Writing has always been solitary work. Most of the time it’s just you, a blinking cursor, and a mind full of questions you’re not entirely sure how to answer. Questions about craft. Questions about publishing. Questions about whether you’re doing any of this the “right” way at all.
The Dear Indie advice column exists for those moments.
Each week I answer letters and questions from writers navigating the strange ecosystem of the modern book world. Some of those questions are practical—editing, publishing routes, marketing, platforms, deadlines. Others run deeper: doubt, burnout, finding your voice, or trying to understand where you fit inside an industry that seems to reinvent itself every few months.
Independent writing offers freedom, but freedom comes with its own chaos. Without a traditional structure guiding every step, many writers find themselves building the road as they walk it. That means mistakes, experiments, learning curves, and the occasional moment of wondering if anyone else is just as confused as you are.
This column is a place to ask those questions openly.
I’m currently taking questions through my TikTok account from writers, readers, and anyone curious about the indie writing world. You can ask about the craft of writing, the realities of independent publishing, the wider book industry, or even the more personal side of the work—balancing writing with family life, building a routine, and navigating the strange intersection between creativity and everyday responsibilities.
Some questions will be practical. Others will be philosophical. A few will probably be a little chaotic.
All of them are welcome.
Because if writing teaches you anything, it’s this: most of us are trying to figure it out as we go. Sometimes it helps to compare notes.
THIS WEEK’S POSTS
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