The Writing Biz

10 years indie and still thriving? Cody Sisco shows how to build a writing career without publishers.

In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, queer sci-fi author Cody Sisco breaks down his decade-long indie author journey with the Resonant Earth series — from early book marketing mistakes to a creative engine that keeps books coming. You'll learn how indie author book marketing actually works, how to use Kickstarter for au...

Former pathologist Deven Greene reveals how real forensics, murder cases, and dark science power thrillers readers can't put down. If you're writing a thriller or wondering how to write a murder mystery without info-dumping, this is your playbook.

In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Deven shares how she turns 20+ years as a pathologist into page-turning suspense. You'll learn her simple research system for thriller writing, ...

Don't get scammed out of your own book. Publishing pro Michele DeFilippo (50+ years, 1106 Design) shows writers how to protect your rights, own your ISBNs, and budget for a market-quality book in the age of AI.

If you'reself-publishing your first book, you'll learn why free ISBNs make someone else the publisher, when to register your copyright for max protection, what AI text means for ownership, and how to save for pro editing...

Getting 50 scam emails a day? Author and voice actor Aaron Ryan does — and he's learned how to survive it.

In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Aaron breaks down how AI is flooding publishing with low-effort books, eroding income for voice actors, and fueling daily scams targeting indie authors. You'll learn his exact red flags (gmail addresses, flattery, $7,500 film offers), why you should never reply, and how to prove...

Dreaming of the big screen? Novelist and screenwriter Richard Moon breaks down how to write books that Hollywood wants to adapt.

In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, Richard Moon shares why great books make terrible movies, the structural differences between novels and screenplays, and what makes a story truly cinematic. We dig into book to film adaptationlessons from Jaws, Game of Thrones, Fight Club, and Lord of the Rings &...

Your book won't sell itself.

If you're launching to an empty room, the fix isn't more posting — it's an email list.

Olivia Zugay, founder of StoryFlow Solutions, joins The Writing Biz to break down the reader magnet strategy that actually builds a writing business: why a free novella converts readers when "sign up for updates" doesn't, how to grow a list before you ever publish, and how one client got over 30,000 downloads by g...

If you are a self-published author struggling with isolation, procrastination, or creative burnout, this episode offers a proven blueprint to build sustainable momentum. Host Laura Williams sits down with Dianna Gunn—author, community architect, and founder of Weeknight Writers—to explore how genre-specific accountability, virtual conferences, and structured peer networks empower indie authors to finish books and launch...

Romantic fantasy author PK Stuart sold me on the uncomfortable truth most writers avoid: indie publishing is a small business — not just a passion project. In this episode of The Writing Biz, PK breaks down what it really costs ($3,000 before your book even hits Amazon) and the system that keeps her profitable.

We dig into her pantser-meets-accountant workflow — the exact stack she uses to run it like a CEO: Scrivener fo...

Most writers hate marketing. This 18-year-old built 75,000 followers who buy books — by treating TikTok like a conversation, not a commercial.

18-year-old author Shanti Hershenson is still in school and already selling books full-time on TikTok. In this episode of The Writing Biz Podcast, she breaks down her exact tiktok for authors system: posting every other day, experimenting until something sticks, and turning followers in...

If you are a self-published author looking for actionable ways on how to make money writing, this conversation with award-winning author and publisher Lana McAra delivers a realistic blueprint for long-term sustainability. In this episode, Lana breaks down how to write a book career from scratch, leverage speaking engagements to skyrocket book sales, and diversify your income using editing, coaching, and publishing models.

FO...

If you are a self-published author trying to earn an income from your books, learning how to make money writing starts long before release day.

In this episode, publishing veteran and book shepherd Judith Briles joins host Laura Williams on The Writing Biz to share practical self-publishing tips, in-person promotion strategies, and email marketing tactics that turn casual readers into lifelong buyers.#selfpublishing #howtopublishabo...

Publishing a memoir is one thing. Marketing it when your deepest material is grief and trauma is a total tightrope walk. Author and Blue Hat Publishing co-founder Jodi Cowles joins us to break down what actually happens after you hit publish on your most vulnerable work — and how to survive it.

📌 Timestamped highlights:

0:00 - Introduction to Marketing Sensitive Stories

1:51 - How to Market Trauma Without Commodification

4:28 - ...

Most writers are told how to craft a book. Almost no one teaches you how to build a business around it. Greig Watts spent 11 years and 18 Eurovision entries proving the difference — and he probably lost 100 times to get there.

"You are the CEO of your own company. That's the truth. It's not you're an artist and you're a business owner. You are the CEO of your own company." - Greig Watts

In this episode of The Writing Biz, Greig...

Learn how authors break through media noise, land national press coverage, and turn book publicity into real sales.FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/4000-books-how-to-get-noticed #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #bookpr #bookmarketing #authorpreneur🤩MY GUEST:Liz H. Kelly CEO of Goody PR, Author & Podcast HostWEBSITE: Goody PR https://goodypr.com/YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/@GoodyPR📚LIZ H. KELLY'S BOOK...

Struggling to balance a full-time career, family life, and writing your next book? Multi-genre author and attorney Bryan Prosek shares actionable time management techniques and author business strategies to build a thriving writing career without burning out.

FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-cost-of-writing-with-a-full-time-job/

#WritingTips #SelfPublishing #WritingPodcast #indieauthor

🤩MY GUEST:

Bryan Prosek, ...

Discover how older authors can navigate an ADHD diagnosis and build a highly productive, sustainable fiction-writing career. Learn actionable strategies for managing focus, establishing custom routines, and completing your books without burning out. FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/the-truth-about-adhd-for-writers/ #selfpublishing #adhdauthors #adhd #writingtips #olderauthors🤩MY GUEST:Julie Rowe, AuthorWEBSITE: ...

Discover how to overcome writer anxiety, defeat imposter syndrome, and build creative momentum without feeling like a pushy salesperson. 🖊️FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/imposter-syndrome. #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #anxiety #impostersyndrome #authorpreneur🤩MY GUEST:Amy Bernstein, author, speaker, coachWEBSITE: https://amywrites.live/YOUTUBE:  ⁨@amylbernstein00author⁩  📚BOOKS BY AMY L. BE...

Discover how to successfully reinvent your life, overcome unexpected career detours, and turn personal challenges into powerful creative fuel with special guest Ray Hartjen 🖊️FULL TRANSCRIPT AND MORE: https://thewritingbiz.com/start-writing-ray-hartjen #selfpublishing #howtopublishabook #authorpreneur #bookmarketing #cancersurvivor #cancerawareness

🤩MY GUEST:

Ray Hartjen, Author 7 MusicianWEBSITE: https://rayhartjen.com/https://ray...