Indie Writers Club

James reports from AuthorNation, sharing insights on a recovering indie market and the rapid adoption of AI in publishing. The discussion includes AI's impact on advertising dynamics, targeting problems, and the emerging needs for clear product packaging. Amidst the talk of scams targeting authors, they offer practical advice on spotting fraudulent outreach. The duo also explores the potential of AI voice tools and emphasizes the importance of human creativity alongside technology. With a nod to digital nomad life, they brainstorm productive retreats for authors.

Dive into the mysterious realm of ghostwriting, where a seasoned professional spills insights from the shadows of the literary world. The hosts tackle the rise of author scams leveraging AI, revealing a chilling trend in personalized approaches. Learn how structured outlines aid ghostwriters and why these gigs can provide a steady income. Ethical concerns in collaboration and the importance of transparency are also explored. Plus, a quick Halloween chat adds a touch of seasonal fun to this engaging discussion.

Cecilia (Cissy) Mecca, a hybrid romance author, dives into her innovative journey using AI assistant 'Pedro' to streamline her writing business. She shares how she trained Pedro to manage workflows, analyze ads, and create personalized daily agendas. Cissy discusses the significance of connecting AI to tools like Google Drive for efficiency and offers practical tips on voice training for AI. Join her as she reveals how AI not only handles tasks but also empowers her creativity, making room for more strategic focus in her writing life.

We discuss the the state of Trad vs Indie after a couple of comments from notable authors and commentators and come to an interesting conclusion!Also - it's possible Taylor Swift is secretly self-publishing poetry on Amazon KDP! We look at the evidence and implications...USEFUL LINKS:Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15https://www.prowritingaid.comJoin our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

Much has happened behind the scenes of the Facebook Ads Manager and so james is setting out a series of tests. spending money on various combinations of Adv+ and manual targeting to see what's working now.James also reveals the finalists for the 2025 Amazon Kindle Storyteller Award without giving away any judging secrets!USEFUL LINKS:Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15 https://www.prowritingaid.comJoin our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

Explore the transformative impact of AI on book discovery, and why authors need to adapt their strategies. Learn practical tips for crafting queries that resonate with AI readers and the importance of maintaining clean metadata. The discussion highlights how emotional searches will shape recommendations and why indie authors must ensure their books are listed in Google Books. Balancing writing and family life is also touched upon, along with the critical advantages of real-world visibility in an AI-driven landscape.

The era of keywords and Google searches is coming to an end. Searching through a longer form conversation with an AI is already taking over. That means we need to get our blurbs and book packages ready for the new era.James & Cara discuss the take-aways from NINC including Ricardo Fayet's talk on GEO.USEFUL LINKS:Ricardo's Blog: indiewritersclub.com/ricardoJoin our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

In episode 55, James reports from the Floridian beach where he's attending the annual NINC conference. He and Cara also report some encouraging signs from their Facebook Ads campaigns.USEFUL LINKS:Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career. https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support 

Making the switch from hobbyist to full-time author is a dream for many. But it comes with its own challenges. From two of us who have become full time self-employed, we go through some of the pitfalls and areas to think about.USEFUL LINKS:Self Publishing Launchpad is open for enrolment:https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/launchpadJoin our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

It's part 2 of our discussion about generating income from audio versions of your books. We talk about the AI options among other things, and James has a mini rant about the opposition many authors still face, because they use the latest technology which is available to all.USEFUL LINKS:  ElevenLabs: https://www.indiewritersclub.com/elevenlabsJoin our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career. https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support