Hey everyone!

Kelly Morgan here — indie author, indie publisher, and your host of The Author’s Mic. Today, I’m thrilled to welcome back a familiar face to the indie author space: Jeff Rasley.Jeff and I go way back. He was a guest on one of my early podcasts, and I’m so excited to have him back — still writing, still publishing, still doing the indie thing. Congratulations, Jeff!

“Well thank you, Kelly. It's great to see you again and spend time together.”

Let me tell you — Jeff’s been busy. Since we last connected, he’s published three new books and shifted the focus of his writing to autofiction — a blend of real-life experiences and creative storytelling. What is Autofiction?

In Jeff’s words:

“It starts with a real experience — something that actually happened — and then I fictionalize it. So there's a true core, but the rest is creatively built around it.”

That creative freedom has opened up a new, fun chapter in his writing. His latest books are humorous, nostalgic, and thoughtful — all while carrying deeper themes about community, identity, and belonging.

A Look at Jeff’s Latest Books

📘 Presbyterians versus Methodists Youth Group at Pokagon Park
A humorous yet reflective story about two youth groups clashing over a girl — think Romeo and Juliet, but with bell bottoms, pop music, and church vans. Underneath the laughs, Jeff explores how community forms, breaks, and heals.

📘 The Day Big Ed Came to Parkside School
Inspired by a real event from Jeff’s sixth-grade days, this story looks at small-town Midwestern kids clashing with cool West Coast culture. There’s humor, heart, and a big dose of nostalgia for the late ‘60s and early ‘70s.

Each of these titles features the same recurring character — Jack — but the books are standalone stories. They’re not children’s books, but adults and older teens alike will appreciate the layered storytelling and vintage pop culture references.

About the Author

Jeff has published 17 books (yes, 17!) and runs Midsummer Books, a publishing company he co-founded with his wife. The company currently publishes only their own work, but they’ve edited and coached over 100 indie authors over the past 15 years.

“We charge, but our fees are fair. Like you, Kelly, we see it as a mission to help indie authors thrive.”

Jeff and I also connected on a shared frustration: the exploitation of indie authors by vanity presses and overpriced services.

“Too many authors get scammed — they pay thousands, then end up with boxes of books in their garage and no support.”

This is exactly why The Author’s Mic exists — to shine a light on indie authors doing the work and to share resources, encouragement, and real talk about the publishing grind.

Where to Find Jeff

You can explore Jeff’s books and connect with him at:
🌐 www.jeffreyrasley.com
📚 All of Jeff’s books are available on Amazon through the Amazon Select program.

And tell his wife Lysa she has an open invitation to be on The Author’s Mic too — we’d love to hear from her!

Final Notes

If you’re an indie author and looking for fresh, no-pressure ways to promote your work, you’re invited to join me on The Author’s Mic. Head to my Linktree for details.

And if you’re a reader looking for a new community, check out my newly launched book club —
📖 The Indie Reader Society (IRS) — dedicated exclusively to indie books.
The first book we’re reading is mine (Weight For It), but after that, we’re featuring books by indie authors everywhere. If that’s you, pitch your book!

Let’s support each other, build community, and break the algorithm — together.

Until next time, go out and make it a great day… I know I’m gonna try.

—
Kelly Morgan
Indie Author | Indie Publisher | Founder of Bright Headed Publishing