Only your Mom knows....Only your Mom knows....
J Hirtle The Last Storyteller
Host Jim Hirtle talks with indie publisher and author Parker Lyons about the realities of self‑publishing, the role of Midnight Carnival, and the pressures of a crowded book market. They discuss AI’s place in publishing, practical editing steps, and how new writers can prepare and present their first book with professionalism.
36:55•4 Jun 2026
Only Your Mum Knows: Indie Writing, AI, and Getting Your First Book Out There
Episode Overview
- Treat self‑publishing as highly competitive and write because you love it, not with instant fame in mind.
- Use trusted beta readers and several drafts to fix story issues before paying for professional copy editing.
- Aim for a polished, professional manuscript to avoid bad reviews that can permanently damage a book’s reputation.
- Reserve AI for business tasks like marketing copy and keep core creative work—storytelling and cover art—human‑made.
- Think long‑term: build an author brand, plan launches months ahead, and remember that one book can help sell the next.
“"I think that's what people are really craving. Like, they want to be able to have a connection to the artist… something made by a human."”
Curious about how others handle the grind of getting their stories into print? This conversation between host Jim Hirtle and sci‑fi author and publisher Parker Lyons gives indie writers a candid peek behind the curtain of small press publishing. Parker explains how Midnight Carnival grew from a three‑friend experiment into a home for science fiction, mystery, horror and fantasy writers who want more control over their work.
He talks frankly about the crowded self‑publishing market, noting that on Amazon alone “indie authors… published 280,000 books… in December of 2025,” and why new authors need to be realistic about fame and focus on writing because they love it. You’ll hear why he sees traditional publishers as “still the gold standard” for bookshops, yet believes indie outfits can thrive by finding niche readers and building strong author brands over time.
His own path with his debut novel *Rebel Planet* shows that mix of patience and hustle: beta readers, multiple drafts, selective querying, then committing to an eight‑month launch plan rather than just hitting "publish" and hoping. A big chunk of the chat centres on artificial intelligence in writing and design.
Parker draws a firm line between using AI for business tasks like marketing copy and relying on it for storytelling or cover art, saying readers “want something made by a human… a connection to the artist.” The pair share stories of readers spotting AI‑generated prose and covers, and the backlash that can follow. For anyone wrestling with a first manuscript, Parker’s step‑by‑step advice on beta readers, affordable editing, constant reading and resisting the rush to publish offers a grounded roadmap.
If you’ve got a book that “only your mum knows about,” could this be the nudge to polish it properly before you share it with the rest of the world?
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