In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James & Cara discuss their ad spend and book revenue for 2024.

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Happy New Year from the Indie Writers Club.

In the first episode of 2025, Cara and James discuss what's in store for indie authors in the next twelve months.

They also set out their own goals for the year.

Useful Links:

SPS Live London 2025: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive

WWM's Predictions for 2025: https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/the-top-10-publishing-trends-for-2025/

Takeaways

Reflecting on the past year helps shape future goals.
Earnings should be evaluated after considering expenses.
Success is subjective and varies for each author.
Productivity and growth are essential for long-term success.
AI will play a significant role in the writing process.
Indie and traditional publishing are merging in new ways.
Diversifying marketing strategies is crucial for authors.
Creative projects can lead to new opportunities.
Community engagement enhances the writing experience.
Predictions for the future of publishing are evolving.

Chapters

00:00 Reflections on 2024: A Year in Review
05:56 Defining Success: Beyond the Numbers
12:00 Marketing Strategies: The Importance of Focus
17:51 Navigating Challenges: Balancing Work and Life
25:22 Exploring Dual Timelines in Writing
32:52 Predictions for AI in Writing
39:39 The Importance of Human Connection

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James & Cara are down the pub with a couple of author friends to reflect on 2024.

Many thanks to our friends at The Salisbury Arms in Cambridge!

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James returns. Cara chats to Sacha Black about productivity tips.

Our next episode will be a live recording from a pub, released on Christmas Day!

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In this episode James & Cara discuss the latest tips and tricks with Meta Ads (Facebook & Instagram).

Join the discussion: https://indiewritersclub.com/discord

Sign up for episode alerts: https://indiewritersclub.com

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There's so much news about in indie publishing, James & Cara take time to digest and analyse:

A new deal for Audio Books from ACX
A new Publishing Assistant from publishdrive.com
Trad moving in on indie direct selling special editions technique
A misleading headline about 8,000 AI books/year from a publisher
A new way to work with ChatGPT

Check out Publishing Assistant: https://publishdrive.com/publishing-assistant.html
Join the email list for episode alerts and more: https://www.indiewritersclub.com
The John Lewis Christmas advert: https://youtu.be/55ghIHTaRzM?si=ZuMfWydnga_mVt7j
Ben Affleck on AI: https://youtu.be/ypURoMU3P3U?si=QL8KeRm4gKbCzn7_

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James is back from AuthorNation in Las Vegas. During this week's Indie Writers Club episode James discusses the legal presentation from Alicia Wright regarding the law, ethics and AI.

If you want to sign up for AuthorNation 2025 click here: https://claymore.krtra.com/t/YCtI1A27yXCp

And join the Indie Writers Club mailing list to be first to hear about the ticket release for The Self Publishing Show Live! 2025 at indiewritersclub.com.

James & Cara.

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Join the discussion at indiewritersclub.com/discord


Summary

In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara Clare and James Blatch discuss their experiences at a recent writers' conference in Las Vegas. They share insights on the conference's attendance, the quality of sessions, and the importance of networking among indie authors. The conversation also delves into their personal writing processes, including drafting techniques, character development, and the challenges faced in different genres. The hosts emphasize the need for continuous learning and adaptation in the writing journey, while also reflecting on the community aspect of being an indie author. In this engaging conversation, James and Cara explore the nuances of writing, focusing on the importance of character development over intricate plots, the value of trusting one's writing process, and the insights gained from understanding CliftonStrengths. They also discuss productivity techniques like Deep Work and the significance of community support among authors, culminating in a lively segment about their Word Count Club.

Takeaways

The conference is a significant gathering for indie authors.
Networking is as important as the sessions themselves.
Writing every day can lead to substantial progress.
Character motivations can evolve during the writing process.
Different genres present unique writing challenges.
Trusting your instincts is crucial in the writing process.
The importance of a strong first line in a novel.
The writing process can vary greatly among authors.
Attending conferences can reignite FOMO among those who miss out.
The indie author community is supportive and collaborative. Readers prefer familiarity in series books.
Trusting oneself improves the writing process.
Different writers have unique approaches to writing.
Editing can be a daunting task for some authors.
CliftonStrengths can help identify personal writing strengths.
Creative work doesn't always align with traditional work ethics.
Finding productivity methods that suit individual needs is crucial.
Community support enhances the writing journey.
Deep Work emphasizes the power of focused attention.
Engagement in writing communities fosters motivation.

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