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The New Normal of an Author Career with Johnny B. Truant - #286

May 6, 2025

Guest

Johnny B. Truant

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.

39:53

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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.

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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.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

The Power of Patience in Writing

03:30 • 14min

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Balancing Patience and Strategy in Author Marketing

17:05 • 10min

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Rethinking In-Person Sales: From Sales Goals to Market Research

27:08 • 2min

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Navigating Patience and Passion in Writing

29:26 • 8min

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The Artisan Identity in Modern Authorship

37:18 • 2min

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Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival

Luke Harding

In 'Invasion: Russia’s Bloody War and Ukraine’s Fight for Survival', Luke Harding delivers a compelling chronicle of the war between Russia and Ukraine. The book is a blend of reportage and history, drawing on Harding’s personal experiences and interviews with political and military leaders, as well as civilians and soldiers. It covers the initial days of the conflict, the grim reality of the ongoing war, and the human stories behind the headlines. Harding also examines the ideological, religious, and personal reasons behind Putin’s decision to invade and provides context by discussing the historical relationship between Russia and Ukraine. The book includes vivid accounts from locations such as Mariupol and Bucha, and it situates these micro-stories within the broader narrative of the conflict and its global implications.

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How Law is Suffocating America

Philip K. Howard

In *The Death of Common Sense*, Philip K. Howard argues that the American legal system has become overly complex and bureaucratic, leading to inefficiencies and injustices. He contends that the pursuit of detailed regulations has resulted in laws that are often unworkable and counterproductive. Howard advocates for a return to common sense and human judgment in legal decision-making to restore effectiveness and fairness to the system.

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In 'Rock Paper Scissors', Alice Feeney crafts a twisty narrative that delves into the complexities of a marriage on the brink of collapse. Adam and Amelia Wright, a couple celebrating their tenth anniversary, win a trip to a mysterious old chapel in Scotland. Adam, a screenwriter with face blindness, and Amelia, who writes him annual letters he never reads, are both aware that their marriage is fraught with secrets and lies. As they navigate their weekend away, they uncover truths that threaten to destroy their relationship. The story is layered with suspense, twists, and uncertainties, keeping readers guessing until the very end.

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The Dip

A Little Book That Teaches You When to Quit (and When to Stick)

Seth Godin

In 'The Dip,' Seth Godin challenges traditional views on persistence and quitting. He introduces the concept of 'The Dip,' a challenging phase between starting and mastering a skill, which is necessary for growth and mastery. Godin distinguishes 'The Dip' from 'The Cul-de-Sac' (a dead-end situation) and 'The Cliff' (a risky situation), advising readers to quit the latter two but push through 'The Dip' to achieve significant rewards. The book provides practical advice on recognizing when to quit and when to stick with a project, job, or relationship, emphasizing that strategic quitting can lead to extraordinary success.

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Write, Publish, Repeat

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.

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.

Interview video at https://bit.ly/TIAPYTPlaylist

Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/podcast.html

If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author!

https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor

https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple

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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