In this special on-location episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan sits down with Josh and TT, the creative team behind Hal-Lore-Ween, at the horror-themed venue Slashers Axe Throwing & Ales in Costa Mesa.

From building one of the most eye-catching booths on the convention circuit to landing a TV appearance, this episode breaks down what it really takes to grow as indie creators.

We cover:

• How Hal-Lore-Ween evolved into an award-winning indie series

• The role of community, networking, and collaboration in success

• How they landed a TV spot through authentic outreach

• Strategies for building ARC teams and growing a fanbase

• The mindset needed to push through rejection and keep creating

TT also dives into her hand-drawn charcoal illustration process, keeping the project fully human-made, while Josh shares insights on marketing, conventions, and building a creative team around the brand.

We also get into:

• Getting books into Barnes & Noble (and why “returnable” matters)

• Convention strategy and booth design

• Expanding into audiobooks, merch, and a growing creative universe

All recorded on location at Slashers Axe Thowing and Ales at Costa Mesa, a horror fan’s dream environment that perfectly matches the spirit of the conversation.

If you’re an indie author, artist, or creator trying to build something real, this episode is packed with practical insight and inspiration.

In this episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan revisits the mission behind the podcast: giving indie authors a platform to share their work and helping readers discover great books they might otherwise miss.

With WonderCon just weeks away—the convention that originally inspired the creation of the show—Chad reflects on the power of indie authors supporting one another and why the podcast focuses on context rather than harsh criticism when discussing books.

The episode then dives into a craft discussion on conflict in storytelling. What exactly counts as conflict? Chad breaks down the three major types writers use to drive stories forward:

• Character vs. Character • Character vs. Environment • Character vs. Self

Using examples from films, TV, and literature—including A Few Good Men, Star Trek: The Next Generation, The Martian, and the Cormoran Strike novels—he explores how conflict creates stakes, tension, and momentum in storytelling.

Finally, this week’s indie showcase features the unsettling horror novella:

📖 I Found Puppets Living in My Apartment Walls by Ben Farthing

When a man discovers one of his grandfather’s old puppets crawling through the walls of an apartment built on top of a former television studio, the mystery quickly spirals into something far stranger. Beneath the building lies a maze of hidden spaces, duplicate sets, and seemingly endless layers of reality—all tied to a bizarre and creeping puppet apocalypse.

Short, eerie, and imaginative, this novella blends claustrophobic exploration with childhood fears in a way that makes it perfect for a quick but memorable horror read.

In this episode of Indie Author Showcase, host Chad Robert Morgan shares:

• The real results of using Book Reverb for reviews • How paid reader platforms can impact your Amazon profile • Convention season strategy and vendor realities • Behind-the-scenes updates during a difficult personal season

Plus this week’s horror showcase:

📖 Cracked Altar by David Viergutz (Book One of The Otherworld Archives)

A disgraced homicide detective in a Texas ghost town is stalked by something unnatural — including an abandoned church that appears to follow him. Blending police procedural realism with creeping cosmic horror, this novel delivers atmosphere, dread, and unsettling time distortions.

If you love indie horror, writing discussions, and honest publishing talk, subscribe and join us.