Blog Archives

Keep Pushing Forward

M.C. Ryder Author Interview

In My Journey as an Author, you share your experiences navigating the many obstacles on your way to becoming a published author. Why was this an important book for you to write?

It started out as a way to track my accomplishments. To be able to go back and review where I started to where I ended up. My own positive reinforcement to keep pushing forward even when self-doubt whispered, I didn’t have what it takes. Writing is also therapeutic. It allows me to voice my inner voice. I had a lot of material to work with and one day it struck me, why not just write a memoir? The most important aspect of my memoir was being able to voice my thought process into crafting each of my fiction novels in The Dark series.

I appreciated your willingness to share the low points you endured. What was the hardest thing for you to write about?

The hardest thing I wrote about was my personal life. I’m generally a private person and don’t like to go into too much personal detail, but it was necessary to add because it was very much a part of my writing journey that layers did get incorporated into my fiction stories.

What is one piece of advice you wish you had been given at the outset of your journey to becoming published?

I wish I had been more aware of how reviews work in the publishing world, and how others profit off of reviews using it to their benefit for financial gain in order to “sell” more books. It’s appalling. Reviews can either make you or break you. If someone has a vendetta against an author or a business, no matter how big or small that business is, they can write a bad review as a way of manipulation.

What do you hope readers are able to take away from your experiences?

I hope readers take away that, if you have a dream, no matter what dream that is big or small, never give up on it. Push through the self-doubt. Push through all the voices telling you that you can’t do something. Dare to bend the rules. Dare to be the original you.

Author Links: GoodReads | X (Twitter) | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Website | Amazon

I’ve always been a writer. My dream was to one day become a published author. That dream came true in October 2022. The dream was only the beginning as I had my work cut out for me. A published book does not sell overnight. There are many highs and many lows. I entered a world that I had no experience in. Choose the freedom of becoming an indie author, without a network. I had to build one from the ground up. A daunting task. The world is not what it used to be. Everything now is digitalized. It can be hard to recognize what is legit and what is a scam. It’s a cutthroat business. Crafting stories was actually, believe it or not, the easy part. Follow my journey as I share the things that I learned during the course of a year as an indie author.


This book provides insight into everything authors will need to know about publishing, the good, the bad, and the ugly.


My Journey as an Author

My Journey as an Author, by M.C. Ryder, offers readers an honest glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of becoming a published author. Through her memoir, Ryder shares her experiences navigating the complex world of publishing, from book signings to being burned by publishers, paying for reviews on Instagram, and enduring the long, anxious wait for responses to inquiries. Her candid recounting resonates with aspiring writers, highlighting the perseverance required to overcome the highs and lows of the journey. The advice and anecdotes provide a mix of encouragement and caution, making this memoir relatable for anyone familiar with the writing process.

A central theme of the book is the exploration of success; what does it truly mean for an author? Is it measured by book sales, the ability to inspire others, or gaining recognition on platforms like BookTok? Ryder pushes readers to reflect on their own definitions of success, posing a question that many in the writing community can appreciate. I appreciated how Ryder talks about failures and rejections but always circles back to perseverance. That’s where the memoir shines most, its message of resilience feels personal and genuine. Ryder also has strong opinions about originality, something that resonates with aspiring writers. Ryder shares lessons from attending conferences, emphasizing how critical it is for writers to “dare to be unique” rather than regurgitate trends​. That hit home for me because so much of today’s writing landscape feels overrun with recycled ideas. The author’s advice to question a story’s purpose and character motives adds a fresh, practical perspective that would benefit any writer looking to improve their craft.

In the end, My Journey as an Author isn’t just for writers—though aspiring authors will undoubtedly find Ryder’s advice and transparency encouraging. It’s also for dreamers, creatives, or anyone navigating a tough road while holding onto their goals. If you’re looking for a book that feels motivating and human without trying too hard, I’d recommend this one. You’ll walk away feeling like you just found a friend who gets it.

Pages: 172 | ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DJ68163G

Buy Now From Amazon