JD Barker - Co-Writing Thrillers with James Patterson and Indie vs Traditional Publishing

JD Barker is a New York Times bestselling author who has experienced various publishing paths including traditional, indie, and hybrid publishing. With a background as a book doctor and ghostwriter for over 20 years, JD transitioned to writing his own novels and has since collaborated with James Patterson among other notable authors. His unique publishing journey includes a special relationship with Simon & Schuster that combines the advantages of indie publishing with the distribution power of a major publisher. JD's expertise spans multiple genres within the thriller and suspense categories, and he has numerous works optioned for film and television.

In this episode:

• JD's journey from ghostwriter to bestselling author
• The pros and cons of traditional vs. indie publishing
• His unique partnership arrangement with Simon & Schuster
• Collaborating with James Patterson and other co-authors
• How outlining transformed his writing process
• Creative marketing strategies for book promotion
• Tips for new authors on quality, consistency, and platform building
• The challenges of adapting books for film and television
• Upcoming projects including a Flatliners reboot novel

Resources mentioned:

• Writers Ink podcast: https://writersinkpodcast.com/
• NetGalley: https://www.netgalley.com/
• Website: https://jdbarker.com/

Book Recommendations:

• "On Writing" by Stephen King: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1439156816?&linkCode=ll1&tag=pubperf-20&linkId=400c65572fa1761b41f901ed6233057c&language=en_US&ref_=as_li_ss_tl

Connect with JD Barker:

• Website: https://jdbarker.com/
• Books: https://jdbarker.com/books/
• "We Don't Talk About Emma"” https://jdbarker.com/books/we-dont-talk-about-emma/
• "The Writer" with James Patterson: https://jdbarker.com/books/the-writer/
• Upcoming Release: "Something I Keep Upstairs" (May)

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
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