Selling Millions of Books as an Indie Author: Steve Higgs on Ads, Output, and Writing for a Living

REAL WRITERS NEVER QUIT: What hundreds of authors reveal about not giving up is out RIGHT NOW! https://mybook.to/realwritersneverquitSpecial limited signed editions available from my online shop here.In this episode of The Write Place Podcast, I’m joined by bestselling indie author Steve Higgs, who’s built a remarkable career writing and publishing across multiple genres, with over 150 books to his name.We talk about his journey from the military and corporate life into full-time writing, the realities of making a living as an indie author, and the business mindset required to scale book sales beyond a hobby.Steve also shares the story behind his hugely popular Albert Smith series, including the latest paperback release of Pork Pie Pandemonium, a cosy mystery set in Melton Mowbray that blends humour, food, and murder in equal measure.Along the way, we get into marketing, mindset, and what it really takes to turn writing into a sustainable career.In this episode, you’ll hear: How Steve transitioned from a 25-year military career to full-time author  The turning point that made him take writing seriously as a business  Why most indie authors fail to sell books and what to do differently  The reality of spending heavily on ads and making it pay  How Pork Pie Pandemonium became his fastest-selling book  The pros and cons of indie vs traditional publishing  Why understanding genre is more important than most writers realise  Steve’s high-output writing process and how he sustains it About Steve HiggsSteve Higgs is a UK-based author known for his prolific output across cosy mystery, urban fantasy, and thriller genres. A former soldier and corporate professional, he turned to writing later in life and has since published over 150 books, selling millions of copies worldwide. His work is particularly known for its humour, fast pacing, and engaging characters, including the popular Albert Smith series featuring a retired detective and his sharp-witted German Shepherd.Featured BookPork Pie Pandemonium The first book in the Albert Smith series, now released in paperback, follows a retired detective superintendent and his dog as they travel the UK solving mysteries… starting with a grisly discovery in a Melton Mowbray pork pie.As Steve explains, the book combines humour, mystery, and a strong central relationship between man and dog, with the added twist of the reader hearing the dog’s thoughts throughout. Find out more about SteveWebsite: https://stevehiggsbooks.com Final ThoughtsSteve’s approach is not subtle. He treats writing as both craft and business, and he’s willing to invest heavily in marketing to scale his results. That’s not a model that suits everyone, but it does underline a key point: writing the book is only half the job.If you’re serious about making a living from your writing, this is a conversation worth paying attention to.Support the PodcastIf you enjoy the show, please leave a rating or review on your podcast app of choice. It really helps more writers find the show and literally takes seconds to do!