Indie Writers Club

We discuss the use by Meta of pirated versions of books to build their AI. And we talk about our own action points from the fabulous Ireland's Publishing Show.Useful links:Check if your book has been pirated on LibGen:https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2025/03/search-libgen-data-set/682094/Free PDF - Five Immediate Actions Indie Authors Should Take:https://www.indiewritersclub.com/fiveactionsThe Self Publishing Show Live - London June 25thhttps://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spsliveGuardian Article in response to Bill Bryson comments:https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/21/more-are-published-than-could-ever-succeed-are-there-too-many-books?CMP=share_btn_urlSunday Times article in response to Bill Bryson comments ($):https://www.thetimes.com/article/bbf57595-f4e3-412c-a96d-9012f1b4a9b8

In this episode Cara and James road test a new AI manuscript analysis tool from seasoned experts, ProWritingAid. The results were...unexpected.Try out the tool yourself: indiewritersclub.com/pwa

In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, James & Cara discuss Bill Bryson's reported attack on self publishing and the wider perception of our industry.Links:One place left in the IWC Cambridge Writers Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreat

In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara and James discuss the tips and tricks for gaining maximum visibility for your book launch.Resources: Self Publishing Launchpad online course:learnselfpublishing.com/launchpadFive Must Do Actions for New Authors (free PDF):indiewritersclub.com/fiveactions

Indie authors have used Facebook (Meta) ads since day one, but we need to be honest with ourselves - are they still performing?Cara and James discuss the changes that have happened, particularly since the privacy scandals.

Welcome to the Indie Writers Club, a place to chat about all things self publishing. In episode 025, James & Cara discuss different ways to get your novels translated into German. It's a fast growing market and it can be the different between profit and loss for some authors.Grab the final IWC Writing Retreat slots: indiewritersclub.com/retreat

Join Cara & James as they discuss the latest developments in the ongoing saga of AI and copyright legalities.Join the waitlist for the inaugural IWC Writers' Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreat

Dive into the world of character development where the importance of crafting relatable characters shines through. Discover how emotional wounds shape character arcs, especially in romance, adding depth and complexity. Explore the humorous intricacies of shapeshifters in fantasy and their impact on relationships. Gain insights on balancing character growth with authenticity, while learning practical tools to enhance your writing process. Plus, get details on an exciting upcoming retreat for like-minded writers!

The 22 rules of storytelling from Emma Coats, a former Pixar writer, have been doing the rounds for years and for good reason. Although Emma herself now describes them as guidelines, rather than rules, they are seen as the foundation on which the best novels are built.Cara and James go through them one by one.Useful links:Retreat waitlist: https://www.indiewritersclub.com/retreatIreland's Publishing Show: https://www.indiewritersclub.com/ireland

We all get One Star reviews. But when should we take them seriously and when can they be safely ignored? In this episode we talk about our own hurtful reviews and talk about coping strategies.Useful links:The IWC Retreat: indiewritersclub.com/retreatIreland's Publishing Show: indiewritersclub.com/ireland