The Indy Author Podcast

The Indy Author Podcast has delivered weekly long-form interviews since May 2016, covering writing craft and publishing business with unusual balance — neither side dominates. Host Matty Dalrymple (pronounced DAL-rim-ple) publishes suspense thrillers under William Kingsfield Publishers, writes nonfiction for authors, contributes articles to Writer's Digest, and holds memberships in International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Alliance of Independent Authors. That dual credential — working fiction author and publishing educator — shapes how the podcast handles both craft and business topics.

Writer's Digest has named TheIndyAuthor.com one of its "101 Best Websites for Writers" for five consecutive years (2022–2026), a distinction earned across hundreds of episodes.

What You Get#

• Craft interviews: Conversations with novelists, editors, and writing instructors on story structure, POV, character, dialogue, and genre conventions
• Business interviews: Coverage of publishing strategy, platform building, marketing, author newsletters, short fiction markets, and reader engagement
• Collaboration episodes: Dedicated coverage of coauthoring partnerships and how to structure and manage shared-book projects
• Conference reporting: Matty regularly attends and covers writing events, bringing insights from ALLi summits and genre-specific conferences
• Nonfiction companions: The podcast connects to Matty's author-focused nonfiction books, giving listeners deeper resources on specific topics

Who It's For#

• Authors who want both craft and business: Rather than choosing between a writing-craft podcast and a publishing-business podcast, The Indy Author covers both without skewing either direction
• Newer indie authors building foundations: The breadth of topics from first draft to career sustainability makes it useful for authors still assembling their complete framework
• Genre fiction authors: Matty's thriller and suspense background shapes guest selection — a higher proportion of genre fiction authors appear compared to literary or nonfiction guests

Pricing: Free. Support via Patreon or Buy Me a Coffee for listeners who want to contribute.

Strengths#

• Consistent quality over ten years: 337 episodes since May 2016 with a 4.9/5 Apple Podcasts rating reflects sustained editorial care, not early enthusiasm that fades
• Writer's Digest recognition: Five consecutive years as a top writer's website signals industry credibility beyond self-promotion — independent editorial recognition is a meaningful quality signal
• Well-prepared interviewer: Reviewers consistently note Matty's preparation and ability to push past surface-level answers — she reads guests' work before interviewing them
• Genre fiction emphasis: The depth of craft coverage for commercial fiction (pacing, structure, reveals, ensemble casts) is stronger than most indie author shows that prioritize marketing over writing

Limitations#

• Smaller audience: 30 Apple Podcasts ratings (4.9/5) indicates a dedicated but smaller listener base than shows like Novel Marketing or Self Publishing Show
• Breadth over depth: The combination of craft and business means neither topic gets as concentrated treatment as specialty podcasts — K.M. Weiland's Helping Writers Become Authors goes deeper on craft; Self Publishing Formula goes deeper on ads and revenue
• Long-form investment: Episodes run 40–75 minutes; the interview format rewards patient listeners but isn't designed for quick tactical learning

Alternatives#

For dedicated craft focus, K.M. Weiland's Helping Writers Become Authors covers story structure with greater depth. For dedicated business and marketing focus, The Self Publishing Show and Book Marketing Tips and Author Success Podcast provide more concentrated tactical content.