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

SEASON ENDER: Chaos, Book Tours & Big Announcements

What started as a simple podcast turned into pure chaos, hilarious tangents, author confessions, and exciting updates for the months ahead. From bookstore launches and upcoming tours to sleep deprivation, editing struggles, and “authors are people too” moments, this finale has it all. 😂 We’re pressing pause for the summer while the book tours begin, but don’t worry… this isn’t goodbye. More stories, more guests, and more behind-the-scenes author madness are coming soon. Thank you for hanging out with us this season. See you all in the fall! 💙 #PodcastSeasonFinale #AuthorLife #BookTour #IndieAuthors #WritingCommunity #FantasyBooks #PodcastClips

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