A Cozy Saturday in the Life of an Indie Author: What We Actually Do (And Why It Feels So Good)

Happy Saturday, friends! It’s January 10, 2026, the weekend has arrived, and the world feels a little softer today. If you’re picturing an indie author like me spending the day in a whirlwind of dramatic typing sessions or dramatic plot breakthroughs, let me gently pull back the curtain. The reality is much quieter, much warmer, and honestly… much more human.

Weekends are for recharging the creative well, catching up on life, and giving ourselves permission to simply be. Here’s a little glimpse into what a typical cozy Saturday looks like for many of us indie authors—especially those of us who write fantasy, where magic lives in the small, everyday moments.

The Slow Morning

I usually wake up naturally sometime between 8 and 9, no alarm. There’s something sacred about that extra hour of sleep after a week of early mornings. I pad to the kitchen, brew a big mug of chai or hot chocolate (extra marshmallows, always), and sit by the window for a while. No phone, no to-do list. Just quiet. Just breathing. It’s amazing how much the brain needs that gentle nothing to start dreaming again.

Adulting, the Gentle Way

Once the tea is gone, life calls. Grocery shopping, folding laundry, maybe a quick tidy-up around the house. It’s not glamorous, but there’s a strange satisfaction in checking off the little things. One of my writer friends calls it “reset mode”—clear the physical clutter so the mental space opens up. I often pop in an audiobook while I fold clothes or put away dishes. It feels like sneaky research, even if it’s just a cozy mystery.

Filling the Well with Stories

This is the heart of Saturday for most authors I know: reading. Curl up on the couch with a blanket, a snack, and someone else’s book. Maybe a classic fantasy that makes your heart ache with wonder, or a gentle contemporary that lets your mind rest. Reading isn’t work—it’s nourishment. It reminds us why we fell in love with stories in the first place.

A Little Gentle Creating (If the Mood Strikes)

Some Saturdays I open my notebook or laptop for an hour or two—maybe jotting down a new idea for the Fey Realm, sketching a quick scene, or replying to reader messages. Other days? Nothing. And that’s okay. The best part of being indie is no one is standing over your shoulder with a deadline. If inspiration shows up, I welcome it. If not, I thank it for the day off.

Self-Care & Little Joys

A walk in the crisp air, a gym session to shake off the week, or curling up with a puzzle or coloring book. Many of us have side hobbies that let our minds wander without words—drawing, baking, gardening, or binge-watching a show that sparks story ideas. It’s all part of staying whole.

Evening Magic

As the light fades, the evening feels soft. Maybe a homemade dinner, a favorite show, or just quiet time with a book and a candle. Some nights I treat myself to something small—a fancy tea, a piece of chocolate, or a quiet celebration of whatever tiny win the week brought (a new pre-order, a kind comment, a finished chapter).

Weekends like this remind us that writing isn’t just about the words on the page. It’s about living a life rich enough to write about. It’s about balance, small joys, and coming back to the story refreshed.

So tell me—what does your cozy Saturday look like? Are you writing, resting, reading, or mixing it all up? Drop a comment below—I’d love to hear. And if you’re feeling a little extra magic this month… something enchanting is coming January 20. Stay tuned.

Grab a blanket, your favorite drink, and enjoy the weekend. You’ve earned it.