It's here – episode 10 and the season 1 finale of Indie Authors Uncovered 🎉

We're wrapping up our first season by spilling the tea on our goals for 2026. What we're dreaming about, what we're planning to change, and what publishing lessons we're carrying forward into the new year.

This one's raw, honest, and maybe a little emotional (okay, probably emotional). We're talking about what worked, what flopped, and where we're headed next as indie authors who are still figuring it all out.

If you've been with us from episode 1 or just joined the party, we'd love to hear from you. What are YOUR goals for 2026? Drop them in the comments – let's dream big together.

Season 2 is already in the works, and we can't wait to bring you more typos, plot twists, and real talk about indie publishing in the new year.

www.indieauthorsuncovered.com

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What's working, what's not, and the unexpected victories we didn't see coming.

In this episode, Donna and Sue are getting real about their wins for 2025 - the planned ones, the surprise ones, and the "wait, that actually worked?" moments. From marketing strategies that finally clicked to writing goals that didn't implode, we're sharing what's been moving the needle in our author businesses this year.

You'll hear about:

• The strategies that are actually bringing in readers (not just likes)

• Writing wins that kept us motivated

• Marketing experiments that paid off

• The fails that turned into wins

• What we're doubling down on for the rest of the year

Whether you're crushing your goals or just trying to keep your head above water, this episode is a reminder that wins come in all shapes and sizes - and sometimes the best ones are the ones you didn't plan for.

Ready to share your own 2025 wins? Drop them in the comments - we'd love to celebrate with you.

Want more honest indie author talk? Subscribe so you never miss an episode where we spill the tea, the typos, and the plot twists.

Meet your hosts: Sue Mills - suemillsathor.com | Donna R Madden - donnarmadden.com | Indie Authors Uncovered - indieauthorsuncovered.com

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Ever gotten a review so bizarre it made you wonder if the reviewer actually read your book?

Join Sue and Donna, as we share our most memorable reader reviews—from the heartwarming ones that kept us writing to the absolutely baffling feedback that left us speechless. Like the time a reviewer told Donna she needed a lobotomy. Yes, really.

In this episode:

• The reviews that made our day and reminded us why we write

• Head-scratching feedback that had us rereading our own books

• How to handle criticism (even the lobotomy-level kind) without losing your mind

• What bizarre reviews actually reveal about reader expectations

• The fine line between constructive criticism and… whatever that was

Whether you're an indie author dreading your next one-star review or just curious about the wild world of reader feedback, this conversation will make you feel less alone in the publishing trenches.

Connect with us: Sue Mills: suemillsauthor.com

Donna R Madden: donnarmadden.com

Got a review story that tops the lobotomy comment?

Drop it in the comments—we want to hear it.

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Amazon might be the 800-pound gorilla in the room, but it's not the only place your readers are shopping for their next great read.

In this episode of Indie Authors Uncovered, we're pulling back the curtain on the often-overlooked opportunities to connect with readers beyond the Amazon ecosystem.

Sue and Donna dig into the real talk about diversifying your reader discovery strategies. We're sharing our own trial-and-error stories—including the face-palm moments and unexpected wins—when we ventured beyond the familiar blue and orange buttons of Amazon's "Buy Now."

We'll explore practical platforms and strategies that actually work for indie authors, from BookBub and other promotional sites to direct sales, Kickstarter campaigns, and building your own author website with a shop. Plus, we're getting honest about the platforms that sound good in theory but might just waste your precious time and marketing budget.

Whether you're worried about putting all your eggs in one basket or you've been burned by an algorithm change, this episode gives you actionable steps to start building relationships with readers on your own terms. No fluff, no BS—just two indie authors keeping it real about what it takes to survive and thrive in today's publishing landscape.

In This Episode:

• Direct sales platforms: the pros, cons, and real numbers
• Email lists and newsletters: your most valuable asset
• Social media strategies that actually convert readers (and which ones don't)
• How to balance your time between Amazon and other platforms

Join us for an honest conversation about expanding your reader reach without losing your mind in the process.

Is your goal list longer than your TBR pile?

📚 Join Sue Mills and Donna R Madden as they spill the tea on setting writing goals that actually work (not just the ones that look good on Instagram).In this episode, we're getting real about:

✨ Why most author goals fail by February

✨ Setting realistic targets when you're juggling day jobs, families, and life

✨ The difference between "publish 12 books this year" dreams and achievable milestones✨ How to measure progress when writing success isn't always about word count

✨ Goal-setting strategies from indie authors who've figured it out

Whether you're a debut author trying to finish your first manuscript or a seasoned indie looking to level up your publishing game, this episode is packed with practical tips and honest conversation about what actually moves the needle.

New episodes drop weekly!

Subscribe and hit the bell so you never miss the behind-the-scenes scoop on indie publishing.

💬 Let us know in the comments: What's your biggest goal-setting challenge as an author?

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Balancing the Day Job and the Dream

Juggling a full-time career and your writing passion? You're not alone.

In this episode of Indie Authors Uncovered, hosts Sue Mills and Donna R Madden dive into the real talk about time management when writing is your side hustle, not your only gig.

Sue and Donna get honest about the challenges of carving out writing time between work meetings, family commitments, and everything else life throws at you. They share their own hard-won strategies for protecting your creative time, maintaining momentum on your projects, and avoiding burnout when you're wearing multiple hats.

Whether you're writing before dawn, during lunch breaks, or burning the midnight oil, this episode is packed with practical tips for making the most of limited writing windows. From setting realistic goals to knowing when to say no, Sue and Donna explore what actually works for authors who are building their publishing careers one stolen hour at a time.

Perfect for indie authors who are still working toward that full-time writer dream—or for those who've chosen to keep their day job and write on the side. Because you don't need endless free time to be a successful author; you just need to work smarter with the time you have.Join the conversation and discover how to make your writing dreams work with your real-world schedule.

#indieauthors #writingcommunity #timemanagement #authorlife #writingtips #sidehustle #indiepublishing #writersofyoutube #amwriting #authortips #writingadvice #DayJobWriter #authorcommunity #IndieAuthorsUncovered #writingmotivation #productivitytips #worklifebalance #writinggoals #selfpublishing #authorpodcast

Indie Authors Uncovered - Episode 3: Pantsers vs. Plotters: Finding Your Writing StyleAre you a meticulous planner or do you write by the seat of your pants? In this episode, Donna and Sue dive deep into the age-old debate between pantsers and plotters!Join us as we explore:✍️ What it really means to be a pantser or a plotter📚 The pros and cons of each writing approach🎯 How to figure out which method works best for YOU💡 Tips for combining both styles (yes, you can be a "plantser"!)🚀 Real-life examples from our own writing journeys✨ How to overcome common challenges with each approachWhether you're a discovery writer who loves the thrill of not knowing what happens next, or a detailed outliner who needs every scene mapped out before typing Chapter One, this episode has something for you!What's your writing style? Drop a comment below and let us know if you're Team Pantser, Team Plotter, or somewhere in between!🔔 Don't forget to SUBSCRIBE for more indie author insights and hit the notification bell so you never miss an episode!📱 Connect with us:www.suemillsauthor.comwww.donnarmadden.com#indieauthors #writingprocess #Pantsers #plotters #writingtips #authorlife #selfpublishing #writingcommunity #IndieAuthorsUncovered

Consider this episode your indie author cheat sheet—written in our tears and typos.We're getting brutally honest about every facepalm-worthy mistake we've made on our self-publishing journey. From launching a book without an email list (rookie move) to spending $500 on a cover that screamed "2003 clipart," we're confessing it all so you can skip straight to the smart decisions.In this episode, we're covering:The pricing disasters that cost us actual readersWhy we should've hired a marketing directionThe marketing money we lit on fire The pen name debacle that still haunts usThe "it's fine, I'll format it myself" incident we'll never speak of again... except right nowPlus, we're sharing the lessons that actually stuck—the pivots that turned things around and the investments that were worth every penny.Think of us as your indie author guinea pigs. We ate the poison berries so you know which ones to avoid.Warning: This episode contains strong regrets and the kind of hard-won wisdom you can only get from doing everything wrong first.Got a mistake you want us to roast? DM us—misery loves company, and we're building a support group.#IndieAuthorsUncovered#SpillTheTeaPodcast#IndieAuthorPodcast#AuthorMistakes#LearnFromMyPain#PublishingFails#IndieAuthorLessons#IndieAuthor#IndieAuthors#SelfPublishing#SelfPublished#PublishingTruths#AuthorProblems#WriterProblems#AuthorHumor#BookMarketing#SelfPubSuccess#AuthorTips#WritingTips#KindlePublishing#KDP#AuthorsSupport#RealTalkAuthors#SelfPub#IndiePublishing#AuthorLife#AuthorsOfInstagram#Bookstagram#WritingCommunity#AuthorCommunity#AmWriting#WritersOfInstagram#BookLovers#BookPodcast#AuthorInterview#WriterAdvice#PublishingAdvice