Meet Jody Wenner

Indie Author Spotlight

Apr 18, 2025

Welcome to Indie Author Spotlight where I interview talented writers who have valuable insights to share on their writing process, publication, and what it means to be an indie author.

I am a Midwestern author and editor. Over the course of the last decade, I’ve independently published many mystery and suspense novels and released two books with The Wild Rose Press. Shorter stories and articles can be found in the pages of Punk Noir, Mystery Magazine Weekly, The Keepthings, Thriller101, and The Motley Writer’s Guild. When not writing, reading, or editing, you will likely find me walking my dog or obsessively knitting.

How did you get started as a writer?

I thought I wanted to be a journalist, wrote for the school paper, etc. and then in college I realized I hated it. I was a huge reader though, and when I met another mom friend who was publishing, she showed me the ropes and I started writing with her at a coffee shop in the mornings. I wrote my first adult novel (a detective story) in that coffee shop. And people seemed to enjoy it, so I just kept going.

Who are some of your main influences? Favorite books?

Honestly, I'm such a wide reader, it's really hard to narrow it down. I love some of the classic sci-fi stuff like Vonnegut and Margaret Atwood, but I also like a good mystery, and quirky or girly stuff. I can go in phases too, like in one year I read only dystopian books. I think I read like 22 of them going back to some really obscure ones from the 50s. And I've always been drawn to WWII historical fiction. So, yeah. I'm all over the place.

How would you describe your own personal writing style?

Uh. Um. I have no idea. I think I am just trying to tell an interesting story. I don't know if I have style. I know my writing on a line level is not very flowery or verbose. I like plot and weird characters. I am not a big describer of things. I forget to offer a lot of interiority (at least according to the notes I get constantly from my critique partner. Hi, Laura!) Oh, also...I think I'm funny. Probably nobody else does, but I am pretty sure I'm hilarious.

Your writing spans a multitude of genres from speculative fiction to mysteries to psychological thrillers to science fiction. What do you say to those who think authors should stick to one genre?

They're probably right? Hahaha. I don't know. I guess, because my reading varies so much, it's so hard to pick a lane. I will read something, get inspired, and think to myself: huh. I wonder if I could do that too? So, I try it. I figure I have nothing to lose.

What is your writing process like? Do you have any creative rituals or favorite places to write?

Since the pandemic, I stopped writing at the coffee shop. It was so sad because there was this table of older people who would meet there for coffee every single morning, and my friend and I got to know them well, and after COVID...well, let's just say, it wasn't the same because their table was fairly empty. It was too sad. Anyway, I usually write from about 9ish until lunchtime if I don't have a project for work. Then I do chores, walk my dog, etc.

What criticism have you received that you feel has made you a better writer?

Probably all of it. I try to learn from what I think I didn't do well in the previous book and work on improving it in the next. That's why I write so many books. But, seriously, I'm learning stuff all the time. Even from bad reviews. I try to take it all in, even if it hurts sometimes. My critique partner is a brilliant writer, and she is fantastic at lifting me up while also giving me great notes. It's a real skill.

You have several titles out now. Are they all self-published? Why did you decide to self-publish rather than going the traditional route?

All but two are self-published. Two were put out through The Wild Rose Press. But, yeah. I am always wanting try new things in the publishing world to gain more knowledge. I think each route offers something different. I love self-pub for the creative control, but I loathe the marketing aspect. I am not team indie versus team trad. I have a few manuscripts that I've written more recently that I think are a bit more commercial, so I've been querying those around. I just don't think it's wise to close any doors. It's a tough gig so I think it's super important to just keep putting yourself out there and if you make small gains or large ones, it's all good as long as you're trying.

You’re also an editor. Tell us about that and how did that lead to writing Don’t Be Boring?

Yeah, so I've been doing beta reads, critiques, and developmental edits for a small edit house for about eight years now and one day I realized that most of my reports to newer writers contain a lot of the same feedback. I started writing up a short guide and I was initially going to call it Eight Mistakes New Writers Make, but that felt sort of condescending and I always try to be encouraging because I was once a new writer. I still think it's hard! Anyway, as I was working it up, it evolved to compass much more than the eight mistakes. I talk about the basic plot diagram and why it's important for a good arc, how to add tension, create interesting characters, and overall: how to tell a story that is going to keep readers engaged. I also have a Q&A in it with one of the copy editors I work closely with and she offers insight into writing on a line level. It's nice and short, but I wanted something quick and digestible that newer writers could use and not feel intimidated by. Several of my beta readers told me they wished they'd read something like it when they were starting out, and that's really what I was going for. Since writing it, I've thought of tons more I could say, so who knows? Maybe I'll write a follow up at some point.

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As an indie author, how do you define success?

I mean, I'd love to have people want to read my books without me shoving them in their faces. That's the dream, right? I think it is. Every time I get asked to do a podcast or an interview, I think: Wow. This is crazy. Did they message the wrong person? Do they know how awkward our convo is going to be? Anyway, every little thing about it is cool to me. Really. I love the community of writers I've met. I love the readers who write really thoughtful reviews or take the time to message me and tell me they enjoyed one of my books. Just having readers is crazy.

What marketing strategies have been working for you?

Um. Define working. Haha. I don't know. I don't have a real strategy. I just keep writing books. I guess I had a good bit of success this fall when I sold at my first book fair. It took me like ten years as a writer to think I was good enough to try it. I was so worried people would walk right on by while laughing and pointing, but it was the exact opposite experience. I met and talked to tons of nice people and had people tell me they already had one of my books on their shelf and yeah. It was so cool. I sold all but two or three of the books I brought along. I'm doing another one in a few months.

What are you working on now?

I'm writing a romcom. Hahaha. Nobody tells me to pick a lane! Anyway, yeah. I was so down at the state of the world and I wanted to try something more lighthearted and I had this quirky idea but it needed something more, so...I had no choice but to add some romance. I am only goofing on this because I'm so, so bad at writing the rom part, but the com part is so fun for me I have to take the good with the bad.

Where can readers find you?