We meet at 10:00 am (CDT) on April 26, 2025, in the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall.
Topic: The Truth about Writing Life and Money (via Zoom)
Kathleen Baldwin is an award-winning author with more than 650,000 copies of her books sold to readers around the globe. Publishers translated her books into several languages, and a Japanese publisher even made Lady Fiasco into a manga. Scholastic licensed her School for Unusual Girls series for school book fairs. The YA series won numerous awards and was optioned for film by Ian Bryce, producer of Spiderman, Transformers, Saving Private Ryan, and other blockbuster films. The series is currently in its third film option.
The Truth About Writing Life and Money
Are you wondering what career path to follow, Indy or Traditional? Would you like to know how much money authors really make, but Google shows you a hundred different numbers? Confused about how much to invest promoting your novel, on skill-development, or making an audiobook? Do you feel like you spend hours on your writing career but don’t get anywhere? Experienced, happy, bestselling author Kathleen Baldwin has answers to your questions and wants to help.
In addition to your questions, we will cover:
Explore the hidden reasons why you write. You may think you know, but the truth is tucked away deep in your psyche. Kathleen will help you dig to find out what lies beneath. This is essential information for new writers and equally crucial for experienced writers, who may be burning themselves out chasing the wrong dream. Understanding your inner motivations determines what pathways are optimal for your writing business.
What does it really take to be a successful author? How many hats must a writer wear?
Maintaining balance in your writing life. A wholistic approach, with multiple real-life examples of how to focus, and write through life’s personal challenges.
A clear look at the differences between Traditionally Published versus Independently Published versus Hybrid authorship—the demands, the pitfalls, the perks of each, and the financial rewards. And which path is best for you based on your motivation for writing.
A candid look at money. Are your expectations in line with reality? Examine the recent trends and financial data regarding writing incomes and publishing in general. Ignore misinformation: both the false hype and negative Nellys are misleading. Instead, we’ll look at reliable data and facts.
How much time do you really need for your writing? Should you write full time or part-time, and how to flourish either way.
Writing sideshows: how and where you can make extra cash as an author.


Kathleen loves adventure in books and in real life. She taught rock climbing in the Rockies, survival camped in the desert and the snow, was stalked by a mountain lion, lost an argument with a rattlesnake, enjoyed way too many classes in college, fell in love at least a dozen times, and married her very own hero. They’ve raised four free-spirited adventurous children and are enjoying their many grandchildren.