Mark Harbinger author of The Be(k)nighted: The Untold Origin of the Precept, tells us about writing a superhero who has been diagnosed with schizophrenia. He shares his thoughts on how to write multi-dimensional characters with psychological disorders and why the experience made him more empathetic toward those in his own family affected by the disorder. Sign up for his newsletter to get a free copy of The Precept's Prologue, a short story about the Be(k)nighted hero. 

His website: coffeebeatcafe.com

Dominic Martell won the author lottery. Twenty years after his traditional publisher dropped his Pascual Rose series, an indie press approached him with an offer too good to refuse. They wanted to resurrect his series and bring Pascual back for more adventures. Listen in as this author of geopolitical thrillers talks about writing a post-cold war character in a post-9/11 world.

Find him at: dominicmartell.com

Find his publisher: dunnbooks.com

Young adult fantasy author, Missy Sheldrake, doesn't just write novels, she also designs all of her own covers. Her degree in illustration and painting means she can add beautiful artwork to the Keepers of the Wellspring series and her children's book. She even has a coloring book available! In this episode, Missy shares her insights about cover design and indie publishing.  

See her art: missysheldrake.com

Libby Klein, author of The Poppy McAllister Mysteries, is an oddity on the Indie Book Talk podcast. She's traditionally published by Kensington Cozies. She talked with us about the good, the bad, and the ugly parts of traditional publishing. Spoiler alert: even traditionally published authors do a lot of their own marketing. If you're still deciding between traditional and indie publishing, this one is for you. Listen wherever podcasts play. 

Learn more at: libbykleinbooks.com

After writing two books of her own, former English teacher and current web developer, Tonya Gough, noticed a need for a writing platform that lets writers play with narrative formats without immediately publicizing their work to the world. She's building Storybilder to fill that need. We talk to her about the trials of building a writing tool and how writers can get free access to the platform. 

Tanya's Books:

Root Bound (book 1 of Emma and the Elementals)

Water Works (book 2 of Emma and the Elementals)

https://storybilder.com/  

Elizabeth Spann Craig has written more than 40 books. We talk about how she writes two books at the same time (!) and why she gave up traditional publishing to become an indie author. Listen in to this episode of the Indie Book Talk podcast to hear all about it. Then go check out her website for tons of writer resources.

Website: ElisabethSpannCraig.com

You have a great idea for a story, or maybe you just have a character or a setting. How do you keep writing when that first flush of excitement fades? In session three of Indie Book Class, we offer some strategies that can help you overcome the fear of the blank page and start writing your story today. 

Mentioned in this episode: 

For notes about why you don't want to include song lyrics in your book, listen to episode #36: Turning Memoir Into Fiction with Christy Alexander Hallberg

Quote for the day: "The first draft of anything is shit." - Ernest Hemmingway

Before psychotherapist Verlin Darrow wrote the novel Prodigy Quest he was a professional volleyball player, a country-western singer/songwriter, and an assistant guru. He explains his winding path to publication and shares his one big tip for living a better life in this episode of Indie Book Talk. 

Learn more at verlindarrow.com

Are you a Plotter or a Panster? That's writer-speak for do you plan ahead or just see where the story takes you. In our second Indie Book Class episode we debate the pros and cons of each style. 

Mentions: 

Find us on Twitter @IndieBookTalk and tell us if you're a plotter or a pantser, and why.

Author Domenic Marinelli followed the beat of his own drum to write 16 books since 2016. From beat poetry to transgressive fiction his work spans genres and formats. Plus he has a great accent. Hear him read from his latest work "His Old Tapes" on this episode of the Indie Book Talk podcast.

See is retro-fabulous website: https://marinellidomenic.wixsite.com/authorsite