The Indie Author Showcase

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, we’re talking about one of storytelling’s most dangerous tropes:

“It was all a dream.”

Star Trek: Strange New Worlds recently went all-in on puppets—and that wasn’t necessarily the problem. Star Trek has done weird before. The problem was revealing that none of it actually happened.

So what makes a dream episode work? Why do some dream stories have real sta...

What happens to writers and artists when AI can generate books, images, and videos in seconds?

This week on The Indie Author Showcase, Chad takes another look at the AI debate—but this time, the question isn't whether AI is ethical or environmentally sustainable. It's how human creators continue to compete in a world flooded with AI-generated content.

...

The AI debate continues.

After the response to last week's interview with Jennifer Milne, Chad Robert Morgan tackles some of the biggest questions facing authors today:

• Should authors use AI-generated book covers?
• Where should the line be drawn between AI-assisted and AI-created work?
• Can readers trust a book with an AI cover?
• Are AI data centers really worse for the environment than ...

Award-winning author Jennifer Milne joins the Indie Author Showcase to discuss her acclaimed middle-grade fantasy Plain Princess Jane, the challenges of writing while balancing family life, and what it really takes to succeed as an indie author.

In this candid conversation, we discuss:

• 📖 The inspiration behind Plain Princess Jane
• 🏆 Winning multiple literary awards
• ✍️ Why story struc...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad Robert Morgan catches up on the latest news from the indie publishing world before diving into a review of The Breeding by Avily Jerome.

In this episode:

• 📚 Review of The Breeding by Avily Jerome
• 👹 Thoughts on Creep I.E. Aftermath and the convention experience
• 🎭 Why celebrity scheduling matters for vendors
• ✍️ Updates from Scott Harper, Do...

In this episode of the Indie Author Showcase, Chad Robert Morgan dives into one of the biggest frustrations facing authors today: Can readers actually trust book reviews? From one-star reviews of literary classics to confusing five-star reviews that criticize the very books they praise, Chad explores why ratings often fail to tell the whole story—and proposes his own approach to what...

Do award-winning authors ever stop feeling like imposters?

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad Robert Morgan opens up about imposter syndrome, why he approaches book showcases as conversations rather than definitive reviews, and why every writer—no matter their experience—should keep learning. From writing craft to marketing experiments, Chad discusses the mindset behi...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad reports back from Hellmouth Con, the annual convention celebrating all things Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Was it worth attending as an author and vendor? Chad shares his honest impressions, highlights from the event, and encounters with fellow indie authors.

Then it's time for a discussion on one of writing's most debated topics: purple prose. When does rich description enhance a story, an...

Welcome back to the Indie Author Showcase!

This week, Chad recaps an incredible weekend at Monsterpalooza, talks about the importance of supporting independent authors, and reviews They Hide: Short Stories to Tell in the Dark by Francesca Maria.

Featuring vampires, werewolves, ghosts, zombies, ghouls, and even the devil himself, They Hide delivers a collecti...

This week’s Indie Author Showcase is different.

In this Memorial Day special, Chad reflects on family, loss, remembrance, and the stories that outlive us. From generations of military service to personal memories of loved ones lost, this episode becomes more than a book review—it becomes a tribute.

Featured this week is After the Milk and Cookies by Russell Morgan, a historical literary novel spanning the years between ...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad dives back into the galaxy far, far away to tackle one of the biggest continuity questions in Star Wars Episode III: was C-3PO’s memory wipe a lazy fix for a plot hole… and how could it have been done better?

Plus, Chad shares his real-world experience using Book Reverb for audiobook reviews—the good, the questionable, and whether it’s actually worth it for indie...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad breaks down one of the biggest storytelling debates in sci-fi and fantasy:

👉 Why did Anakin Skywalker’s fall to the dark side feel rushed… while Maul’s new apprentice arc in Shadow Lord feels earned?

Using Star Wars: Episode III – Revenge of the Sith and recent Star Wars storytelling as examples, this episode dives deep into:

• How to properly build a charact...

Why do readers quit books—and how do you stop them from quitting yours?

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad breaks down the biggest reasons books end up in the dreaded DNF (Did Not Finish) pile—and how indie authors can avoid those mistakes.

🔎 In this episode:

• 🚫 Common writing issues that kill reader engagement (info dumps, weak motivation, “chaff”)
• ✂️ “Killing your darlings” and ...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad dives into a mix of indie publishing news, a unique new discovery tool for readers, and a surreal graphic novel that blends chaos, identity, and coming-of-age struggles.

🔎 In this episode:

• 📱 Novel Nest App – a new platform aiming to match readers with indie books more intelligently than traditional algorithms
• 📚 Updates on upcoming events like Monsterpalooza and the OC Book ...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad covers a packed lineup of indie publishing insights, upcoming releases, and a brutally honest review of a dark romance that didn’t go quite as expected.

🔎 In this episode:

• Major indie book releases coming this May from Jennifer Milne, Aaron Lewis, and Raven Belasco
• The rise of social media book recs—and how indie authors can use them for visibility
• The growing backlash ...

This week on the Indie Author Showcase, Chad sits down with guest Cynthia Diamond to talk about her journey into paranormal and monster romance—and what it’s like diving into writing full-time.

They break down:

• The reality of going full-time as an indie author (and the marketing grind that comes ...

In this episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan dives into the realities of being an indie author in today’s market—from convention struggles to the growing controversy around AI in publishing.

We start with a candid breakdown of WonderCon, where rising costs and economic pressure are making it harder for indie authors to turn a profit—or even break even. Chad shares firsthand insights on vendor ...

In this special on-location episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan sits down with Josh and TT, the creative team behind Hal-Lore-Ween, at the horror-themed venue Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales in Costa Mesa.

From building one of the most eye-catching booths on the convention circuit to landing a TV appearance, this episode breaks down what it really takes to grow as indie creators.

We cover:

• How Hal-Lore-...

In this episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan revisits the mission behind the podcast: giving indie authors a platform to share their work and helping readers discover great books they might otherwise miss.

With WonderCon just weeks away—the convention that originally inspired the creation of the show—Chad reflects on the power of indie authors supporting one another and why the podcast focuses on co...