Johnny B. Truant, bestselling author of 'FAT VAMPIRE' and an indie publishing pioneer, discusses the evolving author career landscape with Matty Dalrymple. They tackle the pitfalls of 'comparisonitis' and emphasize the importance of patience and slow growth. Truant shares insights on viewing in-person sales as market research and the balance between passion and commercial success. The conversation also highlights the shift from hobbyist to artisan identities in modern authorship, advocating for deeper audience connections.
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insights INSIGHT
Slow Growth Is The New Normal
Instant success in author careers has become very rare; slow growth is now the norm.
Patience helps authors endure the slow and discouraging pace of building a readership.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Patience With Readers Matters
Be patient with your audience and avoid pushy marketing tactics that can alienate potential readers.
Relationships with readers take time; impatience can cause missed opportunities.
insights INSIGHT
Comparisonitis Harms Patience
Comparisonitis is a destructive mindset that kills satisfaction and self-worth for authors.
Comparing your path to others' success often leads to harmful impatience rather than motivation.
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Fat Vampire is a novel by Johnny B. Truant, known for its unique blend of humor and horror. It follows the story of a vampire who is far from the typical brooding, elegant figure. The book is characterized by its witty dialogue, fast-paced plot, and unconventional protagonist. It has been adapted into a successful SyFy series, Reginald the Vampire, showcasing its appeal to a wider audience. The novel explores themes of identity, acceptance, and the challenges of navigating a world that doesn't understand you. It's a refreshing take on the vampire genre, appealing to both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.
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Matty Dalrymple talks with Johnny B. Truant about THE NEW NORMAL OF AN AUTHOR CAREER, including the evolving landscape of self-publishing, the dilemma of comparisonitis, the need to accept slow growth in one's author career as the new norm, the value of patience, and the warning signs when patience turns into a rut.
Johnny B. Truant is the bestselling author of FAT VAMPIRE, adapted by The SyFy Network as REGINALD THE VAMPIRE. His other books include PRETTY KILLER, GORE POINT, INVASION, THE BEAM, DEAD CITY, UNICORN WESTERN, and over 100 other titles across many genres. Johnny is one of indie publishing’s early authorities, having created and co-hosted the original Self-Publishing Podcast with Sean Platt and David Wright. He is also the author of the indie cornerstone guide WRITE. PUBLISH. REPEAT., and hosted the Smarter Artist Summit author conference in Austin, Texas from 2015-2018 with the same two partners.
Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she’s learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors; her articles have appeared in "Writer’s Digest" magazine. She serves as the Campaigns Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors.
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