In the landscape of modern publishing, the “isolated author” is a dying breed. To succeed as an indie today, you don’t just need a gripping story; you need a community. This past Friday, the Writing Community Chat Show (recently ranked #3 in the UK!) sat down with a man who has mastered this evolution: indie thriller author William Lee.Known for his dark, atmospheric mysteries and a rise on TikTok, William joined us to pull back the curtain on his process, his live streams, and the upcoming release of his second book.From Failing English to Crafting Thrillers.It’s a story many of us can relate to: William didn’t start out as a bookworm. In fact, he admittedly “badly failed” his mock exams in school. It wasn’t until a wake-up call from his father that he dove into creative writing techniques, eventually picking up reading as a hobby after high school.That spark turned into a flame, and eighteen months later, he released his debut, Gone Before the Moon. What started as a “superhero” concept morphed into a gritty, supernatural series when William realized he preferred realistic, high-stakes tension over “red spandex.”The “Secret Sauce” of TikTok Live.While many authors view marketing as a chore, William has turned it into a cornerstone of his brand. He moved away from shouting “buy my book” into the void and instead leaned into the power of TikTok Live.Why it works for him:* The Personal Touch: He wraps orders, signs books, and adds extras like bookmarks and tea bags live on camera.* Royalties: Selling directly through TikTok Shop is often more beneficial for indie authors than the traditional Amazon cut.* Vulnerability: By showing his face and chatting about his day, he sells himself as a person, which naturally leads to people wanting to read his work.Overcoming the “Indie” Hurdles.William was incredibly candid about the struggles of the self-published path, particularly Imposter Syndrome. Even with five-star reviews calling his work “atmospheric” and “un-put-downable,” he admits to worrying if book two will live up to the hype.His advice for those “dragging their feet” on social media? Just start. The community is supportive, and being “consistent” is far more important than being “perfect.”What’s Next: The Black Veil Files.Fans of the series won’t have to wait long for more. William shared that he has a five-book arc planned for The Black Veil Files, with short stories and a prequel novella also in the works.The next instalment, Dragged into the Maw, is slated for a March or April 2026 release. It promises to keep the supernatural thrills going, featuring a “Negan-esque” villain inspired by The Walking Dead.Watch & Listen.You can watch the full, hour-long interview below to catch William’s live reading of the Gone Before the Moon prologue and hear his answers to community questions about his “superhero” inspirations and his “worst fears.”Connect with William Lee:* TikTok:
@william_lee_author* Website:
williamleebooks.co.ukFor more interviews with the world’s best indie and traditionally published authors, subscribe to the Writing Community Chat Show here and on Youtube.Catch it on the go wherever you get your podcasts.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit
thewccs.substack.com/subscribeBecome a supporter of this podcast:
https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-writing-community-chat-show--5445493/support.
Connect With The Community🏆...
