SOLD OUT – Hitting the Kindle bestseller charts: How we turned our passion for writing into full-time careers
Saturday 4 October 2025
11am–12pm
£8
Village Hotel Maidstone, Forstal Road, Maidstone, UK
Event Description
Join husband-and-wife thriller writers Amanda Wills (aka AJ McDine) and Adrian Wills (aka AJ Wills) for an honest, engaging look at the self-publishing journey - from taking the plunge to building a full-time author career.
Amanda and Adrian both published their debut novels on the same day in 2013 and have since gone on to write more than 40 books between them, including Amazon bestsellers in psychological suspense and children’s fiction.
In this candid session, they’ll share their experiences of self-publishing versus traditional publishing, including the pros, cons, and the lessons they’ve learned along the way. Whether you’re a new writer considering your options or an experienced author curious about going indie, this is your chance to hear what it really takes to succeed - and how self-publishing has transformed their lives.
Expect practical tips, a dose of inspiration, and maybe even a plot twist or two…
Biography
A J Wills and A J McDine are a husband-and-wife duo of bestselling psychological thriller writers whose dark, twisty novels delve into secrets, lies, and the complexities of human nature. Both former journalists, they swapped the newsroom for the writing room and now spend their days crafting gripping, character-driven stories that keep readers turning the pages.
Together, they live in Kent with their two sons and three rescue cats. Their shared background in journalism—and Amanda’s experience as a police press officer—adds authenticity and tension to their writing. When they're not plotting new ways to get their characters into (and out of) trouble, they can often be found deep in bookish conversation around the dinner table.
Between them, they’ve published a host of psychological thrillers, including When She Finds You, No One I Knew, The Invite, and The Husband Before You.