REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out RIGHT NOW! https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

Special limited signed editions available from my online shop here.

In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by bestselling indie author Steve Higgs, who’s built a remarkable career writing and publishing across multiple genres, with over 150 books to his name.

We talk about his journey from the military and corporate life into full-time writing, the realities of making a living as an indie author, and the business mindset required to scale book sales beyond a hobby.

Steve also shares the story behind his hugely popular Albert Smith series, including the latest paperback release of Pork Pie Pandemonium, a cosy mystery set in Melton Mowbray that blends humour, food, and murder in equal measure.

Along the way, we get into marketing, mindset, and what it really takes to turn writing into a sustainable career.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Steve transitioned from a 25-year military career to full-time author
• The turning point that made him take writing seriously as a business
• Why most indie authors fail to sell books and what to do differently
• The reality of spending heavily on ads and making it pay
• How Pork Pie Pandemonium became his fastest-selling book
• The pros and cons of indie vs traditional publishing
• Why understanding genre is more important than most writers realise
• Steve’s high-output writing process and how he sustains it

About Steve Higgs

Steve Higgs is a UK-based author known for his prolific output across cosy mystery, urban fantasy, and thriller genres. A former soldier and corporate professional, he turned to writing later in life and has since published over 150 books, selling millions of copies worldwide. His work is particularly known for its humour, fast pacing, and engaging characters, including the popular Albert Smith series featuring a retired detective and his sharp-witted German Shepherd.

Featured Book

Pork Pie Pandemonium
The first book in the Albert Smith series, now released in paperback, follows a retired detective superintendent and his dog as they travel the UK solving mysteries… starting with a grisly discovery in a Melton Mowbray pork pie.

As Steve explains, the book combines humour, mystery, and a strong central relationship between man and dog, with the added twist of the reader hearing the dog’s thoughts throughout.

Find out more about Steve

Website: https://stevehiggsbooks.com

Final Thoughts

Steve’s approach is not subtle. He treats writing as both craft and business, and he’s willing to invest heavily in marketing to scale his results. That’s not a model that suits everyone, but it does underline a key point: writing the book is only half the job.

If you’re serious about making a living from your writing, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do!

My New Book - out April 21st, 2026!

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up
https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquit

This week on The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined once again by author Nikki Moore, returning to the show on the eve of a major milestone.

After years of traditional publishing with HarperCollins, Nikki has taken the leap into self-publishing with her brand new novel Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, writing under a new pen name, Bella Brightside. We dig into what drove that decision, the realities of going indie, and what she’s learned along the way.

It’s an honest, practical conversation about control, risk, patience, and backing yourself as a writer, whether you’re just starting out or already established.

We also talk about hybrid authorship, building a launch strategy, and why readers ultimately care far less about publishing routes than writers think.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why Nikki turned down a traditional book deal
• The decision to self-publish and become a hybrid author
• The steep learning curve of distribution, formatting, and production
• Building a professional product as an indie author
• Launch strategy, timing, and pre-orders
• The myth of stigma around self-publishing
• Writing process: from pantser to structured plotter
• The realities of juggling writing with a full-time job
• Practical advice for writers considering the indie route

About Nikki Moore

Nikki Moore is a UK-based author of contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She has been traditionally published by HarperCollins and is known for writing uplifting, emotionally resonant stories centred around love, community, and resilience.

She also writes under the pen names Ella Allbright and, more recently, Bella Brightside, reflecting different sub-genres within her work. With the release of Magical Beginnings in Little Bowbrook, Nikki has now stepped into self-publishing, making her a hybrid author.

Find Out More About Nikki

• Website: https://nickimooreauthor.wordpress.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbythesea1207

Links & Resources Mentioned

• Tea Leaves & Reads Bookshop (Andover): https://www.tealeavesandreads.co.uk
• Vellum (formatting software): https://vellum.pub
• Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener

Support the Podcast

If you enjoy the show, please consider leaving a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show.

Final Thought

Nikki’s experience highlights a simple truth that’s easy to overlook. There isn’t one “right” way to build a writing career. There’s only the path that makes sense for you at that moment.

The key is being willing to learn, adapt, and back your own judgement.

Follow me on Instagram - @Mrkelly2u

My new book on Writing - REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is currently available to pre-order at a special pre-release only price of £2.99/$3.99 and, for UK listeners, you can buy a special signed paperback version with limited edition postcard and bookmark - RIGHT NOW!

Buy limited edition signed paperback here

Pre-order Kindle version here

In this episode, I’m joined by bestselling husband-and-wife writing duo Ilona Andrews, who have been writing together professionally since 2007.

We dive into what it really looks like to build a long-term writing career as a partnership, how they’ve navigated both traditional and self-publishing, and why removing ego from the creative process is essential if you want to produce your best work.

We also talk about their latest novel This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me, a departure into epic fantasy, and how it came from an idea that simply wouldn’t leave them alone.

Along the way, there’s plenty of honest insight into the realities of publishing, the importance of finishing what you start, and why writing is less about inspiration and more about showing up and doing the work.

✍️ In This Episode, We Cover:

• How Ilona Andrews make co-writing actually work in practice
• The origin and concept behind This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me
• The shift from urban fantasy into epic fantasy
• The realities of traditional publishing vs self-publishing
• Why self-publishing offers freedom but comes with trade-offs
• The importance of finishing a book, not just starting one

🧠 Best Advice from the Episode

• “If it works, do it.”
• “Give yourself permission to write badly so you can finish.”
• “You have to put your butt in the chair and make words.”
• “50 unfinished books equal zero finished books.”

🌐 Find Out More About Ilona Andrews

Website: https://ilona-andrews.com

They’re particularly active on their blog, sharing writing insights, industry thoughts and the occasional slice of everyday life.

This Kingdom Will Not Kill Me is available now from all major retailers, including special editions through UK outlets such as Waterstones.