first issue.
Building It Where You Can See It
I do not have every part figured out. I have put out a call for editorial board members, and the work of building the magazine is underway. I’m sharing it now because I want authors to know this space is coming and to follow the journey with me.
The first issue is planned for spring 2027. Contributor submissions are not open yet. I will share more information about how to submit when the process is ready.
Key Takeaways
The Author’s Mic™: The Voice of Independent Authors is planned as a quarterly magazine, with its first issue in spring 2027.
The magazine will include original writing, author stories, resources, scam awareness, and coverage of the indie space.
Love Is a Villain is a planned recurring feature inviting original interpretations from writers.
Authors will not pay to submit their work or to be published in the magazine.
Submission details will be announced later.
Publishing With Bright Headed Publishing
The magazine is one part of the literary ecosystem I’m building. Bright Headed Publishing also provides hands-on publishing support for selected authors with completed or nearly completed manuscripts. The work can include book production, interior formatting, distribution setup, and materials that help an author present the book after publication.
If you are serious about publishing your work, tell us about your project:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com
Finley’s Journey Spotlight
Finley’s Journey by Jeff Hepner is published under the Bright Headed Publishing imprint as part of The Classroom Creatures Chronicles™. Inspired by authentic conservation experiences, the story follows a young trout from a classroom tank toward open water.
The book and its student workbook show another part of what we do: develop a book and companion resources that can be used beyond the initial reading. The workbook connects the story to trout life cycles, watersheds, and river stewardship.
Explore Finley’s Journey and its student workbook:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/new-releases
Bright Headed Publishing Resources
The Author’s Mic™ — Be a Guest
If you are an author, editor, publishing professional, or creative doing meaningful work in the literary space, apply to be a guest on The Author’s Mic™:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/be-a-guest
TrustBridge™
TrustBridge™ connects indie authors with bookstores, book clubs, podcasts, and other literary platforms through curated introductions and real relationship-building. Every author package includes a professional media kit.
For authors — TrustBridge™ Author Services:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/trustbridgetm-author-services
For bookstores, podcasts, book clubs, and other literary partners — TrustBridge™ Partner Network:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/partner-with-us
The Indie Author Toolkit
Practical tools and strategy for making stronger decisions throughout the author journey:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/products/digital-product-10197841
Books From Bright Headed Publishing
Discover and support books published by Bright Headed Publishing:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com/products
Indie Reader Society™
Join a reader community created to discover and discuss books by indie authors:
https://bookclubs.com/the-indie-reader-society/join/
Free Guide: So You Wanna Write a Book
If you have a book idea but need help understanding where to begin, download the free guide:
https://brightheadedpublishing.com
Watch, Comment, and Stay Connected
Watch the episode and tell me in the comments: What kind of original writing or author conversation would make you want to read The Author’s Mic™ magazine? Share this blog with an independent writer who may want to follow the magazine as it develops.
Follow Bright Headed Publishing for submission announcements and more conversations:
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/bhplcc/
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/BrightHeadedPublishing
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@brightheadedpublishingllc7004
Substack:
https://brightheadedpublishing.substack.com/
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