The Indy Author Podcast

Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author
  • 5.0 (2)
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  • Updated weekly

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: developing compelling characters and tighter plots, navigating indie and traditional publishing paths, running effective book marketing campaigns, building an author platform, working with AI tools, writing short fiction and memoir, managing the business side of an author career, and much more. With hundreds of episodes in the catalog featuring guests from across the publishing world — from debut authors to bestsellers, indie publishers to Big Five veterans — there's something here for writers at every stage of their journey. Named one of the 10 Best Podcasts for Authors by Dale L. Roberts, and recognized five years running by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. Hosted by Matty Dalrymple, author, publishing consultant, and founder of The Indy Author platform.

  1. 6 days ago

    Laying the Groundwork for Book Rights Deals with Jane Friedman - #348

    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 attention, how to build a business that creates future opportunities, what to negotiate in a rights contract, and how to recognize scams or partners who offer too little value.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content and benefits)   If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple   Jane Friedman has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Established in 2015, her newsletter The Bottom Line provides nuanced market intelligence to thousands of authors and industry professionals; her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition (The University of Chicago Press), is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs and received a starred review from Library Journal.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  2. 4 Aug

    Using Magpie Mode to Gather and Connect Ideas with Jessie Kwak - #347

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Jessie Kwak about USING MAGPIE MODE TO GATHER AND CONNECT IDEAS, including collecting creative sparks before you know exactly where they belong, finding patterns among seemingly unrelated notes, building a practical system for capturing and reviewing ideas, applying the process to both fiction and nonfiction, and knowing when a shiny object enriches the book rather than distracting from it. Interview video at https://tinyurl.com/TIA347YT Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content and benefits) If you find the information in this video useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor Jessie Kwak is an author, book coach, and nonfiction book ghostwriter living in Portland, Oregon. When she's not writing, she can be found sewing, mountain biking, and exploring the Pacific Northwest (and beyond). She has written over 20 books, including thriller novels, two series of space scoundrel sci-fi crime novels, and a handful of productivity books including FROM CHAOS TO CREATIVITY and FROM BIG IDEA TO BOOK. 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. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  3. 28 Jul

    Building an Authentic Author Brand with Mark Leslie Lefebvre - #346

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Mark Leslie Lefebvre about BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC AUTHOR BRAND, including how your brand already exists whether or not you have consciously shaped it, using reader feedback and comparable authors to identify your strongest brand signals, balancing consistency with experimentation, and connecting authentically with readers without sharing more of your personal life than feels comfortable.   Interview video at https://tinyurl.com/TIA346YT Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content and benefits)   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   Mark Leslie Lefebvre's first short story was published in 1992, the same year he started working in the book industry. He has published over thirty-five books under the name Mark Leslie that include thrillers and fiction, paranormal non-fiction and anthologies. Under his full name, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, he writes books to help authors navigate publishing. His industry experience includes President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Director of Author Relations and Self-Publishing for Rakuten Kobo, Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital, and Professional Advisor for Sheridan College's Creative Writing and Publishing Honours Program. Mark lives in Waterloo, Ontario.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  4. 21 Jul

    Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - #345

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Kevin Hall about BOOK MARKETING ON A BUDGET, including how to pitch print publications, radio stations, and libraries with a brief, targeted email; why alumni associations are an overlooked goldmine for book exposure; how to navigate paid media opportunities; and the three Cs—collaboration, community, and consistency—that underpin sustainable, low-cost author marketing.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content and benefits).   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   Kevin M. Hall is a memoirist, storyteller, and independent author of four multi-genre, non-fiction books, including his latest: Book Marketing on a Budget – Simple Steps for New Authors. After a 40+ year career in corporate America he began writing, inspired by his grandchildren's questions about what it was like when he was growing up. He favors lived experience over theory and steady progress over hype, sharing practical, low-cost strategies that help authors reach readers through outreach, relationships, and consistency.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  5. 14 Jul

    Finding Your Author Archetype to Avoid Burnout with Frankie Blooding - #344

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Frankie Blooding about FINDING YOUR AUTHOR ARCHETYPE TO AVOID BURNOUT, including the four archetypes and the distinct burnout patterns and red flags tied to each one, why matching your personality type to your business model reduces wasted energy, how to uncover the authentic "why" fueling your writing, and how your archetype shapes the way you connect with your ideal reader.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/episodes-all and on Substack at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/   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   Frankie Blooding is a USA Today bestselling author of 24 books and the founder of Real Indie Author. After burning out and leaving publishing, she spent several years as a growth strategist where she doubled a construction company's revenue. She returned to indie publishing with a new framework — the Story Stamina System — which maps authors into four creative archetypes and builds production systems around how their brains actually work. She's on a mission to burn the bookmill and help indie authors build sustainable careers.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  6. 7 Jul

    Writing Better Characters with the Big Five Personality Traits with Kat Caldwell - #343

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Kat Caldwell about WRITING BETTER CHARACTERS WITH THE BIG FIVE PERSONALITY, including what the five traits are and how they function as a spectrum rather than fixed categories; why a character's "need" is really about the unconscious ways their personality causes hurt to the people they love; how to use the Big Five as a diagnostic tool when your story feels like something's off; and why a satisfying character arc means growth and not a 180-degree reversal.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/episodes-all and on Substack @TheIndyAuthor.   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   Kat is a novelist and short story writer and loves to teach fiction. She writes love stories in several genres including historical romance, contemporary romance, and contemporary fiction. Kat is the creator of the Pencils&Lipstick podcast, a podcast for writers with author interviews, craft talk and insight into the publishing world. In between conducting interviews for her podcast and writing, you can find Kat traveling the world, reading, or volunteering with her church—always with a cup of cold brew close by.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  7. 30 Jun

    Hybrid Publishing: Green Flags, Red Flags, and What to Expect with Gordon McClellan - #342

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Gordon McClellan about HYBRID PUBLISHING: GREEN FLAGS, RED FLAGS, AND WHAT TO EXPECT, including the key difference between a genuine hybrid publisher and a publishing mill, why a publisher saying "not yet" is actually the green flag authors should be looking for, how to evaluate a hybrid publisher's marketing commitment before you sign anything, red flags in contracts, and AI-generated scam solicitations.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://www.theindyauthor.com/episodes-all   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   Gordon McClellan is a publisher and communications leader with 20+ years of experience building mission-driven publishing and content organizations. As Founder of DartFrog Books, he leads editorial strategy, author development, and innovative initiatives focused on authorship, ownership, and the future of publishing. His work spans books, digital media, and audience-building systems designed to support long-term author success. Earlier in his career, he held senior leadership roles in churches, shaping communications around governance, stewardship, and organizational change—experience that informs his focus on clarity, credibility, and trust in publishing.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

  8. 23 Jun

    Conflict, Character, and Motivation with Austin S. Camacho - #341

    Matty Dalrymple talks with Austin S. Camacho  about CONFLICT, CHARACTER, AND MOTIVATION, including why conflict is about opposing goals rather than violence, how to find conflict in every scene including ones between characters who agree, how internal conflict distinguishes heroes from villains, why motivation has to be personal to feel real, how to make large-scale stakes relatable by grounding them in a character's specific fears, and why ROCKY is the perfect example of a protagonist who states his true goal out loud.   Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes, including extensive summary and transcript, at https://www.theindyauthor.com/episodes-all   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   Austin S. Camacho is the author of eight novels about Washington DC-based private eye Hannibal Jones, five in the Stark and O'Brien international thriller series, the detective novel Beyond Blue, and the action thrillers True Target and Mirror Target. His short stories have been featured in several anthologies and he is featured in the Edgar nominated African American Mystery Writers: A Historical and Thematic Study by Frankie Y. Bailey. He is a past president of the Maryland Writers Association, past Vice President of the Virginia Writers Club, and one of the creators of the Creatures, Crimes & Creativity literary conference.   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. More at mattydalrymple.com. 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 writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

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5
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About

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: developing compelling characters and tighter plots, navigating indie and traditional publishing paths, running effective book marketing campaigns, building an author platform, working with AI tools, writing short fiction and memoir, managing the business side of an author career, and much more. With hundreds of episodes in the catalog featuring guests from across the publishing world — from debut authors to bestsellers, indie publishers to Big Five veterans — there's something here for writers at every stage of their journey. Named one of the 10 Best Podcasts for Authors by Dale L. Roberts, and recognized five years running by Writer's Digest as one of the 101 Best Websites for Writers. Hosted by Matty Dalrymple, author, publishing consultant, and founder of The Indy Author platform.

Information

  • Creator
    Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    316
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © William Kingsfield Publishers, LLC. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Indy Author Podcast

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