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The Indy Author Podcast

Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author
Indie Publishing
Self-Publishing
Character Development
Book Marketing
Writing Craft
Networking
Marketing Strategies
Indie Authors
Book Promotion
Audience Engagement
Curios
Creative Writing
Storytelling
Community Building
Book Sponsorships
Nonfiction Writing
Publishing Industry
Author Branding
Writing Process
Short Fiction

The Indy Author Podcast is for writers who are serious about both the craft of writing and the business of publishing — whether you're working toward your first book or building on an established career. Every week, host Matty Dalrymple talks with authors, editors, marketers, and publishing professionals about what's actually working right now. Topics span the full range of the writing life: devel... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes351Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
CareersBusinessEntrepreneurship

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Indy Author Podcast

Latest Episodes

Matty Dalrymple talks with Patrick O'Donnell about HOW TECH IS CHANGING CRIME FICTION, including the camera footage that cracked his first homicide case; why smaller police departments sometimes have better equipment than big cities; the real legal l... more

Matty Dalrymple talks with Jeff Elkins about BEYOND THE LAUNCH: REVIVING YOUR BACKLIST, including how to give a never- or lightly-marketed backlist titles a second life; why a book's launch no longer has to determine its fate; finding readers one at ... more

YouTube

Matty Dalrymple talks with Kris Austin about WHAT DRAFT2DIGITAL'S NEW FEES MEAN FOR INDIE AUTHORS, including how the new $20 activation fee and $12 annual maintenance fee are designed to break the business model of scammers and bad actors; why AI-gen... more

YouTube

Matty Dalrymple talks with Jane Friedman about LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR BOOK RIGHTS DEALS, including why publishers are increasingly licensing selected rights from successful indie authors, the sales and reader-engagement signals that attract their ... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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People also subscribe to these shows.

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SPA Girls PodcastSPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors

Recent Guests

Jane Friedman
Publishing industry veteran, educator, and author of The Business of Being a Writer
Independent publishing expert
Episode: Laying the Groundwork for Book Rights Deals with Jane Friedman - #348
Jessie Kwak
Author, book coach, and non-fiction book ghostwriter based in Portland, Oregon
Self-employed/Coach and Ghostwriter
Episode: Using Magpie Mode to Gather and Connect Ideas with Jessie Kwak - #347
Kevin M. Hall
memoirist, storyteller, independent author
Self-published author; author of Book Marketing on a Budget
Episode: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - #345
Frankie Blooding
USA Today bestselling author of 24 books and founder of Real Indie Author
Real Indie Author
Episode: Finding Your Author Archetype to Avoid Burnout with Frankie Blooding - #344
Kat Caldwell
Novelist and short story writer specializing in romance and contemporary fiction
Independent author
Episode: Writing Better Characters with the Big Five Personality Traits with Kat Caldwell - #343
Gordon McClellan
Publisher, founder of DartFrog Books
DartFrog Books
Episode: Hybrid Publishing: Green Flags, Red Flags, and What to Expect with Gordon McClellan - #342
Austin S. Camacho
Author of eight novels featuring Hannibal Jones; speaker on writing and crime fiction
Author
Episode: Conflict, Character, and Motivation with Austin S. Camacho - #341
Carlo J. Emanuele
Award-winning crime novelist and corporate executive from Milwaukee
The Sin s We Inherit saga / The Cost We Pay
Episode: Story First, Marketing Second with Carlo J. Emanuele - #337
Todd Fahnestock
Award-winning, number one bestselling author of Fantasy for All Ages; founder of Eldros Legacy
Eldros Legacy
Episode: The Economics of Con Life with Todd Fahnestock - #336

Host

Matty Dalrymple
Host of The Indy Author Podcast; frequent guest host, platform founder, and publishing consultant.

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 51 ratings
  • Engaging and informative

    Every Author or potential, Author could come away with something necessary to their craft from listening to this podcast. I love it. The most recent podcast is titled: “the economics of con life” and because I loved her earlier podcast I listened to it and learned something about conventions, but I didn’t listen to it right away because the title made me think it was about convicts. Titles are important.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rainforest Bill
    United States3 months ago
  • Informative, Interesting, and Entertaining

    I only recently started listening to the Indy Author Podcast, but I can say that the resources, the interviews, and the subject matter covered are interesting, informative, and incredibly helpful.

    I’m also a fan of the Creative Penn podcast. Matty’s podcast is complementary, covering original approaches to real-world problems, such as a recent episode covering dictation for fiction.

    Highly recommended for indie and trade writers everywhere.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RealMiSeRey
    Netherlandsa year ago
  • Validated!

    I’ve been listening to this show for months now and have always enjoyed it, but Michael La Ronn’s wonderful interview about discovery writing using the style called cycling made me stop in my tracks! This is exactly my writing process and I always thought I was the only one using this method. Felt very validated and will be looking for his new book on the subject. Great podcast! Subscribe to it now!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Shana Gorian
    United States2 years ago
  • Practical wisdom for writing (and life!)

    I’m really enjoying this podcast! So many useful topics and the information is well organized. Matty is a good interviewer and the guests are relevant and engaging.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tanzr
    Australia3 years ago
  • Delightful and informative

    As a guest on The Indy Author podcast, I was delighted with Matty Dalymple’s easy style of interviewing. I love how in each episode, she engages in conversation and asks excellent questions. The variety of authors she speaks with offers the listeners something for everyone! I highly recommend this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    M. R. Saferstein
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Guests bring credible, real-world experience across publishing disciplines.
Content covers a wide range from craft to business, with a focus on indie strategies.
Shows are practical and writer-focused, delivering useful tips you can apply right away.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#172
Italy/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#227
Australia/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#98
Denmark/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#223
Netherlands/Business/Careers
Apple Podcasts
#235
New Zealand/Business/Careers

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Using Magpie Mode to Gather and Connect Ideas with Jessie Kwak - #347
Q: How do you apply Magpie Mode to fiction, given it was discussed in a nonfiction context?
She describes using Magpie Mode while traveling for a Pacific Northwest-based series, collecting maps, brochures, and even film rolls; then later choosing which items to pull into the story and how to use them to deepen scenes without slowing the pace or turning into info-dumps.
Using Magpie Mode to Gather and Connect Ideas with Jessie Kwak - #347
Q: What is Magpie Mode and what prompted you to explore that concept?
Jessie explains that Magpie Mode is a collection process used to gather diverse inputs—articles, quotes, thoughts, and even physical objects—and then deliberately plays with them to see how they relate, ultimately shaping them into a book idea whether fiction or nonfiction.
Building an Authentic Author Brand with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #346
Q: How should an author balance personal life sharing with branding, especially if they want to keep some parts private?
Sharing personal life isn't a requirement of branding. You can be authentic by sharing process, character development, or behind-the-scenes material that enriches the reader experience without exposing private life. The key is controlling IP and brand IP while offering fans something meaningful, like cut scenes or early drafts, that deepens connection without compromising personal boundaries.
Building an Authentic Author Brand with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #346
Q: What practical steps can a new author take to avoid being “brand all things to all people” while still exploring different angles?
Be specific about your target audience and the core signals of your brand (tone, themes, genre focus). Use reader reviews and comp titles to identify what resonates, then craft distinct but related branding signals or sub-brands (e.g., Lizzy Ballard vs. Ann Kinnear) to attract different segments without diluting the main brand. Test on platforms like Substack to see which approach sticks before expanding too broadly.
Building an Authentic Author Brand with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #346
Q: Can you talk a little about when an author should start thinking about brand and how they can test to ensure they're heading toward something that connects with readers?
Start with recognizing that you already have a brand based on what you've published and how readers perceive it. Test branding by analyzing reader feedback, reviews, and how your work aligns with the personas you're considering (reflective vs. authoritative). Use platforms like Substack to experiment with voices and formats, and pay attention to which signals attract the right readers. It's about consistency plus small, deliberate experiments that feel authentic to you.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Indy Author Podcast

What is The Indy Author Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The episodes consistently center on practical strategies for writers navigating the modern publishing landscape, with emphasis on indie approaches, audience building, and author branding. Listeners get actionable guidance on marketing across multiple platforms, leveraging newsletters and direct reader relationships, crafting scenes and storytelling with intent, and using AI and data-informed tactics to improve discoverability and profitability. A notable strength is the range of guests—from marketing and branding experts to editors and prolific authors—providing concrete, real-world advice for both new and seasoned writers seeking sustainable publishing careers. The show stands out for its hands-on, tactical focus, cross-platform experiment... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Indy Author Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Indy Author Podcast:

1. The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers
2. Self Publishing Insiders
3. Wish I'd Known Then: a Podcast for Self Published Indie Writers
4. Self-Publishing with ALLi
5. SPA Girls Podcast

How many episodes of The Indy Author Podcast are there?

The Indy Author Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 351 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Indy Author Podcast?

Recent guests on The Indy Author Podcast include:

1. Jane Friedman
2. Jessie Kwak
3. Kevin M. Hall
4. Frankie Blooding
5. Kat Caldwell
6. Gordon McClellan
7. Austin S. Camacho
8. Carlo J. Emanuele

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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