Episode 44: Matt Sean Bell - Author Interview

A lot of writers say they want “creative control.” Matt Sean Bell actually lived it. He wrote The Adean Saga, edited it through multiple rereads, built the cover art himself, printed physical copies in batches, and sells direct to readers through Etsy; handling the logistics most authors never see. If you’ve ever wondered what independent publishing looks like when you remove the safety rails, we get into the real workflow, the real time cost, and the oddly satisfying pride that comes with doing it all yourself.

We also dig into craft. Matt breaks down how he blends sci-fi and fantasy without turning the book into a pile of exposition, and how a magic system can feel believable through pseudoscience and consistent world rules. We talk influences like Lord of the Rings, Dungeons and Dragons, Dune, Warhammer 40K, Mass Effect, and more, plus the 600-page worldbuilding reference that started as tabletop notes and grew into a fully realized setting. Along the way, we touch on character voice, brisk pacing, and why making something unique often means accepting that it won’t be for everyone.

If you’re an indie author, a worldbuilder, or a reader who loves hybrid genre stories, you’ll walk away with practical insight and a healthier mindset around persistence, criticism, and finishing the work. Subscribe, share the show with a friend, and leave a review so more authors and listeners can find Connor Read’s Books.

Voice Over, Mixing and Mastering Credits:

L. Connor Voice - Website

https://www.instagram.com/l.connorvoice/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095473899665

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIC0iAX-pJlqW7LBq2PJL6A

Music Credits: 

Louie Sanders, https://www.instagram.com/soundmonksound/

Any and all music, sound effects, or visual effects used in this production are royalty and copyright free. Lists of SFX and Music can be provided upon request.