Indie Author Spotlight

Indie Author Spotlight

By Pod ClubhouseArtsBooksFiction
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Indie Author Spotlight episodes

  • Dark Magic, Indie Hustle, and Building a Small Press with David F. Balog

    In this episode, we sit down with fantasy author and publisher David F. Balog to trace his creative journey from lifelong fantasy fan to co-founding Owl Talyn Press.

    David dives into the craft behind The Necromancer’s Lament, exploring the tension of an underdog blacksmith’s son thrust into an elitist wizarding society and how to balance dark, soul-gathering lore with humor and character heart. We also pull back the curtain on the business side of writing: why authors can pants their prose but must never pants their business, what it takes to coordinate collaborative anthologies, and the rewards of connecting with readers out on the convention trail.

    Topics Covered:

    • Childhood influences that sparked a passion for expansive world-building.
    • The transition from being a fantasy fan to finishing a full-length manuscript.
    • Writing dynamic character friction and unlikely partnerships.
    • Balancing lighthearted moments inside atmospheric, darker fantasy settings.

    • Launching Owl Talyn Press alongside Haley Kilgour and supporting fellow indie voices.

      Connect with David F. Balog & Owl Talyn Press:

      • Website / Books: https://davidfbalog.com/
      • Owl Talyn Press: https://owltalynpress.com/
      • Social Media:
        • David – Facebook
        • David – Twitter
        • Owl Talyn – Instagram

          • Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a quick rating or review to help more readers discover great indie stories!

          47 min
        • LitRPG vs. Cultivation, Hidden Tiger, and Defining Indie Success with Rachel A. Cooper and Aoife Wai

          In this episode, we sit down with fantasy authors Rachel A. Cooper and Aoife Wai (known as Cooper Wai amongst other pen names) to explore their book Hidden Tiger and dive into the mechanics of progression storytelling.

          Both authors break down the distinct cultural underpinnings and philosophies that separate Cultivation fantasy from LitRPG, explaining why these two popular sub-genres are related, but fundamentally distinct. As a novice to these genres, your host, Paul, found the whole discussion very enlightening. We also step behind the scenes of the writing journey to discuss the realities of co-authoring, independent publishing, navigating the craft, and how indie authors define genuine success on their own terms.

          Topics covered:

          • The world of Hidden Tiger.
          • LitRPG vs. Cultivation: the mechanical and cultural differences driving character progression.
          • Tropes to both use and break in the genre to keep the story familiar yet exciting for the reader.
          • Balancing complex magic systems with emotional, character-driven storytelling.
          • The mindset, milestones, and realities of building a sustainable indie author career.

            • Connect with Cooper Wai:

            • Website / Books: https://unchartedbloodlines.com/
            • Social Media:
              • Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/CooperWai)
              • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aoifewaiandrachelacooper)
              • Twitch (https://www.twitch.tv/cooperwai)
              • Discord (https://discord.com/invite/gWUenRY6vK)

                • Subscribe & Review: If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a quick rating or review to help more readers discover great indie stories!

                44 min
              • Magic, Frontier Grit, and Genre Blending with Amy Campbell

                In this episode, we sit down with independent author and librarian Amy Campbell to explore her fantastic “Weird Western” epic fantasy series, Tales of the Outlaw Mages, her Airship Dragons series, as well as her new Gilded Prince series.

                Amy shares her journey from creating characters and stories as a kid to balancing a busy life as a former librarian, mother, and author of sweeping fantasy worlds. Paul and Amy dive deep into the mechanics of her world-building—from pairing gritty frontier shootouts with volatile magic to creating unforgettable characters like the reluctant, baking hero Blaise Hawthorne.

                In this episode, we discuss:

                • The origins of Amy’s interest in the “Weird Western” sub-genre.
                • Balancing fast Western pacing with epic fantasy scale.
                • Writing the “found family” dynamic and reluctant heroes.
                • Jumping genres from high magic outlaws to steampunk airships.

                  • Connect with Amy:

                  • Website / Books: amycampbell.info
                  • Social Media:
                    • Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/authoramycampbell)
                    • Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/authoramycampbell)
                    • TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@amycampbellauthor)

                      • Subscribe & Follow: If you enjoyed this conversation, be sure to subscribe to the channel and leave us a review!

                      53 min

                    About Indie Author Spotlight

                    From the publisher's feed

                    Paul from Pod Clubhouse shines a spotlight on indie authors and their outstanding work through interviews about them, their creative spark, their stories and their plans for the future.