Creative Slingers of Ink

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Fountain Inn, SC
Creative Slingers of Ink

Introducing Creative Slingers of Ink (CSI). Get ready to embark on an unforgettable literary journey. Group Purpose: This group is for writers of all levels.

We are your oasis for writing inspiration and connection, offering weekly writing sessions, community groups, featured author opportunities, and more. Creative Slingers of Ink Writing Group was founded by Mandy Jo Rindhage in 2023 as a way to inspire writers and bring together Indie Authors. We are here to encourage you to write that first word or your next word. The intent of this group is for en

couragement, networking, learning, and friendship. The group will communicate in English, however, writers of all languages are welcome. You may find books that are written in a language other than English. There will be periodic writing retreats and conferences. These will take place in the USA, for now. Speakers will come from within the group along with outside the group. We support and encourage Indie Authors. What’s an Indie Author? An Indie Author is one who self-publishes or publishes using a small press publisher. Mission: Gathering together writers to help them achieve their writing goals. Goal: Giving writers opportunities to help them achieve their writing goals and for them to help other writers along the way. What to expect out of this group:
Networking - virtual and in-person
Book Signings
Writing Sessions - virtual and in-person
Writing Retreats
Writing Conferences
Workshops
Featured Authors on website and social media

09/04/2026

📖 Some stories entertain us. Others invite us to look a little more closely at what we believe, what we remember, and the world around us.

Our next guest on Sessions at the Inkwell: Conversations with Authors & Creatives is author Nancy Werking Poling.

Living in the North Carolina mountains, Nancy writes across genres and forms, including historical fiction, short stories, and creative nonfiction.

Her books explore fascinating territory.

📚 Leander’s Lies takes readers into historical fiction.

⛪ Paradise Affirmed: Stories of Virtue and Scandal at Happy Corner Church explores religion, community, virtue, and scandal.

🌿 While Earth Still Speaks brings together environmental themes and female empowerment.

📖 Had Eve Come First and Jonah Been a Woman explores women’s perspectives within religion and spirituality.

🎙️ In our conversation, we’re going beyond Nancy’s books to talk about her creative journey and the ideas, experiences, and questions that inspire her storytelling.

📺 Watch the conversation:
https://youtu.be/fSwGNxBR72w

Then come meet Nancy Werking Poling in person at the Fall Book Festival 2026!

🍂 Fall Book Festival 2026
📍 The Randall House
215 Randall St
Greer, SC 29651
🕚 11 AM to 5 PM

Spend the day discovering authors, exploring new genres, and finding your next great read.

09/02/2026

🌲 If you're looking for Samantha Bryant, you might want to check the woods first.

Our latest guest on Sessions at the Inkwell: Conversations with Authors & Creatives is author Samantha Bryant, and her writing takes us in some wonderfully different directions.

We're talking 🦸‍♀️ menopausal superheroes, ❤️ GenX romance, 👻 horror, paranormal stories, dark fiction, and more.

Samantha writes about what scares her, but she certainly doesn't limit herself to one genre. Her work includes the beloved Menopausal Superhero series, GenX romances including Not Too Late, Acid Reign, and Ready or Not, along with a growing collection of darker stories.

So what happens inside the creative mind of an author who can move from superpowers to romance to horror?

🎙️ That's what we're exploring in this Session at the Inkwell.

📺 Watch our conversation with Samantha:
https://youtu.be/q6Xm3faaonw

Then come meet her in person at the Fall Book Festival 2026!

🍂 Fall Book Festival 2026
📍 The Randall House
215 Randall St
Greer, SC 29651
🕚 11 AM to 5 PM

Come spend the day discovering authors, exploring new genres, and finding plenty of books to add to your reading list.

08/31/2026

🦒 A giraffe in the classroom? There's definitely a story behind that!

Our next guest on Sessions at the Inkwell: Conversations with Authors & Creatives is children's author Miss Bri, also known as Bri Thomas.

Before becoming an author, Miss Bri earned her bachelor's degree in early childhood education and spent ten years teaching preschool. Her love for children, animals, and creativity eventually inspired Having a Giraffe as a Classroom Pet. 📚

But how does an idea like that make its way from imagination to a children's book?

🎙️ That's exactly why we're going beyond the pages.

Join us for our conversation with Miss Bri as we talk about her journey from educator to author and the inspiration behind her creative work.

📺 Watch the conversation:
https://youtu.be/hDvNZn2MugY

Then bring the young readers in your life to meet Miss Bri at the Fall Book Festival 2026!

🍂 Fall Book Festival 2026
📍 The Randall House
215 Randall St
Greer, SC 29651
🕚 11 AM to 5 PM

Come spend the day discovering books, meeting authors, and finding new stories to take home.

08/29/2026

Calling all authors, literary artists, and book lovers!

We have two big book filled events coming to Greer, South Carolina, and whether you create the stories or love reading them, we want you to be part of them.

First up is our Fall Book Festival!

Fall Book Festival 2026
Saturday, October 17, 2026
11 AM to 5 PM
Randall House
215 Randall Street
Greer, SC 29651

We already have 29 authors from six states, representing 29 genres and more than 175 book titles.

Our author spaces are currently full, but authors can still apply to join the waitlist in case a space becomes available.

Readers, this event is for you too!

Come meet the authors, talk with them about their books, discover stories you may have never found otherwise, purchase books directly from the people who wrote them, and spend the day with other people who love books.

You’ll also be able to play our Passport to Reading game. Complete your passport and you’ll be entered into a drawing to win a box of books!

And then in 2027, we’re going even bigger.

Stories & Ink Expo 2027
Saturday, October 23, 2027
11 AM to 5 PM
Prisma Health Performance Center
1001 S Buncombe Road
Greer, SC 29650

We’re planning to bring together more than 60 authors and literary artists, and applications are open now!

Authors and literary artists, if you’ve been looking for an opportunity to share your work, meet readers, connect with other creatives, and be part of a growing literary community, we’d love for you to apply.

Readers, you’re invited to Stories & Ink Expo too! Come meet the people behind the stories, browse and purchase books, discover literary art, play Passport to Reading for a chance to win a box of books, and spend the day celebrating stories and creativity with us.

Admission to both events is FREE.

Readers, we’d love for you to RSVP by grabbing a free ticket. It helps us know how many book lovers are coming so we can plan for a great day.

Whether you write the stories, create the art, or love discovering what other people create, there’s a place for you at our events.

Find event information, grab your free reader tickets, join the Fall Book Festival author waitlist, or apply for Stories & Ink Expo at creativeslingersofink.com/events.

08/28/2026

📖 There's the story on the page. Then there's the story behind it.

We're sitting down with bestselling author J. Edwards Holt for another edition of Sessions at the Inkwell: Conversations with Authors & Creatives.

J. Edwards has created an incredible range of books spanning Fantasy, Action and Adventure, Middle Grade, Teen and Young Adult, Children's Literature, Poetry, Mystery, Memoir, Self Help, and more.

But this conversation isn't simply about listing books and genres.

🎙️ We're getting to know the person behind the stories.

From his beginnings in North Carolina and his background in education to building imaginative fantasy worlds and writing stories rooted in faith, hope, resilience, and encouragement, J. Edwards has quite a story of his own to share.

📺 Watch our conversation:
https://youtu.be/cncTS01--E8

Then make plans to meet J. Edwards Holt in person at the Fall Book Festival 2026!

🍂 Fall Book Festival 2026
📍 The Randall House
215 Randall St
Greer, SC 29651
🕚 11 AM to 5 PM

Bring your book loving friends and come spend the day discovering authors, finding your next read, and meeting the creative people behind the pages.

08/26/2026

THE INVITATIONS ARE STARTING!

Things are getting REAL for the Stories & Ink Expo 2027!

We are officially starting to go through author applications and send out official invitations to selected authors!

Already applied?

Keep an eye on your inbox! Your invitation could be headed your way.

Haven’t applied yet?

What are you waiting for?

If you’d love the opportunity to be part of Stories & Ink Expo 2027, get your application submitted so we can learn more about you and your books!

Apply here:
https://creativeslingersofink.com/stories-ink-expo-application/

And yes... checking your inbox five times after reading this is completely acceptable.

Here's the official process:
1. You apply using part 1 (all about you) and returning authors get a shorter form.
2. You submit your books - this is a one-time thing, returning authors only submit new books since their last event with us.
3. I send out an official invitation via email.
4. You reply to the invitation saying that you still want to participate.
5. I send out an official email with the PayPal pay link.
6. You pay within 48 hours.
7. I officially welcome you to the Stories & Ink Expo 2027!

The only email that I use for official CSI communication is mandyjo @ creativeslingersofink . com.

Why am I putting this on here? Because there are so many scams out there that I want you to know what to expect.

08/22/2026

The Fall Book Festival is just one of the things happening at Creative Slingers of Ink. 💜

Whether you love writing stories or discovering your next great read, there's a place for you in our community.

✍️ If you love to write, our FREE Writer Membership gives you access to the Inkwell Community Circle, along with resources to help you throughout your writing journey.

📚 If you love to read, stick around! You can discover authors and books, follow our events, vote in our book cover contests, and see what we're working on next.

And speaking of what's next...

We're already looking ahead to October 23, 2027, when the Stories & Ink Expo comes to the Prisma Health Performance Center! 💜

Take a look at the graphic for more about Creative Slingers of Ink, then scan the QR code or visit:

https://creativeslingersofink.com

Come for the books. Stay for the community.

08/21/2026

The Fall Book Festival is getting closer, and we have a LOT of stories waiting for you!

Join us Saturday, October 17 at Randall House in Greer for a day filled with books, authors, and plenty to discover.

📚 29 authors
🍁 29 genres
📖 175+ book titles
🗺️ Authors joining us from 6 states

While you're browsing, grab your Passport to Reading and turn your trip around the festival into a game where you could win a box of books!

And yes, there will be snacks. 😋 Pancake Paradise will be making mini pancakes, and Sippin' Ain't Easy will have non-alcoholic drinks available.

Come meet the people behind the books, discover authors you haven't read yet, and maybe get a head start on that holiday shopping list.

📅 Saturday, October 17, 2026
⏰ 11 AM to 5 PM
📍 Randall House, 215 Randall St., Greer, SC

Free to attend!

See all the Fall Book Festival details here:
https://creativeslingersofink.com/fallbookfestival

08/20/2026

If you love epic adventures, powerful female characters, fantasy worlds, and stories written for teens and adults alike, be sure to stop by her table.

✍️ Genres: Action & Adventure, Contemporary Young Adult Fiction, Fantasy, Fantasy & Paranormal Young Adult Fiction, Female Empowerment, Literary Fiction, Teen & Young Adult, Women's Fiction

📍 Joining us from: Tennessee

Join us at the Fall Book Festival

🗓 Saturday, October 17, 2026

⏰ 11 AM to 5 PM

📍 Randall House
215 Randall St.
Greer, SC 29651

Come meet Kristen Johnson and discover *The Valaraii Rising Trilogy*, including *The Forgotten*, *The Lost*, and *The Dead*, filled with adventure, fantasy, powerful characters, and unforgettable journeys. ✨📚

08/19/2026

Meet T.K. Richards!

If you love romance with unforgettable characters, multicultural perspectives, and a touch of the paranormal, be sure to stop by her table.

✍️ Genres: Multicultural, Paranormal, Romance

📍 Joining us from: South Carolina

Join us at the Fall Book Festival

🗓 Saturday, October 17, 2026

⏰ 11 AM to 5 PM

📍 Randall House
215 Randall St.
Greer, SC 29651

Come meet T.K. Richards and discover stories filled with romance, heart, and unexpected twists. ❤️✨

Address

Fountain Inn, SC

Website

https://creativeslingersofink.com/fall-book-festival

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