Shows
The Indy Author PodcastReviving a Series with Greta Boris - #292Matty Dalrymple talks with Greta Boris about REVIVING A SERIES, including the process authors can use to evaluate what went wrong with the original work; the importance of ensuring that titles, covers, and marketing strategies are brand right; and the specific steps authors can take to improve the books' craft, tighten plots, and align better with genre expectations. Interview video at https://youtu.be/Bu6YY2QWSxA Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/show-notes If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Au...
2025-06-1748 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Podcast Guest Playbook with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #291Matty Dalrymple talks with Mark Leslie Lefebvre about THE PODCAST GUEST PLAYBOOK, including tips and strategies for being an effective podcast guest, emphasizing the importance of understanding the host's perspective, making the process as easy as possible for the host, and focusing on the value you can provide to the audience—if you do that, the benefits will accrue to you naturally! We highlight the importance of the Three Ps—professionalism, preparedness, and politeness— throughout the process and share personal anecdotes and practical advice to help creators get the most out of their podcast guest appearances. Inte...
2025-06-101h 02The Indy Author PodcastThe Traveling Writer in Life and on the Page with Luke Richardson - #290 Matty Dalrymple talks with Luke Richardson about THE TRAVELING WRITER IN LIFE AND ON THE PAGE, including how his travels to places like India, Hong Kong, Nepal, and Morocco have inspired his novels, as well as his process for incorporating realistic and vivid settings into his stories. He addresses the challenges writers face when creating stories set in places they haven't visited, shares research resources authors can use for book promotion as well as for writing, and offers best practices for capturing the essence of a location to create an immersive experience for readers. Interview v...
2025-06-0344 minThe Indy Author PodcastCrafting Poetic Prose with Ran Walker - #289Matty Dalrymple talks with Ran Walker about CRAFTING POETIC PROSE, including the nuanced art of using poetic devices in fiction to bring language to life, venturing into various literary techniques, including metaphor and simile, personification, symbolism, homonyms, homophones, and homographs, and onomatopoeia, and exploring how these elements can enrich narratives and engage readers in more profound ways. Interview video at https://tinyurl.com/TIA289YT Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author!...
2025-05-2743 minThe Indy Author PodcastDecoding Storytelling Tropes with Jennifer Hilt - #288Matty Dalrymple talks with Jennifer Hilt about DECODING STORYTELLING TROPES, including the universality of about 40 tropes that cross various genres, especially the tropes of found family, misdirection, secrets and scars, and the ticking time bomb. Jennifer shares insights about how tropes like these help shape narratives and character motivations, touching on examples from popular books and movies. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/288-Jennifer-Hilt If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! htt...
2025-05-2039 minThe Indy Author PodcastManaging Your Editorial Crew with Roz Morris - #287Matty Dalrymple talks with Roz Morris about MANAGING YOUR EDITORIAL CREW, including how authors can effectively manage their editing process, the role beta readers play in the development of an author's work, what the needs are for editing before submitting a work to a traditional publisher or an agent, and tips for indie authors on making the most out of their editing experiences and dollars. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video usef...
2025-05-1341 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe New Normal of an Author Career with Johnny B. Truant - #286Matty Dalrymple talks with Johnny B. Truant about THE NEW NORMAL OF AN AUTHOR CAREER, including the evolving landscape of self-publishing, the dilemma of comparisonitis, the need to accept slow growth in one's author career as the new norm, the value of patience, and the warning signs when patience turns into a rut. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/t...
2025-05-0639 minThe Indy Author PodcastWriting Short with Art Taylor - #285Matty Dalrymple talks with Art Taylor about WRITING SHORT, including common challenges faced by novelists transitioning to short stories. Art emphasizes the importance of economy, efficiency, and focus; shares practical advice on trimming word count while maintaining narrative impact, such as eliminating redundant phrases and opting for active voice; and explores how key elements—like conflict escalation and character development—must be handled differently in short stories. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this vide...
2025-04-2940 minThe Indy Author PodcastTraining the Brain for Fiction Dictation with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer - #284Matty Dalrymple talks with Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer about TRAINING THE BRAIN FOR FICTION DICTATION, including the differences in approach for fiction versus nonfiction. Sarah describes the challenges authors face when transitioning to dictating fiction and offers practical advice for overcoming mental blocks. Sarah also highlights the flexibility of dictation, allowing authors to work in different environments and in shorter time blocks. And she discusses how dictation can improve other audio assets and can engage audiences in new ways. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.ht...
2025-04-2241 minThe Indy Author PodcastWriting Pivots and the Power of Humility with Kevin Tumlinson - #283 Matty Dalrymple talks with Kevin Tumlinson about WRITING PIVOTS AND THE POWER OF HUMILITY, including Kevin's journey of moving from a pantser to an outliner. They discuss his reasons for adopting outlining, influenced by his co-authoring project with J.D. Barker, and the cognitive challenges he faced during the transition. Kevin also speaks candidly about his existential crisis and burnout from overcommitting to activities outside writing, revealing how it affected his creative process. The conversation gives insights into the balance between structure and creativity, strategies for maintaining momentum in writing, and the importance of humility and continuous learning in...
2025-04-1544 minThe Indy Author PodcastUnlocking the Power of Book Reviews with Rossana Corniel - #282Matty Dalrymple talks with Rossana Corniel about UNLOCKING THE POWER OF BOOK REVIEWS, including the importance of reviews in understanding reader expectations and forming effective marketing strategies. Rossana discusses the finding that research shows that reviews can significantly impact sales and reader trust; the importance of tailoring your book's cover and description to your target audience ; and the emotional challenge of dealing with low-star reviews. The conversation also touches upon practical strategies for gathering reviews, such as using platforms like BookSprout. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com...
2025-04-0841 minThe Indy Author PodcastUsing Relevance to Save Your Darlings with Liesel HillMatty Dalrymple talks with Liesel Hill about USING RELEVANCE TO SAVE YOUR DARLINGS, including the importance of integrating emotional connection and subconscious storytelling to retain seemingly irrelevant scenes by making them essential. Topics include multi-tasking in scenes, pacing, evoking emotion, character arcs, purposeful character deaths, maintaining continuity in series, and avoiding unnecessary plot elements. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.pa...
2025-04-0133 minThe Indy Author PodcastInsider Tips from Writing Contest Judges with Clay Stafford - #280Matty Dalrymple talks with Clay Stafford about INSIDER TIPS FROM WRITING CONTEST JUDGES, including what judges look for in submissions, such as originality, strong voice, and proper pacing. Clay shares insights into the judging process, highlighting the necessity of engaging the reader early, avoiding errors, and understanding the contest’s goals and audience. They discuss the importance of submitting polished work, ensuring the right contest fit, and the potential benefits of feedback from critique groups and editors. Clay also emphasizes the value of leveraging contest wins and placements to build a writer’s career. Interview video...
2025-03-2552 minThe Indy Author PodcastLinkedIn Strategies for Authors with Troy Lambert - #279Matty Dalrymple talks with Troy Lambert about LINKEDIN STRATEGIES FOR AUTHORS, including the evolving role of LinkedIn for authors. We delve into strategies for optimizing LinkedIn profiles, engaging with peers, and understanding platform nuances to enhance professional presence, network effectively, and perhaps build a side hustle. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com...
2025-03-1843 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Perks and Pitfalls of Facebook Ads with Malorie Cooper - #278Matty Dalrymple talks with Malorie Cooper about THE PERKS AND PITFALLS OF FACEBOOK ADS, including the significance of high-contrast images and textual elements in ad creatives, the benefits and drawbacks of Facebook's automated targeting suggestions, and the latest updates in Facebook's targeting mechanisms that can affect ad performance. Mal emphasizes the need for authors to diversify their advertising efforts, touching on the importance of also experimenting with platforms like Amazon Ads and BookBub for broader marketing success. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html
2025-03-1147 minThe Indy Author PodcastBook Promotion and How to Break through the Noise with Leah Paulos - #277Matty Dalrymple talks with Leah Paulos about BOOK PROMOTION AND HOW TO BREAK THROUGH THE NOISE, including the importance of early marketing planning, crafting concise and compelling pitches, and understanding the specific needs of different recipients. Leah also delves into leveraging email lists, using AI tools for crafting pitches, building relationships with influencers, and the long-tail approach to post-publication promotion. Leah provides practical tips for authors to maximize their promotional efforts and connect effectively with their target audience. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.h...
2025-03-0445 minThe Indy Author PodcastNavigating Legal Risk in Memoir with Kathryn Goldman - #276Matty Dalrymple talks with Kathryn Goldman about NAVIGATING LEGAL RISK IN MEMOIR, including the delicate balance memoir writers must strike to avoid defamation, invasion of privacy, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. Kathryn explains the legal definitions and elements of these terms and offers advice on minimizing risk, emphasizing the importance of factual accuracy and distinguishing between statements of fact and opinion. We also discuss the complexities of protecting oneself when writing about identifiable real-life figures and the considerations authors must take into account when deciding whether to fictionalize elements of their stories. Finally, Kathryn touches on the implications...
2025-02-2547 minThe Indy Author PodcastGetting Unstuck in Book Marketing and Promotion with Michael La Ronn - #275Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about GETTING UNSTUCK IN BOOK MARKETING AND PROMOTION, including how authors can get unstuck when traditional methods like ads and blogger reviews are not affordable or effective. He emphasizes the importance of having an email list and a reader magnet, using strategic pricing, updating book descriptions, and optimizing back matter. They also discuss leveraging relationships with other authors for cross-promotion and the potential of using Kickstarter. Matty and Michael highlight various low-cost and free resources, while underscoring the significance of setting realistic expectations and being persistent in the journey of indie publishing.
2025-02-1853 minThe Indy Author PodcastElevating Your Presence with Panel Appearances with Joanne McLaughlin - #274Matty Dalrymple talks with Joanne McLaughlin about ELEVATING YOUR PRESENCE WITH PANEL APPEARANCES, including participating in panels as a way to build confidence, network, and promote one's work. We discuss the importance of contributing meaningfully during panels and the benefits of both genre-specific and non-genre-specific conferences, and we touch on the roles of moderators, the structure of panels, and how varied experiences can enhance panel discussions. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this vide...
2025-02-1130 minThe Indy Author PodcastShowrunning Your Series Novels with Cheryl McKay - #273Matty Dalrymple talks with Cheryl McKay about SHOWRUNNING YOUR SERIES NOVELS, including how to plan for standalone versus series formats; the role of episodic elements; the benefits of feeling inspired by and using real-world locations in storytelling; the importance of character development and story arcs; and the importance of making strong standalone stories with potential for growth or spinoffs. We also discuss the responsibilities of a showrunner and how this role parallels the varied duties of an indie author. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html ...
2025-02-0445 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Evolving Author and Second Editions with Joanna Penn - #272Matty Dalrymple talks with Joanna Penn about THE EVOLVING AUTHOR AND SECOND EDITIONS, including the release of the second edition of Joanna's book, HOW TO WRITE NON-FICTION. Joanna discusses the changes in nonfiction writing, including the importance of storytelling, which led her to apply some of the personal elements and insights she has used in her memoir works into this new edition. We delve into the challenges and benefits of putting out a new edition versus updating the existing one, the evolving landscape of self-publishing, and the impact of new technologies on the writing business. Interview video...
2025-01-2854 minThe Indy Author PodcastTapping into Your Author Voice with Tiffany Yates Martin - #271Matty Dalrymple talks with Tiffany Yates Martin about TAPPING INTO YOUR AUTHOR VOICE, including how many writers mistakenly view voice as an external element they need to find or impose on their work. Instead, she believes that true voice comes from genuinely accessing and expressing one's internal truths, a process that can feel quite daunting. Tiffany emphasizes that an authentic voice is not about adopting a façade but rather about tapping into what is true to the author and allowing it to emerge naturally in their writing. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist S...
2025-01-1445 minThe Indy Author PodcastAuthor Assistants: Finding One or Being One with Kate Tilton - #270Matty Dalrymple talks with Kate Tilton about AUTHOR ASSISTANTS: FINDING ONE OR BEING ONE, including the various types of support an author assistant can offer, from organizing emails and managing forums to handling newsletters and connecting with PR firms. We explore the complexities of finding the right assistant, balancing workload, and the importance of clear communication and trust. Kate also touches on strategies for authors who find themselves overwhelmed and seeking help, providing valuable insights for anyone considering hiring or becoming an author assistant. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at...
2025-01-0738 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Discipline-Driven Path to Success with Dre Baldwin - #269Matty Dalrymple talks with Dre Baldwin about THE DISCIPLINE-DRIVEN PATH TO SUCCESS, including the importance of having clear goals to maintain focus; the role of discipline, time management, execution, and planning in achieving goals; the value of seeking external perspectives and of sharing your goals only with those who can provide support to achieve them; and practical tips for overcoming writer's block. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author!
2024-12-3138 minThe Indy Author PodcastWhat Authors Should Not Learn from Movies with Rene Gutteridge - #268Matty Dalrymple talks with Rene Gutteridge about WHAT AUTHORS SHOULD NOT LEARN FROM MOVIES, including how crucial point of view and inner monologue are in novel writing compared to the visual storytelling required in movies; how writers can mistakenly adopt a “director's” approach, leading to overly descriptive and less engaging prose; and delve the science behind the different brain functions of hobbyist writers versus professional authors. We touch on how conciseness in movies contrasts with the depth needed in novels, using examples like Dennis Lehane’s MYSTIC RIVER, and discuss practical strategies for maintaining engaging pacing in fiction without losing...
2024-12-1744 minThe Indy Author PodcastUsing Romance to Write Stories with Heart with Jennifer Probst - #267Matty Dalrymple talks with Jennifer Probst about USING ROMANCE TO WRITE STORIES WITH HEART, including the importance of emotional depth, character growth arcs, and the role of secondary characters in enhancing romantic storylines. Jennifer emphasizes the need for sexual tension and matching the type of romance with different characters to create compelling narratives. She also dives into techniques for balancing varying levels of romantic steam in different genres, the importance of human connection, and the subtleties of using vulnerabilities in characters to enrich stories. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at...
2024-12-1046 minThe Indy Author PodcastTimeless Storytelling Principles with Douglas Vigliotti - #266Matty Dalrymple talks with Douglas Vigliotti about TIMELESS STORYTELLING PRINCIPLES, including the significance of consistency, reversals, and recognitions in novels, drawing parallels to mediums like film. Doug explores the role of believability and logic in creating compelling stories and reflects on the impact of marketing pressures on current narratives. He also discusses the cyclical nature of transgressive art. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author!...
2024-12-0344 minThe Indy Author PodcastConnecting and Captivating with Author Readings with Gary Zenker - #265Matty Dalrymple talks with Gary Zenker about CONNECTING AND CAPTIVATING WITH AUTHOR READINGS, including how readings help create a personal connection with readers, practical tips for preparing and delivering effective readings, finding or creating reading opportunities, and ensuring that your materials align with the theme, venue, and audience. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://ww...
2024-11-1952 minThe Indy Author PodcastBuilding Your Brand through Networking with Dale L. Roberts - #264Matty Dalrymple talks with Dale L. Roberts about BUILDING YOUR BRAND THROUGH NETWORKING, including how connecting with industry professionals, participating in community discussions, and utilizing online platforms can significantly impact an author's success. He emphasizes the need for a clear author brand and effective networking strategies, offering practical advice on overcoming imposter syndrome and speaking confidently. Dale explains the value of mutual support within the indie author community and discusses his new book, NETWORKING FOR AUTHORS, which combines memoir elements with actionable strategies for both introverted and extroverted authors. Interview video at https://bit.ly/T...
2024-11-1235 minThe Indy Author PodcastCollaborate and Create with Michael La Ronn - #263Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about best practices to COLLABORATE AND CREATE, including the intricacies of collaborative writing, and the importance of formal agreements when co-authoring a book. Michael highlights the necessity of having clear contracts to avoid misunderstandings and ensure smooth transitions in case one collaborator is unable to continue. They delve into practical writing tools like Google Docs and Microsoft Word, and discuss strategies for managing long-term collaborations, including effective marketing and promotional efforts. Emphasizing professionalism, clear communication, and adaptability, they share insights on leveraging each collaborator's strengths, assigning tasks based on expertise, and navigating...
2024-11-0553 minThe Indy Author PodcastCombating and Tapping into Imposter Syndrome with Diane Vallere - #262Matty Dalrymple talks with Diane Vallere about COMBATING AND TAPPING INTO IMPOSTER SYNDROME, including how understanding personal goals and recognizing the difference between internal self-assessment and external comparisons can help manage imposter syndrome; the benefits for creatives of focusing on our own definition of success rather than external validation; and how pricing our work appropriately is crucial in avoiding the pitfalls of both imposter syndrome and undervaluation. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in thi...
2024-10-2936 minThe Indy Author PodcastNavigating Collaborative Storytelling with Todd Fahnestock - #261Matty Dalrymple talks with Todd Fahnestock about NAVIGATING COLLABORATIVE STORYTELLING, including the intricacies and benefits of collaborative writing, the flexibility required for successful collaborations, the dynamics of sharing creative control, and the emotional impact when projects don't meet expectations. He details the guidelines his collaborators in the ELDROS LEGACY series established to maintain world consistency, and the importance of a “just say yes” approach to foster creativity. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this v...
2024-10-2235 minThe Indy Author PodcastFour Pillars of Author Success with Emma Dhesi - #260Matty Dalrymple talks with Emma Dhesi about FOUR PILLARS OF AUTHOR SUCCESS: Awareness, Acceptance, Growth, and Fun. She shares insights into the ups and downs of the writing journey and how to maintain focus and joy throughout the process. We discuss the importance of aligning your plans with your goals and of staying true to your writing style and pace. We also touch on the psychological aspects of writing, marketing, and promotion. And Emma provides advice on maintaining balance and avoiding burnout while pursuing writing as a career or passion. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist
2024-10-1546 minThe Indy Author PodcastWorking Harder, Working Smarter with Diane Vallere - #259Matty Dalrymple talks with Diane Vallere about WORKING HARDER, WORKING SMARTER, including the trap of busywork; the danger of getting caught on autopilot; how small tasks can add up to big chunks of time and the importance of always assigning value to your time; pursuing a minimum viable product; understanding what you’re doing for your audience versus what you’re doing for yourself (and acknowledging what work is strictly for your own enjoyment); considering the indirect as well as direct value of work; when outsourcing is the smart option; and when doing nothing is sometimes the smart choice.
2024-10-0858 minThe Indy Author PodcastGetting the Word Out: Media Campaigns for Authors with Marie Whittaker - #258Matty Dalrymple talks with Marie Whittaker about GETTING THE WORD OUT: MEDIA CAMPAIGNS FOR AUTHORS, including why press releases remain a valuable promotional tool, the five milestones that deserve a press release, how press releases compare with social media posting, media campaigns for crowdfunding, tips for approaching bookstores and libraries, whether authors can apply these tips to their backlists, and how to maximize the value of your website real estate. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you...
2024-10-0146 minThe Indy Author PodcastBook Sponsorships with Dale L. Roberts - #257Matty Dalrymple talks with Dale L. Roberts about BOOK SPONSORSHIPS, based on his experience soliciting sponsors for his series of non-fiction books. We discuss the importance of matching sponsorships with your theme and brand; of reading the fine print in the terms and conditions of the platforms you will use to distribute your book; how he made the decision about where to place the ads and what reader response has been; the information you’ll need to pitch a potential sponsor, and the importance of asking “why” if you get a no. We also discuss some ways that fiction author...
2024-09-2440 minThe Indy Author PodcastLessons from the Nomadic Author with Nicholas Harvey - #256Matty Dalrymple talks with Nicholas Harvey about LESSONS FROM THE NOMADIC AUTHOR, including how Nick became a nomadic author, and how his lifestyle has opened out-of-the-box marketing opportunities for him to connect with his fans (here’s a teaser: it’s not even on land!). We discuss which came first, the book or the location, how to create a writing-friendly environment, the importance and challenges of building routine, and the vital importance of stepping away from the keyboard. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/pod...
2024-09-1745 minThe Indy Author PodcastFrom Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker - Part 2 with Michael La Ronn - #255Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about moving FROM PAGE TO PLATFORM: HOW TO SUCCEED AS AN AUTHOR SPEAKER. This is the second of a two-part series, and in this part, we discuss how to find opportunities for speaking engagements (and whether placement services like speakers’ bureaus are worth pursuing), how to assess the opportunities you find or are offered, how to negotiate the offer, how to make the most of in-person events, and how to capitalize on the connections you’ll make. Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist Show n...
2024-09-1043 minThe Indy Author PodcastFrom Page to Platform: How to Succeed as an Author Speaker - Part 1 with Michael La Ronn - #254Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about moving FROM PAGE TO PLATFORM: HOW TO SUCCEED AS AN AUTHOR SPEAKER. This is a two-part series, and in this first part, we discuss types of talks ... not just the usual suspects. Even if you don’t have a goal of making paid speaking engagements part of your repertoire, you are an author speaker if you participate in interviews, including podcasts, panels, or author readings, and we share best practices for those types of events. We discuss the pros and cons of in-person and virtual events. And we discuss defining your go...
2024-09-0341 minThe Indy Author PodcastNavigating the Worlds of Fiction and Film with Rene Gutteridge - #253Matty Dalrymple talks with Rene Gutteridge about NAVIGATING THE WORLDS OF FICTION AND FILM, including the nuances and intricacies involved in transitioning from writing novels to screenplays, the technical constraints in screenwriting, the necessity of collaboration in film, and the importance of adhering to a rigid structure. Rene also covers how understanding screenplay techniques can benefit novelists, particularly in terms of pacing and scene structure. She offers insights for novelists considering a venture into screenwriting, emphasizing the innate differences in storytelling approaches. Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheIndyAuthorPodcast Sho...
2024-08-2754 minThe Indy Author PodcastStrategic Website Planning for Authors with Pauline Wiles - #252Matty Dalrymple talks with Pauline Wiles about STRATEGIC WEBSITE PLANNING FOR AUTHORS. This conversation was prompted by Matty's need to migrate her websites—MattyDalrymple.com and TheIndyAuthor.com—off Weebly, since Square, which owns Weebly, is phasing out support for Weebly. Pauline and Matty delve into the critical aspects of planning a website overhaul, such as understanding author goals, target readership, and key marketing tactics. Pauline emphasizes the need to keep sites simple and user-friendly and discusses tools and integrations that are effective for different types of authors. The conversation also covers practical tips for improving website functionality and enga...
2024-08-2058 minThe Indy Author PodcastStrategic Self-Doubt and the Indie Mindset with Diane Vallere - #251Matty Dalrymple talks with Diane Vallere about STRATEGIC SELF-DOUBT AND THE INDIE MINDSET, including overcoming limiting beliefs, handling self-doubt, and recognizing personal roadblocks. Diane emphasizes the importance of understanding the various choices available in the independent and traditional publishing routes, and we discuss myths within the indie community, the impact of constructive criticism, and the significance of aligning personal goals with creative and business objectives. Interview video at https://youtu.be/H8rYdAZsrUg Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in...
2024-08-1348 minThe Indy Author PodcastFrom Firearms to Fiction with Chris Grall - #250Matty Dalrymple talks with Chris Grall about FROM FIREARMS TO FICTION, including his book TRIGGER GUARD: A WRITER'S GUIDE TO FIREARMS. Chris shares the challenges he faced in creating consistent and accurate illustrations for his book, with some valuable do’s and don’t’s for authors with books that include illustrations; the attitude he brought to receiving feedback from his target audiences; and the goal of his book: to enable writers to write gripping and accurate firearms scenes. Interview video at https://youtu.be/M_g_S1CbCUg Show notes at http...
2024-08-0646 minThe Indy Author PodcastHow to Keep Non-Fiction Fresh with Anna Featherstone - #249Matty Dalrymple talks with Anna Featherstone about HOW TO KEEP NON-FICTION FRESH, including maintaining the human touch in an age of AI, the importance of fresh perspectives, effective book proposals, and integrating multiple viewpoints. Anna also emphasizes the need for authenticity, the strategic exclusion of outdated or overly technical information, and innovative formats that can enhance the reader's experience. Interview video at https://youtu.be/FVo76tZ2GFI Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html If you find the information in this video useful, please con...
2024-07-3041 minThe Indy Author PodcastConstructing a Multi-Layered Villain with Greta Boris - #248Matty Dalrymple talks with Greta Boris about CONSTRUCTING A MULTI-LAYERED VILLAIN, including how analyzing villains in our previous works can help us understand what does and doesn’t work with readers and how characters' personalities, based on tools like Enneagram, influence their effectiveness as villains. We also explore examples of well-crafted villains from TV shows like 'Breaking Bad' and movies like 'The Silence of the Lambs.' Greta shares insights from her personal writing process and touches on the challenges and nuances of writing morally complex villains. Interview video at https://youtu.be/VT5s32Mjd...
2024-07-2347 minThe Indy Author PodcastNewsletter Marketing as a Creative Endeavor with Roz Morris - #247Matty Dalrymple talks with Roz Morris about NEWSLETTER MARKETING AS A CREATIVE ENDEAVOR, including how authors can creatively integrate personal stories and ongoing projects into newsletters to engage readers. Roz shares her journey of finding the right content for her newsletter, emphasizing the importance of marketing the author alongside the books. She provides insights into using personal adventures and research anecdotes to connect with the audience. And we also discuss the benefits of interactivity, the role of social media groups, and maintaining a consistent creative output that resonates with readers. Interview video at https://youtu.b...
2024-07-1645 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Secrets of World-Building: It’s the Small Stuff with Timons Esaias - #246Matty Dalrymple talks with Timons Esaias about THE SECRETS OF WORLD-BUILDING: IT’S THE SMALL STUFF, including his insights into effective world-building for fiction, emphasizing the importance of small, non-generic details that enhance character development and scene-setting. He touches on the difference between immersive storytelling and simpler narratives and offers practical tips on how to gather and use unique details from ephemera, old books, and postcards to enrich a narrative. He offers guidance on balancing research with storytelling ... and on knowing when to stop. Interview video at https://youtu.be/HLmimkI-Dqg Show...
2024-07-0947 minThe Indy Author PodcastUnderstanding Your Book's Neighborhood with Nat Connors - #244Matty Dalrymple talks with Nat Connors about UNDERSTANDING YOUR BOOK’S NEIGHBORHOOD, including the importance of understanding what books you want your book to appear next to and how authors can use data to guide their publishing decisions about positioning their books. We discuss wide versus KU, series versus standalone, pricing, cover design, blurbs, and compliance with genre conventions. We discuss the importance of tracking the best practices in your genre, how to solicit input from readers to get the most valid results, and using categories to educate the retail platforms about your books. And Nat has a special of...
2024-06-2555 minThe Indy Author PodcastMistakes Writers Make about Forensic Psychology with Katherine Ramsland - #243Matty Dalrymple talks with Katherine Ramsland about MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE ABOUT FORENSIC PSYCHOLOGY, including these commons mistakes and how to avoid them: They are used as profilers because detectives can’t do this work; they visit crime scenes to advise on catching a killer; they profile a person; they interrogate suspects; they undertake hypnosis or therapy in the courtroom; they pronounce defendants to be sane or insane; and they can accurately predict long-range future violent behavior without standardized tools. Interview video at https://youtu.be/37UHufk1CXo Show notes (including summary and...
2024-06-1856 minThe Indy Author PodcastMistakes Writers Make About Working K-9s and How to Avoid Them with Kathleen Donnelly - #241Matty Dalrymple talks with Kathleen Donnelly about MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE ABOUT WORKING K-9s AND HOW TO AVOID THEM, including whether a dog can track across water or track a person in a car; whether one scent can be disguised with another; what makes it difficult for a dog to track and how to evade tracking dogs (maybe); training rescue and human remains dogs; training the alert signal; identifying candidate dogs; when training starts; the role of the handler; what happens if a dog flunks out; the caveat that every agency is different; and how to get more information.
2024-06-0453 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Sales Flywheel with Chelle Honiker - #240Matty Dalrymple talks with Chelle Honiker about THE SALES FLYWHEEL, including what a sales flywheel is ... and what it is not; building a community through the flywheel; finding the nugget of humanity; the danger of teaching readers to expect free; sharing of yourself, but within parameters you set; building cyclical, not transactional, relationships; the importance of not emailing people only when you have something to sell them; and the flywheel approach to book launches. Interview video at https://youtu.be/msOKa4Bl7RM Show notes (including summary and transcript) at https://ww...
2024-05-2843 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Big Indie Author Data Drop 2024 with Melissa Addey - #238Matty Dalrymple talks with Melissa Addey about THE BIG INDIE AUTHOR DATA DROP 2024, including author income data; whether trad pub income is spikier than indie pub income; the growth of libraries; the continuing popularity of paperback; selling direct; trends in KU; the power of the backlist; behavioral aspects of indie authors (it's not what I would have expected!); the fact that indie and trad is not an either / or decision; and the importance of seeing the bigger picture (not just the shiny objects). Interview video at https://youtu.be/e0attxCHqGU Sh...
2024-05-1448 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Pocket Guide to Pantsing with Michael La Ronn - #234Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about THE POCKET GUIDE TO PANTSING, including honoring what your brain is trying to do; retrospective outlining for pantsers; cycling through your story; meeting the characters where they are; surprising the reader (and yourself); the challenge of writing into the dark across a series; using AI to create a story bible (but how spreadsheets still work better than AI); differentiating fear from anxiety; and giving yourself permission to trust yourself. You can also listen to me talk myself into the viability of using pantsing for mysteries. Interview video a...
2024-04-1646 minThe Indy Author PodcastData-Driven Publishing with Pamela Fagan Hutchins - #233Matty Dalrymple talks with Pamela Fagan Hutchins about DATA-DRIVEN PUBLISHING, including business and creative collaboration with a publisher; the rise of "super indie / alt traditional”; changing one's genre or plotting approach based on the data; battling imposter syndrome; the danger of violating reader expectations and the power of targeting the enthusiastic sub-genre fan; and the value of writing between bright lines. Interview video at https://youtu.be/6-los8ndB5k Show notes (including transcript) at https://www.theindyauthor.com/233---data-driven-publishing.html If you find the information in this...
2024-04-0945 minThe Indy Author PodcastWhat Has Changed and Stayed the Same with Amazon Ads with Bryan Cohen - #232Matty Dalrymple talks with Bryan Cohen about WHAT HAS CHANGED AND STAYED THE SAME WITH AMAZON ADS, including ads as a research tool; whether Amazon product pages are actually getting busier; the impact of A+ content; the advice to go deep rather than wide on ad platforms; how AI is (or might be) changing the ad game; budgeting for beginners; and whether one book is enough for an ad campaign. Interview video at https://youtu.be/1zBrNjHc7tk Show notes (including transcript) at https://www.theindyauthor.com/232---what-has-changed-and-stayed-the-same-with-amazon-ads.html ...
2024-04-0247 minThe Indy Author PodcastAim Lower - The Secret to Hitting Big Goals Is Targets So Easy You Can't Miss Them with Roland Denzel - #231Matty Dalrymple talks with Roland Denzel about AIM LOWER - THE SECRET TO HITTING BIG GOALS IS TARGETS SO EASY YOU CAN'T MISS THEM, including how big goals teach bad habits, how tiny dopamine hits mean the world to your habits, how habits need slack and an expiration date, and his advice: One at a time, please. Interview video at https://youtu.be/-gdGMff0zG8 Show notes (including transcript) at https://www.theindyauthor.com/231---aim-lower---the-secret-to-hitting-big-goals.html If you find the information in this video useful, please consider sup...
2024-03-2648 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Good, the Bad, and the Surprising of Kickstarter with Megan Haskell and Jennifer Hilt - #230Matty Dalrymple talks with Megan Haskell and Jennifer Hilt about THE GOOD, THE BAD, AND THE SURPRISING OF KICKSTARTER. They offer their insider perspectives, covering both fiction and non-fiction books, including how Kickstarters enables authors to tap into a growing desire among readers for access to creators; which comes first, a Kickstarter campaign or a reader community; how Kickstarter has become a platform where readers browse for books (and aren’t looking for bargains); the importance of starting small; the challenge of data management; the value of a campaign as market research; ideas for backer tier offerings; which parts of...
2024-03-1956 minThe Indy Author PodcastHow to Make Your Work Accessible with Michael Johnson - #229Authors, who would like to tap into another 20% of the reading population? You can do that by making your works accessible to the community of potential readers with print disabilities. Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Johnson about HOW TO MAKE YOUR WORK ACCESSIBLE, including the requirements of digital accessibility, such as making images and graphs and charts accessible; tools and services for accommodating accessibility; IP financial and rights considerations; SEO benefits; and the impact of AI. Michael talks about both the social obligations of making work accessible as well as the financial benefits of doing s...
2024-03-1244 minThe Indy Author PodcastSix Keys to Author Success Part 1 with Nick Thacker - #227Matty Dalrymple talks with Nick Thacker about SIX KEYS TO AUTHOR SUCCESS PART 1, including This week on The Indy Author Podcast, I have Part 1 of a wide-ranging conversation with Nick Thacker about SIX KEYS TO AUTHOR SUCCESS. In this episode we talk about QUALITY WRITING, including how marketing serves as a force multiplier for our craft; the opportunities and the responsibility of being your own gatekeeper; balancing quality control with over-engineering; and how writing the first draft is assembling the raw material for your creation ... or maybe like building sandcastles. We talk about PROFESSIONAL PRESENTATION, and the importance of...
2024-02-2745 minThe Indy Author PodcastFrom Gatekeepers to Guides: The Evolving Role of Agents with David Morris - #226Matty Dalrymple talks with David Morris about FROM GATEKEEPERS TO GUIDES: THE EVOLVING ROLE OF AGENTS, including the decline of gatekeeper roles in the publishing world; the agent business model and how it is evolving, including the emergence of an indie equivalent of the agent role; red flags to watch out for when seeking that support; and the role of hybrid publishers. Interview video at https://youtu.be/WGdEoQNSN2A Show notes (including transcript) at https://www.theindyauthor.com/226---from-gatekeepers-to-guides-the-evolving-role-of-agents.html If you find the information in this...
2024-02-2042 minThe Indy Author PodcastSecrets of Maximizing In-person Sales with Todd Fahnestock - #224Matty Dalrymple talks with Todd Fahnestock about SECRETS OF MAXIMIZING IN-PERSON SALES, including the background of Todd’s less than successful early in-person sales experiences; his first success, and what he learned from it; how to find the opportunities, and the power of saying yes to everything (with some caveats); how to achieve a professional set-up, including advice on effective banner design, book displays, and use of QR codes; the four categories of readers, and tips for improving your changes of a sale for each; how to overcome the fear of being too salesy; options for a low impact ap...
2024-02-0658 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Tolling Bell & The Story Hypothesis with JP Rindfleisch - #223Matty Dalrymple talks with JP Rindfleisch about THE TOLLING BELL & THE STORY HYPOTHESIS, including the formula of Story Hypothesis (initial want + developing need + true need); the nine fundamental needs and identifying the driving needs; using the Story Hypothesis to create a resonating theme; the downside of how the concept of "theme" is usually taught; the power of a non-hierarchical approach; applying the Story Hypothesis to a series; and considering the driving needs of the antagonist (with a fun conversation about Hannibal Lecter). Links, summary, and transcript at https://www.theindyauthor.com/223---the-tolling-bell--the-story-hypothesis.html If you...
2024-01-3041 minThe Indy Author PodcastPerfecting Your Story's Trajectory with Mary Carroll Moore - #222Matty Dalrymple talks with Mary Carroll Moore about PERFECTING YOUR STORY'S TRAJECTORY, including the value of having a visual map of your story's structure; the importance of understanding the triggering event that generates the crisis and the turn from outer to inner crisis; the power of considering how the question posed at the beginning of the story maps to the answer given at the end of the story; adjusting a plot to meet genre tropes; the often overlooked arc of setting and avoiding setting cliches; and using a storyboard to check for cause and effect. Links, summary...
2024-01-2349 minThe Indy Author PodcastLeveraging Your Tribe of Influence with Stephanie Chandler - #221 Matty Dalrymple talks with Stephanie Chandler about LEVERAGING YOUR TRIBE OF INFLUENCE, including the power of tapping into your existing tribe and of expanding beyond that tribe; the value of beta readers to address the problem of obscurity; the downside of promoting outside your target audience, of selling to other writers, and of relying on the "rented real estate" of social media; the importance of creating a reciprocal relationship and exhibiting professionalism; tips for pursuing aspirational contacts; and how each new contact opens a network of others. Links, summary, and transcript at https://www.theindyauthor.com/221---leveraging-your-tribe-of-influence...
2024-01-1640 minThe Indy Author PodcastPodcasting Playbook: Navigating Guest Opportunities with Michelle Glogovac and Special Guests - #220If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Michelle Glogovac about PODCASTING PLAYBOOK: NAVIGATING GUEST OPPORTUNITIES, including pitching to a podcast is similar to or different from other pitches in a writer’s life; the importance of pitching not just the book but the person behind the book; finding good podcast matches, both by finding your niche and by pushing the boundaries; the differences between fiction and non-fiction pitches; whether repetition of a s...
2024-01-0953 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Productive Power of Organization and Procrastination - #219 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with John DeDakis about The Productive Power of Organization and Procrastination, including organizing content and research material and the value of compartmentalizing; organizational approaches with Excel, MS Word, and Scrivener (and alternatives to each), including pairing a draft document with a journal document; creating a synopsis as you write; tapping into AI for synopses and sales descriptions (a nice follow-on to last week's discussion with...
2024-01-0247 minThe Indy Author PodcastStory Bibles and How AI Can Help with Kaylin Tristano - #218Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Kaylin Tristano about STORY BIBLES AND HOW AI CAN HELP. If you’re tired of discussions about AI, you’ll find plenty to interest you in the first half of our conversation, and if you’re not tired of AI, you’ll find some great tips for uses of AI for authors that go way beyond the creation of story bibles. We start out our conv...
2023-12-2646 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Many Levers of Your Author Platform with Andrea DeWerd - #217Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Andrea DeWerd about THE MANY LEVERS OF YOUR AUTHOR PLATFORM, including two approaches to social media: going wide or going deep; the pros and cons of social media scheduling and cross-posting apps; tips for finding your target demographic on social media; the evolving status of BookTok and TikTok; the fact that an author platform is more than social media, and how to find those...
2023-12-1946 minThe Indy Author PodcastLearning from Our Readers and Our Characters with Frank Zafiro - #216Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Frank Zafiro about LEARNING FROM OUR READERS AND OUR CHARACTERS, including what writers can learn from a negative review (not to be confused with a bad review); tips for crafting realistic dialogue (it’s not a transcript); allowing a long-running series to evolve; the dynamics of an ensemble cast; and how to position a first book in a series as your craft skills grow wi...
2023-12-1249 minThe Indy Author PodcastMistakes Writers Make about Firefighters with Thomas Dunne - #215 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Thomas Dunne about MISTAKES WRITERS MAKE ABOUT FIREFIGHTERS, including the fact that firefighting is a small part of a firefighter’s job; how the variety of firefighter roles enables story and character depth; story opportunities involving false alarms; how where there's fire, there's (almost) always smoke, and portraying the experience of moving through smoke by tapping into all the senses; life in a firehouse, in...
2023-12-0553 minThe Indy Author PodcastYour Persona is Your Brand with Jami Albright - #214 If you get value from this resource, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Jami Albright about YOUR PERSONA IS YOUR BRAND, including the power of surrounding yourself with reminders of your brand; the role of genre conventions in branding; the importance of repelling the right readers; how to find out what your reader's "butter" is; positioning a rebranding effort and whether it requires a new pen name; whether rebranding cover design is the first or last option (and an...
2023-11-2848 minThe Indy Author PodcastMelding Words and Animation - Exploring Storia with Todd Gallet - #213 If you find this information useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Matty Dalrymple talks with Todd Gallet about MELDING WORDS AND ANIMATION - EXPLORING STORIA, including the growing interest in multimedia and bingeable content; accommodating different preferences in consuming content; the opportunity for introducing new readers and viewers to our work; the kinds of stories Storia is looking for and the downside of basing Storia work on an established series; IP considerations; tapping into cross-promotional opportunities with your co-creators; involving the reader...
2023-11-2147 minThe Indy Author PodcastWhat Writers Can Learn from The First Two Pages with Art Taylor - #212 Matty Dalrymple talks with Art Taylor about WHAT WRITERS CAN LEARN FROM THE FIRST TWO PAGES, including the backstory of why "two pages"; the power of being a percolator (in addition to a plotter or pantser); how research can engender a story; waiting as a mechanism of conflict and suspense; short fiction as an experimental platform; the importance of thinking consciously about the craft issues and studying what gets scrapped; considering advise from veteran and first-time writers; and the power of starting with a bang ... or not. Show notes and transcript at https://bit.ly/TIAP212
2023-11-1448 minThe Indy Author PodcastCreating a Refuge: Creative Planning for Authors and Poets with Orna Ross - #211Matty Dalrymple talks with Orna Ross about CREATING A REFUGE: CREATIVE PLANNING FOR AUTHORS AND POETS, including what Orna saw that convinced her that writers needed a more holistic approach to planning; the power of linking between your values as an author and the value you offer your readers; drawing deeply on your creative passion and mission as an author and as a publisher; recognize that self-publishing authors must wear three very different hats: that of maker, manager, and marketeer; the importance of incorporating creative rest and play into your weekly plans; encouraging a growth mindset and instituting a...
2023-11-071h 00The Indy Author PodcastConstructing a Compelling Series with Sara Rosett - #210Matty Dalrymple talks with Sara Rosett about Constructing a Compelling Series, includingthe three types of series; how to extend your series beyond your original plan; preparing your readers for changes in your series; what happens when the flat arc protagonist is overshadowed by the antagonist; using a spin-off to extend a series; supplementing a series with short stories, or using a short story to experiment with a series concept; dealing with the challenges of being locked into your story world; and bringing a series to an end. Show notes and transcript at https://bit.ly/TIAP210
2023-10-3147 minThe Indy Author PodcastNatural Orders and Author Email with Matt Treacey - #209Matty Dalrymple talks with Matt Treacey about NATURAL ORDERS AND AUTHOR EMAIL, including the parallels Matt sees between email marketing and systems in the natural world; the importance of using email to educate, inspire, and entertain (not just sell); the challenge of writing effective emails if you're not an enthusiastic email subscriber; dealing with what can seem like a one-way relationship with your email recipients; the power of awareness automation; how constructing an email sequence is both like writing a story and like writing a business plan; and, related to the cover of Matt’s book NATURAL ORDERS, the pr...
2023-10-2450 minThe Indy Author PodcastMistakes Writers Make about Bladed Weapons with Teel James Glenn - #208 Matty Dalrymple talks with Teel James Glenn about how he got his start as a stuntman and how "the will to push through" physical challenges enabled him to follow his dream; the different varieties of swords; the fact that your first service is to the story; how opponents will never be exactly equal; the fact that tough people don't pose; how to achieve a realistic portrayal of bladed weapon wounds and guidelines for realistic recovery times; and examples of well-done current-day knife and sword fight movie scenes. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP208 Did yo...
2023-10-1755 minThe Indy Author PodcastSix Ways to Collaborate with Your Fellow Writers with Michael Bradley - #207 Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Bradley about SIX WAYS TO COLLABORATE WITH YOUR FELLOW WRITERS, including sharing your expertise, inviting other writers to writers' groups that match their needs, sharing information about opportunities, organizing a group sales table at a book fair, inviting other authors to participate in your events, and sharing and promoting other authors on social media. We talk about how this is not only a matter of being a supportive member of the author community, but also a vital part of a successful author business. We also discuss the importance of weighing the ways in which...
2023-10-1046 minThe Indy Author PodcastEmbracing Your Own Kind of Online Peculiar with Sue Ellson - #206 Matty Dalrymple talks with Sue Ellson about EMBRACING YOUR OWN KIND OF ONLINE PECULIAR, including navigating the gig economy; the vital importance of a website as an online home base and how to make it appealing and meaningful to the search engines as well as the visitors; managing your online activity as a standardized sequence; the power of WordPress + add-ons; what it means to go from SERPs to CHERPs; and the power of letting your own kind of peculiar shine through on your website. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP206 Did you find the in...
2023-10-0347 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Pros and Cons of Writing Contests with Becky Tuch - #205 Matty Dalrymple talks with Becky Tuch about THE PROS AND CONS OF WRITING CONTESTS, including finding and assessing opportunities, and red flags to watch out for; why contests charge entrance fees; considering what you get for that fee; what should you expect if you win, beyond creative validation; and the vital importance of understanding what you gain and sacrifice in terms of ownership of your IP if your work wins a contest, especially if you’re submitting a book-length work. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP205 Did you find the information in this video usef...
2023-09-2634 minThe Indy Author PodcastRebranding: Is It Worth the Investment? with Michael La Ronn - #204 Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael La Ronn about REBRANDING: IS IT WORTH THE INVESTMENT? We talk about Michael's rebranding of his non-fiction book series, the importance of accommodating evolving tropes, how rebranding is like "a fresh coat of paint" for your books, how Michael determined what the new color scheme for his non-fiction series INDIE AUTHOR CONFIDENTIAL would be, the importance of reassessing pricing across markets, and, maybe most importantly, deciding when to reallocate time from writing to rebranding. You can also hear Michael talk about how his adventurous tendencies played out in a Wisconsin Chinese Cajun restaurant specializing i...
2023-09-1946 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Author Marketing Audit with Joe Solari - #203 Matty Dalrymple talks with Joe Solari about THE AUTHOR MARKETING AUDIT, including what Joe saw in the creative world that led him to develop the audit, the power of using the natural forces of popularity marketing, positioning your product to meet an unmet desire, the value of segmentation and the role of direct sales, setting up a process that allows customers to self-nurture, and considering how you would want to be treated as your customer. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP203 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The I...
2023-09-121h 01The Indy Author PodcastActing on Inspiration Anywhere with Kevin Tumlinson - #202 Matty Dalrymple talks with Kevin Tumlinson about ACTING ON INSPIRATION ANYWHERE, including how he wrote a short story, designed its cover, and published it while waiting in line at Disney World; the benefits of the small screen; how the option to write on your phone should be considered an opportunity but not a requirement to produce; the vital consideration of what fills you back up creatively; the madness of rapid release (exacerbated by AI); the question of whether an author can maintain a career by slowing down; and the possibilities of multi-media (but don't forget the words). ...
2023-09-0537 minThe Indy Author PodcastCrafting Great Scene Descriptions with Alessandra Torre - #201Matty Dalrymple talks with Alessandra Torre about CRAFTING GREAT SCENE DESCRIPTIONS, including if and how scene descriptions vary by genre, the challenge of repeating descriptions across a series, the importance of engaging all the senses, tapping into the familiar and the unfamiliar, and the value of both potato chip scenes and casserole scenes. If one of those topics piques your interest, you can easily jump to that section of the interview by going to The Indy Author YouTube channel and clicking on the flagged timestamps in the video description. And if you want to dive...
2023-08-3143 minThe Indy Author PodcastHow Times Have Changed (or Stayed the Same) with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #200 Matty Dalrymple talks with Mark Leslie Lefebvre about HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED (OR STAYED THE SAME) in the writing and publishing worlds since 2016. Why 2016? Because that’s when the first episode of The Indy Author Podcast aired, and I’m looking back with Mark to celebrate landMARK episode 200. We discuss what has and hasn’t changed in interior and book cover design, editing, production, distribution, marketing, and promotion, and how we as indie authors can prepare for what the coming years will bring. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP200 Did you find the information in this...
2023-08-2258 minThe Indy Author PodcastHow to Overcome Promophobia with Diane Vallere - #199 Matty Dalrymple talks with Diane Vallere about HOW TO OVERCOME PROMOPHOBIA, including fear of the book community; fear of connecting with readers; fear of readers' reception of your work; fear of going it on your own or in a group; fear of thinking outside the box; and my two primary phobias: the fear of having an event and no one shows up and the fear of trying to do it all. We also discuss the concepts of the 7 touches and 7 channels of promotion; the halo effect of promotion across channels; the power of identifying the bottleneck in your writing...
2023-08-1541 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Dialogue Doctor Will See You Now with Jeff Elkins - #198 Matty Dalrymple talks with Jeff Elkins about his book THE DIALOGUE DOCTOR WILL SEE YOU NOW, including how the writing craft is like football; the importance of understanding the craft tools you need to attain moments of artistry; how writing dialogue is not a soft skill; how dialogue isn't only verbal; the three tools of communicating a character's emotional journey; how, if you really want to hammer a moment, you need to bang on it; and, coming back to our sports analogy, how dialogue is a team sport. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP198 D...
2023-08-0853 minThe Indy Author PodcastReam and the Creator Economy with Michael Evans - #197 Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Evans about REAM AND THE CREATOR ECONOMY, including the move toward niche audiences and community building; providing an immersive experience; building your mini Disney; the importance of not ignoring the non-paying members of your community; the fact that you don't need to launch the perfect subscription; divorcing value from quantity; monetizing short fiction and bonus content; the creative stress of subscription models; and the advice to start small and start small again. Michael’s new company, Ream, is a subscription platform, but there are plenty of insights here for writers who are not currently in...
2023-08-0152 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Transformative Power of Journaling with Merle Saferstein - #196 Matty Dalrymple talks with Merle Saferstein about THE TRANSFORMATIVE POWER OF JOURNALING, including overcoming mental barriers to journaling, and how revisiting your journals is optional; the importance of not censoring yourself, and of exploring your shadow self; using journaling to declutter your mind, and as a tool for character development; and preparing your armor for reader responses. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP196 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple A...
2023-07-2546 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Anatomy of a Bestseller with Sacha Black - #195 Matty Dalrymple talks with Sacha Black about THE ANATOMY OF A BESTSELLER, including the three-step process of reading, deconstructing, and implementing; the importance of reading like a writer; the power of constructive comparison; the fact that bad examples can be as instructive as good examples; the need to factor in genre expectations; being purposeful, focused, and intentional; and advice not to let analysis stand in the way of your writing. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP195 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://w...
2023-07-1848 minThe Indy Author PodcastTips for Attending Writers' Conferences with Jim Azevedo - #194Matty Dalrymple talks with Jim Azevedo about TIPS FOR ATTENDING WRITERS' CONFERENCES, including doing your pre-work, such as downloading the conference app and studying the schedule; promoting your attendance on social media; building your writing and publishing community; the importance of understanding your goals before you get to the conference; and the one-drink rule (it’s probably not what you think). Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP194 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com...
2023-07-1138 minThe Indy Author PodcastThe Path to Short Story Publication with Michael Bracken - #193 Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Bracken about THE PATH TO SHORT STORY PUBLICATION, including getting a feel for what editors like and studying the guidelines; making yourself known to editors ... in a good way; finding the opportunities; knowing when to say no ... and when to try something new; best practices for submissions, including the importance of understanding MS Word; the value of connections, not competition; changes to short fiction as a money-maker; and the pros of indy and traditional publishing. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP193 Did you find the information in this video u...
2023-07-0450 minThe Indy Author PodcastStretching Your Writing Muscles with Short Fiction with Richie Narvaez - #192 Matty Dalrymple talks with Richie Narvaez about STRETCHING YOUR WRITING MUSCLES WITH SHORT FICTION, including using a short whodunit as a way of learning story structure and the basics of character conflict; the importance of being a reader in your genre to be aware of trends and tropes; the value of sketching out your story idea in advance; how a short story is like a cocktail party; using short fiction and free writing as a way to get out of your own way and unleash your creativity; and the importance of just writing the damn thing.
2023-06-2744 minThe Indy Author PodcastRunning at the Creative Risk with Doug Dorst - #191 Matty Dalrymple talks with Doug Dorst about RUNNING AT THE CREATIVE RISK, using the book he co-authored with J.J. Abrams, S., as an example. We discuss the power of thinking you have no chance, sacrificing verisimilitude for the reading experience, how having a creative safety net lets you run straight at the risk, the joy of creating a tactile experience, the importance of not turning away from what's strange or complicated, lo-fi options for creating your own outside-the-box book, and the freedom of creating without expectations. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP191 Did y...
2023-06-2055 minThe Indy Author PodcastWhat Writers Can Learn from the Music World with Cliff Beach - #190 Matty Dalrymple talks with Cliff Beach about WHAT WRITERS CAN LEARN FROM THE MUSIC WORLD, including achieving a transference of feeling with our readers, maintaining a creative hunger, deciding whether you want to be hot or achieve a slow boil, balancing creativity and a business mindset, not waiting for someone to greenlight your idea, and the power of being interested, not just interesting. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP190 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://w...
2023-06-1344 minThe Indy Author PodcastMoving Past Self-doubt to Promote Your Work with Shelby Leigh - #188 Matty Dalrymple talks with Shelby Leigh about MOVING PAST SELF-DOUBT TO PROMOTE YOUR WORK, including getting past the stigma of promotion and marketing; identifying the value to the reader of fiction as well as non-fiction; the importance of understanding your genre; the value of social media for both promotion and market research; protecting yourself emotionally from the impact of unfollows or bad reviews; recognizing that the environment you create on social media is part of your brand; determining your boundaries of what you share; and giving yourself grace. If one of those topics piques your in...
2023-05-3041 minThe Indy Author PodcastLessons Learned as an Author Podcaster and YouTuber with M.K. Williams and Matty Dalrymple - #175 M.K. Williams and Matty Dalrymple talk about LESSONS LEARNED AS AN AUTHOR PODCASTER AND YOUTUBER, including the importance of putting your own spin on your offering, bringing a mindset of plenty, leveraging a patronage model, starting out as if you have an audience of thousands, the importance of not planning for lightning in a bottle but also not undervaluing what you’ve achieved. Show notes at https://bit.ly/TIAP175 Did you find the information in this video useful? Please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor ht...
2023-02-2844 minThe Indy Author PodcastCreating an AI-narrated Audiobook with Matty Dalrymple - #133 The Indy Author PodcastIn this solo inbetweenisode of The Indy Author Podcast, I discuss CREATING AN AI-NARRATED AUDIOBOOK. I talk about Google Play's instructions for AI audio, tips for better AI narration, working around the AI-narration's quirks, selling beyond Google Play, and file names and ID3 tags. Do any of those topics pique your interest? Check out 2 MINUTES OF INDY https://bit.ly/2MinutesOfIndy, where over the week following the airing of the episode, you'll find brief video clips from the interview on each of those topics. You can also catch up on some highlights of previous episodes there. ...
2022-05-1521 minThe Indy Author PodcastEpisode 077 - Behind the Scenes of My Book Launch with Matty DalrympleIn this week’s episode of The Indy Author Podcast, I share a behind-the-scenes look at the recent launch of my fourth Ann Kinnear Suspense Novel, A FURNACE FOR YOUR FOE. I talk about what I did and didn't do (and what I didn't do because I didn't think it would be useful versus what I didn't do because I didn't know how), what worked and didn't work, and what I'd do differently for future launches. Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She is th...
2021-05-0428 minThe Indy Author PodcastEpisode 010 – Update from Matty Dalrymple, The Indy AuthorMatty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, discusses the first Lizzy Ballard Thriller, “Rock Paper Scissors,” the evolution of characters across multiple books, and how to juggle writing with a day job.
2018-02-0617 min