The unexpected gift of community
- melissacpeneycad
- Jul 15
- 3 min read
Reflections from an indie author and publisher on connection, creativity, and what it means to belong.
When I first stepped into the world of independent publishing, I expected many things: late nights fueled with lots of coffee, creative hurdles, steep learning curves, and the sheer thrill (sometimes followed by fear!) of launching books into the world. But what I didn’t anticipate was the powerful, soul-nourishing sense of community that would come along with it.
Over the past year, I've had the privilege of meeting fellow authors, creators, and small publishers from all walks of life. Some of these connections happened through chance encounters online. Others emerged from shared interests, mutual goals, or a simple “You too?” moment on a Zoom call.
But regardless of how they began, these relationships quickly grew into something deeper.
On Monday evenings every other week, I meet with a small but mighty group of indie authors and publishers in our informal mastermind. We show up with project updates and marketing ideas, but also with vulnerability, excitement, and unwavering support for each other. We celebrate each other’s wins, both big and small. We help each other troubleshoot challenges that, if faced alone, can feel insurmountable. We keep each other accountable to our goals, remind one another why we started on this journey, and hold space for each other during inevitable ups and downs.
There's something profound that happens when you find your people.
There’s something profound that happens when you find your people, when you feel truly seen, understood, and valued in a space that was never transactional to begin with. In this community, we care deeply about each other’s successes and struggles and send check-in messages when someone is unusually quiet or has missed a meeting. We also give honest feedback with love, and yes, we do laugh and joke around too! There have even been a few occasions when we well up and shed a tear or two because writing, publishing, and building something from the ground up is no small feat.
I used to think of community as a nice-to-have. Now, I see it as essential.
I used to think of community as a nice-to-have. Now, I see it as essential.
In an industry that can feel isolating or hyper-competitive at times, finding your people is like coming home. These relationships have made me a better publisher, a bolder writer, and a more grounded human being.
To anyone out there who feels like they’re walking their path alone, whether you’re writing a book, launching a new business, changing careers, or simply navigating life’s next chapter, know this: your people are out there too.
Community is for anyone who’s ever needed encouragement, a sounding board, a safe space to grow, or someone to say, "I see you; you've got this."
Believe it or not, those people can be found on social media, too. I know it can feel like a messy, noisy place, an endless scroll of hot takes, filters, surface-level chatter, and loads of negativity. But if you stay open and keep looking, you’ll find the bright spots: genuine connections, deep conversations, and people who truly show up for each other. This has happened to me.
When you have found the people you can learn with, laugh with, and lean on, it amounts to something deeper than support; it's belonging.
Have you found your people? I'd love to hear your story about how those connections came to be and what they’ve meant to you. Your story might be what someone else needs to hear.
This blog post was published by Clover Lane Publishing, where we help authors and publishers bring bold ideas to life with clarity, quality, and purpose. We believe in the power of words to inform, inspire, and spark change.
