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 stakes while others leave the audience wondering why they just wasted an hour? We look at examples from Star Trek: The Next Generation and break down how the Strange New Worlds puppet episode could have kept the insanity while making the dream actually matter.
Then it’s time for this week’s indie book showcase:
📚 Otto Normal’s Monsterton: The Disappearance of White Pine Beach by Danielle Michaelson, illustrated by Simon Estrada.
Eleven-year-old Otto Normal and his mother have moved to the mysterious island of Monsterton. There’s just one problem:
They’re not monsters.
Otto and his misfit monster friends set out in search of the legendary White Pine Beach—a mysterious beach rumored to change locations. But when one of their own disappears, their adventure becomes something much darker.
The book delivers a beautifully illustrated world, memorable characters, rich lore, and an A-plot that really works. But does its nonlinear storytelling, extensive use of flashbacks, and late introduction of supporting characters hurt the pacing?
We get into what worked, what didn’t, and why character development matters when you expect your audience to care about what happens to someone.
And yes: there’s a reason nobody cries over a redshirt.
Plus, I explain why I disappeared for a week—and why I came back earlier than expected.
What do you think? Can the “it was all a dream” trope ever work as a surprise ending?
Let me know in the comments!
Indie Author Showcase — the podcast by indie authors, for indie authors.
 

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.
From photography changing painting to CGI transforming animation, new technology has challenged artists before. Art didn't disappear. It evolved. Could AI force writers and artists to do the same? Chad explores why originality, creative intent, and creating something AI hasn't seen before may become increasingly important for indie creators.
Then it's time for this week's showcase: To Dye For by Greta Boris, a supernatural murder mystery featuring Imogene, a hairstylist whose unusual connection to the dead pulls her into an investigation involving a suspicious death—and possibly a serial killer.
Quirky characters, murder, humor, a reluctant heroine, and just enough supernatural weirdness make this one of Chad's favorite reads of the year so far—and an early contender for Indie Author Showcase Book of the Year.

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 streaming services?
Then it's time for this week's featured indie book:
🧟 All Dead by T. W. Brown
If you're a fan of The Walking Dead, George A. Romero, or gritty, character-driven zombie apocalypse fiction, T. W. Brown delivers a brutal and uncompromising apocalypse told through multiple interconnected storylines. Chad discusses what makes the series stand out, the unique narrative structure, and the few elements that didn't quite work for him.
Featured Book📖 All Dead by T. W. Brown
The Indie Author Showcase is a podcast by indie authors, for indie authors, featuring honest book reviews, author interviews, publishing discussions, and tips for readers and writers alike.
If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, and share. Every subscription helps support independent creators and the indie author community.
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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 structure is essential for every writer
🤖 The ongoing debate over AI-generated book covers and writing
📚 The realities of indie publishing and marketing
🎪 Book fairs, conventions, and reaching readers
💡 Advice for aspiring authors
Jennifer also shares her writing process, upcoming projects, and why external deadlines may be the secret to finally finishing that next novel.
Whether you're an author looking to improve your craft or a reader interested in discovering award-winning indie fiction, this episode is packed with practical advice and honest discussion.
Featured Author: Jennifer MilneFeatured Book: Plain Princess Jane
If you enjoy supporting indie authors, be sure to like, subscribe, and share the podcast with fellow readers and writers.

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, Doug Brode, and other indie authors
📖 Announcement for the upcoming Sinister Book Fair
🎙️ Publishing and audiobook production insights from an indie author
This Week's ShowcaseThe Breeding follows Detective Jack Davidson, who believes she's losing her mind after the death of her fiancé. As terrifying creatures only she can see begin to blur the line between trauma and reality, Jack uncovers a conspiracy involving human trafficking, demonic forces, and a mystery tied to her fiancé's final case.
Whether you're looking for your next supernatural thriller or you're an indie author interested in publishing, conventions, and book marketing, there's something here for you.
👍 If you enjoy the show, please like, subscribe, and leave a comment. It helps more readers discover great indie books.

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 one through five stars should actually mean.
Then it's time for a nostalgic trip through some of the greatest children's books ever written, including Where the Wild Things Are, The Lorax, and The Monster at the End of This Book. Chad shares the stories that shaped his love of reading and asks listeners which classics belong on every child's bookshelf.
Finally, this week's Indie Spotlight turns to Glitch, a post-apocalyptic indie comic featuring a young scavenger, mysterious AI technology, and a promising blend of action and character development. Chad discusses what works, where the comic could improve, and why it's worth checking out.
In this episode:
Why book reviews are more complicated than star ratings
Chad's personal 1–5 star review philosophy
Classic children's books every kid should experience
Review of the indie comic Glitch
Thoughts on storytelling, comics, and visual pacing
Whether you're an author, reader, or comic fan, this episode offers plenty to think about.
Subscribe for weekly discussions about indie books, comics, publishing, and the stories behind the stories.

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 behind becoming a better author while inviting listeners to challenge his opinions and join the discussion. 
You'll also hear an early look at BookBounty, a new platform Chad is testing for book promotion and reviews, along with why he's optimistic about BookSirens for audiobook reviews. 
Then it's time for this week's featured book: The Demon of Eldersday by I. Ribbon.
This dark fantasy adventure follows Jerome, an unlucky arcane lecturer whose magical mishap unleashes a world-ending demon and sends him on a dangerous quest filled with curses, political intrigue, undead horrors, and a delightfully dry sense of humor. Chad discusses what made the book work, the strengths of its characters and storytelling, and the one element that didn't completely land for him. 
Whether you're an indie author looking to improve your craft or a fantasy reader searching for your next adventure, this episode has something for you.

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, and when does it slow readers down? Chad breaks down the balance between atmosphere, pacing, and effective storytelling using examples from horror, science fiction, and his own editing experience.
Finally, this week's showcase features Ready, Set, Kill by Todd Anthony Nunez—a brutal slasher pitting a stranded bus of Catholic schoolgirls against a clan of cannibalistic mountain men deep in the Appalachian wilderness. Chad discusses what worked, what didn't, and whether the book's bloody premise delivers on its promise.
Plus, a reminder that Creep I.E. Aftermath is just around the corner, where readers can pick up signed copies of FEAR, meet Chad in person, and check out his latest monster creations.