Indie Author Spotlight: Piper Lawson

Our Interview with Piper Lawson 

Special thanks to bestselling indie author Piper Lawson for taking the time to answer our questions to share with you! (and check out our Piper Lawson collection on Hoopla!) 

1. How do you come up with ideas for your books? 

My ideas come from everywhere! They spark from things I’ve read, places I’ve visited, an emotional hook from a song or TV show that sticks with me. It can start with a character, or a “what if” question that won’t leave me alone. What if a shy college student wound up interning on a music tour with her rockstar hero? What if he was older and cynical and had his own demons? Those questions produced the Wicked series. I’m especially drawn to larger-than-life characters who face the same pressures we all face, but layered with fame and expectations. 

Once I catch that initial glimmer of potential, I like to think on it a while before I start putting words on a page. The best plots are closely intertwined with who the characters are and what they want and need. I try to understand the biggest turning points before I get too far into writing, because then I can build to those in a way that’s fun and intentional. 

2. What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced as an indie author? 

The biggest challenge is that as an indie author, you’re not just the writer. You’re also the publisher, marketer, project manager, data analyst, and social media team…all while trying to protect your creative space! 

I’ve been doing this since 2015. In the early years, it kind of felt like I was shouting into the void…but that was also kind of incredible. Every ARC reader was someone I reached out to personally. Every book sale felt like a win. Every author friendship felt like a lifeline. There wasn’t a mountain of data to analyze because I only had three books out! It was quiet in a good way. 

In the beginning, I definitely felt the pressure to do everything and be everywhere. But over time, I’ve learned that success is just as much about deciding what not to do. I don’t publish as many books per year as I used to, and that’s okay. I’m not on social media every day, and that’s okay. That space allows me to focus on what I love most: writing stories that readers want to come back to, again and again. 

3. Can you share any tips for aspiring indie authors? 

Absolutely. First: just start. You’ll never feel 100% ready, and that’s okay. Write the book that’s tugging at you. The one you can’t stop thinking about. Write it for you, not for the market, not for reviews. 

Second: if you want to write more than one book, embrace the learning curve. The best part of indie publishing is that you get to learn by doing. My early books weren’t perfect (still aren’t, if I’m honest!), but finishing them taught me more than any course ever could. Every release is a chance to grow and connect. 

Third: get clear on why you want to write. Your reason might evolve, but knowing it can help carry you through the hard parts, like those 2 a.m. editing sessions when chapter 12 still isn’t quite working 😉 

And fourth (I didn’t plan on four, so this is a bonus one): don’t listen to the voice that says, “You’re not qualified. You don’t know what you’re doing.” None of us know what we’re doing until we do it! The good news? There’s never been a better time to write and publish a book. The tools and resources are there. The only thing stopping you might be that little voice…and you don’t have to listen to it! 

4. How do you engage with your readers and build a community around your books? 

One of my favorite parts of being indie is that I get to talk directly to readers. I’m a card-carrying introvert, but I still love meeting readers at signings, sharing behind-the-scenes stuff and excerpts from what I’m working on in my newsletters. I’m also pretty active on Instagram, which is the only social media platform that lowers my blood pressure rather than increasing it. 

Some of the most meaningful moments in my career have come from reader interactions. When someone tells me a book got them through a hard time, or made them fall in love with reading again, that’s the kind of connection I never take for granted. It makes the good days great and the hard days worth it. 

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Check Out Piper Lawson’s Books on Hoopla 

Hoopla offers an entire collection of Piper Lawson books. Here are a couple of our favorites: 

Visit Hoopla today to borrow your next favorite Piper Lawson book—no holds, no waiting, just great stories!