Indie Author Roadmap Podcast
The Indie Author Roadmap Podcast is hosted by Rachel Morton and Rob Radcliffe — two prolific indie authors who aim to help you with your author career...
The Indie Author Roadmap Podcast is hosted by Rachel Morton and Rob Radcliffe — two prolific indie authors who aim to help you with your author career...
Episodes

Mar 4, 2026
Ep 65: Author Conferences
Mar 4, 2026
Mar 4, 2026
59 min
Join Rob and Rachel this week as they discuss AI in writing, conference experiences, marketing strategies, and the realities of indie publishing. Gain insights into leveraging AI tools, navigating author conferences, and boosting your writing career.

Feb 25, 2026
Ep 64: Email in an AI Age
Feb 25, 2026
Feb 25, 2026
40 min
In this lively episode, Rachel and Rob share insights on author branding, email marketing, and leveraging AI tools to streamline author careers. They discuss practical strategies for building mailing lists, creating engaging content, and using automation to grow readership effectively.

Feb 18, 2026
Ep 63: Marketing For New Authors
Feb 18, 2026
Feb 18, 2026
1hr 33 min
In this episode, the Rachel and Rob discuss the integration of AI in writing and marketing strategies for authors. They explore time management techniques to help writers balance their commitments, the importance of engaging with readers, and how platforms like TikTok can enhance author visibility. Additionally, they provide insights into cost-effective marketing for new authors and the potential of Kickstarter as a funding source for writing projects. In this engaging conversation, Mike Hibbert shares his extensive experience with Kickstarter as a platform for indie authors. He discusses the importance of simplicity in campaigns, the significance of community building, and the logistics of fulfillment and payment. Mike also highlights the long-term nature of crowdfunding success and offers insights into his upcoming projects, including a new time travel spy thriller. The discussion is rich with practical advice for new authors looking to navigate the world of crowdfunding and book marketing.

Feb 11, 2026
Ep 62: Blurbs
Feb 11, 2026
Feb 11, 2026
54 min
In this episode, hosts Rachel and Rob discuss their recent writing progress, marketing strategies, and the importance of engaging with readers. They delve into the challenges of crafting effective blurbs and the role of generative engine optimization in enhancing book visibility. The conversation highlights the significance of community support among indie authors and the value of reader feedback in shaping writing direction. The hosts also share their future goals and plans for upcoming projects, emphasizing the need to focus on what truly matters in their writing journeys.
Check Out Steve Aitchison's brand new Indie Author newsletter to help you build your author career.
https://stevenaitchisonauthor.substack.com/p/episode-1-the-rules-of-this-room
Please follow Rachel's publishing tiktok so she has no more excuses not to jump on lives.
https://www.tiktok.com/@dark.wolf.books

Jan 28, 2026
Ep 61: Getting Books Into Reader's Hands
Jan 28, 2026
Jan 28, 2026
43 min
In today's episode Rachel and Rob explore the different avenues you can take to get your books into reader's hands. Expect plenty of banter.
Don't forget to follow https://www.tiktok.com/@dark.wolf.books so that Rachel has no more excuses not to do her first tiktok lives.

Jan 21, 2026
Ep 60: The Wafflefest
Jan 21, 2026
Jan 21, 2026
46 min
In this episode of the Indie Author Roadmap, hosts Rob and Rachel dive into their recent experiences as indie authors, discussing the challenges and successes of selling books through live streams and social media. Rob shares his journey of going live on different channels, highlighting the importance of engaging with followers and the impact of consistent marketing efforts. Rachel, on the other hand, talks about her plans to go live and the hurdles she faces in building her online presence, including the need to reach a certain follower count on TikTok before she can start streaming. The conversation flows into their strategies for managing book stock, marketing, and the creative process, with both authors sharing insights on how to maintain a balance between writing and promoting their work. As they navigate through various topics, they also touch on the importance of community building among readers and fellow authors, emphasizing how personal connections can lead to increased sales and support. The episode is filled with light-hearted banter, practical advice, and a glimpse into the realities of being an indie author in today's digital landscape, making it a must-listen for aspiring writers and seasoned authors alike.

Jan 13, 2026
Ep 059: The Novel Gains Challenge
Jan 13, 2026
Jan 13, 2026
54 min
In this episode, Rachel and Rob discuss their weekly writing progress, the importance of mindset in achieving goals, and the impact of social media marketing, particularly through TikTok. They delve into the Novel Gains Challenge, emphasizing accountability and community support among indie authors. The conversation covers various strategies for content creation, scheduling, and cross-promotion, highlighting the need for adaptability in sales strategies. The hosts share personal experiences and insights, encouraging listeners to engage with their audience and experiment with different marketing techniques.
JOIN THE NOVEL GAINS CHALLENGE NOW!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/870314997912256

Jan 7, 2026
Ep 58: Goal Psychology
Jan 7, 2026
Jan 7, 2026
1hr 1 min
In this episode, the hosts discuss various aspects of the writing journey, including reflections on the New Year, the importance of setting realistic goals, and the challenges of book formatting and publishing. They introduce their guest, Dr. Jo Lukins, who shares insights on the psychology of writing, the significance of audience awareness, and effective marketing strategies for authors. The conversation emphasizes the need for planning, celebrating small wins, and learning from both successes and failures in the writing process. In this engaging conversation, Dr. Jo Lukins shares her insights on author promotion, the importance of personal storytelling, and innovative writing projects. She emphasizes leveraging media to connect with audiences and discusses the potential of translation and audiobooks in reaching wider markets. The discussion also touches on the significance of authenticity in building a reader community and the creative ways authors can engage with their audience.

Dec 31, 2025
Ep 57: 2026 Strategy
Dec 31, 2025
Dec 31, 2025
1hr 1 min
In this week's show, Rachel and Rob reflect on their Christmas experiences and discuss their writing goals for the upcoming year. They explore various strategies for achieving these goals, including setting realistic word counts and balancing freelance work with personal writing projects. The duo also delves into the challenges of audiobook production, formatting, and translation, while sharing insights on reader expectations. Additionally, they discuss the potential of Kickstarter for funding new projects and the importance of effective marketing strategies, particularly on TikTok. As they prepare for upcoming author conferences, they emphasize the significance of planning travel and managing time effectively. In this conversation, the speakers discuss various aspects of self-publishing, including the costs associated with printing books, strategies for selling on TikTok, and the importance of building a presence on social media. They also delve into pricing strategies for book bundles and the management of newsletters and Patreon engagement to maintain reader interest and support.

Dec 23, 2025
Ep 56: 2026 Goals
Dec 23, 2025
Dec 23, 2025
1hr 18 min
In this episode, Rachel and Rob reflect on their writing and publishing goals from the past year, discussing their successes and challenges. They explore their word count achievements, marketing strategies, and the impact of social media on their author careers. As they look ahead to 2026, they share their aspirations for writing and publishing, emphasizing the importance of consistency and adapting to new opportunities. In this engaging conversation, Rob and The Amazing Christmas Rachel discuss their writing journeys, focusing on their goals for the upcoming year. They explore the challenges and strategies involved in reaching a million words, completing book series, and expanding their reach through translations and marketing efforts. The discussion highlights the importance of community, collaboration, and adapting to new platforms like TikTok for authors.





