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.

#IndieAuthorsUncovered #BookReviews #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #AuthorLife #RomanceAuthor #WritingCommunity #AuthorPodcast #BadReviews #BookishPodcast #amwriting #suemillsauthor #donnarmaddenauthor

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?

#IndieAuthorsUncovered #AuthorGoals #IndiePublishing #WritingCommunity #AuthorLife #WritingTips #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #AuthorPodcast #WritingGoals #AmWriting #WritersOfYouTube #PublishingIndustry #AuthorTips #BookWriting