Podcasts about indie publishing

Lexi, Nick, and Mark from the Draft2Digital Team is here to answer author questions about publishing, best practices, and distributing your books with Draft2Digital. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Writer and creator C.E. Massari joins The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss his upcoming 120-page original graphic novel, The Mafia vs. The Klan, coming from Source Point Press.Described as John Wick meets The Godfather, The Mafia vs. The Klan is a historical revenge noir inspired by real family history, Prohibition-era violence, and the question of what happens when justice fails.In this conversation, we talk about the real story behind the book, the legacy of Augustina Massari, turning family tragedy into fiction, writing about the Klan without glorifying hate, the moral complexity of revenge, the Mafia as a storytelling force, and why comics were the right medium for this project.We also discuss Source Point Press' relaunch, the upcoming Kickstarter pre-sale campaign, the black-and-white noir visual style, working with artist Martin Gimenez, and the realities of indie comics, crowdfunding, professionalism, and creator relationships.Guest Links: C.E. Massari Substack: https://cemassari.substack.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/c.e.massari/ Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cemassari/the-mafia-vs-the-klan?ref=profile_created&category_id=252Watch / Subscribe to USDN: https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_PodcastBusiness / Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.comBCW Supplies Affiliate Linkhttps://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse code USDN at checkout.Affiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

In this week's episode, we take a look at eight reasons to diversify your ebooks sales beyond just Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock, Book #7 in the Dragonskull series, (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store: WARLOCKJUNE The coupon code is valid through June 22, 2026. So if you need a new audiobook this summer, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates   Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 306 of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is June 5th, 2026 and today we'll discuss eight reasons you should diversify your book sales beyond Amazon. We'll also talk about Coupon of the Week and give a progress update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects.   So let's start off with Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock, Book #7 in the Dragonskull series (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills), at my Payhip store. That coupon code is WARLOCKJUNE. As always, the coupon code and the links to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code is valid through June 22nd, 2026, So if you need a new audiobook for the summer as you go on a summer road trip, we have got you covered. Now let's talk about my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. As of this recording, I am 80,000 words into Blade of Thieves, which puts me in Chapter 17 of 25 of my outline. So we're closing in on the end. I think we're going to be about 110-115,000 words or thereabouts in the rough draft. So hopefully a couple more solid pushes and we'll get there to the end. I hope to be at 90,000 words by this point, but there is quite a lot to do in real life so we didn't quite get there, but 80,000 words is still better than nothing. For Cloak of Frost, as of this recording, I am now 9,000 words into it and that will be my main project once Blade of Thieves is done. I was hoping to have Blade of Thieves come out in June, but July is looking more likely at this point. Hopefully Cloak of Frost will come out the month after Blade Thieves comes out, whenever that is.   In audiobook news, I'm pleased to report that Blade of Wraiths (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) is now out at all audiobook platforms. Get it at Audible, Amazon, Apple, Google Play, Kobo Books, Chirp, my own Payhip store and all the usual audiobook stores. At the moment, I have no other audiobooks in active production, but once Blade of Thieves is done, Brad will also be recording that. Later this month, Hollis McCarthy is scheduled to start on Cloak of Worlds and in July, Leanne Woodward is going to record Dragon-Mage, the most recent Rivah book. So we don't have any audiobooks being produced right now, but we will in the future. So that is where I am at with my current writing, audiobook, and publishing projects.   00:02:32 Main Topic of the Week: Beyond Amazon: Reasons to Diversify Your Sales Platform   Now onto our main topic this week, Beyond Amazon: Reasons to Diversify Your Sales Platform, which is something you know I do quite often given how often I talk about my links to my Payhip store on this very podcast.   For a long time, the conventional wisdom has been that Amazon has 80% of the US book market and putting your ebooks into Kindle Unlimited was the best route of success because of that monopoly and some of the algorithmic benefits Amazon gives to KU authors. While it's true that certain genres (especially LitRPG and romance) are almost exclusively focused on Amazon and KU in the US, going exclusive with Amazon is not necessarily the best course of action for everyone, especially if you're interested in growing your international sales.   Today we'll talk about reasons why putting your books in KU is limiting and in the interest of fairness, in two weeks, we will also be doing an episode later [about] when putting your book in KU is a good idea and some of the benefits of that. But today we're going to start with the benefits of diversification. Here are eight reasons you might want to consider moving beyond just Amazon, which is often called going wide in the Indie Publishing world. #1: Increasing your global reach.   It may surprise you to know that the Kindle store is not available in every country and that other countries have a strong competitor to the Kindle store. For example, in Canada, Kobo is Amazon's main competitor and has traditionally a strong market share there, quite a bit larger than Amazon Canada based on my own sales data. Kobo is also very strong in many European markets. Additionally, because there are many more Android users internationally than there are in the US, Google Play Books is important in non-US countries. It's also an easy platform for users and integrates into the Google ecosystem as well. Data usually finds that while the iPhone [iOS] is dominant in the United States, Android tends to be the majority mobile operating system in the rest of the world. So if you want to access Android users in the Google Play Book Store, then you want to be on Google Play Books. #2: Some people are boycotting Amazon.   There are many readers who boycott Amazon or American-led companies for a number of reasons. It is possible to overstate the strength of these. I've seen many people be alarmed about Amazon boycotts impacting their sales, but it never really seems to materialize. I suspect a lot of the boycotting thing is much louder online than it is in real life. That said, it is undeniable. There are people who will not buy ebooks or anything from Amazon for a variety of reasons. So if you sell your books only through Amazon, you're missing out on that group of readers. Some categories of romance have also been affected by Amazon boycotts, so it's worth investigating other options if you're an author in these categories.   #3: Kobo Plus.   Kobo offers a subscription program called Kobo Plus that unlike KU, does not require exclusivity to participate in it. Over three million ebooks and 100,000 audiobooks (quite a few of which are mine) are available to subscribers for less than the cost of a KU subscription. Kobo has been gaining popularity in the US in part due to their subscription program. I have to admit my own personal experience with Kobo Plus as an indie author has been almost entirely positive. When it first came out, I was a little leery of it, but then I decided to test it out by putting Frostborn into it and that did quite well and I was pleased enough with the results that now I just put everything in Kobo on Kobo Plus and that has paid off because the majority of my month to month Kobo revenue and the majority of my yearly Kobo revenue comes from Kobo Plus now. In March and April, I had two of my best months ever on Kobo in the 14 years I've been publishing with Kobo entirely off the strength of Kobo Plus. So my experience with it has been if you write a really long series like that that generates a strong read through (like Frostborn is 15 books, Sevenfold Sword was 12 books, Cloak Mage as of this point is up to 14 books), then it would be definitely advantageous to you to investigate Kobo Plus.   #4: It gives you the chance to support independent booksellers through bookshop.org.   This past year, bookshop.org made a deal with Draft2Digital that made it possible for indie authors to put their books on the bookshop.org platform. In the past, has not been particularly easy or straightforward for small indie bookstores to sell ebooks, so this is an opportunity for physical indie bookstores based in the US. For American readers who want to shop local but still read ebooks, it's nice to be able to offer them an option that benefits their local communities. It also gives these bookstores a way of supporting local authors without having to find physical space for them within the store itself. Bookshop.org is still in the early stages of accepting indie ebooks and there are some things that need to be worked out with features on their app, especially about user complaints about a lack of flexibility with DRM-free e-books. Still, romance and what the site calls "serious nonfiction" are growing rapidly on the platform, so it's definitely worth exploring, especially for authors in those categories. If they do succeed in their plans to put out their own ereader, that would make the platform even more attractive to many book buyers.   #5: Direct sales equals greater profit, extras, price fixability, et cetera.    Having your own sales platform (typically hosted on sites like Payhip and Shopify) gives you far more control over your sales platform. It also gives you a far greater cut of the profits. To give an example, if I do a coupon code for one of my audiobooks on my Payhip site to make it 50% off like I did earlier in this episode with the Dragonskull: Wrath of the Warlock coupon, I still earn a similar amount as if someone had bought it for full price on Audible.   A direct sales platform also allows you to create discounts for sales far more easily than on other platforms. Additionally, you don't have to wait for ebooks or audiobooks to get through processing on a direct sales site like you do with ACX and the other sites, which makes when a book or audiobook is ready for sale far more predictable. You can also bundle things with ebooks like such as the book file in multiple formats or bonus items like maps, worksheets, or charts. On the other ebook sites, this isn't typically possible. Direct sales gives you a greater flexibility in terms of selling. You can include bonus items and it's also a good fallback position if one of the main sites isn't working. I first got into direct sales in 2021 because Barnes & Noble had its big ransomware hack then and for a while it was impossible to publish new things to the platform and I believe that was when Ghost in the Vault came out and since I couldn't publish that on Barnes & Noble until the ransomware problem was fixed, I directed people to the Payhip site instead.   #6: Library sales and Kindle Unlimited.   The popularity of the Dungeon Crawler Carl series and the Project Hail Mary audiobook made a lot of people aware of the fact that exclusivity agreements with Amazon and Audible have often been structured to leave out options for library ebook platforms or require maneuvering or additional deals in order to make it possible. The popularity of Libby in particular is growing here in the United States, especially as people are having to shift their leisure spending from things like books and entertainment to covering basic necessities like housing, transportation, fuel, and food costs due to the poor state of the economy. If library sales and library readers are important to you, then going wide is your best option for reaching the library market.   Myself, I haven't particularly pursued the library market. I haven't refused it either. I usually, when the option is available, click on the toggle switch to publish it to a library service, but then don't think about it very much after that, but there are many indie authors who are very interested in getting in libraries and have pursued that quite a bit through these programs.   #7: Vendor lock-in/user preference.   There is a concept called vendor lock-in, meaning that ebook buyers have a particular platform that they default to when buying ebooks because that is where the ebook collection is based and they want to keep their books together instead of spread across several different apps. Many Barnes & Noble and Kobo users are not interested in ebooks from Amazon or KU for this reason and won't even follow a favorite author to another platform. It's important to have an option available for these readers.   #8: DRM free. [Digital Rights Management]   Having a DRM free copy of an ebook is extremely important to many readers and that is what makes an ebook purchase a true purchase instead of a highly conditional license. Sites like Kobo allow ebook buyers to limit their searches to only DRM free titles and many will not buy a book that is not available without DRM. My Payhip store, all the files you get from that when you buy an ebook or an audiobook are DRM free as well.   For myself, a large portion of my sales come from outside Amazon, so that's why I've never been fully exclusive with Kindle Unlimited and instead rotate a small selection of my series in and out of KU. Over the years, I've experimented with having various books in KU and starting in 2023, what I settled on doing was that I would write three series ongoing. Two of those series would be available on all ebook platforms and one of those series would be available in Kindle Unlimited, which allowed me to pursue both markets at once. As of right now, the wide series are Blades of Ruin and Cloak Mage and the Kindle Unlimited series is Half-Elven Thief. Once Half-Elven Thief is completed, I will take it out of Kindle Unlimited and take it wide and start a new series for Kindle Unlimited.   Overall, I found it's worthwhile to be wide even when pursuing Kindle Unlimited with some of my books because typically in an average month about 45 to 55% of my revenue comes from Amazon and the rest comes from all the other platforms put together. So while Amazon is typically half, that's not nothing, it's only half and the rest of the revenue comes from all these ebook platforms I've been cultivating over the years. So the conclusion is that the beauty of KU's current agreement is that you only have to commit to being exclusive for a short amount of time, specifically three months, and then can always return to it if you want to try going wide for a while.    It's also important to note that growth on other platforms may be slow and if you're going to try them out, it's important to be patient and have realistic expectations. It's the benefit of being an indie author that we can experiment and make decisions quickly based on data and reader preferences. Going wide may not be the best decision for everyone, but the results may surprise you, especially over time.   The cumulative effect of things is often easy to overlook, but it does add up over time. Part of the reason I think my books do so well with Kobo Plus is because they've been on the Kobo website for the last 14 years, which gives them time to accumulate reviews and additional word of mouth. So when someone is browsing Kobo Plus for something to read and they see this long book series with a bunch of good reviews, it becomes easy for them to try it through Kobo Plus.   So that is it for this week. This week we talked about going wide. Next week I don't have time to record a full-time episode, so we're going to do another audiobook sampler roundup, which will be fun. The week after that, in two weeks from today, we are going to talk about the benefits of going to Kindle Unlimited as a contrast to this episode and I will talk about some of my Kindle Unlimited experiences (both good and bad). So thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you found the show useful. A reminder that you can listen to all the backups at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your review on your podcasting and platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and we'll see you all next week.  

The Write Brothas Entertainment joins The Chairman on the USDN Podcast for a deep dive into indie comics, creator-owned sci-fi, worldbuilding, and the ambitious 88 Universe.Founded by Decarlo Tatum Jr. and Neil Newman, The Write Brothas Entertainment is built on one powerful belief: “It's okay to imagine.”In this episode, we discuss the origins of The Write Brothas, their creative partnership, the move from film and television ideas into comics, and the process of building a full indie sci-fi universe from the ground up.We also explore the world of “88,” including Ominus, General Muakuu, the Zowen-Kag, Planet Edine, anime-inspired storytelling, cinematic influences, and the importance of originality in indie comics.This conversation is about more than one comic book. It is about imagination, creator ownership, independent storytelling, and what it takes to build something original when there is no rulebook.Guest Links:Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/writebrothasent?igsh=cHphNTM5dTNweDJvWebsite:http://www.twbstudios.com/USDN Podcast Links:YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@USDN_PodcastLinktree:https://linktr.ee/USDN_PodcastBusiness / Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.comBCW Supplies Affiliate Link:https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse Coupon Code: USDNAffiliate Disclosure:USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.

Scams targeting authors are nothing new. Yet scammers using AI tools are driving a level of volume, and sophistication, never seen. In this episode, Dale Roberts joins us to explain how the game has changed, what to watch out for, and what to do if you fall victim to an author scam. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this enlightening episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with author PK Stewart, who takes us on her transformative journey from a successful career in business management to becoming an indie author. After spending six years crafting her debut novel, PK has embraced the indie publishing world with confidence and a clear strategy, leveraging her business acumen to navigate the complexities of the authoring process.PK shares her early inspirations for writing, revealing how her love for storytelling blossomed from her childhood reading experiences. She discusses the pivotal moment at a writers' conference that ignited her belief in her own potential as a writer and the decision to pursue an indie path rather than traditional publishing.Listeners will gain valuable insights into the realities of indie publishing, including the challenges of marketing oneself and the importance of balancing creativity with the business side of writing. PK opens up about her Times End series, exploring the themes of inequality and climate change while ensuring her narratives remain engaging and entertaining.As she reflects on her journey, PK emphasizes the importance of trusting one's creative instincts and the power of community support within the writer's world. She also shares her upcoming projects and her passion for teaching others in the writing community.Join us for an inspiring conversation that encourages aspiring authors to pursue their dreams and carve out their own paths in the literary world.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The journey from business management to indie author- Insights into the indie publishing process and marketing challenges- The significance of character-driven storytelling- How to balance creativity with the business side of writing- Tips for growing an audience and engaging readersFor more information on PK Stewart and her work, visit www.pkstewart.com and stay connected through her newsletter and upcoming Substack, *Where the Story Leads*. https://www.amazon.com/Inside-Tree-Line-Times-Book-ebook/dp/B0C9SQ7LGSSupport the show

What does it take to write and publish 43 books? In this inspiring episode of the Speaking Podcast, we sit down with Aaron Ryan, a prolific author and voiceover artist who has mastered the art of indie publishing. From his early "calling" in second grade to his latest epic sci-fi releases, Aaron shares the secrets behind his incredible productivity and creative process. We dive deep into the advantages of being an indie author—retaining rights, commanding higher royalties, and maintaining total creative control. Aaron also reveals his unique approach to marketing: stop "selling" and start being an enthusiast. Whether you're an aspiring writer, a fan of epic sagas like Dissonance and The Talisman, or simply looking for a masterclass in following your passion, this conversation is packed with heart, humor, and actionable advice.     Timestamps Timestamp Topic Description 0:00 Welcome & Introduction to Aaron Ryan 0:47 The 43rd Book Launch: A prolific journey in writing 1:35 The Origin Story: Writing "The Electric Boy" in second grade 2:41 A Mother's Gift: Reclaiming childhood memories and early work 3:31 Creative Inspiration: J.R.R. Tolkien and the legacy of Lord of the Rings 4:34 Cinematic Roots: How movies like "I Am Legend" spark book ideas 5:21 The Structure of Creativity: Riding the wave of inspiration 6:12 The Reactive Career: Balancing authorship with voiceover work 6:43 The Art of the Book Cover: Subjectivity and designing your own brand 8:16 The Growing Library: Managing a massive catalog of work 9:17 Indie vs. Traditional Publishing: Why creative control is king 11:37 The Enthusiast's Marketing Strategy: Stop selling, start sharing 12:54 Box Sets and All-in-Ones: Meeting readers where they are 14:35 Formatting for Legibility: Trial and error in book design 16:13 The Emotional Toll of Writing: Therapeutic work and the 9/11 connection 25:57 Dealing with Reviews: Developing structural integrity against the "haters" 31:19 Trajectory vs. Endorsement: Why the mission comes before the feedback 33:05 The 51-Hour Audiobook: Bringing stories to life as a voice actor 34:40 The Talisman Finale: Navigating the multiverse and interstellar names 36:31 The Heart of the Work: Why "The End" saga and "Forecast" are personal favorites 42:52 Where to Find Aaron: AuthorAaronRyan.com and exclusive groups 43:44 Outro: RoyCoughlan.com and the PodFather Network      

Dan Sehn of Argo Comics and writer Ray MacKay join The Chairman on the USDN Podcast to discuss GWP: Guys With Powers, a creator-owned indie superhero comic launching on Kickstarter.This episode dives into the creation of an original superhero universe, the challenges of crowdfunding indie comics, the importance of promotion, and what it takes to build new heroes outside the mainstream comic machine.Dan and Ray break down the world of GWP: Guys With Powers, including Cosmos, Radioactive Girl, Phaze, Dominico, and the Turbo Twins, while also discussing Argo Comics, indie publishing, Kickstarter, creator-owned comics, superhero storytelling, and the current state of the comic book industry.Support GWP: Guys With Powers on Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dansehn/gwp-guys-with-powersFollow the creators: Ray MacKay: https://www.instagram.com/raymackaywrites/ Argo Comics: https://www.instagram.com/argocomics/Follow USDN:Linktree: https://linktr.ee/USDN_PodcastBusiness / Media Inquiries: thechairman@usdnpodcast.comSupport USDNBCW Supplies Affiliate Link: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse Code: USDNAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.#IndieComics #KickstarterComics #ComicBooks #SuperheroComics #CreatorOwnedComics #GWP #GuysWithPowers #ArgoComics #RayMacKay #USDNPodcast

What happens when a lifelong comic fan, toy collector, and convention veteran turns his passion into creator-owned comics?In this episode of the USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with John McLaren of Phantom Ink Comics to discuss the origins of ToteMan, Villains Anonymous, Argyle Avenger, NinjaBoy, and the journey from comic collector to comic creator.John shares the personal inspiration behind ToteMan, including how the character helped explain epilepsy to his son, while also discussing the realities of independent publishing, convention culture, creator-owned storytelling, and the enduring appeal of classic comic book adventures.From Gen X nostalgia and comic collecting to building a universe of original characters, this conversation explores why indie comics continue to thrive through passion, creativity, and community.Follow John McLaren / Phantom Ink Comics:Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/Gen.X.ToyboxInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/genxtoyboxYouTube:https://www.youtube.com/user/PhantomInkProductionFollow the USDN Podcast:Linktree:https://linktr.ee/USDN_Podcast

Emily Goodwin is the VP of Public Affairs for Author Services, Inc and runs Galaxy Press. For the past 40 years, their Writers of the Future program has championed the writing community, allowing seasoned authors to guide newer authors under their wing to help them grow. In this episode, we discuss:  ● The value of short stories and sci-fi in storytelling.  ● The importance of contributing to the greater author community.  ● How Writers of the Future builds up authors and creates connection. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Learn more about Anshar Publishing here.Indie publishing, mold-fighting sushi, and the evolving gaming industry take center stage in this Boss Rush Podcast Spotlight Interview. Stephanie Klimov sits down with Jakub Kwinta, Chief Publishing Officer at Anshar Publishing, for an in-depth conversation about discovering standout indie games, building relationships with small development teams, and navigating today's crowded gaming market. Jakub shares stories from Anshar's beginnings tied to Anshar Studios, discusses working alongside studios connected to Larian Studios and Bloober Team, and dives deep into upcoming indie titles like Mold Washer and Whispers of the Eyeless. The conversation also explores Steam discoverability, indie game trends, cozy gaming, roguelites, GTA 6 hype, collector's edition dreams, and why supporting indie developers matters more than ever.Join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Boss Rush Network Community Discord⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Follow the Boss Rush Network on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X/Twitter⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Bluesky⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Threads⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Thanks for your continued support of the Boss Rush Podcast and the Boss Rush Network! If you listen on podcast services, leave us a 5 star rating and a nice review or comment. If you're listening to this episode on YouTube, subscribe to the channel, like the video, leave a comment, and hit the bell so you don't miss an episode posting. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Visit our website for more great content⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ from Boss Rush and our community.

Sci-fi author, filmmaker, comic creator, and Hip Hop Horror pioneer Jeff Carroll joins The USDN Podcast for a deep conversation about Black speculative fiction, indie comics, Afrofuturism, Hip Hop culture, horror, AI, filmmaking, and the future of storytelling.Inspired by his documentary Why I Love Sci-Fi, Jeff discusses why imagination matters, how science fiction shapes culture, and why indie comics provide creative freedom that Hollywood often cannot.Topics include:Black sci-fi and AfrofuturismIndie comics & creator-owned storytellingHip Hop horrorAI and speculative fictionComic culture & filmmakingDef Comedy Jam and entertainment historyWhy science fiction mattersThis episode explores creator-owned comics, Black sci-fi, speculative storytelling, comic culture, and the future of independent creativity.If you love indie comics, science fiction, horror, Afrofuturism, worldbuilding, creator interviews, or speculative fiction — this episode is for you.

Becca Puglisi is an international speaker, writing coach, and best-selling author of The Emotion Thesaurus and other resources for writers. Becca joins us to share how understanding the psychology of fear can help you write vulnerable, complex characters.  In this episode, you'll learn:  • How fear impacts your character's personal journey  • How to identify the fear holding a character back  • How to create connectivity with relatable characters and your readers //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

On this episode of The USDN Podcast, The Chairman sits down with David Luján, creator of Nerida, to discuss indie fantasy comics, creator-owned storytelling, folklore inspiration, Kickstarter comics, and building a nine-part fantasy universe from the ground up.David shares how mythology, fairytales, comics like Saga and Akira, and his own artistic journey shaped the world of Nerida. The conversation dives into worldbuilding, emotional storytelling, indie publishing, visual pacing, and the realities of creating comics independently in today's industry.If you love fantasy comics, indie creators, manga-inspired storytelling, and deep conversations about comic creation, this episode is for you.Follow David Luján / NeridaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/neridacomic Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/neridacomic.bsky.social Threads: https://www.threads.com/@neridacomicFollow USDN PodcastLinktree: https://linktr.ee/USDN_PodcastBusiness / Media Inquiries:  thechairman@usdnpodcast.comThe USDN Podcast is a creator-focused media platform spotlighting indie comics, creator-owned storytelling, Kickstarter comics, horror comics, fantasy comics, manga-inspired storytelling, and the creators building the future of independent comics.The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life.BCW Supplies AffiliateSupport the show using our BCW affiliate link: https://www.bcwsupplies.com/?acc=usdnUse code: USDNAffiliate Disclosure: USDN may earn a small commission if you use our affiliate link or code. This helps support the show at no extra cost to you.

Season 6, Episode 745: Fated Mates and Spicy Scenes: A Deep Dive into Paranormal Shifter Romance Writing with Author Adeline Bryant, plus excerpt from Adeline's Book "Fated", narrated by podcast host and narrator Ruan Willow. The excerpt is at the end, but also it is its own episode on the podcast in episode 744. Author Bio: Author's website. https://addiewrotethat.com/  Get the book "Fated" (affiliate link) https://amzn.to/4uhcQvP Adeline Bryant is an award-winning indie author of emotionally raw stories that explore identity, belonging, and the cost of choice. Armed with a doctorate in education and an endless supply of imagination, she's always been fascinated by the transformative power of stories and the bonds they create. Adeline lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband and their two feline overlords. When she's not writing, she can usually be found devouring books, rocking her signature red lipstick, and shamelessly belting out Taylor Swift songs. She firmly believes that every great story deserves a bottle of wine and a healthy dose of magic (and smut) Discussion Topics: Romance Author, Indie Author, Honey And Jalapeno Book Fair, Minneapolis, Paranormal Romance, Fated Mates, Male-Male Romance, Book Excerpt, Character Development, World Building, Writing Process, Emotional Storytelling, Indie Publishing, Book Events, Creative Writing, Author Interviews, Writing Community, Smut In Romance, Character Arcs, Storytelling Techniques Quotes from Adeline Bryant "I think it's really healing for especially women to read these kinds of things." "Just do things. Keep reading. Keep reading smutty books." Summary: Adeline discusses her debut novel, "Fated", a paranormal romance featuring wolf shifters and a spicy male-male love story between an alpha wolf and a beta. Discover what inspired her to transition from reading thrillers to writing romance, the importance of including sensuality in storytelling, and the challenges of indie publishing. Adeline also reveals her unique approach to world-building and how her characters came to life. She wrote a bible for the world the wolves live in! As we prepare for the upcoming Honey and Jalapeno Book Fair in Minnesota, Adeline shares exciting details about her character-inspired candle collaboration and the immersive experience she aims to create for her readers. Enjoy the chat about the transformative power of stories, the joy of indie publishing, and the importance of embracing creativity. Just gotta dive in and write that book! Ruan's Book: Beach House Views: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/beachhouseviewsbook https://mybook.to/beachhouseviews Copyright Pink Infinity Publishing 2026. All Rights Reserved.

Jo Wildsmith helps authors turn their manuscripts into something truly exceptional - polished, professional, and ready to make an impact - using print on demand to its fullest potential. In this week's episode, we'll discuss: ● The benefits of print on-demand publishing. ● Tips and Tricks to Successfully Publishing in Print. ● Marketing Your Print On-Demand Books. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Todd Black returns to the USDN Podcast to discuss Seekers of Science; a STEM-focused indie comic series that blends real-world science, educational storytelling, and creator-owned comics.We discuss how the project uses real scientists and real-world scenarios to make science more engaging for younger readers while exploring the role comics can play in education and inspiration.Todd also shares insights into the crowdfunding process, future science topics the series could tackle, and the growing crossover potential between comics, science, and pop culture.Topics include: STEM storytelling in comics  Educational indie comics  Real science in fiction  Kickstarter strategy  Hurricane science and disaster recovery  Space exploration  The future of creator-owned comics  Potential Ring of Honor comic discussions 

Matilda Swift and Sam Cummings of the Pen to Paycheck podcast work together as mastermind partners to achieve the "how to quit my day job" dream. You'll hear advice including: ● The benefits of partnering with fellow authors.  ● What makes a good partnership.  ● Steps to take in the journey from part-time to full-time author. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Dionne Waterman - From Actress to Comic Book MuseWhat does it mean to inspire a comic book character?On this episode of the USDN Podcast, Dionne Waterman (FilmGirlDee) joins us to share her journey from acting into the world of indie comics—where she became the real-life inspiration behind Rita Rivera.We explore how that experience shaped her creative path, leading her into modeling and cosplay for comic book covers, including Marion Maxx, Jenna the beer-loving vampire, and the Witch of Yazoo from Mississippi Macabre project.This conversation breaks down the connection between acting, visual storytelling, and indie comics, offering a unique look at how characters are brought to life both on and off the page.If you're a fan of indie comics or a creator looking to understand the full creative process behind character development, this episode is for you.

Season 6, Episode 741: Spicy to Non Spicy Romance: Character-Driven Romance and the Freedom of Indie Publishing with Author Starr Z. Davies. We chatted about the Honey and Jalapeno Romance Bookfair that I am hosting in Minnesota May 17th, 2026, and that both of us will be attending as authors at the Big Wood Brewery in Vadnais Heights, MN, learn more: https://pinkinfinitypublishing.com/honey-and-jalapeno-book-fair-a-minnesota-book-fair/ Author Bio:  STARR Z. DAVIES is an award-winning author of over 20 tales that span dystopian realms, epic fantasies, and echoes of forgotten histories. Dubbed the "Character Assassin," she weaves stories where heroes are tested by fire—both emotional and physical. From her woodland home in northern Wisconsin, she crafts worlds while surrounded by her greatest allies: a supportive husband, two imaginative children, and a curious menagerie of robotic pets. When not conjuring new adventures, she dabbles in home enchantments, swims like a siren, battles through video game quests, and devours books like ancient tomes of power.   Connect with Starr:  Kickstarter for Stormcrown (launches on Tuesday): https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/szdavies/stormcrown?ref=4mzuls Website: https://www.starrzdavies.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/s.z.davies/   Books (affiliate links): Stormvalor https://amzn.to/4tP57Vp Fractured Empire Series: https://amzn.to/4tYevpS   Topics of Discussion: Writing Across Romance Spectrum Writing Age-Appropriate Content as Authors Writing Sex Scenes Into Your Story Cutting Scenes That Don't Feel Genuine Navigating Genre Labels and Reader Expectations Amazon's Censorship of Sexual Content Amazon's Unfair Author Review Policies Dealing with AI Accusations and Online Bullying Creating Characters Over Twenty Years Ago How Language and Fantasy Changed My Writing Path Writing Fast and Managing Multiple Projects Social Media Presence and Book Fair Preparations   Key Takeaways: • Intimate scenes should emerge organically from character authenticity rather than being added to meet genre expectations. Both authors write what feels true to their stories, not what readers demand. • Indie publishing offers creative freedom that traditional publishing restricts, allowing authors to explore mature themes without censorship or pressure to fit commercial standards and limitiations. • Genre classification for romance blended with fantasy is different for Romantasy, romantic fantasy, and fantasy romance. Each of the blends is inherently subjective, making marketing challenging because readers interpret the same work differently regardless of authors' content descriptions. Podcast Host Ruan Willow: Get Ruan Willow's new dark romance suspense thriller fiction novel "Beach House Views" for only $0.99 (for a limited time only) universal link https://mybook.to/beachhouseviews ⁠Support the show and get exclusive content⁠ Sign up for Ruan's Newsletters ⁠https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow Get 10% OFF ENTIRE ORDER (min. purchase $69, no usage limits) with code RUANWILLOW10 on pleasure sex toys at https://www.kiiroo.com/ https://offers.feeliate.com/to92wTJh Affiliate link, collect your body's health and sexual health info with a wearable device for men from Firm Tech 15% OFF with code ruan15 ⁠⁠https://myfirmtech.com/ruanwillow⁠⁠ Ruan's book Beach House Views https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/beachhouseviewsbook directly from Ruan https://payhip.com/b/pMxn3 Credit bundles are an easy, thoughtful gift and can be purchased at the last minute! Try out Libro FM (affiliate link) https://www.awin1.com/cread.php?awinmid=25361&awinaffid=2065431&ued=https%3A%2F%2Flibro.fm%2Fgift Copyright 2026 Pink Infinity Publishing LLC. All Rights Reserved.

What happens after a successful Kickstarter campaign?On this episode of the USDN Podcast, we sit down with Saurabh Bhatia, founder of Comix.one, to explore the challenges indie comic creators face after crowdfunding—and how his platform aims to solve them.Drawing from his own experience launching a Kickstarter comic, Saurabh breaks down the biggest gaps in the current system: loss of momentum, discoverability issues, and the lack of long-term infrastructure for creators.We discuss: The lifecycle of indie comics after crowdfunding  The need for a unified ecosystem for creators  Digital and print-on-demand distribution  Integrated crowdfunding and fulfillment solutions  Creator subscriptions and recurring revenue  Live selling, streaming, and fan engagement  Building a shared comics economy This episode is a deep dive into the future of indie comics and the systems being built to support creators long-term.

Parker Newman joins the USDN Podcast to discuss City of Demons, a 12-part indie noir comic set in 1920s Los Angeles and published by Wise Acre Comics.In this episode, Parker shares his journey into comics, from early inspiration to navigating the realities of indie publishing. We dive into how City of Demons evolved from a screenplay into a full comic series, the challenges of breaking into the industry, and the impact of distribution issues on independent creators.This conversation explores the realities behind indie comics — including rejection, persistence, and building a creator-owned project from the ground up.

What if your growth as a writer isn't supposed to be neat or linear?Who says it can't be chaotic as hell? AK Nevermore, author of more than 20 titles, returns to talk about messy growth, genre-hopping, indie publishing, and learning craft by doing. We dig into fear, doubt, and even spite as creative fuel, plus why not every piece of feedback deserves your attention.If you've ever felt like your process is chaotic or your career path doesn't look “right,” because it's different than another author's,  this conversation is a reminder that there's no one way to build a writing life—just the way that works for you. Timestamps 00:00 Fear as Fuel 01:31 Meet AK Nevermore 09:19 Why Indie Publishing Works for AK 16:54 Messy Process + Pantsing 21:50 Worldbuilding + Craft 26:13 Fear, Doubt, and Motivation 30:21 Redefining Success 34:32 Choosing the Right FeedbackTo connect with AK and read her work please go to her website Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.Support the show To become a supporter of the show, click here!To get in touch with Stacy:Email: Stacy@writeitscared.cohttps://www.writeitscared.co/wishttps://www.instagram.com/writeitscared/Take advantage of these Free Resources From Write It Scared: Download Your Free Novel Planning and Drafting Quick Start Guide Download Your Free Guide to Remove Creative Blocks and Work Through Fears

Bestselling author Steven Pressfield on what it means to have a creative calling, battling resistance, the role of faith in writing, and his memoir Govt Cheese. A remastered version of episode #058. You'll learn: Why a typewriter sat untouched in the back of a van for seven years before becoming a career. How self-sabotage shows up at the finish line, not just at the start. A rule of thumb for telling resistance apart from legitimate doubt. Why the more important a project is, the more terrifying it should feel. When you can finally write about pain, and why distance matters more than rawness. How an idea for a book might arrive as a single sentence and refuse to leave. A one-page method for outlining a novel, and why one page is enough. What John Keats's concept of negative capability can teach a writer in the dark middle of a draft. The metaphor that reframes writers as delivery drivers rather than creators. Why faith in the muse matters most when the writing feels too good to be your own. Resources & Links

Breaking into the education market can transform your publishing business—but many independent publishers and author-publishers don't know where to start. On today's episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” Teacher Created Materials Publisher, Trade Division Kyra Ostendorf pulls back the curtain on how books actually get into schools and classrooms, revealing the strategies, positioning, and industry know-how to turn your titles into trusted classroom resources. If you're ready to unlock a powerful new revenue stream and get your books directly into the hands of students, this episode shows you how. PARTICIPANTS  Kyra Ostendorf is Publisher, Trade Division at Teacher Created Materials, where she leads Free Spirit Publishing, Shell Education, and Curiosity Unlocked Books. With leadership experience spanning educational publishing, curriculum development, and early childhood education, she previously served as Vice President of Education at Kaplan Early Learning Company and as Acquiring Editor at Redleaf Press, where she helped grow the publishing portfolio by more than 200 titles. Kyra holds an M.Ed. in Early Childhood Education from the University of Minnesota and a B.A. from Macalester College. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 4,000 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Learn more about Teacher Created Materials at https://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/ Follow Teacher Created Materials on: Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/tcmpub LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/tcmpub/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/tcmpub/ X - https://x.com/tcmpub This episode is presented by Marquis. Learn more at https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/marquis

On this episode of the USDN Podcast, we're joined by Kevin Davis, creator of Skinshifter Volume 1, an indie horror comic that explores identity, fear, and survival through a supernatural lens.We dive into the origins of the project, the creation of The Jackel Bunny—a soul-hunting entity sent by the Prince of Hell—and how Skinshifter builds a unique horror experience rooted in psychological tension and high-stakes storytelling.Kevin also shares insight into his creative process, working with artist Daya Negron, and what it takes to bring a creator-owned comic to life through Kickstarter.If you're interested in indie comics, horror storytelling, and the journey of independent creators, this episode delivers a deep look into building a world from the ground up.

Indie Bookstore Day was April 25th. In this episode we sit down with Ami Greko of Bookshop.org to understand how authors help celebrate the day by encouraging readers to visit their favorite indie bookstores, either in person or online. If you're publishing with D2D, your ebooks and print-on-demand books are purchasable at 3,400+ indie bookstores in the US and UK. And every Bookshop.org purchase benefits local bookstores! .//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Send us Fan MailToday Hannah and Laura are chatting with author, David Quantick, about his new novella, Imagine a Friend!  They talk about David's writing background and publishing experience, creating a voice for characters, and writing surrealism. Be sure to follow David online at:davidquantick.comBluesky: @quantick.bsky.socialAnd pick up Imagine a Friend, today!Media Mentions:Imagine a Friend by David QuantickThe Hyena by David QuantickVEEP---HBO MaxCS Lewis's worksDiary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff KinneyThe Mitchells vs. the Machines---NetflixStars & Sabers publishingJendia Gammon's worksFor All Mankind---AppleTVThe Cinderella Story by Neil PhilipSupport the showBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com YouTube: @owwrpodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

Our final show before we go dark for the 3-Month Writing Challenge is an absolute banger! After over 400 interviews and six years of virtually never taking a Friday night off, we are officially putting the microphones on standby to write a novel in 90 days. To send us off in style, we are joined by the incredible sci-fi and fantasy authors Dominique Mondesir and Gabriel Rathweg, hosts of The Story Forge podcast.This episode goes deep into the gritty reality of being a working author today. Dom and Gabe pull no punches as we discuss the "dark side" of Amazon's algorithms, the harsh mathematical realities of traditional publishing advances versus indie royalties, and how to actually stand out in a ridiculously saturated market.Plus, we debut our brand new game, Blurb or Absurd, testing the guys on whether they can spot a real sci-fi/fantasy plot from a completely fake one (Spoiler: Kung Fu chickens and coffee-brewing Orcs are involved).If you are joining us for the writing challenge or just want an unfiltered look at the publishing industry, this is a must-listen.Support the show & join the 3-Month Challenge: ✍️ Write your novel with us in just 12 weeks: Join the Challenge on SubstackConnect with Dominique & Gabriel:Subscribe to The Story Forge on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@DGstoryforge/streamsDominique's Website & Books: https://dominiquemondesir.comGabriel's Books: Search "Gabriel Rathweg" on AmazonBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.Connect With The Community

In this week's episode, I celebrate both the 300th episode and my 15th anniversary of indie publishing, and look back at 15 lessons learned during that time. You can get the ebook of WRITING LESSONS FROM THE PULP WRITER SHOW at my Payhip store until the end of May 2026. This coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Curse of the Orcs, Book #4 in the Dragonskull series, (as excellently narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store: ORCS2026 The coupon code is valid through May 4, 2026. So if you need a new audiobook this spring, we've got you covered! TRANSCRIPT 00:00:00 Introduction and Writing Updates Hello, everyone. Welcome to Episode 300 (yes, that is 300!) of The Pulp Writer Show. My name is Jonathan Moeller. Today is April 24th, 2026 and today we're looking back at 15 lessons I've learned over my last 15 years of indie publishing. We'll also start off with Coupon of the Week and an update on my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. First up, let's have Coupon of the Week. This week's coupon code will get you 50% off the audiobook of Dragonskull: Curse of the Orcs, book number four in the Dragonskull series, (as excellent narrated by Brad Wills) at my Payhip store. And that coupon code is ORCS2026. And as always, the coupon code and links to my Payhip store will be available in the show notes for this episode. This coupon code will be valid through May the 4th, 2026. So if you need a new audiobook for this spring, we have got you covered. Now for an update on my current writing projects. As of this recording, I am about 62,000 words into Dragon-Mage, which will be the sixth book in the Rivah Half-Elven Thief series. If all goes well, I am hoping to have that out in May, though it might slip to June, depending on what I have to do in May. I'm also 4,500 words into Blade of Thieves, which will be the fifth book in the Blades of Ruin epic fantasy series. In audiobook news, a recording of Cloak of Illusion by Hollis McCarthy is approaching the end, one more proofread listen, and it should be there. And then hopefully the audiobook should be out in May. Brad Wills is also recording Blade of Wraiths right now. So hopefully we should have those audiobooks for you before too much longer. And that's where I'm at with my current writing, publishing, and audiobook projects. 00:01:46 Main Topic: 15 Years of Indie Publishing Now onto this week's main topic, 15 years of indie publishing because as of April 2026, I have now been indie publishing for 15 years, which is the longest continuous time I've ever actually done anything in my life. I've never had any other job or professional association that has lasted this long. I've done this for so long that when people are angry with me, they no longer preface their remarks on my feelings by saying, "Listen here, young man." I suppose that puts me in the upper tier of indie authors, not in terms of income or market footprint, but in sheer, bloody-minded longevity. There are still indie authors out there who have been doing this for longer and are still publishing regularly, but not all that many. Eventually, indie authors typically burn out and just stop publishing, or stop publishing due to real life reasons, such as illness, family illness, moving, changing jobs, et cetera, or get some kind of tradpub deal and stop indie publishing. It makes sense that indie authors burn out. Sometimes, or even frequently, both writing and the business side of writing can feel like a slog, but I've been blessed with a mind that loves the grind. I don't say that to gloat, but to instead express my immense and humble gratitude to God (as Abraham Lincoln said long ago, the "beneficent Creator and Ruler of the Universe" & the "Great Disposer of Events") and to all of you, the many people have read (and after 2017 when I started with audiobooks, listened to) one of my books. Thank you all very much. By good fortune, my 15th anniversary of indie publishing and the 300th episode of this podcast coincide. So for the 300th episode of this podcast, I thought it would take a look back at the last decade and a half and reflect on 15 lessons learned in 15 years of indie publishing. #1: Embrace the slog. I think if you want to be a writer, you have to actually like writing. There are a surprising number of writers for whom this is not true, like they enjoy having written or the rewards of the writing, but they don't actually enjoy the part Glenn Cook famously called "put your backside in the chair and do it. " I'm fortunate that I do enjoy that part, but a lot of writers don't. Writing is often a grind in the same way that things like diet, exercise, and home maintenance are. Like if you do them for one day, it's not enough. You have to do them consistently day after day to have results. I think writing is kind of the same way. Effort applied over time cannot do all things, but it can do a lot. This applies to writing as well. A little bit every day can really add up over enough time. #2: Finish the book. A lot of writers get like one third of the way through their book and then give up or start something else. There's often a good deal of perfectionism involved in this. Here is a rule of thumb: a finished, imperfect book is infinitely better than the perfect version that exists only in your imagination, but will never exist anywhere else because you will never write it. Steve Jobs famously said, "real artist ship." I think the corollary is that if you want to be a writer, you have to finish things and then move on to the next thing. If finishing a novel seems daunting, I would suggest first writing short stories or perhaps novellas and learning to finish those. No one runs a marathon without first learning to run a mile after all. #3: Back up your data. This is an important one. I've gone through a lot of computers in the last 15 years, but I've never lost a large chunk of work because I back up regularly. I would suggest a three part system. Use whatever automated local backup your OS provides onto an external hard drive. Do manual local backups onto a flash drive of appropriate capacity and then have some sort of cloud backup you can rely on, which means you'll probably have to pay for it. That way, even if your house or apartment blows up (God forbid!), you will still have a copy of your stuff somewhere. #4: Be willing to learn new skills as needed. It occurred to me that most of these software tools and programs I use on a day to day basis nowadays did not exist when I started in April of 2011, or they're things that I've had to learn in the years since. Like 15 years ago, I didn't know anything about online advertising, Photoshop, 3D rendering, graphic design, social media, paperback formatting, ebook formatting, audiobook production, podcasting, small business taxes, and a bunch of other stuff, but I've picked it up in the year since. I wouldn't say I'm an expert at any one of those things, but I've been able to combine them well. Life, as we know, is change. That means you're going to have to change whether you like it or not, but it's best to make sure you're changing to your advantage. That can mean having to learn new skills. Depending on the skill, it can either be onerous or fun, but it's still worth doing. #5: When possible, give away stuff for free. I know some writers get really worried or upset about giving away stuff for free. They'll price their first novel at $9.99 [all prices mentioned are in USD] or higher, and then say things like a latte at Starbucks costs five bucks, why shouldn't my book, which was so much more work, costs more? (Though these days, I think a Starbucks latte probably is more like $8.37.) Giving things away for free gives readers a chance to try your work in a risk-free environment. If someone picks, for example, Frostborn: The Gray Knight and they don't like it or give up on it by chapter four, they're not out anything but time. But if they enjoy it, they might pick up Frostborn: The Eightfold Knife for $0.99. If they like that, they might go on to the rest of the series where the books are $4.99. That really adds up over time. I've also written and given away via my newsletter a lot of short stories. I have to admit that while I enjoy short stories, I mostly do this to increase the click-through rate of my newsletter. It's best to think of giving away things for free as like planting seeds. If you're a farmer, you pay a lot of money for your crop seed, but then you have to sacrifice it in hope of getting a crop and potentially losing all the money you spent on the seed if it doesn't grow. Giving away ebooks for free is kind of like that. #6: Don't expect sales to go up every year or every quarter. There are pros and cons to the publicly held and traded corporation model, but I think one of the big cons is that the shareholders often demand that revenue goes up every quarter ("Number Go Up", to quote the Internet meme). The trouble is that this isn't sustainable in reality and leads to a lot of economic damage along the way. There's a good chance that when the AI companies tank in the next few years, they're going to take a good chunk of the economy with them because they push this growth at all cost mindset. Even on a smaller scale when a company has mass layoffs to make Number Go Up, it causes all kinds of havoc in people's lives. In writing and publishing, you definitely should not expect sales to go up every quarter or even every year. It just doesn't work that way. Overall, if you have more books, you can generally expect they'll sell more, but it doesn't always or even frequently work like that. Ebook sales, like everything else, tend to ebb and flow. Also, what we will politely call "macroeconomic events" tend to affect sales a good deal. After 15 years, I found that the book reading population tends to overlap a fair bit with the "news doomscrolling" population. So every time there's a significant news event, sales tend to drop. They always drop during a US presidential election year, which inevitably shocks any authors who started publishing after the last election. The 2024 [US Presidential] election had that happen a lot because as you no doubt remember, there were a lot of dramatic news events that summer. Sales also tend to drop around Christmas because of holiday bills, and again in August and September, since that's when a lot of people have significant back to school expenses. If you have a really good sales month or year, that's great, but definitely do not plan on it lasting forever or going up forever. And if you do have that kind of windfall, it's a good idea to do sensible financial things with it- pay down debt, save it in sensible investment or retirement accounts, that kind of thing. It is a terrible, terrible idea to take on additional debt, hire employees you don't need, or commit to other unsustainable financial commitments. Living well below your means is a principle that can help you avoid much pain. Also, if you do have a windfall month or year, be sure to save for the tax bill you will have the next time you file taxes because Uncle Sam (or your national equivalent of Uncle Sam) will very much want his cut. #7: Don't start a series unless you plan to finish it. This is less of a thing for romance or mystery novelists since their books tend to be more episodic. However, if you're writing fantasy or science fiction, it's a really good idea to make sure you finish your series because there's nothing science fiction/fantasy readers hate more than a series that never gets finished. There are a couple of reasons for this, but there have been a few very high profile examples of popular series remaining unfinished and that really soured readers on the idea of unfinished series, which is often detrimental to new writers who are just starting out. So if you're going to write in series, you need to commit to finishing them even if it's a lot of work. I've done that myself a couple times. For a while, I wasn't really sure if I wanted to finish Silent Order or Stealth & Spells Online, but I got them done. If you are a newer writer and you want to write in series, I would suggest starting with trilogies. They're less of a commitment than say something like Frostborn, which was 15 books. #8: Don't stress about bad reviews. Every writer has to learn to let bad reviews go. Obsessing over them isn't healthy and freaking out over them on social media is never good and can have bad consequences. It is a hard lesson to learn, but you just have to learn to ignore bad reviews. People can take reacting to bad reviews to insane extremes. There was a criminal case a while back where writer drove to someone's house and attacked a critic with a wine bottle because of a Goodreads review. Granted, that is an extreme case, but there have been numerous examples of writers going to war with critics over social media or even just complaining about bad reviews on social media only for the Internet to fall on their heads. You just have to learn to ignore bad reviews. It's not easy, but you can just follow these two rules about bad reviews. First, say nothing. Second, do nothing. "Never complain, never explain," to paraphrase Benjamin Disraeli. If it helps, the longer you do this and the more you write, bad reviews matter less because you can't remember everything. Like after you've written your first book, you can remember every single bit of it and every little decision and bit of thought process that went into the writing. But after 172 books, I honestly can't remember everything I've written unless I look it up. Like if someone complained about the griffin diarrhea joke in Malison: Dragon Fury, I would just kind of stare blankly because it would take me a while to remember it! #9: Social media is a potentially destructive time sink. This kind of relates to the previous lesson, but there are a lot of ways that social media can waste enormous amounts of your time. Arguing with strangers is one of them and the most obvious and potentially the most destructive, but passive consumption can be just as insidious. The phenomenon of doomscrolling, of endless scrolling through bad news is well known and is psychologically harmful. There's also "comparisonitis", which can be especially insidious for writers, since people generally put their curated selves on social media. Interestingly, sometimes people put the curated negative selves on social media. The way some people complain and present themselves in their posts, it's amazing they have the energy to type up posts complaining about their woes. No doubt that is done for engagement. There are also countless people who simply make up outrageous stories about hot button issues for clicks and clout. You also want to avoid arguing with strangers on social media because it will inevitably turn out that person in question is unemployed and therefore has infinite free time and also has poor reading comprehension and some sort of rage-based mood disorder. Overall, I would say that the best way to engage with social media while keeping your sanity is to remain positive. Share as few personal details as possible. Don't argue with strangers and only say things that are verifiably true. That will let you avoid a lot of potential trouble. #10: Pay people promptly and on time. Speaking of avoiding trouble, paying people on time will let you avoid a galaxy of woes. No one person can't possess all skills. So if you write long enough, you're going to need to subcontract out some stuff, whether it's editing, cover design, web design, accounting and taxes, audiobooks, and so forth. So if people do work for you and you are satisfied with this work, then you should pay them on time. This is a concept that a lot of people can't seem to grasp, and I've heard a lot of horror stories over the years about authors who try to weasel out of payment. So if you hire people to do things for you and they do them to your satisfaction, then pay them the agreed amount on time. This will also have the nice effect that if you pay people on time and build up track record of this, they'll be more willing to accommodate reasonable requests from you. #11: Don't worry about NFTs, Crypto, the Metaverse, LLMs, or whatever the latest doomsday tech trend is. The second half of the 2010s and the entirety of the 2020s have been filled with technologies that turned out to be useless, stupid, infested with scammers, and overall destructive, such as cryptocurrency, NFTs, the Metaverse, and of course, generative AI. (Apple CEO Tim Cook announced his retirement right before I started recording this episode. I think one of the chief positives of his legacy will be that he kept Apple mostly away from the generative AI mania.) I remember when cryptocurrency was inevitably going to replace fiat money, or when NFTs would be the future of art, or when all the very smart people said that the Metaverse would be the future of work and online communication. A lot of these technologies' boosters said you had to get on board with it right now, or you'll be left behind in the glorious technological revolution. You'll note that none of that actually happened. Crypto's main use case is facilitating cybercrime and NFTs are worthless. The Metaverse, like most of Facebook's bright ideas, wasted a lot of money and did nothing useful. Generative AI is on a similar course. None of its glorious promises of a better future have actually happened, and all it's really done is a lot of destruction and waste of money. The money is running out, public opinion is turning against it, and eventually LLM technology will dwindle to a sketchy corner of the internet much like crypto. Or to put it both more optimistically and snarkily, the best quote I heard about LMMs was that with strange people heralded the next generation of industrial automation technology as the beginning of the Singularity. It's like thinking that the computer that controls the fuel/airflow mixing your car is suddenly going to overthrow society and replace all human work. The one thing these technologies had in common, other than all being massive frauds, is that many writers worried it would be the end of writing, that crypto was going to replace government money or that all art would become NFTs, or that people would prefer AI slop novels over human written ones. However, none of this actually happened and people who predict the future are usually wrong. Various ancient and medieval societies made attempting to predict the future punishable by death. There's an element of religion to this, but I suspect some hard-headed jurists were less worried about offending the gods through false prophecy and had instead realized that many so- called prophets were just grifters attempting to scam money out of the credulous. This principle holds true today. I'm sure by 2030 there'll be some new technology called "groobelfarts" or whatever. Various grifters will swarm over social media saying "groobelfarts" are the future and if you don't get behind the "groobelfarts" (preferably by buying their course and signing up for their newsletter), then you're going to get left behind by the great and glorious "groobelfarts" revolution. But it will turn out to be 95% of scam and then by 2035, all the grifters will move on to the next tech. So I wouldn't worry about generative AI or whatever the next big technology is, which is probably "groobelfarts". #12 It's a really good idea to have your own website. If you're serious about indie publishing, you're essentially running a small business. These days, a small business really needs its own website. I know some writers rely entirely on their Amazon profile pages or social media profiles. This is a really bad idea, in my opinion, because the ebook stores and the social media platforms are changing things all the time and one of those changes might knock your visibility down to nothing. By contrast, with the website, you control it and you can set the content. It's also very useful to have a central location to direct readers. Ideally, your website will have links to all your books, so you can just send readers there. A lot of writers overthink this, but a standard WordPress or Wix template or something of that nature will work just fine for you. In fact, the fewer bells and whistles on your website, the better. It makes it easier to maintain and is that much harder to hack. #13: It's a really good idea to have your own email list. Related to the previous point, it's also an excellent idea to have your own email list to mail your readers. There are some legal requirements around this involving opt-in permission and physical addresses, and obviously it's best to follow them. But an email list, even after 15 years, is still my most powerful tool for reaching readers. As we mentioned above, the various ebook stores and social media platforms forever tinker with their algorithms and visibility. Having your own website is important, but getting people to visit it can be something of a challenge. That's where the email list comes in. With it, whenever you have a new release, you can email people and let them know. Whenever I publish a new book, the best sales day is always, without fail, the day I send out the newsletter. How do you get people to sign up for the newsletter? I found the best way is to consistently give away things for free. If you sign up for my newsletter (and if you haven't, you should do so right now), you get a bundle of free ebooks. Almost every time I publish a new book, I also give away a free short story. So giving away free stuff via the newsletter is a good way to build it and keep subscribers. #14: Don't cheat or be unethical. Like every other business, there are a million ways you can cheat or be unethical in indie publishing- plagiarism, stealing covers, paying for fake reviews, paying for bad reviews for someone you don't like, buying social media followers, manipulating Kindle Unlimited page reads, cranking out LLM slop books, and so forth. Some of it is technically legal, but unethical, and some of it is outright illegal. It can be very frustrating to see people you know are cheating get ahead. That said, it is always best to walk the straight and narrow road as best you can. There are many religious and ethical arguments for doing so, but if those don't appeal to you, the consequences might. If you cheat and do sketchy stuff, sooner or later it will catch up to you. It might take a long, long time. Bernie Madoff ran his scam for decades before he ended up dying in a prison hospital. Sometimes it catches up to you much more quickly. Sam Bankman-Fried only ran FTX for three years or so during the height of crypto mania before it all blew up in his face. People who work for the devil in the end always end up paying him rather than the other way around. So don't cheat or do unethical stuff. Your life will be happier and easier. And at the very least, you won't have to live with a constant low level fear that the consequences are about to catch up with you. #15: Tomorrow is another day. Perhaps today didn't go well. Maybe you're too busy getting your writing done or you got to your writing time and you're just too tired to concentrate. Maybe it was a bad sales day or you got a bad review or you got some bad family news or one of the other myriad ways that Real Life exacts its tolls arrived. Perhaps today was a bad day, but tomorrow is another day. It will be another shot at the ring. I suppose 15 years of self-publishing means I've been doing this for over 5,400 days. There have been some good days and bad days in the mix, but the thing to remember about bad days is that tomorrow is another day. If you miss your writing goal one day, you can try again tomorrow. And that little bit of daily effort adds up cumulatively over time. Conclusion. So those are 15 lessons I've learned in the last 15 years in indie publishing. As always, I would like to thank everyone who read and enjoyed my books and I hope to keep them coming. Meanwhile, we'll close out with a bonus. As I mentioned earlier in the show, by happy coincidence, my 15th anniversary of indie publishing overlaps the 300th episode of this podcast. So to mark the occasion, I'm giving away a free ebook, Writing Lessons from The Pulp Writers Show, which was written by me, Jonathan Moeller, and A.B. Bachmann (who is the researcher, editor, transcriptionist, and webmaster for this podcast and has been very helpful). You can get this ebook for free at my Payhip store until the end of May. So that is it for this week. Thank you for listening to The Pulp Writer Show and the past 300 episodes of The Pulp Writer Show. I hope you have found the show useful as we finish up 300 episodes and continue on to hopefully the next 300. A reminder that you can listen to all the back episodes at https://thepulpwritershow.com. If you enjoyed the podcast, please leave your view on your podcasting platform of choice. Stay safe and stay healthy and see you all next week.  

Tom Rasch - Marvel Comics, Black Alpha, and Creator-Owned IPOn this episode, we sit down with comic artist and creator Tom Rasch to explore his journey through the comic book industry.From early inspiration rooted in classic pop culture like Batman, Spider-Man, and Star Trek, Tom developed a passion for storytelling and art that led him to pursue comics professionally. He shares the realities of breaking into the industry; from early rejection at San Diego Comic-Con portfolio reviews to eventually landing work with Marvel Comics on Punisher.But the journey didn't stop there.Tom dives into: The lessons learned working inside Marvel  The challenges of the comic industry during market shifts  The importance of mastering storytelling fundamentals  His transition into building his own creator-owned universe  The origins and future of Black AlphaThis episode is a powerful look at what it takes to evolve from aspiring artist...to professional...to creator of your own world.

Kate Tilton has been helping authors since 2010 as a business manager and publishing consultant. She has worked with bestsellers and new authors, supporting and optimizing their publishing careers.  In this week's episode, you'll learn:  ● What you need to succeed in the author business  ● The benefits of working with a business manager  ● What your support needs are as an author .//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

In the final episode of the AHA Horror Anthology series, The Chairman sits down with Evan Johnston to explore Artifacts, a sci-fi horror story set on the dangerous sand planet Threlka-5.The conversation dives into survival, desperation, cosmic horror, and the psychological toll of discovery while also reflecting on the full AHA anthology and what it represents for indie creators.From character motivations to the deeper themes of greed and consequence, this episode closes out the anthology with a powerful look at what indie comics are capable of.

In this episode, we are joined by New York Times and USA Today best-selling author Jenn Sterling, writing as J. Sterling, whose latest series, Fun for the Holidays, features holiday romances for every season. Check out her latest instalment, The Thanksgiving Hookup! Jenn is also the author of dozens of books across several series, and is the author of sports romances, celebrity romances, new adult romances, and many more. We had a great conversation with Jenn about all things romance writing, marketing, advice from friend and fellow author Colleen Hoover, and how the independent publishing world has changed since she first published in 2011. We spoke to Jenn about her writing career, how she has written and published books for almost twelve years, how much indie publishing has changed, how marketing for indie publishers has evolved, TikTok and its many uses (as well as how fun of an app it is), and, of course, lots of talk about sports! We had a fun, frank, and inspiring conversation with Jenn, and can't wait for you to listen to this episode!

What happens when one of the greatest stories ever told is reimagined through indie comics?Bruno Catarino returns to the USDN Podcast to discuss Space Odyssey, a sci-fi reinterpretation of The Odyssey that transforms myth into a galaxy-spanning journey. From redefining gods as modern systems of power to exploring the unknown depths of space, this conversation dives deep into storytelling, worldbuilding, and the evolution of mythology.We also discuss Bruno's live Kickstarter campaign Family and Honour, along with insights into indie publishing and building momentum for successful launches.

In this episode of the USDN Podcast, we welcome Jasmine Crawshaw to discuss her gothic supernatural horror story The Hangwoman, featured in the AHA! Horror Anthology.Set during a time of witch trials and fear-driven justice, The Hangwoman explores themes of corruption, systemic power, and vengeance through the story of Elizabeth Hill, a woman wrongfully executed who returns to claim justice.This conversation dives into the deeper philosophy of horror storytelling, including why meaningful horror must reflect real-world fear, social anxiety, and the consequences of unchecked authority.We also explore the resurgence of gothic horror and why themes of “otherness” and persecution remain relevant in today's world.If you're a fan of indie comics, horror storytelling, and creator-driven narratives, this episode delivers insight into both craft and meaning.

AHA! Episode 5 - The Bearer: Body Horror, Science, and ObsessionIn this episode of The USDN Podcast - where indie comics come to life, The Chairman sits down with Manoj Gedela and Lucas “Squidz” McKenzie to explore The Bearer, a chilling entry in the AHA! Horror Anthology.This conversation dives into the creative process behind a story that blends body horror, science, and obsession, following a scientist who pushes his own body beyond human limits in pursuit of something greater.Together, they discuss: The origins of The Bearer The role of science in horror storytelling  The influence of real-world biology  Visualizing transformation through art  The balance between horror and meaning At its core, this episode explores a powerful question: 

Skye B. MacKinnon has lived in various countries before settling in Scotland, so she has a unique international perspective on publishing. In this episode Skye shares best practices for how to translate indie books into different languages.  In this week's episode, you'll learn: ● How to produce market-ready translations  ● Marketing your book translations  ● Tips and tricks from her 'Self-Publishing in German' guide .//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Steve Honeycutt joins The USDN Podcast to discuss Escape To Earth #5 - the final issue of his sci-fi dinosaur comic series.In this episode, we explore the journey behind Escape To Earth, from its roots in serialized storytelling to its cinematic, action-driven conclusion.Steve shares insights on building a unique world that blends fugitives, alien forces, and prehistoric Earth — while also reflecting on what it takes to finish an indie comic series.We also dive into:The evolution of Adam (The Zero Thief) The role of E-Ka and thematic depth Transitioning from audio storytelling to comics Lessons learned from completing a full series The Kickstarter campaign for the final issue If you're passionate about indie comics, storytelling, and creator-driven projects — this episode is for you.

Tara has led the Draft2Digital Support Team since the early days of D2D. This week, she joins the Self Publishing Insiders team to answer author questions. In this episode, you'll learn: • Customer Support's commonly asked questions  • Best Practices for Publishing with Draft2Digital  • Tips & Tricks to get the most out of Self-Publishing  .//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Tony Kapp joins The USDN Podcast to discuss #HexTheMoon, his chilling entry in CHK Comics Presents: AHA - A Horror Anthology.This episode explores psychological horror rooted in modern online culture, touching on themes of loneliness, digital influence, and manipulation.Featuring artwork by Chaz Hoar

Zach Zeman joins The USDN Podcast to break down GHOSTWOOD - a genre-blending indie comic exploring paranormal investigations, hidden government agencies, and supernatural mysteries.In this episode, we dive into the creation of Ghostwood, a world where a secret organization monitors paranormal activity across a fictional U.S. state - uncovering cases that go far beyond traditional crime stories.We explore: Zach's transition from screenwriting to comics  The influence of horror classics like EC Comics, X-Files, and Buffy  The structure behind Ghostwood's “monster-of-the-week” storytelling  Long-term worldbuilding and character arcs  The realities of indie comic creation and distribution If you're into horror, supernatural storytelling, and indie comics, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

Duke Electric & Miguel Santiago - AHA! Horror Anthology Episode 2: Too Late to Save ThemOn this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, we're joined by Duke Electric and Miguel Santiago to discuss their contribution to AHA! (A Horror Anthology).This story explores one of the deepest fears imaginable, a parent realizing something is wrong with their child. What begins as a subtle moment of doubt evolves into a psychological horror story rooted in identity, AI, and the loss of control.We break down: The real-world fears that inspired the story  How tension and unease drive the narrative  The concept of biocomputers and AI influence  The collaboration between writer and artist  The devastating ending and what it represents AHA! is more than a horror anthology it's a platform for creators to tell bold, unsettling stories and bring new voices into the indie comics space.Support the Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/imchrisstall/chk-comics-presents-aha-a-horror-anthology?ref=profile_created&category_id=249Follow the creators: Duke Electric: https://bsky.app/profile/dukeelectric.bsky.social Miguel Santiago: https://bsky.app/profile/migs-ink.bsky.social

In this week's episode we discuss how to structure a series before you start writing. Our guide on this journey is Kristina Stanley, bestselling author and CEO of the Fictionary School for Writers and Editors.  If you want to write a series but aren't sure how to begin, this episode is for you. We'll reveal how to structure: • Plot arcs • Character development  • Thematic consistency  • A plan to carry your story, and your readers, across multiple books .//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//   Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way. • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/ • Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog   • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com   Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Alex De Luca - Building Dragon Whisperer & a Steampunk Comic UniverseIn this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, The Chairman sits down with comic creator Alex De Luca.From his early days discovering comics in a small newsstand to breaking into the industry through persistence and passion, Alex shares the full journey behind his career.We explore the creation of Dragon Whisperer, a steampunk fantasy story that flips the traditional dragon narrative by focusing on communication instead of conflict. Alex also dives into:His creative process as a writer and letterer The importance of collaboration in comics The realities of breaking into the comic industry How personal life experiences shape storytelling 

Alim Leggett joins The USDN Podcast to discuss his LIVE Kickstarter campaign for The Diary of Sweet Pea #3.At the center of the story is Imani Williams, a young girl whose powers are triggered by grief, trauma, and emotional intensity. These abilities manifest subconsciously, acting as both protection and danger as her world expands beyond a personal story into something far more complex.In this episode, we explore:• The emotional foundation of Sweet Pea • How trauma influences storytelling and character design • The progression from issue #1 through #3 • Kickstarter strategy and backer value • Why creator-owned comics matter

In this episode of The USDN Podcast - Where Indie Comics Come to Life, The Chairman sits down with Alejandro Rosales Duran, creator of Drako & Sambos Inc., to discuss what it really takes to build a comic universe from scratch.Coming from Colombia, Alejandro is working to create his own lane in the global comic space — developing original characters, telling new stories, and building a creator-owned brand from the ground up.The conversation explores:• Alejandro's origin story and early inspirations• The creation of Drako & Sambos Inc.• His comic project Archer of Heat • The realities of the indie creator grind • Social media strategies for artists • The importance of consistency and enjoying the creative processThis episode is a deep dive into the mindset, discipline, and vision required to build something of your own in the indie comic space.

Want to take your books beyond the U.S. and into global markets—but not sure where to start?  In this episode, Gryphon Publishing Consulting Owner Mary Jo Courchesne breaks down the entire process of selling international rights, so independent publishers can turn their books into opportunities around the world. You'll learn: how to determine whether your title is a good fit for international markets how to research genre trends in other countries how to connect with international publishers how major rights marketplaces like the Frankfurt Book Fair, London Book Fair, and more help publishers land deals and so much more! If you want to expand your book's reach—and revenue—beyond your home market, this conversation gives you a clear, practical roadmap for getting your books into readers' hands across the globe. This episode is presented by MetaComet Systems. Learn more at https://metacomet.com/?utm_source=ibpa&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=2026 PARTICIPANTS Mary Jo (“MJ”) Courchesne is the founder of Gryphon Publishing Consulting, a permissions and licensing company serving independent publishers. She currently serves on the board of directors for the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), is a member of the Rights Committee of the Book Industry Study Group (BISG), the American Book Producers Association, and the Copyright Alliance. She also serves as secretary on the board of directors for The Big Easy in Buffalo. She resides in Buffalo, NY. Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Learn more about IBPA Publishing University here: https://www.publishinguniversity.org/ Sell more books to the international market with IBPA's Frankfurt Book Fair and DropCap book marketing programs here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ListofBenefits#sellmorebooks Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline X – https://twitter.com/ibpa Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ Check out Gryphon Publishing Consulting here: www.gryphonpublishing.co

310 / AI is getting better at producing words, audio, and even video, which raises the question for authors: how do readers know there's a real person behind the book?In this episode, we talk about how writers can stand out in a sea of AI content through leaning harder into trust, voice, and real connection. We share concrete ways to signal “I'm a real person” without forcing yourself to overshare or turn your life into content. ✨ This week's sponsor is: Reedsy https://reedsy.com/studio and https://reedsy.com/studio/templatesWhy authenticity and connection matter more as AI output scales—and what history tells us about tech panic cyclesHow parasocial relationships work, where they go sideways, and how real-world interaction cuts through the noisePractical ways to show your humanity: imperfection, process sharing, physical objects, and curationProtecting your author voice and using credibility signals to build lasting reader trust