In this episode, Mike sits down with prolific nonfiction author and entrepreneur Carol Abrahamson to uncover the secrets behind her massive success. With 42 nonfiction books under her belt, Carol shares how she transitioned from a Wall Street background to building a multi-million dollar consulting business using books as powerful lead magnets.

We dive deep into the strategy of "series writing"—how to repurpose content across different industries to reach specific audiences—and why knowing your target market is more important than waiting to be "discovered."

Additionally, Carol introduces her groundbreaking work with Book Award Mastery, explaining how authors can navigate the massive world of book awards to gain prestige, increase keynote fees, and open doors that "bestseller" status alone cannot. Whether you are a business professional looking to leverage a book for growth or an indie author seeking industry recognition, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Key Topics Discussed:

Resources Mentioned:

#indieauthor #selfpublishing #nonfiction #bookmarketing #entrepreneurship #bookawards #writingcommunity #BAIPA #businessgrowth

In this episode, Becky sits down with Dr. John Kirk Boyd, author of International Bill of Rights: Humanity's Agreement to Live Together.

Drawing from his extensive legal career—including appearances before the U.S. Supreme Court—Dr. Boyd discusses his mission to transform the Universal Declaration of Human Rights into an enforceable legal framework. We dive into the profound connection between writing and human rights, the importance of "imagination and courage" in global progress, and how the evolving landscape of AI is being embraced as a tool for unprecedented global collaboration.

The conversation also shifts into the practical world of publishing. Dr. Boyd shares his personal experiences navigating both traditional publishing and hybrid models (like Gatekeeper), offering invaluable advice for indie authors on the importance of building a professional team and utilizing digital platforms to reach a global audience.

In this episode, we discuss:

#indieauthors #independentpublishing #humanrights #authorlife #hybridpublishing #BAIPA #writingcommunity #AIinpublishing #internationalbillofrights

In this episode, Judy welcomes author Julie Snider to discuss her journey from a 30-year career in teaching to becoming a published independent author.

Julie shares the "real world" side of the writing process, including the challenges of developmental editing, the importance of organization using tools like Scrivener, and the exhilarating (yet daunting) transition from writing to marketing. We dive deep into her latest book, Chapel Bay Secrets, a character-driven women's fiction novel set in coastal California that weaves together mystery, romance, and heavy themes like the Japanese internment and book banning.

In this episode, you'll learn about:

Whether you are an aspiring writer or a seasoned indie author, this conversation offers inspiration and practical advice on navigating the complex, rewarding world 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! baipa.org

Watch the video of this interview

#IndieAuthors #SelfPublishing #WritingCommunity #WomensFiction #IndieAuthor #BookMarketing #BAIPA #AuthorLife #WritingTips #Scrivener

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:

Watch the video of this episode

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