A Journey into Self-Publishing - FWG May 2026 Meeting
The environment of the publishing industry has been democratized by the rise of the internet, but learning how to leverage all the new opportunities the information age provides is still a significant challenge for many aspiring independent authors. While technology has made the process of publishing more accessible than ever before, the industry hasn't done enough to educate new authors on how to use these new opportunities.
The technical & bureaucratic requirements of self-publishing services are often headache-inducing; The processes of using said services are often obtuse & opaque; The responsibility of marketing yourself & your works on social media is often daunting; And there is an ecosystem of grifters, con-artists, and shady companies who exploit authors' lack of knowledge & experience for their own selfish ends.
Likewise, the process of learning how to self-publish is often fraught with misinformation, outdated knowledge, opacity of processes, false starts, and bad actors. While all of this complexity & uncertainty may seem discouraging, don't give up hope! The Foothills Writer's Group is here to help!
May 2026 Meeting - Guest Author Panel, Q&A, and Discussion
The Foothills Writer's Group is proud to welcome Linda Anne Smith as our latest guest author at for our May monthly meeting!
Linda Smith is a self-published Canadian author from Cochrane, AB who has written, edited, and published 3 of her own novels; Unseen, Unheard, Under the Radar, Terrifying Freedom, and Dawn Through the Shadows. She has wealth of practical, real-world experience with the complexities writing, self-editing, and self-publishing in the modern age applicable to anyone seeking to pursue becoming an independently published author!
The FWG is hosting a panel discussion with Linda Smith on self-publishing & self-marketing, followed by a Q&A and open discussion period with Ms. Smith. Make sure to bring your notepad/laptop and plenty of questions, because an opportunity to like this doesn't come every day!
Additionally, we also run a fun writing prompt exercise at every meeting! It's an excellent opportunity to stretch your writing muscles and have fun with other writers in your community!
Event Details
Our upcoming monthly meeting is scheduled for May 21st @ the Okotoks Public Library in the Main Floor Program Room from 6:00PM - 8:00PM. Pens, paper, and free snacks will be provided!
If you want to stay up to date with the Foothills Writer's Group, check out our Event Calendar or sign-up on our website to receive notifications for our upcoming events!
Member discussion