Bestselling author and publisher Kevin J. Anderson joins us on this podcast this week to discuss his illustrious thirty year writing career and how the world of publishing has evolved, and continues to evolve, throughout. Kevin publishes both traditionally and with his own indie press, WordFire Press, he is an instructor at Superstars Writing Seminar, and he teaches a Masters in Publishing course at Western Colorado University, giving him unique and diverse insight into the world of publishing.
- Kevin discusses his writing career, from his first short story in 1985, though his time as a technical writer at a research facility to becoming a bestselling novelist, and shares what he has learned along the way
- As a hybrid author, Kevin compares his experience in indie publishing to publishing traditionally, including the differences in timelines, use of data, and the different skill sets required
- He tells us about the Masters in Publishing program he helped create at Western Colorado University, including the projects he assigns his students and why he thinks it’s important to balance the course evenly between traditional publishing and indie
- Kevin discusses how the pandemic has affected both his personal publishing business and the industry in general, the evolution of technology in publishing, and how the sudden and drastic changes the real world has experienced this past year might affect his future fictional world building
- He shares his thoughts on the “wide versus exclusive” debate and gives some thoughtful advice for new writers looking to stay motivated, including building your own community and practicing kindness and generosity
Useful Links
Wordfire Press
Publishing Masters Program at Western Colorado
Monsters, Movies, and Mayhem
Superstars Writing Seminars
Spine of the Dragon
On Being a Dictator
Riding the Bullet
Bookfunnel Audio Delivery
Better Call Saul
Rambo Last Blood
The Expanse
Joe Ledger Series Audiobooks
Dune (2020)
Kevin J. Anderson has published more than 165 books, 56 of which have been national or international bestsellers. He has written numerous novels in the Star Wars, X-Files, and Dune universes, as well as unique steampunk fantasy novels Clockwork Angels and Clockwork Lives, written with legendary rock drummer Neil Peart, based on the concept album by the band Rush. His original works include the Saga of Seven Suns series, the Terra Incognita fantasy trilogy, the Saga of Shadows trilogy, and his humorous horror series featuring Dan Shamble, Zombie PI. He has edited numerous anthologies, written comics and games, and the lyrics to two rock CDs. Anderson and his wife Rebecca Moesta are the publishers of WordFire Press. His most recent novels are Stake, Kill Zone, and Spine of the Dragon.
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