This is a podcast for authors by authors! (And also readers who want the scoop on what authors are REALLY thinking.) Join Valerie Biel and T.K. (Tracey) Sheffield as we share topics to help our fellow writers as well as fun tidbits on what we’re reading and where we’re roaming. Our inaugural year, 2024, had 10 episodes on topics like agent searching (episode 1), indie vs traditional publishing (episode 4), book launch basics (this episode), helpful writing conferences (episode 2), why we write what we write (episode 3) and our last episode listing our angels and assets of 2024.
In the first part of 2025, we are focusing on the process of indie/self publishing. We’ll walk through getting started, along with how to approach the tasks indie publishing requires—editing, formatting, cover design, marketing and more!!
ABOUT US—YOUR PODCAST HOSTS:
Valerie Biel is the author of the award-winning Circle of Nine series and mystery-suspense novel, Beyond the Cemetery Gate, and middle-grade novel Haven. She’s also a publicity professional who aids other authors with their book launches and marketing. You can find her here on Substack at Reading, Writing, & Roaming or at ValerieBiel.com.
Tracey writes stories for readers who want to laugh and escape. She is the author of the award-winning Backyard Model comic culinary cozy mysteries, and other books. She is found at her website, T.K. Sheffield Writes, and her Instagram, The Backyard Model.
ABOUT SEASON TWO: EPISODE 2
There’s some confusion about something called Hybrid Publishing . . . it’s a type of publishing that combines elements of traditional publishing with elements of independent or self publishing. It’s when you as an author forge a partnership (paid) with a company that will help bring your book to market in a professional way. It’s more than just hiring someone to do this work for you. . . and it’s a valid pathway to publication if you’re not going to go the full traditional route.
We’re talking about it in this podcast because it’s confusing and often misunderstood.
Please refer to the Independent Book Publishing Association’s Hybrid Publishing Criteria. We talk through each point in this list for a complete understanding.
Also, take a look at these resources that we mention:
Our most popular podcast of 2024: Traditional vs Independent Publishing
Indie Publishing vs Traditional Publishing: Which is best? (another take on the topic)
Quiz: Traditional vs. Indie Publishing from BookBub Partners Blog
Jane Friedman’s Key Book Publishing Paths doc
Hybrid Huzzah: Opinion & Rebuttal to Jane Friedman’s Key Book Publishing Paths 2025-26 by Brooke Warner
Publisher Rocket (for category and keyword help)
Writer Beware Website (the latest in scams to watch out for)
Val’s Substack — Full of indie publishing advice
Send Us Your Questions
Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions about any of the topics we’ve covered. We’re happy to answer questions directly to you via email and in subsequent episodes to help everyone!
Wishing you all a productive few weeks — we’ll be back with a new episode on March 21 for PODCASTHON’s Non-Profit Initiative—which is uniting more than 1500 podcasts to raise awareness for their chosen charities!! - Valerie & T.K.
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