Where in Kansas City is Mindy?

By Mindy McVay

Actual footage of me trying to beat I-35 traffic to make it to all our February events.Some CEOs have private jets. I have a highly caffeinated donkey and a dream. Disclaimer: Just kididng! No donkeys were harmed or caffeinated in the making of our February event circuit. Only me and my sleep schedule.

“Whew, it was an action packed month for us in February. We ran full tilt to meet company goals, found more ways to help our local community and to show up to the desk to write, collaborate, and committed to our mission of empowering authors and artists.

Jonathan Shepard, I.T. Manager, worked tirelessly on streamlining new software to help support creative businesses with business solutions that support their art. We will be rolling this system out soon to help bring artists and authors back to focus on their art, rather than having to feed the hungry beasts of marketing, client management, and small business operations. A balance with which we all struggle in order to have a successful business. Check out his article that really dives into how Midnight Market’s Kit and Caboodle small business and client management software can help empower your business and take back your freedom to actually focus on your art in our blog “Conversations Across The Garden Gate.” Thank you to my team for finding a way to commit to our shared business dreams and continue to support and help our art community. I would not have been able to do this without you.

Our month started with attending the Cass County Northern Research Library’s Poetry Series with Dr. Gulley. Writers in Residence showed up to support the 2025 Bard Against Hunger contributor and participate in the open mic night that followed her reading.

We met some wonderful artists at the Interurban Arthouse in Overland Park to introduce ourselves and our collaborative partners Xiero Studios. We asked if any one would be interested in joining our mission to create books that scream Kansas City. Many of the artists joined us and our private Discord Art Market. If you have a need for graphic art or illustrations, don’t hesitate to reach out and we will be happy to make introductions to these wonderful artists!

Great news! We hired a new Technical Editor and are excited to be growing our editorial staff alongside our services! I also attended the Kaufman Foundation’s one million cups networking group three times this month and was invited to the Leawood Chamber of Commerce social to find opportunities to collaborate with KC small businesses.

We attended the Knowledge Networking with Kathy Coates event "Sip and Strategies"

and learnt about other local small businesses in Kansas City! It was fabulous to relax and network over dinner.

Midnight Garden Publishing drove north to KC Tap & Table located in the Marriott Hotel next to the Airport for Create & Connect, a Midnight Garden Party with Xiero Studios, Kathy Coates events and Knowledge Networking to discuss marketing, promotion, and publishing. We were honored to meet some of our online members in person for the first time!

The Illustrious Christine D Shuck graced us with her presence and stole away from her home renovations to charm us with her journey to publishing her multiple multi-genre series. We truly loved speaking with everyone who showed up and will be returning to the Marriott every month with Writers in Residence to focus on the how of writing your book, to meet more of our community and build excitement for our first writers conference slated for early 2027 with the help of Kathy Coates Events, and Xiero Studios! We are all abuzz to be bringing you more information as soon as it becomes available!

(Local Author Christine D Shuck at Create & Connect)

It is now February 20th and we are mostly through our month with even more amazing events to attend! Tomorrow, we will be headed back to the Belton Library for their minicomicon to meet more of our community, then spending the evening at the Hometown Olathe Family Farm for open mic and slam poetry night. Above: Xiero Studios at Mini comicon

Below: local Author Jeff Knoblauch

Signs books at the Mini Comicon

As this month comes to an end, I am looking back at how far we have come in eight months and I am amazed at the sometimes overwhelmingly positive response from our writing and art communities. I love watching creative communities come together and find ways to collaborate and inspire, encourage, and create.

We are truly blessed to be surrounded and supported by people like you, dear reader. We could not build the foundation of this company, provide the

resources we are building, or have the strength and energy to do all of this without your passion, commitment, and hope. We are working towards a tomorrow where independent creative communities thrive supported by creative industries who understand the needs, dreams, and hopes for a better future for all.

My head spins with how many places I went and wonderful people I met this month. I’ve never worked harder or been more exhausted, but every night I fall asleep with a smile on my face and awake every day full of excitement and promise for what we are building here at Midnight Garden Publishing House LLC and it is all because of you, dearest readers.

Thank you to everyone who showed up, participated in our events and supported us online by sharing our content posts. Those that heckled me at slam poetry night (Thanks for keeping me humble), and recommended us this month to their friends, family, and community. It is truly humbling to know that we are seen and appreciated and that people are excited to see what new thing we will get up to. We love our community.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart and

Thank you on behalf of our Midnight Garden Publishing team

Thank you, Thank you,

Thank you ad nauseum,

Mindy McVay,

CEO / Founder

MidnightGardenPublishing.com