Part 1: Indie Authors Unfiltered: Writing Craft, Worldbuilding & Pacing

Part 2: Meet the Author: Cole Rider on Gaming, Writing, and Building an Audience

Three authors walk into a podcast with no name and somehow end up dropping real gems about the indie publishing game. In this episode, Michael Chatfield and Andrew Givler sit down with entrepreneur, gamer, and author Cole Rider for a wide-ranging conversation that goes way deeper than anyone planned. They kick things off debating the existence of "watery water," then dive headfirst into what it actually takes to build a career as an indie fiction author. In this episode: Cole's journey from competitive World of Warcraft player to pro blogger and why he walked out of journalism school after one class Why most fiction authors aren't running video ads (and whether that's a massive missed opportunity) The real debate: one killer series with heavy marketing vs. massive volume across many series What Cole learned investing in an immersive audiobook and whether it was worth it Writer's block, dictation, rough drafts, and the unglamorous truth about the writing life Why making friends in your industry might be the most underrated growth strategy of all Whether you're a reader curious about the authors behind your favorite books, or a writer trying to figure out how this whole indie publishing thing works — this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode of authors just being honest about the craft. #IndieAuthor #LitRPG #WritingPodcast #MeetTheAuthor #ProgressionFantasy

Part 1: Meet the Author: Cole Rider on Gaming, Writing, and Building an Audience

Three authors walk into a podcast with no name and somehow end up dropping real gems about the indie publishing game. In this episode, Michael Chatfield and Andrew Givler sit down with entrepreneur, gamer, and author Cole Rider for a wide-ranging conversation that goes way deeper than anyone planned. They kick things off debating the existence of "watery water," then dive headfirst into what it actually takes to build a career as an indie fiction author. In this episode: Cole's journey from competitive World of Warcraft player to pro blogger and why he walked out of journalism school after one class Why most fiction authors aren't running video ads (and whether that's a massive missed opportunity) The real debate: one killer series with heavy marketing vs. massive volume across many series What Cole learned investing in an immersive audiobook and whether it was worth it Writer's block, dictation, rough drafts, and the unglamorous truth about the writing life Why making friends in your industry might be the most underrated growth strategy of all Whether you're a reader curious about the authors behind your favorite books, or a writer trying to figure out how this whole indie publishing thing works, this one's for you. 🔔 Subscribe so you never miss an episode of authors just being honest about the craft. #IndieAuthor #LitRPG #WritingPodcast #MeetTheAuthor #ProgressionFantasy

Part 2: Indie Authors Unfiltered: Writing Craft, Worldbuilding & Pacing

PART TWO IS HERE! From DragonCon memories and WorldCon plans to writing struggles, frame narratives, fantasy books, and the realities of being an author, this episode dives deep into the creative minds behind the stories we love. 📚⚔️ The conversations get even more hilarious, insightful, and chaotic in Part 2 as the guys talk conventions, editing nightmares, storytelling tricks, fantasy classics, romance trends, pen names, and the pressure of writing unforgettable worlds. If you love fantasy, LitRPG, writing discussions, or just listening to authors nerd out together… this episode is for you. 🔥 #Podcast #FantasyBooks #LitRPG #DragonCon #WorldCon #AuthorLife #WritingCommunity

Part 1: Indie Authors Unfiltered: Writing Craft, Worldbuilding & Pacing

Welcome to the podcast that has no name, where indie authors hang out, overthink storytelling, and accidentally turn writing advice into chaos and comedy. In this Part 1 episode, Andrew Givler, Michael Chatfield, and Z.B Big Dog Steele dive deep into the reality of being an author today, from writing and editing struggles, to worldbuilding, pacing, and what actually makes a story work. We talk about: Why “simple writing” is harder than it looks The difference between dev edits, line edits, and real feedback Writing vs. over-writing (and why brevity is a superpower) Solo Leveling, anime storytelling, and “aura farming” in fiction Why pacing is the real magic trick in storytelling What it actually means to stay “hungry” as a writer It’s unfiltered, honest, and a little chaotic, just how writers talk when no one is trying to be perfect. Enjoy Part 1. #WritingPodcast #IndieAuthors #FantasyWriting #StorytellingCraft #AmWriting

Part 2: Authors Unfiltered: Chaos, Creativity, Burnout & Comebacks

Part 2 gets even more real and a lot more chaotic 😂 In this episode, Hunter Mythos shares the full story behind the Mustang obsession, life after the Marines, financial ups and downs, and the moment everything changed. What starts as a funny story about cars turns into a deep, honest conversation about failure, growth, creativity, and what it really takes to rebuild your life (and career). 💡 In this episode: - The very real Mustang story (and Marine stereotypes 👀) - Losing money, relationships, and starting over - From rock bottom jobs to landing a publishing deal - Why doing less might actually change your life - Letting go of ego, pressure, and burnout - Finding a healthier “fuel” for creativity - Balancing art vs business as an author - Rediscovering your voice and passion This is the side of success people don’t usually talk about.. the messy middle, the lessons, and the reset. 🎧 If you're a creator, writer, or just figuring life out… this one will hit. #PodcastEpisode #AuthorJourney #LifeLessons #CreativeBurnout #WritersLife