<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[The Keepers Series]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Source Keepers]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 22 Jun 2026 08:58:49 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.jesslmanderson.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[The Faire That Felt Like a Dream: North Florida Renaissance Faire]]></title><description><![CDATA[Some events are fun. Some are successful. And then there are the rare ones that feel like you slipped sideways out of your own life and into a story already in motion. That was this weekend at the North Florida Renaissance Faire.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/the-faire-that-felt-like-a-dream-north-florida-renaissance-faire</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69c282db5bc6540a6e751877</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:40:47 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_633ee97e7446481ba06b500e52e4e192~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Indie Author's 2025 in Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[It was a record low book sales year for this indie author, mostly because no new books came out in 2024, and 2025 became the year of a prequel no one asked for. But numbers alone do not tell the whole story. So... This was the year I showed up anyway. I went to 25 events in 2025. I vended my first real convention. I broke personal sales records multiple times at in person events. I learned how to talk about my books out loud, to strangers, with confidence. And somehow, unexpectedly, I...]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/an-indie-author-s-2025-in-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6931f90f6778c81fbc36a156</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 01 Jan 2026 17:03:53 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_7b64c5190a0c4c69b9abb0404c5d8ec4~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Selling Fantasy in a Faire Full of It: My First Time Vending The Scottsboro Renaissance Faire]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Scottsboro Ren Faire lit a fire under me. I am already planning new displays, new merch, new costume pieces, and maybe an even bigger banner that says: “Come get emotionally destroyed by The Source Keepers.”]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/selling-fantasy-in-a-faire-full-of-it-my-first-time-vending-the-scottsboro-renaissance-faire</link><guid isPermaLink="false">691e3bfae76070b60dc4f230</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Nov 2025 23:59:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_d27a15a166e2483b87f296d9212f4d9a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Problem with Pity Marketing: How It Can Sink Your Indie Career]]></title><description><![CDATA[Let’s talk about pity marketing. That awkward cousin of authenticity who shows up uninvited and eats all your credibility snacks.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/the-problem-with-pity-marketing-how-it-can-sink-your-indie-career</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69056d06bb9a5281a8a9ab23</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Sat, 01 Nov 2025 02:31:26 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/11062b_065034ea6ff84a8eae656ece49b43563~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[From Cryptid to Fae: My Dragon Con 2025 Recap]]></title><description><![CDATA[Dragon Con 2025 was, as always, a whirlwind of magic, chaos, and community. It’s the kind of weekend that leaves you both exhausted and recharged, somehow at the same time.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/from-cryptid-to-fae-my-dragon-con-2025-recap</link><guid isPermaLink="false">68b6473ee25f02068eea45cd</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:29:42 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_5e12b00f7f8c47c7a99de7160251248a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[A Milestone Weekend for This Indie Author at Infinity Con]]></title><description><![CDATA[Wow. Just… wow. InfinityCon Tallahassee 2025 will forever be a core memory for me as an indie author and artist.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/a-milestone-weekend-for-this-indie-author-at-infinity-con</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6875826797051c95031d5804</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2025 22:21:28 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_58a12210b8a24edeb98f93d764f7433a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Outsourcing as an Indie: How to Find the Right Creative Contractors]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you’re at the point where you’re thinking about bringing people onto your creative team, here’s what I’ve learned: the pros, the cons, and how to find the right fit before things go sideways.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/outsourcing-as-an-indie-how-to-find-the-right-creative-contractors</link><guid isPermaLink="false">681815bc19b29b6e847bd4f5</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2025 14:34:36 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_6bef0fd6c0154c49a7280df344ad5470~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Indie Authors Beware: How to Spot Red Flags (and Green Ones!) at Author Events]]></title><description><![CDATA[Not all events are created equal. Some are built with authors in mind. Others are just looking to cash in on our hustle. Let’s break down the difference.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/indie-authors-beware-how-to-spot-red-flags-and-green-ones-at-author-events</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6817a282d525eb34a7f2cede</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 04 May 2025 17:54:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_81c9b0755135469a99b47a10dc801937~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Adventures in Author's Alley: My JordanCon 2025 Experience]]></title><description><![CDATA[JordanCon has a reputation for being a warm, vibrant gathering of storytellers and fans, and this year was no exception. ]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/adventures-in-author-s-alley-my-jordancon-2025-experience</link><guid isPermaLink="false">680eef98cd7f700fb70cfd9d</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2025 15:46:38 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_01424abcce2c4628ab109f5a3eb56de0~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Navigating the Indie Author Vending Scene: Trials, Errors, and the Quest for the Perfect Event]]></title><description><![CDATA[Being an indie author and artist is an incredible journey, but it’s also filled with trial and error.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/navigating-the-indie-author-vending-scene-trials-errors-and-the-quest-for-the-perfect-event</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67ed54257ee00aa3084f804d</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2025 23:41:05 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_2b515bf4dbaf442cab1bc3f846d65c29~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Journey to Publishing Zero’s Solace]]></title><description><![CDATA[Bringing Zero’s Solace into the world has been one of the most intense, exhilarating, and rewarding experiences of my career as an indie...]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/the-journey-to-publishing-zero-s-solace</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67d99556ec89ef2d97beaab8</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 19 Mar 2025 15:05:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_828feae6b9ac4434bc2525acdaa15c2f~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Indie Author's 2024 in Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[The year 2024 had me on a rollercoaster. From surgery to new cover launching, to delays, to so much more... Let's break down my 2024! ]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/an-indie-author-s-2024-in-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67619553d2057084f3099b4a</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 02 Jan 2025 21:23:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_f5b2c0401ccc4a34a3bd45c473643310~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_790,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Things I Learned Vending Tables as an Indie Author in 2024]]></title><description><![CDATA[2024 tables have ended for this indie fantasy author so I thought I’d give y’all a recap on what I’ve learned.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/5-things-i-learned-vending-tables-as-an-indie-author-in-2024</link><guid isPermaLink="false">676c6c579bdd89c3ad22be47</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 25 Dec 2024 20:56:18 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_8a8f120e6e724c0abf7491d13f4cb7b7~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Dragon Con 2024]]></title><description><![CDATA[It was another insanely busy year at Dragon Con and I can't wait for next year! ]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/dragon-con-2024</link><guid isPermaLink="false">66d85fb41a85b12de7012b12</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 04 Sep 2024 14:08:29 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_0495011ee6504ab087d89b6dc1219d43~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Author Events and Why I Love Them!]]></title><description><![CDATA[One of my favorite things about being an author is getting out there and doing pop up tables. ]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/author-events-and-why-i-love-them</link><guid isPermaLink="false">665de263a4066c3071f50d7c</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 18 Jun 2024 17:22:23 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_53bd77bb32944b8799c93622559e7fb6~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_898,h_899,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Surgery and a Book Relaunch...]]></title><description><![CDATA[Hello, my darling readers! April was a very eventful month and not for good reasons either. You see at the end of March I found out I had...]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/surgery-and-a-book-relaunch</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6642372cf9380352c4d1e3e1</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 17 May 2024 01:04:21 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_78ba5d741839431eb0534d75ecbc6dbf~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Creating the Cover Art for the 2024 Re-Launch]]></title><description><![CDATA[Every time you go into a new cover as an indie author, it's a process.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/creating-the-new-cover-art</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65bc296940fdb571e64b0102</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:46:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_c0187745386c4dd1b80f7a446e28befd~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_385,h_295,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[An Indie Author's 2023 in Review]]></title><description><![CDATA[I came into 2023 guns blazing, but by July, I found myself breaking down in a Panera Bread.]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/an-indie-author-s-2023-in-review</link><guid isPermaLink="false">65b6bae705e8900a437da57f</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 05 Jan 2024 00:18:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_0105561e99454a80adf524518bd9231c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_882,h_449,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M. Anderson</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[5 Things I Wish I Knew Before Writing a Children's Book]]></title><description><![CDATA[I never thought I would see the day where my name was on the cover of a children's book, but here we are! ]]></description><link>https://www.jesslmanderson.com/post/5-things-i-wish-i-knew-before-writing-a-children-s-book</link><guid isPermaLink="false">64cd984b333ad108676d46e2</guid><category><![CDATA[Blog]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 17 Mar 2023 15:25:08 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/ff91a5_3d35cd368c2c4e0cbfaf55a072d4ae26~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Jess L. M.  Anderson</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>