040 - The Amazon Algorithm Change You NEED to Know AboutIndie Writers Club2025-06-06 | Episode 040 of The Indie Writers Club!
In this episode James & Cara discuss the significant implications for indie authors of Amazons algorithm upgrade from A9 and A10.
Support the podcast by becoming a Patreon supporter and joining our lively community of self published authors.
indiewritersclub.com/support059 - Trad Vs Indie: Is there now a winner?Indie Writers Club2025-10-17 | 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...
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indiewritersclub.com/support058 - The Big Facebook Ads ExperimentIndie Writers Club2025-10-10 | 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!
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Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career. indiewritersclub.com/support057 - The New Era of AI SearchingIndie Writers Club2025-10-03 | It's Friday! It's the Indie Writers Club!
We continue our deep dive into the new era of searching using AI.
Even if you are dead set against all things AI - you cannot ignore the fact that readers will be searching for your books using AI in the future. That means you need to adapt the way you describe your books, where you list them and a host of other things.
If you want to learn more on this subject, I'd encourage you to sign up to Reedys's Ricardo Fayet's newsletter here: indiewritersclub.com/ricardo.
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Last night we had a great live Q&A with our top two tiers of Patreon supporters. You can be on the next call by signing up below:
indiewritersclub.com/support056 Get Your Books GEO Ready!Indie Writers Club2025-09-26 | 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.055 - Are Facebook Ads Back?Indie Writers Club2025-09-19 | 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.
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indiewritersclub.com/support054 - Becoming a Full Time AuthorIndie Writers Club2025-09-12 | 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.
Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.
indiewritersclub.com/support053 - Audio Books for Authors - Part 2Indie Writers Club2025-09-04 | 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.
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indiewritersclub.com/supportIndie Writers Club 052Indie Writers Club2025-08-29 | We take a two episode dive into audio books. In the first part we discuss the options facing indies, such as wide or exclusive, self produce or collaborate etc.
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Identify the main conflict that drives your story forward
Ensure the stakes are high enough to keep readers engaged
Consider both external conflicts (between characters or characters and their environment) and internal conflicts (within the characters themselves)
2. Character arcs
Develop your main characters' journeys throughout the story
Ensure each main character has a clear goal, motivation, and potential for change
Consider how the plot events will affect and change your characters
3. Pacing and structure
Decide on the right structure for your story (e.g., three-act structure, hero's journey)
Balance action, dialogue, and description to maintain a good pace
Consider the timing of key events, revelations, and twists to keep readers engaged
4. Causality and coherence
Ensure that plot events have a cause-and-effect relationship
Avoid coincidences or deus ex machina solutions
Make sure all subplots and character arcs are coherently tied to the main plot
5. Theme and message
DO NOT WORRY ABOUT THEME IN FIRST DRAFT
Consider the overarching theme or message you want to convey through your story
Ensure that your plot, character arcs, and conflicts all reinforce this central theme
Avoid being too heavy-handed or preachy in your message delivery050 - News Round UpIndie Writers Club2025-08-15 | Episode 50 is a good time to take stock of the industry and discuss the latest developments that can affect our indie world.
Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career. indiewritersclub.com/support049 - Your First Two Years as an Indie AuthorIndie Writers Club2025-08-08 | Let's talk about the author platform you need to build. This episode covers those crucial foundation months as you start out.
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indiewritersclub.com/support048 - Are Facebook Ads Still Number One for Authors?Indie Writers Club2025-08-01 | Welcome to episode 48 of the Indie Writers Club. This week Cara (spicy romance, romance) and James Blatch (thrillers) discuss Facebook (Meta) Ads. For years they have reigned supreme as the goto resource to drive readers to Amazon. But are they still working for writers?
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And join James for a live webinar on book packaging with AuthorNation on Weds 6th August: indiewritersclub.com/webinar047 - How to Translate Your Books and Sell in Foreign MarketsIndie Writers Club2025-07-25 | In this episode we deep dive into the process and strategy for launching your English language books into global markets.
We recommend scribeshadow.com (they are not a sponsor, this is a genuine recommendation). You can use our referral code IWC50 for 50% off your first month.
You download a free PDF that contains the key points from the discussion and it has a couple of useful appendices on Amazon categories in German and Dutch and a guide to pricing in Brazil and Mexico.
Head here to grab your copy: indiewritersclub.com/translations046 - The Dark Side of AIIndie Writers Club2025-07-18 | I'll confess, I love using AI for various parts of my marketing and editing, but even as an advocate of what AI can do for us writers, even I know there is a dark side.
I experienced that recently with an email and in this episode we talk about how scammers are always one-step ahead.
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indiewritersclub.com/support045 - How to Use an AI Manuscript CritiqueIndie Writers Club2025-07-11 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James and Cara discuss various aspects of writing, the use of AI in manuscript critiques, and the impact of translations on indie publishing. They explore the benefits of using tools like ProWritingAid, the importance of character development, and the themes that resonate within their stories. The conversation also touches on the supportive nature of the indie writing community and the exciting potential of expanding into foreign markets through translations.
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indiewritersclub.com/support044 - Writers Retreat and Conference ReportIndie Writers Club2025-07-04 | In this episode, Cara and James reflect on their recent experiences at the first IWC Writers' Retreat and the SPS Live conference.
They discuss the networking opportunities, feedback from workshop sessions, and the sense of community among indie writers.
Useful links:
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Check our Julia's films from our retreat: youtube.com/@suzybussell043 - How to Survive the Editing ProcessIndie Writers Club2025-06-27 | It's the Indie Writers Club with Cara & James! This week we talk editing/revising/rewriting, whatever you call it. Some of us love it (me) some hate it (Cara) but we all have to do it!
Big thanks to our sponsors prowritingaid.com, who make the entire process SO much easier. ___________________________________________ Join our Patreon: indiewritersclub.com/support042 - Create the Perfect Writing EnvironmentIndie Writers Club2025-06-20 | Do you listen to music? Work on a sofa? Write at 5am or midnight? In this episode we discuss the various ways we can create an atmosphere conducive to creativity and productivity. ___________________________________________ Join our Patreon: indiewritersclub.com/support041 - Its time to work less to achieve more...Indie Writers Club2025-06-13 | It might sound counter intuitive, but in this episode we'll use Cal Newport's guide to productivity to show that working less and working better is the future.
It will take a mindset change to shake off the notion that we 'need to be busy' in order to be productive.
Slow Productivity: mybook.to/slow-productivity039 - How Many Authors Now Use AI?Indie Writers Club2025-05-30 | In this week's episode James & Cara review BookBub's author survey on attitudes to AI. You can read the survey using the link below.
We also discuss our current work-in-progress and reflect on last week's Patreon Live Q&A!
BookBub Author AI Survey: insights.bookbub.com/how-authors-are-thinking-about-ai-survey038 - GLADIATOR II: What a Mess!Indie Writers Club2025-05-23 | In this episode we review and dissect Ridley's Scott's sequel to the incredible film Gladiator. Spoiler alert, we did not use the expression 'incredible' to describe it...
LINKS:
Support us via our Patreon and take part in a live monthly Q&A among other great perks: patreon.com/indiewritersclub
Head to prowritingaid.com and use code IWC15 for 15% of annual plans.037 - How to Get Your Book Made into a FilmIndie Writers Club2025-05-15 | In this special episode, James is joined by Hollywood scriptwriter Tom Donnelly. They discuss the chances of getting your book optioned and how to create a story that will grip your reader.036 - Indie News Round UpIndie Writers Club2025-05-09 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James reports back from the Global Publishing Summit in Seville, they discuss the launch of a men only publishing house and they discuss James' venture into AI translations.
Links:
Join our Patreon: indiewritersclub.com/support035 - Character First WritingIndie Writers Club2025-05-02 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James & Cara revisit the topic of Character. Story versus character is a debate we had in an earlier episode and we decided that the perfect outcome is when your characters lead the story and when the story changes your characters.
As Sharon Horgan says...people remember the characters long after they've forgotten the story.
How to deal with bad reviews: vm.tiktok.com/ZNdFmF5rr034 - Selling Your BacklistIndie Writers Club2025-04-25 | James reports from an author mastermind event in Aruba (not in Mexico, it turns out). They discuss various tips and ideas especially around selling your existing titles.
Also - try out the Google Animation tool on your covers: aistudio.google.com/generate-video033 - Self Publishing News & TrendsIndie Writers Club2025-04-18 | In this episode James & Cara discuss the week's developments in the indie world and James starts an experiment to see if AI translation service Scribeshadow can do a good enough job on his novels to launch them in France with no human intervention.032 - Write in a Series to Maximise SalesIndie Writers Club2025-04-11 | In this episode James & Cara discuss the latest developments in the world of publishing and they discuss how to write in a series or serial to maximise book sales.
Support the Show and get exclusive benefits by joining our Patreon:
Thank you!030 - Did Meta Steal Your Books?Indie Writers Club2025-03-28 | We discuss the use by Meta of pirated versions of books to build their AI. And we talk about our own action points from the fabulous Ireland's Publishing Show.
The Self Publishing Show Live - London June 25th learnselfpublishing.com/spslive029 - Does AI Hate Your Novel?Indie Writers Club2025-03-21 | Cara and James road test a brand new AI manuscript analysis tool.
Check it out for yourself: indiewritersclub.com/pwa028 - Self Publishings Public ImageIndie Writers Club2025-03-14 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James & Cara discuss Bill Bryson's reported attack on self publishing and the wider perception of our industry.
Links:
One place left in the IWC Cambridge Writers Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreat027 - Book Launch StrategiesIndie Writers Club2025-03-07 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara and James discuss the tips and tricks for gaining maximum visibility for your book launch.
Five Must Do Actions for New Authors (free PDF): indiewritersclub.com/fivethings026 - Do Facebook Ads Still WorkIndie Writers Club2025-02-28 | Indie authors have used Facebook (Meta) ads since day one, but we need to be honest with ourselves - are they still performing?
Cara and James discuss the changes that have happened, particularly since the privacy scandals.025 - Translating into GermanIndie Writers Club2025-02-21 | Welcome to the Indie Writers Club, a place to chat about all things self publishing.
In episode 025, James & Cara discuss different ways to get your novels translated into German. It's a fast growing market and it can be the different between profit and loss for some authors.
Grab the final IWC Writing Retreat slots: indiewritersclub.com/retreat024 - Can you copyright if you used AI to write a novel?Indie Writers Club2025-02-14 | Join Cara & James as they discuss the latest developments in the ongoing saga of AI and copyright legalities.
Join the waitlist for the inaugural IWC Writers' Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreat023 How to Develop Your Main CharacterIndie Writers Club2025-02-07 | We know main character development is central to why your story will appeal. So in this episode Cara and I discuss the aspects of character development to help us nail it.
The book Cara mentioned was Will Storr's The Science of Storytelling.
Ireland's Publishing Show: indiewritersclub.com/ireland022 - The 22 Rules of StorytellingIndie Writers Club2025-01-31 | The 22 rules of storytelling from Emma Coats, a former Pixar writer, have been doing the rounds for years and for good reason. Although Emma herself now describes them as guidelines, rather than rules, they are seen as the foundation on which the best novels are built.
Ireland's Publishing Show: indiewritersclub.com/ireland021 - How to Deal With Bad ReviewsIndie Writers Club2025-01-24 | We all get One Star reviews. But when should we take them seriously and when can they be safely ignored? In this episode we talk about our own hurtful reviews and talk about coping strategies.
Useful links:
The IWC Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreat Ireland's Publishing Show: indiewritersclub.com/ireland020 - Everyday Wisdoms to Help Your Decision MakingIndie Writers Club2025-01-17 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara Clare and James Blatch discuss various topics including the potential ban of TikTok in the US, the importance of diversifying social media presence, and the planning of an indie writers retreat. They delve into productivity techniques known as 'razors', exploring how these principles can simplify decision-making and enhance productivity for writers. The conversation emphasizes the need for authors to adapt to changes in the digital landscape while maintaining a focus on their craft. In this conversation, James and Cara Clare explore various cognitive biases and decision-making frameworks that impact authors and their publishing journeys. They discuss the importance of understanding how perceptions can be influenced, the significance of prioritizing tasks effectively, and the challenges of self-assessment in creative fields. The dialogue also touches on the dynamics of risk management, accountability, and the need for simplicity in complex systems, providing valuable insights for writers and entrepreneurs alike.019 How Much Did We Earn In 2024?Indie Writers Club2025-01-10 | In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James & Cara discuss their ad spend and book revenue for 2024.018 - Self Publishing in 2025Indie Writers Club2025-01-03 | Happy New Year from the Indie Writers Club.
In the first episode of 2025, Cara and James discuss what's in store for indie authors in the next twelve months.
Reflecting on the past year helps shape future goals. Earnings should be evaluated after considering expenses. Success is subjective and varies for each author. Productivity and growth are essential for long-term success. AI will play a significant role in the writing process. Indie and traditional publishing are merging in new ways. Diversifying marketing strategies is crucial for authors. Creative projects can lead to new opportunities. Community engagement enhances the writing experience. Predictions for the future of publishing are evolving.
Chapters
00:00 Reflections on 2024: A Year in Review 05:56 Defining Success: Beyond the Numbers 12:00 Marketing Strategies: The Importance of Focus 17:51 Navigating Challenges: Balancing Work and Life 25:22 Exploring Dual Timelines in Writing 32:52 Predictions for AI in Writing 39:39 The Importance of Human Connection017 - Christmas Special from the Pub!Indie Writers Club2024-12-25 | James & Cara are down the pub with a couple of author friends to reflect on 2024.
Many thanks to our friends at The Salisbury Arms in Cambridge!016 - Get Your Writing Done!Indie Writers Club2024-12-20 | James is back and shares some of his surprising insights dealing with his father's death. Cara chats to Sacha Black about productivity.
The next episode will be recorded live in a pub and released on Christmas Day!015 - Whats Up with Facebook Ads?Indie Writers Club2024-12-06 | In this episode James & Cara discuss the latest tips and tricks with Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram).
Sign up for episode alerts: indiewritersclub.com014 - Big News EpisodeIndie Writers Club2024-11-29 | There's so much news about in indie publishing, James & Cara take time to digest and analyse:
A new deal for Audio Books from ACX A new Publishing Assistant from publishdrive.com Trad moving in on indie direct selling special editions technique A misleading headline about 8,000 AI books/year from a publisher A new way to work with ChatGPT
Don't forget to subscribe to @IndieWritersClub and like!013 - Is it legal for AI to learn from our books?Indie Writers Club2024-11-22 | 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.
And 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.
In 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.
Takeaways
The 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.011 - Which Author Conference Should I Go To?Indie Writers Club2024-11-08 | It's the Indie Writers Club!
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.
In 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 Updates 02:58 Writing Progress and NaNoWriMo Discussion 05:55 Dog News and Family Decisions 09:55 Exploring the Author Survey 12:00 Motivations for Writing and Income Insights 18:02 Genre Trends and Market Insights 24:54 Understanding Reader Behavior and Genre Trends 30:07 The Correlation Between Book Quantity and Author Income 35:46 Formats and Trends in Book Publishing 42:03 Direct Sales: A Growing Trend for Authors 47:02 Pricing Strategies and Their Impact on Author Earnings 51:52 Marketing Tactics and Effectiveness for Authors 54:08 Overrated Marketing Tactics 56:09 Underrated Marketing Strategies 01:01:15 The Importance of Mailing Lists 01:04:39 Community and Sentiment Among Authors 01:11:01 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 editing services. Kindle Unlimited is a primary income source for most authors. Direct sales are becoming more popular among authors. Pricing strategies should be tailored to the author's income level. BookBub remains a leading marketing tool for authors. In-person events are considered the least effective marketing tactic. 78% of authors find marketing to be the hardest part of publishing. The average author spends 32 hours a month on marketing. Reader magnets and backmatter links are underrated marketing strategies. A strong mailing list correlates with higher earnings for authors. Community support is crucial for overcoming marketing fatigue. AI could revolutionize how authors analyze their marketing efforts. Choosing the right author groups can impact an author's mindset. The Indie Writers Club aims to foster a supportive environment for authors. Persistence and adaptation are key to success in publishing.