EP 356 - The Midlist Indie Author Mindset with T. Thorn Coyle

Stark Reflections on Writing and Publishing

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Mark interviews T Thorn Coyle about writing, community, and their new book The Midlist Indie Author Mindset.

Prior to the interview, Mark shares a personal update and a word from this episode's sponsor.

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In the interview, Mark and Thorn talk about:

Getting into writing when they were 5 years old - and the variety of types of writing they did
Thorn jokingly torturing fiction and deciding to write non-fiction until a few characters showed up and knocked on their door
Writing mostly fantasy-tinged fiction
How most of Thorn's non-fiction guides have been about spiritual practice, but that this latest one is their first non-fiction business of writing book
Thorn's author tagline: "Magic is real. And justice is worth fighting for."
The way that Portland is such a fascinating city and how Thorn can find magic anywhere
An appreciation of Charles de Lint
Thorn's forthcoming book: The Midlist Author Mindset
The massive mindset shift that comes from being curious about business the way one is curious about writing
Value that came with learning what worked for Thorn, as opposed to things that work for other writers
The numerous streams of income that Thorn has been developing over the years
Looking at long-term sustainability by thinking of it like cultivating a garden instead of seeking out short-term dramatic spikes
Some of the roadblocks that Thorn encountered on the way to establishing the Midlist Author Mindset
Understanding that for Thorn marketing was about connection with readers
How asking "Does social media sell books?" is the wrong question to ask
The Kickstarter for the book and related materials and exclusive content that runs April 16, 2024 to May 7, 2024
A little bit about Thorn's fiction series books
Thoughts and current approach to audiobooks
Thorn's final words of advice that they would want to leave with writers
And more . . .

After the interview, Mark reflects on the concepts of sustainable, long-term, and burn-out as well as the important question of what is practical for you and your life and goals.

Links of Interest:

T. Thorn Coyle worked in many strange and diverse occupations before settling in to write full time. Buy them a cup of tea and perhaps they’ll tell you about it.

Author of The Witches of Portland, the Seashell Cove Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, the Pride Street Paranormal Cozy Mysteries, The Steel Clan Saga, and The Panther Chronicles, Thorn’s multiple non-fiction books include Sigil Magic for Writers, Artists & Other Creatives, Crafting a Daily Practice, Kissing the Limitless, and Evolutionary Witchcraft. Thorn's work also appears in many anthologies, magazines, and collections.

An interloper to the Pacific Northwest U.S., they pay proper tribute to all the neighborhood cats, and talk to crows, squirrels, and trees.

You can find them at thorncoyle.com.

The introductory, end, and bumper music for this podcast (“Laser Groove”) was composed and produced by Kevin MacLeod of www.incompetech.com and is Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0

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