You ever have one of those weeks? That kind of charmed little stretch that feels too good to be true? I'm having one.
I debated whether to share this with you but hell, you signed up for this journey so we might as well celebrate together, right?
I'm in Munich, Germany this week with Kath. Why? Because we wanted to see the translation of Fortunate Son on the shelves and display tables of Germany's most famous booksellers.
Is that silly? Probably to some it is. That's okay. It was a big deal for us.
Guess what? The book is everywhere. It's so fun!
I can't tell you how hard it is to be an indie writer in the United States. You may not believe it but I actually had a HELL of a time getting my local library to put my book on the shelves. Why? Because, in the U.S., if you're not traditionally published, you're not credible.
Ask any bookseller and they'll tell you how many authors enter their shops demanding shelf space. They've seen it all. I don't blame them for being hesitant.
Which makes it difficult for an indie writer with a good book to separate themselves from the pack. It can feel like a Sisyphean effort—trying to get our novels up the mountain and into the hands of retailers. And libraries.
That's why it was so exciting to walk into bookstores in Bavaria and Austria—seeing my novel on the shelves. Seriously! It was really fun.
But that's not all.
I just received the cover art for the Hungarian translation of Fortunate Son (published by General Press) which means after a very long wait it's headed for release. It's too early to share just yet but, take my word for it, it looks amazing!
In lieu of that cover let me give you the very first ever look at A Noble Sin's German cover also coming out in July. Very excited to share this with you.
But Just When I Thought The Week Couldn't Get Better...
Remember earlier when I was talking about the credibility problem indie authors have? I think I might have finally cleared that hurdle.
The indie arm of Publishers Weekly came out with the fourteen best books they reviewed in 2025 (and seriously, they review A LOT of books).
My novel, A Noble Sin, was one of only two thrillers in indie publishing to make the list.
As my friend, novelist Susan Perabo would say, that is "Banana-whack!"
I'm not a big deal author. It would be nice... but I'm not there yet. I can only focus on the things that matter to me: writing good books and connecting with readers. Most days are quiet—working in my room above the garage. Which makes a week like this one surreal.
My Not-So-Hot take: I may write alone, but I'm not building this career alone. You're part of this journey—every review, every recommendation, every "you have to read this" conversation matters more than any award or recognition. Thanks for being here.
Happy Friday!
Andy
Weekly Lift
This is a fun one. I don't know Leah personally but she followed me yesterday. Apparently, she just started on Instagram and has no followers (I'm the first). Let's ambush this debut thriller writer with lots of follows and support!
I met Steve on a lift in New Orleans and in three floors he told a chilling true story about an elevator disaster that had us all looking for an escape hatch. If he can tell a story that good in three floors, no wonder people love his books. This one comes out in a few weeks and I'm looking forward to it!
I'm an internationally published thriller author with an MBA from WashU in St. Louis—bringing an entrepreneur's toolkit to the creative process. Join tens of thousands of readers and writers who follow The Briefing for my personal take on storytelling, marketing, and navigating the business of creativity.
