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What a wondrous world we make when creativity meets community.
NOCTERRA BOOKERY
SINCE 2025
Nocterra Bookery is an indie-forward independent bookstore that provides books, gifts, and community. Serving readers, authors, artists, and those seeking a space to unleash their chaotic creativity, Nocterra Bookery is known for their stock of primarily local and independently-published authors and artists. This space was born from the dreams of indie authors who know the struggle of getting their worlds placed on the shelves. We hope to create a bridge where authors and readers can meet and open up worlds which are often untapped and overlooked by the limits of traditional publishing.
Books are for everyone. Not just every reader, but for everyone who has a story to tell; a voice to be heard.
Kansas City has a thriving literary community, and no shortage of amazing independent bookstores--each with their own niche, their own flavor. With Nocterra, we hope to join their ranks not just to help fill a gap in the Independence area, but to be one of the first shops in the city to not just accept indie authors--as many of our other bookstore friends do--but to maintain a primary focus on independent authors, artists, and creators.
That is our niche. Our flavor of bookstore. A specific flavor profile in a buffet of literary delicacies.
Step Inside And Discover The
MaGic WitHin tHe PaGEs
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Meet the Owners
Melissa and Chelsea have been writing stories together since 2008, and have officially began publishing those stories in September 2024 under their co-authorship, Madison Chase. Self-publishing, for them, was an intentional business decision. One many independent authors have consciously made to protect their voice, their worlds, and have control over their artistic expression. In their opinion, it's time for the world to see the value in indie-published books.
Kansas City has a thriving community of these independent authors; each of them having made the same choice for one motive or another, all of them taking on the workload, the financial burden, and the exhaustive roles most traditional authors have taken care of by their publishing team. Throughout 2025 and 2026, Melissa and Chelsea have connected with countless local authors and bookish businesses, and have made it their mission to continue to uplift the Kansas City voice, whether it be author, artist, or any other KC small business. The book community in KC is a phenomenal collective of voices who deserve to be heard.
Meet the Volunteers
Any bookstore is only as good as the team behind it.
Introducing our Bookstore Gargoyles; a team of passionate, talented, and chaotic women who not only awe and inspire us, but have a true love for the creative community of KC. Artists, authors, musicians, actors, wood workers, fabricators, cosplayers, designers, and crafters... there isn't much this group can't put their mind to!
Trisha Otis - Fantasy Author, Stained Glass Artist, Singer, and our official Page Pixie. When she isn't in her garden or playing with spicy glitter, she will be helping us with our book clubs and signings, crafting nights, and special releases.
Elizabeth Bird - Fantasy Author, Actress, and Sword Enthusiast. Our Dragon Writer will be assisting us with our larger events, including themed events and even hosting some unforgettable karaoke nights.
Samantha Burd - This D&D-loving author embraces true chaos and writes all things dirty, nerdy, and unhinged! When she isn't stalking General Hux, she will be helping us around the shop and with our community of creatives as the Briarbound contact!
Lauren Vieux - Kitty Queen and Wood Enchantress. The forests tremble not with fear, but with excited anticipation when she steps into her woodshop. We are excited to have her hanging with us in our new spot!