Author name: Karen Haid
Genre: Non-fiction, travel/culture/memoir
Book: Calabria: The Other Italy, Awarded the International Calabria Prize (Italy), Selected for the Reading Lists of the Order Sons of Italy in America and the National Italian American Foundation.
Bio: My book and blog were inspired by four years living, working and traveling in Calabria, Italy, a neglected southern region deemed unfit by a majority of Italians. How could an American survive in such a place? Often with great difficulty, but by quickly learning from the locals not to hesitate when presented with an opportunity to smell the roses or the pasta sauce. Along the way, I immersed myself in the rich culture, bonded with the Calabrese people, and perfected my Italian skills (earning a certificate of mother-tongue equivalency that I’m very proud of).
Still at the stage of looking over my shoulder when introduced as the “author,” I’ve spent most of my life in the classical music field with doctorates in the flute and piano. Incidentally, I can be considered an “indie” musician, as well, having a solo CD on an independent label.
Favorite thing about being a writer: While my meticulous nature can make the writing process painful at times, I do enjoy the craft, the words, conjuring a sense of people and place, and creating for that audience that is out there whether they know it or not. And I won’t lie, there’s nothing like hearing from those my book has touched.
Biggest challenge as an indie author: Marketing
Favorite book: I don’t think I could ever pick one favorite, but will name a few: Stones from the River by Ursula Hegi, The Shipping News by Annie Proulx, A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole
Contact Information: Website and Blog: CalabriaTheOtherItaly.com; Facebook: Calabria: The Other Italy; Goodreads Author: Karen Haid.
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Book Club Mom 
Now that sounds like an interesting book. My guess is that there are probably lots of very good indie authors, it’s just harder to find them since they don’t have the marketing campaigns that the major publishers do.
You are exactly right! Thanks for reading and commenting.