It takes many writers years and years to finally set pen to paper.

Author David Robertson has possibly had a more rocky ride than most.

David is a former engineer who got his first book published after three shattering life events.

This is in spite of being told 10 years ago that he should get an agent for a sci-fi fantasy novel that he started in 2006.

David is a lover of dogs too, and he uses his interest as the inspiration for his writing.

The Essential Weekly Podcast For New And Aspiring Indie Authors

Having worked as a journalist, in a large international publishing company and at a prestigious literary agency, my guest on today’s show has accrued a lot of experience in the publishing industry.

However, Leila Dewji is now bringing all of that knowledge to the world of self-publishing, having set up the both Acorn Independent Press and I_AM Self-Publishing with her brother, Ali.

Acorn was launched in 2010 and offers a bespoke consultancy for self-publishing projects for authors, agents and media companies who have special/complicated projects.

Whereas I_AM self-Publishing was launched in 2015 offering good-value off-the-shelf self-publishing services and marketing tools to authors.

The Essential Weekly Podcast For New And Aspiring Indie Authors

Most people know Richard Madeley for his work with his wife, Judy Finnigan on TV and as part of The Richard & Judy Book Club.

He is also the best-selling author of four books.

He began his writing career with Fathers and Sons, then followed that up with Some Day I’ll Find You and The Way You Look Tonight.

His new book is called The Night Book, a thriller which is set in the Lake District in the long, hot summer of 1976.

I caught up with Richard for a conversation about writing whilst he was on his promotional book tour during July 2016.

The Essential Weekly Podcast For New And Aspiring Indie Authors

Mike Bodnar is a former continuity announcer, regional newsreader and TV & radio presenter.

He joined Radio New Zealand as an announcer in 1978, then moved into television in the early 80s.

His early explorations of publishing were a companion guide to the New Zealand Road Code for new drivers and a co-authored guide to personal security.

Mike’s latest book – Against the Current – is the story of how he and his wife left New Zealand for the UK, choosing instead to take a year-long detour through France, living and travelling on a boat.

The book is an adapted compilation of blog posts written during that adventure and now, self-published through Matador.

Welcome to Paul's Podcast Diary for Monday 4th July 2016.

This diary charts my self-publishing journey – the ups the downs, the successes and the failures.

Everything goes into this diary, week-by-week, but you'll also find it a source of great tips, resources, tools, podcast recommendations and so on.

Tim Lewis (writing as Timothy Michael Lewis) is a self-published author from London in the UK.

He spent 18 years working as a computer programmer and IT manager in the world of financial IT.

After the death of his wife, following a long illness, Tim reassessed his life goals and decided that he wanted to write stories.

He writes in the science fiction and fantasy genres, and to date has produced three books in the Timeshop series and two books in the ‘Magpies & Magic’ series. Tim is also the host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast.

The Essential Weekly Podcast For New And Aspiring Indie Authors