Indie Writers Club

James is back from AuthorNation in Las Vegas. During this week's Indie Writers Club episode James discusses the legal presentation from Alicia Wright regarding the law, ethics and AI.If you want to sign up for AuthorNation 2025 click here: https://claymore.krtra.com/t/YCtI1A27yXCpAnd join the Indie Writers Club mailing list to be first to hear about the ticket release for The Self Publishing Show Live! 2025 at indiewritersclub.com.James & Cara.Support the show

Get episode alerts at indiewritersclub.comJoin the discussion at indiewritersclub.com/discordSummaryIn this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara Clare and James Blatch discuss their experiences at a recent writers' conference in Las Vegas. They share insights on the conference's attendance, the quality of sessions, and the importance of networking among indie authors. The conversation also delves into their personal writing processes, including drafting techniques, character development, and the challenges faced in different genres. The hosts emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the writing journey, while also reflecting on the community aspect of being an indie author. In this engaging conversation, James and Cara explore the nuances of writing, focusing on the importance of character development over intricate plots, the value of trusting one's writing process, and the insights gained from understanding CliftonStrengths. They also discuss productivity techniques like Deep Work and the significance of community support among authors, culminating in a lively segment about their Word Count Club.TakeawaysThe conference is a significant gathering for indie authors.Networking is as important as the sessions themselves.Writing every day can lead to substantial progress.Character motivations can evolve during the writing process.Different genres present unique writing challenges.Trusting your instincts is crucial in the writing process.The importance of a strong first line in a novel.The writing process can vary greatly among authors.Attending conferences can reignite FOMO among those who miss out.The indie author community is supportive and collaborative. Readers prefer familiarity in series books.Trusting oneself improves the writing process.Different writers have unique approaches to writing.Editing can be a daunting task for some authors.CliftonStrengths can help identify personal writing strengths.Creative work doesn't always align with traditional work ethics.Finding productivity methods that suit individual needs is crucial.Community support enhances the writing journey.Deep Work emphasizes the power of focused attention.Engagement in writing communities fosters motivation.Support the show

It's the Indie Writers Club! Links: The Self Publishing Show Live! https://learnselfpublishing.com/spsliveAuthor Nation (Vegas): https://www.authornation.live/Ireland's Publishing Show (March): https://irelandspublishingshow.com/NINC (Florida, September): https://ninc.com/In this episode, James and Cara progress during NaNoWriMo, the importance of consistency in writing, and the value of attending author conferences for networking and learning opportunities. Join our Discord: https://www.indiewritersclub.com/discordSupport the show

Useful links:WWM Survey: indiewritersclub.com/survey Publish Drive Offer: indiewritersclub.com/publishdriveJoin the Discord Discussion: indiewritersclub.com/discordIn this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara and James discuss their personal updates, including writing progress and the upcoming NaNoWriMo challenge.  The conversation shifts to the Written Word Media Annual Author Survey, where they explore indie authors' motivations for writing, income insights, and genre trends in the self-publishing market. The hosts emphasize the importance of perseverance in writing and the potential for success in the indie publishing world. In this conversation, James and Cara delve into the evolving landscape of self-publishing, focusing on reader behaviour, genre trends, and the correlation between the number of books published and author income.  They discuss the importance of understanding market dynamics, the various formats available for publishing, and the growing trend of direct sales among authors. Additionally, they explore pricing strategies and the effectiveness of different marketing tactics, emphasizing the need for authors to adapt to changing reader preferences and market conditions.  Cara and James explore various marketing tactics in the publishing industry, discussing both overrated and underrated strategies. They emphasize the importance of mailing lists for authors and the sense of community among indie authors, while also addressing the challenges of marketing fatigue and the evolving landscape of author engagement. The discussion highlights the need for effective tools and support systems for authors navigating the complexities of book marketing. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Personal Updates02:58 Writing Progress and NaNoWriMo Discussion05:55 Dog News and Family Decisions09:55 Exploring the Author Survey12:00 Motivations for Writing and Income Insights18:02 Genre Trends and Market Insights24:54 Understanding Reader Behavior and Genre Trends30:07 The Correlation Between Book Quantity and Author Income35:46 Formats and Trends in Book Publishing42:03 Direct Sales: A Growing Trend for Authors47:02 Pricing Strategies and Their Impact on Author Earnings51:52 Marketing Tactics and Effectiveness for Authors54:08 Overrated Marketing Tactics56:09 Underrated Marketing Strategies01:01:15 The Importance of Mailing Lists01:04:39 Community and Sentiment Among Authors01:11:01 Final Thoughts and Future Directions Takeaways Podcasting lifts spirits and provides a creative outlet.NaNoWriMo offers a structured writing challenge for authors.The importance of accountability in writing goals.Indie authors often have diverse motivations for writing.Financial success in writing is achievable with persistence.Genre selection can impact income potential for authors.Community support is vital for indie authors' success.Writing is a long-term commitment that requires resilience.Understanding market trends can guide writing decisions.Personal experiences shape authors' writing journeys. Readers are increasingly binge-reading series, impacting author strategies.Understanding genre trends is crucial for authors to succeed.There is a strong correlation between the number of books published and income.Ebooks are the most popular format among indie authors.High-quality cover design is linked to higher sales.Many authors do not invest in professional ediSupport the show