End of the Month Chaos – July Edition

The Month That Looked at June and Said, “Hold my lemonade.”

July didn’t so much arrive as it sizzled into existence, dragging a heatwave behind it like an over‑enthusiastic pyromaniac. The Midwest decided to cosplay as the surface of the sun, which meant my beloved porch time — my sanctuary, my writing nook, my bird‑listening zen zone — was reduced to brief, sweaty excursions where I waved at the outdoors like a Victorian invalid and immediately retreated back inside. I tried. The heat said no.

But even with the weather trying to melt me into a decorative puddle, July was loud, busy, productive, and just a little unhinged. So… a typical month, really.

Fourth of July Shenanigans

We celebrated the Fourth of July with the usual mix of food, laughter, and explosions that make the dogs question their life choices. Between the festivities, the heatwave, and the ongoing publishing mayhem, the month felt like it was running on caffeine, patriotism, and sheer stubbornness.

Publishing Mayhem & Milestones

July brought a fresh wave of new authors into the house, all enthusiastic, creative, and ready to dive into the chaos with the rest of us. Welcoming new voices is one of my favorite parts of running Indies United, and this month delivered in spades.

Behind the scenes, we kept the gears turning:

• formatting projects

• launch prep

• graphics

• newsletters

• website updates

• metadata wrangling

• and all the tiny invisible tasks that keep IUPH humming

The house was alive, loud, and full of motion — exactly the way I like it.

My Writing Life

The Personal Chaos Corner

This month was special. Because for the first time since opening Indies United in 2018… I released a book of my own. 404: Apocalypse Not Found sprinted out of my brain earlier this year, and July gave me the joy of watching it go out into the world. And the response? Shockingly positive. Suspiciously positive. Delightfully positive. Readers are laughing, messaging, sharing, and generally making me feel like maybe — just maybe — I should write my own books more often.

Which led to the next inevitable step: I updated my personal website. For the first time since 2018. Because apparently when you publish your own book, you should also remember you exist as an author. My authors have kept me busy for years, but July was the month I finally carved out a little time for myself.

And once I opened that door? I started a new book. It’s already underway, already whispering ideas, already demanding attention. If the universe cooperates, I’m hoping to release it in 2027. No promises, but the momentum is real.

IUPH Community Moments

We continued refining immersive book experiences, prepping upcoming launches, updating materials, and supporting our authors through their projects. The catalog is growing, the community is buzzing, and the energy is high.

New authors joined. New books moved forward. New ideas sparked. The house is thriving, evolving, and humming along like a machine powered by caffeine, chaos, and the occasional tech gremlin.

Final Thoughts

July was messy. July was loud. July was productive in the most heat‑stricken, porch‑deprived way possible. But it also gave me fireworks with family, new authors, a book launch of my own, a refreshed website, and the start of a brand‑new story.

And August?

August is already peeking around the corner with that “I have plans” expression. It is, after all, our anniversary month at Indies United — eight years of welcoming authors, building community, and growing this wonderfully chaotic house together. I can already feel the excitement building, and I hope you’ll join us as we celebrate another year of stories, creativity, and shared success.

The chaos continues. But so do I.