The Indy Author Podcast

Matty Dalrymple talks with John DeDakis about TURNING LIFE'S PLOT TWISTS INTO A POWERFUL MEMOIR, including how a universal theme turns personal memories into a story readers can enter, how a life narrative and timeline reveal pivotal moments, and how beta readers help identify what does not serve the book. We also discuss balancing insight with entertainment, staying truthful when memory is imperfect, and respecting the people whose lives overlap with your own. Interview video at https://tinyurl.com/TIA359YT2 Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (Substack subscribers get exclusive content) If you find the information in this episode useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple John DeDakis is a former editor on CNN's "The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer." DeDakis, a former White House correspondent, is the author of six traditionally published novels in the award-winning Lark Chadwick mystery-suspense-thriller series. DeDakis is a motivational speaker, podcaster, one-on-one writing coach, manuscript editor, and regularly teaches novel and memoir writing at literary centers, bookstores, and writers' conferences nationwide and abroad. He is also a Grief Educator, certified by world-renowned grief expert David Kessler of Grief.com. John's newest book is Plot Twists: A Memoir on Writing and Living. Website: www.johndedakis.com Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

Matty Dalrymple talks with Dan Blank about BUILDING CONNECTION THROUGH LONG-FORM CONTENT, including why audiences are seeking greater depth, how authors can use long-form and less-polished content to create genuine connection, and why practice matters more than natural ease on camera. We also discuss choosing platforms, finding content in your interests and creative process, and setting personal boundaries that support authenticity without oversharing. Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (Substack subscribers get exclusive content) If you find the information in this episode useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrowMedia, where he helps writers develop their author platforms, connect with readers, and launch their books. He is the author of the book BE THE GATEWAY: A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO SHARING YOUR CREATIVE WORK AND ENGAGING AN AUDIENCE. He has worked with thousands of writers and organizations who support creative people such as Penguin Random House, Sesame Workshop, Hachette Book Group, Writer's Digest, and Library Journal. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

Matty Dalrymple talks with Dale L. Roberts about ONLINE COMMUNITY ETIQUETTE FOR AUTHORS, including how to ask focused questions, respond with empathy, and choose communities that match the kind of help you need. We also discuss moderation, respecting other people's time, and sharing expertise without turning every answer into a sales pitch. Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (Substack subscribers get exclusive content) If you find the information in this episode useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Dale L. Roberts is a bestselling author, award-winning content creator, and trusted voice in self-publishing. He's written more than 50 books, earned 44 literary awards, and founded the Self-Publishing with Dale YouTube channels, reaching more than 132,000 subscribers. Through his videos, podcast, books, and online community, Dale has helped thousands of authors navigate publishing, marketing, and growing an author business with practical, no-nonsense guidance. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

Matty Dalrymple talks with Pamela Fagan Hutchins about FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO CREATIVE POWER: PLANNING A SERIES, including how three-book arcs can grow into six-book roadmaps; why character wounds, recurring antagonists, and a unifying crime narrative keep readers moving through a series; how varied settings can preserve plausibility; and why every outline needs enough flexibility to follow a better creative idea. Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content) If you find the information in this episode useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Thriller writer. USA Today bestseller. Silver Falchion winner. BVI catamaran. Wyoming lodge. Maine lake camp. World traveler. Alaskan malamutes. Draft crosses. Believer in soul mates. Joy seeker. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.

Matty Dalrymple talks with Claire Taylor about WRITING ICONIC CHARACTERS WITH ENNEAGRAM, including how core fears and desires shape memorable characters, how to deepen an existing series, and how to build protagonist-and-villain chemistry. We also discuss character growth, choosing meaningful tropes, and planning spinoffs that meet reader expectations. Interview video at https://www.youtube.com/@TheIndyAuthorPodcast/podcasts Show notes at https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ (subscribers get exclusive content) If you find the information in this episode useful, please consider supporting The Indy Author! https://substack.com/@mattydalrymple https://theindyauthor.substack.com/ https://www.patreon.com/theindyauthor https://www.buymeacoffee.com/mattydalrymple Claire Taylor is a humor and mystery author and certified Enneagram practitioner. Through her courses, coaching, and community, she helps authors alchemize fear and master their attention to build sustainable careers aligned with their personal values and dreams. Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. More at mattydalrymple.com. Matty also writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage, and shares what she's learned on THE INDY AUTHOR PODCAST. She writes nonfiction books for authors; her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine; and she is a Partner Member of the Alliance of Independent Authors. More at theindyauthor.com. She also guides professionals in building their presence through a sideline or second act through her platform From Expertise to Authority. More at theindyauthor.com/authority.