Most Writers Are Fans

Terry Bartley
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Join host, Terry Bartley, as he talks to writers, songwriters, and game designers about what got them interested in storytelling, the successes and struggles of being an indie creative, and their thoughts of mainstream writing tropes. Most Writers Are Fans is a support group and idea workshop for independent creatives.

  1. 1D AGO · BONUS

    How to Comission A Cover As An Indie Author

    We know we're not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but we also know everyone does. Getting a great cover is an important part of the publishing process. Terry shares his experiences getting covers designed, and he also reveals the cover for his newest book, Destined for Greater Things.

    14 min

  2. FEB 12 · BONUS

    Keep Writing in Hard Times!

    I've been having some thoughts about how it often feels difficult to create things when the world is what it is right now. Big line message: Keep creating. We have to tell the story of this world is right now. (00:00) - Intro(00:34) - How do you write with all that's going on in the U.S.?(3:26) - How fiction teaches us about reality(7:12) - Why writing during tough times matters "Cranes in the Sky" by Arisu

    10 min

  3. FEB 5

    Writers Need to Be Adaptable

    Whenever most people dream about being a published author, they don’t often dream about writing tie-in fiction, journalism, or working inside someone else’s world. But for a lot of writers, especially early in their careers, flexibility is what actually keeps the lights on. That’s why I invited YA author and tabletop RPG designer James Sutter to join me on Most Writers Are Fans. James is one of the creators of the Starfinder TTRPG, a former editor in Paizo’s fiction division, and someone who has seen the industry from nearly every angle: as a writer, a collaborator, and a gatekeeper. We talk about what it really means to be a professional writer, why being able to write in different styles and voices matters, and how working in IP-driven or journalistic spaces can sharpen your craft rather than dilute it. James also shares insight into what editors are actually looking for, and how writers can position themselves as reliable, adaptable collaborators. If you’re a writer who loves storytelling but isn’t sure a single lane will ever be enough, or if you’re curious about how people actually make careers work around creative passion, this episode is for you.

    45 min

  4. JAN 29 · BONUS

    Writing with ADHD (minisode)

    In this video, I discuss how I learned about my ADHD diagnosis as an adult and how I have used writing as a way to manage it.Tyranny of the Fey by Terry Bartley is now available for hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. Read my stories now on terrybartley.com. Send requests to collab or comments about the video to contact@starlightkingpress.com

    10 min

  5. JAN 22 · BONUS

    Is AI Making Us All Sound the Same?

    In this episode of Ink Over AI, Terry reflects on a small but unsettling moment: asking AI to polish an email, only to realize the result, while technically “better," no longer sounded like him. That experience opens a deeper conversation about what AI is quietly teaching us about writing, authority, and voice. This isn’t about plagiarism or obvious errors. It’s about sanitization, and what we lose when efficiency replaces humanity. (00:00) AI Rewriting Words and Why It MattersHow a seemingly harmless rewrite reveals a deeper problem with voice and ownership. (3:08) Why It Matters for the Future of WritersWhy AI output quickly becomes “the right way” to write, especially for insecure or developing writers. (5:47) AI SanitizationThe rise of polite, vague, interchangeable language across emails, classrooms, and culture. (7:09) Combating AI Sanitization: How and WhyWhy AI should act like a tutor, not a ghostwriter, and what better design could look like. (9:38) How AI Sanitization Impacts the Art of WritingVoice as trust, ethics, and accountability, and what’s at stake if we lose it. Final question:If good writing sounds like AI, what parts of your voice would you even notice disappearing?

    14 min

  6. JAN 15

    How Do You Promote Your Book On Social Media?

    Whenever most people dream about being a published author, they don’t picture constantly posting about their book on social media. But the reality is that whether you’re traditionally published, indie, or self-published, a lot of promotion still falls on you. That’s why I invited YA fantasy author Brooklyn Quintana to join me on Most Writers Are Fans. I met Brooklyn at a bookstore event a couple of years ago, and I’ve been in constant awe of her social media game ever since. Brooklyn excels at producing varied content and, more importantly, being consistent — and that’s the real secret. What you post matters far less than whether you can keep posting without burning out. In this episode, we talk about building a social media following, managing multiple author-related accounts, and promoting yourself in person at events. If you’re an introverted author navigating an extrovert’s world, this episode is for you. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

    43 min
  7. Authors Need to Use AI (hey, I know)

    JAN 8 · BONUS

    Authors Need to Use AI (hey, I know)

    In this episode of Ink Over AI, Terry dives into why serious creatives can’t afford to ignore AI ,even if it feels uncomfortable or unnecessary. If only people looking for shortcuts use AI, developers will optimize it for laziness and outsourcing, not creativity. Terry argues that by using AI as a thoughtful tool, we can shape its development to support real creative work, demonstrate meaningful use cases, and ensure technology amplifies our thinking rather than replaces it. Whether you’re a writer, artist, or creator of any kind, this episode explores why early, intentional engagement with AI matters for the future of creativity. (00:00) - What even is AI these days?(4:25) - Who AI is ACTUALLY developed for(8:15) - The Byproduct of AI: Inability to Think and Replacing Artists(12:40) - What Artists need to do to fight back

    15 min

  8. JAN 1

    Is It Possible to Be a Full-Time Author?

    At least once a week, I find myself sitting at my desk at work thinking, “Is this my whole life?” The truth is, I love being an English teacher. But it’s exhausting to run an indie press, write a fantasy series, manage multiple social media accounts, produce and host a podcast, and still teach full-time. Sometimes it feels like something has to give, and I don’t want it to be my creative work. But is going full-time as a creative actually realistic? I don’t make a ton of money doing any of this yet. Will there ever be a point where it makes sense to quit my day job and do creative work full-time? Or is that idea itself a myth? That’s the question I put to my guests: empowerment coach Angeline Constantinou and fantasy author Lou Wilham. In this episode, we explore two very different perspectives on what it takes to become a full-time author, and what advice actually holds up for people who aren’t independently wealthy. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Tyranny of the Fey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ is now available in ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hardcover and paperback⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠eBook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠audiobook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Read my stories now on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠terrybartley.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Send requests to be a guest or comments about the episode to press@starlightkingpress.com Theme Song: Young Squire - TrackTribe, Piano track by sing2piano

    47 min
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About

Join host, Terry Bartley, as he talks to writers, songwriters, and game designers about what got them interested in storytelling, the successes and struggles of being an indie creative, and their thoughts of mainstream writing tropes. Most Writers Are Fans is a support group and idea workshop for independent creatives.

Information

  • Creator
    Terry Bartley
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    76
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Terry Bartley
  • Show Website
    Most Writers Are Fans