Author Stuart Smith
Author Stuart Smith

J Hirtle The Last Storyteller

Jim Hirtle talks with author Stuart Smith about his zombie sequel *Sanctuary at Sea*, focusing on realism, character growth and the shift from land to sea. They also share practical thoughts on indie book marketing, social media and the importance of reader reviews for independent authors.

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26:48•4 Sept 2026

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Zombies, Realism and Indie Hustle with Author Stuart Smith

Episode Overview

Fast-paced zombie fiction can still centre on believable, human characters, with realism coming from their reactions and relationships rather than the monsters.
Long series benefit from a mix of planning and spontaneity, allowing minor characters and unexpected plot turns to grow over multiple books.
Planting small details and apparent throwaways in early books creates future story opportunities, whether as genuine clues or deliberate red herrings.
Grassroots promotion – talking to people, focusing on one main social platform, and building genuine connections – can move an indie book up the rankings without huge ad spends.
Reader reviews significantly affect visibility and sales, so taking time to rate and comment on a book can meaningfully support independent authors.

“Just keep talking to people about your book until they ask you to stop.”

Get ready to be moved by real-life accounts of creative grind and indie hustle as Jim Hirtle chats with returning guest and author Stuart Smith. This time, they’re talking about *Sanctuary at Sea*, the second book in Smith’s Deal Zombie Chronicles, picking up the story the very morning the first book ends.

Readers who love high-tension horror will hear how the undead have grown into a “several million strong” horde, herding together with a hive-mind logic that makes land life impossible. The survivors decide that “land is no longer safe. So they turn to the sea,” shifting the series from land-based terror to a more human-focused drama aboard ships leaving Dover.

Smith explains how the undead threat fades slightly at sea, making room for character-driven tension, strong female leads, and a new protagonist who, amusingly, is based on his boss at work – at the boss’s own request. For anyone who cares about believable fiction, Smith’s obsession with realism stands out. He asks whether you could “imagine living next door to Sidney” or the other characters, stressing that even in zombie fiction, humanity and vulnerability matter more than flashy heroics.

Indie authors will find plenty to relate to as well. Smith shares how he keeps promoting his books by “just keep talking to people about your book until they ask you to stop,” focuses his energy on Instagram, and leans heavily on reader reviews rather than big ad spends. Jim backs this up with a candid story of how a single one-star rating tanked his average, underscoring how crucial honest reviews are for independent writers.

If you enjoy fast-paced apocalyptic stories, or you’re an indie author juggling writing, marketing and real life, this conversation might get you thinking: how invested are *your* readers in the stories you’re telling?

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