In this episode of Change the Game, I chat with Kristin McTiernan, known as the Nonsense-Free Editor, about the realities of independent publishing. We explore why many creators claim to want freedom but chase traditional approval, the pitfalls of fused identity in creative work, and how to build true leverage by focusing on buyers over critics. Kristin shares insights from her services for indie authors, her new thriller The Twitter Crush, and her platforms like Black Market Fiction and Fictional Influence. The discussion ties into broader themes of orientation, self-censorship, and exiting systems that don’t serve you, with practical advice on mindset shifts and marketing.

If you’ve ever thought about writing a book, this is the episode you need to hear, because guess what? Orientation still applies.

Guest Bio: Kristin McTiernan is an editor, self-publishing consultant, and author who helps independent creators get their work out of drafts and into readers’ hands. She’s the founder of Nonsense-Free Editor, offering editing, formatting, and marketing services. As an author, she writes thrillers, time travel, and paranormal mysteries, including her latest release, The Twitter Crush. She runs Black Market Fiction (a digital magazine with features and short stories) and her Substack, Fictional Influence, where she provides no-nonsense advice for writers.

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Change the Game Podcast S1 E6: Independence and Orientation in Publishing

Change the Game Podcast