In this episode, Mike sits down with the multi-talented Dr. Sharifah Akilah Trinay Parr, a PhD, author, consultant, and the founder of both Revision Publishing and RP Books.

Akilah shares her journey from being a high school English teacher to becoming an "accidental entrepreneur" in the publishing world. We dive deep into the nuances of hybrid publishing, the importance of owning your intellectual property, and the reality of building a brick-and-mortar bookstore to support local and independent authors.

Key topics discussed in this episode:

Whether you are at the brainstorming stage of your first manuscript or you are a seasoned indie author looking to scale your brand, this conversation offers invaluable insights into the business and heart of independent publishing.

The Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA) is a volunteer-run community dedicated to elevating the art and business of indie publishing. Join our global community of authors and professionals!

Watch the video of this interview

#IndiePublishing #SelfPublishing #AuthorLife #HybridPublishing #WritingCommunity #BookMarketing #BAIPA #IndieAuthorsTellAll

In this episode, Becky welcomes authors Nita Winter and Rob Badger to discuss their extraordinary journey of self-publishing.

What began as a 30-year passion for photographing California's wildflowers evolved into a prestigious award-winning coffee table book: Beauty and the Beast: California Wildflowers and Climate Change. Nita and Rob share the raw, real-world details of the independent publishing path—from the challenges of managing a diverse group of 16 professional essayists to the logistical complexities of overseas printing and high-quality book design.

Highlights include:

Whether you are a photographer looking to publish a collection or an author navigating the complexities of multi-author projects, Nita and Rob’s story is a masterclass in perseverance, passion, and the power of community.

#IndiePublishing #SelfPublishing #WildflowerPhotography #ClimateChangeAwareness #AccessiblePublishing #IndieAuthors #BookDesign #NaturePhotography #BAIPA #IndieAuthorsTellAll

In this episode, Mike sits down with the incredibly prolific Gini Graham Scott to explore how she manages a massive, multi-disciplinary career spanning books, films, games, and music.

Gini shares her unique philosophy of "playing life as a game" and demonstrates how she uses cutting-edge AI tools to streamline her creative process—from generating book illustrations and brainstorming chapter outlines to developing game mechanics. We dive deep into the practicalities of being a "Creative Director" of your own life, managing a global team of virtual assistants, and navigating the ethical complexities of AI in the modern publishing landscape.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

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Looking for community, guidance, and professional growth? BAIPA is a volunteer-run educational community dedicated to the art and business of independent publishing. 

Website: BAIPA.org

#IndiePublishing #AuthorLife #AIinWriting #CreativeEntrepreneur #SelfPublishing #BAIPA #IndieAuthors #WritingCommunity #Gamification

In this episode, Becky sits down with BAIPA member and author Carolyn C.J. Jones to discuss her transformative journey through writing, publishing, and personal healing.

Carolyn shares the fascinating origin of her pen name and dives into the creative process behind her books: the poetic imagery of Opening the Gates of the Heart, the life-changing lessons in The Art of Forgiveness, and her recent memoir, Beyond Childhood Trauma. Beyond the personal stories, Carolyn offers invaluable insights into the realities of independent publishing—from the importance of establishing a searchable brand to the challenges of marketing and the life-saving benefits of joining a community like the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA).

Whether you are an author looking for encouragement or a reader seeking a path toward peace and healing, this conversation offers profound inspiration on how storytelling can facilitate deep personal transformation.

Author Website: carolyncjjones.com

BAIPA (Bay Area Independent Publishers Association): baipa.org

Audiobooks: amplifyaudiobooks.com

Watch the video of this interview on YouTube

#IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #Forgiveness #PersonalTransformation #AuthorLife #BAIPA #IndiePublishing #HealingThroughWriting #Memoir

In this episode, we sit down with Karin Fisher-Golton, a multi-talented children's book author and specialized editor, to explore the unique landscape of independent publishing for young readers.

Karin shares her fascinating journey from using crowdfunding to launch her board book, My Amazing Day, to diving deep into historical research for her time-travel novel, The Clock and the Boulder. We discuss the intricacies of children's book editing, why developmental and structural editing are vital for young audiences, and how to ensure your manuscript hits the right age demographic.

Whether you are an aspiring author looking to master your "elevator pitch," a writer interested in the benefits of poetry for honing your prose, or an indie publisher seeking community, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

#indieauthor #selfpublishing #childrensbooks #crowdfunding #writingtips #bookediting #BAIPA #indiepublishing #authorcommunity

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Judy M. Baker sits down with Dan Miller, famously known as "The Copyright Detective," to navigate the complex and rapidly changing landscape of intellectual property in the era of Artificial Intelligence.

As AI tools like Claude and ChatGPT continue to evolve, independent authors face new challenges: How much can you use AI before you lose your copyright? Is your work being "scraped" without permission? And most importantly, what practical steps can you take right now to protect your creative assets?

Whether you are a novelist, a blogger, or a non-fiction author, this episode provides a much-needed roadmap for "hardening" your work against the digital onslaught. Listen to hear a discussion about the AI Copyright dilemma, the three- month rule, dealing with web scraping, practical AI usage, and avoiding common pitfalls.

Learn more about Dan:

https://thecopyrightdetective.com/consulting/ 

Learn more about the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA):

See the full video interview: BAIPA's YouTube Channel

#IndieAuthor #Copyright #AI #Self-Publishing #WritingCommunity #IntellectualProperty #AuthorsGuild #IndiePublishing #Podcast #BAIPA

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Mike Van Horn talks with Patricia Sullivan, author of Overland Before the Hippie Trail: Kathmandu and Beyond, With a Van, a Man and No Plan. Patricia shares the remarkable true story of a two-year journey she and her husband took in 1965, driving a VW van from Europe through the Middle East and Asia all the way to Nepal and beyond.

Patricia discusses how decades later she transformed old journals, letters, maps, and photographs into a compelling memoir, the challenges of writing about experiences from 60 years ago, and what she learned about indie publishing. She also shares the exciting news that Stanford University is archiving and digitizing her original travel materials for future generations.

Learn more about Patricia and her book:

Learn more about the Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA):

#TravelMemoir #MemoirWriting #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #TravelWriting #AdventureStory #VanLife #WritingCommunity #AuthorInterview #HistoricalTravel #BookPodcast #WritersLife #Storytelling #BAIPA #IndependentPublishing

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Becky Parker Geist chats with Michelle St. Romain, author of the debut novel, "Song of Belonging." Michelle shares her writing journey, the inspiration behind her literary fiction/magical realism novel set in French Louisiana, and the importance of community in independent publishing. Discover how a childhood memory sparked a story of family, mystery, and environmental awareness.

Learn more about Michelle and her book:

#IndieAuthors #IndependentPublishing #LiteraryFiction #MagicalRealism #SouthernFiction #BookLaunch #AuthorInterview #WritingCommunity #MichelleStRomain #SongOfBelonging #BAIPA

In this episode of Indie Authors Tell All, host Judy Ann Baker sits down with poet and creative practitioner Susan Kirsch to explore an unconventional path to creativity, mindfulness, and spiritual reflection. Susan shares how her unique process—combining intuitive coloring with short-form “praise poems”—helps quiet the critical mind and unlock authentic expression.

The conversation dives into her upcoming book Simply Go*d: Praise Poems Celebrating the Divine in Daily Life, a collection rooted in finding meaning, joy, and presence in everyday moments. Drawing from decades of journaling and a background in civic engagement, Susan reflects on shifting from public service to a more personal, artistic calling.

Listeners will discover the concept of Ekphrastic poetry, the power of simple creative rituals, and how reconnecting with “source”—whether defined as God, goodness, or nature—can offer a grounding antidote to modern stress and uncertainty.

This episode is a thoughtful invitation for writers, creatives, and seekers alike to embrace simplicity, creativity, and mindfulness as tools for both personal healing and meaningful expression.

#IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #PraisePoetry  #MindfulCreativity 

Susan Kirsch: https://susankirschcreates.com/

Buzzworthy Books: https://buzzworthybooks.com/

Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://baipa.org

In this episode, host Becky Parker Geist sits down with indie author John Byrne Barry for an engaging conversation about the realities of independent publishing, creative persistence, and the evolving journey of a small, indie writer.

John shares how he transitioned from a lifelong background in nonfiction and professional writing into crafting mystery novels with substance—what he calls “page-turners with a conscience.” From early rejections to embracing the freedom of independent publishing, his story highlights the resilience and adaptability that define so many indie authors.

They dive into the challenges of being a small, independent creator—from marketing struggles and self-promotion discomfort to the importance of producing professional-quality books in a competitive landscape. John also reflects on the value of indie publishing communities, where connection, shared knowledge, and mutual support help authors navigate an often solitary path.

Listeners will also get a behind-the-scenes look at John’s novels, including Bones in the Wash, Wasted, When I Killed My Father, and The Pirates of Sausalito, along with insights into his creative process, recurring characters, and genre-blending storytelling style.

This episode is a must-listen for independent and indie authors looking for an honest, thoughtful perspective on writing, publishing, and finding fulfillment in the creative journey—no matter how small or unconventional the path may be.

Bay Area Independent Publishers Association (BAIPA): https://baipa.org