I regularly listen to a handful of podcasts for indie authors. These shows rely heavily on guest appearances. Usually the guests are indie authors who have found success, and are willing to share their secrets.
About three years ago, T.S. Paul started appearing on these shows. I knew immediately that he and I were two different kinds of people, and different kinds of authors. I could also tell that he was a bright guy, and worth watching. I figured that I could learn from him.
T.S. Paul rejected much of the standard advice for indie writers. He didn’t believe in review-begging, for one thing. (Several times I heard him say in interviews, “I don’t care about reviews.”) He didn’t believe in making any of his titles free for mass giveaways, either. (He also once said, “I don’t believe in free.”)
He was open to “old school” forms of marketing. Watch the above video. Paul had a van decorated with characters from his books, to serve as a mobile form of advertising. No Internet, no social media required.
Not all of Paul’s innovations succeeded, of course. Early on, he rushed some of his books to market without adequate editing and proofreading. This earned him some 1-star reviews, until he cleaned up his process.
But TS Paul was evidently a natural-born storyteller. His books found legions of fans even when they had typos.
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I never got around to reading any of his books; but he was one of those authors who could always get me tuned into a podcast. Just as he was a natural storyteller, he also seemed to have a natural aptitude for book marketing.
I would have liked to have met him. It was with sadness that I heard of his passing two nights ago.
I don’t know what happened, exactly. I did have the sense that he had some health problems. (He walks with a cane in the above video.) But his social media posts from throughout the summer don’t mention any acute illnesses.
I don’t know much about TS Paul as a private individual, except that he leaves a widow behind. Now would be a great time to check out his books on Amazon, and perhaps give some of his titles a try if they appeal to you.
T.S. Paul, R.I.P.