The Studio’s Debut
How our first book became a bestseller.
1. The Book
Title: Things in the Ground
Genre: Witchy Thriller & Psychological Suspense
Release Date: October 17, 2025
Hook: A woman hiding from her past is forced to confront it when she discovers her stalker is dead – and she may have killed him.
Things in the Ground began as a quiet indie release—no agent, no traditional backing—just a story, an audience, and a belief that indie books deserve boutique-level care.
2. The Cover
Making a Cover Worth Picking Up
genre-appropriate
matches the story’s tone
thoughtfully designed
primed for social media marketing
3. The Launch Strategy
Tailored Marketing for the Author & Genre
Lead magnet and email subscription
Curated giftbox giveaways
Themed community engagement
Social presence + consistent aesthetic
ARC Readers
Landing a news segment
Offering an exclusive special edition via Kickstarter
Amazon Ads and TikTok promotions
Over the span of a few months, this author gained an audience on a variety of social media and online platforms, reached new masses via the news and local engagement, and tapped into a community of readers interested in her story.
4. Preorder Momentum
Giving Readers a Reason to Support Early
Limited-time preorder perks
Aesthetic digital bonuses
Secret early-access content
This led to reader excitement that pushed chart movement.
5. The Special Edition
Promoting a Limited, Reader-Funded Opportunity
Kickstarter framing
Unique elements (foil, prints, etc.)
Limited run urgency
Community Involvement
This campaign surpassed the funding goal within days, found a new audience, and created a magical edition that was a gift to the author as much as to the readers.
6. Bestseller Status
Reaching Category Bestseller
This book launched on a Friday and hit bestseller status in Witch & Wizard Thrillers that same weekend.
7. What Readers Said
Early Praise & Reception
“The ending, chef’s kiss!!”
“This book is beautiful.”
“Lyrical and atmospheric.”
“What a spooky, lovely, eerie time.”
8. What We Learned
Indie Books Don’t Need to Feel Small
With the right branding and strategy, they can feel like heirlooms — beautiful, collectible, and unforgettable.
This debut proved what Indie Darling Studio was created for: helping authors build books that readers fall in love with at first sight.
9. For Authors
Want to give your book a boutique, high-end launch—without the constraints, costs, or timelines of a traditional publisher? We’d love to connect.
Download the Bestseller formula we used for this book: