The Author Next Door
This is real talk for authors, relatable to where they are in their journey and to our journey as self-published authors. We talk about our experiences and have guest chats with experts and other authors about their experiences.
The Moment They Lose Control
What happens when romantic attraction collides with the need to stay in control? And how do you make the moment a character finally gives in feel earned?
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell compare Dirty Dancing and The Idea of You to explore how romantic tension, societal expectations, and personal vulnerability influence the way love stories unfold.
From age gaps and social judgment to the emotional and physical breaking points that define a romance, they examine how these two films approach desire, restraint, and personal growth...
Your Side Characters Need a Life
What makes a side character memorable without letting them take over the entire story?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell dig into the craft of writing supporting characters who feel like real people instead of background furniture.
They explore why side characters need their own voices, motivations, and lives beyond the protagonist, while also serving a clear purpose within the larger story. The conversation covers how supporting characters can deepen themes, reveal different sides of the protagonist, strengthen world-building, and sometimes grow into characters readers want to follow...
Finding Your Author Voice in a Crowded Market with Deborah Wilde
What happens when the characters you want to read about are not the characters you keep seeing on the page?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with urban fantasy author Deborah Wilde about her journey from screenwriting to novel writing, creating older female protagonists, finding her voice, and building an indie author career around the stories she actually wanted to tell.
Deborah shares how her creative background shaped her approach to storytelling, why representation of older women matters to her, and how writers can turn something that...
Is Your Book Adaptable with Jennifer Lieberman
What makes a book adaptable for film, television, theater, or even one of the rapidly growing new storytelling formats?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with actor, writer, producer, and creator Jennifer Lieberman about what authors should understand when they begin dreaming about taking a story beyond the page.
Jennifer shares insight into what makes characters and concepts adaptable, why originality still matters, and how writers can begin navigating industries that often feel difficult to enter. The conversation also explores screenwriting, theater production, vertical series, networking, festivals...
PR For Authors: Build Visibility Before You Need It with Mickey Mikkelson
A strong author brand is bigger than one book launch.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with Mickey from Creative Edge Publicity about how authors can use public relations, media opportunities, and consistent visibility to build a recognizable author brand over time.
Mickey shares practical advice for indie and traditionally published authors alike, including why authors should start building their public profile early, how media relationships develop, what makes someone easier to book for interviews, and why branding needs to be consistent without feeling forced or inauthentic.<...
Copyright, Trademark & Fair Use: What Indie Authors Need to Know
Can your character drink a Coke? Mention a favorite movie? Name the song playing in the background? What happens if you actually quote the lyrics? And should you trademark your book title?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell tackle some of the copyright, trademark, and fair use questions indie authors regularly encounter while writing, publishing, and building their author businesses.
They break down the basic difference between trademarks and copyright, discuss when authors can generally reference real-world brands and entertainment in fiction, and explain why reproducing someone else’s...
When Chemistry Gets Lost From Text To Screen
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell use the Amazon Prime adaptation inspired by Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After as a case study in what happens when romantic chemistry does not fully carry from page to screen.
They explore the emotional investment readers bring to adaptations, why nostalgia cannot replace chemistry, and how changes in pacing, characterization, and structure can affect the heart of a romance. The conversation also expands into dual timelines, second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers, and the questions writers should ask when building emotionally satisfying relationships on the page.
...How Formatting Can Reveal Character, Tension, and Hidden Emotion
In this Quick Bites episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore an underrated writing tool: the way words physically appear on the page.
They talk about how white space, sentence length, paragraph breaks, fragments, and even unfinished thoughts can influence pacing and emotion. From fast-moving fight scenes to quiet romantic beats, the shape of the prose can change how quickly a reader moves and where they instinctively pause.
In this episode, they discuss:
How white space can create emotional emphasis
Why short sentences can accelerate pacing
...
Strong Female Characters: What Ride or Die Gets Right
In this Quick Bites episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell use the Amazon Prime series Ride or Die to explore how writers can create stronger, more believable female characters.
Spoilers ahead for Ride or Die — so if you have not finished the series yet, consider this your playful warning to come back after you have.
They talk about why strength does not have to mean emotional invulnerability, how female friendships can carry conflict without losing love and respect, and what makes a female villain feel layered instead of flat. The co...
Romantic Dialogue: The Art of Banter and Emotional Tension in Romance | The Author Next Door After Dark
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell dive into one of the most addictive parts of romance: dialogue. They explore why readers often fall for the conversation before the kiss, and how banter, subtext, and verbal tension can pull two characters together long before either of them is ready to admit what is happening.Â
They talk about internal versus external dialogue, almost kisses, emotional exposure, and why the right line can sometimes feel more intimate than the spice itself. The conversation also explores dual POV, callbacks, compliments, and how d...
How to Write Tension in Romance: Desire vs Emotional Wounds | The Author Next Door After Dark
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk about how romance tension works when desire and emotional wounds are pulling against each other.
They explore emotional vulnerability, conflict, enemies-to-lovers dynamics, intimacy scenes, and the challenge of writing a third-act breakup that actually feels earned. The conversation also looks at how POV, dialogue, and character wounds shape the emotional intensity of a romance.
In this episode, they discuss:
 How emotional wounds deepen romantic tension  Why conflict reactions matter so much in romance  What makes enemies-to-lovers feel believable  How to...Romance Tropes: Main, Micro and Reader Expectations | The Author Next Door After Dark
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell open the door to all things trope and explore why romance readers never seem to get tired of the familiar.Â
They talk about how tropes function as both story structure and marketing shorthand, why readers still want surprise even when they know the setup, and how layering main tropes, micro tropes, and character tropes can deepen a romance without making it feel overcrowded. The conversation also gets into enemies to lovers, second chance, fake dating, force proximity, and the difference between a t...
Our Hot Takes On Writing Spice | The Author Next Door After Dark
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore what actually makes spice work in romance writing and why emotional connection matters more than shock value.
They talk about trust, chemistry, vulnerability, and how character dynamics shape the effectiveness of intimate scenes. The conversation also covers spice levels, reader expectations, consent, and the difference between writing scenes that feel meaningful versus scenes that feel like they were added just to turn up the heat.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Why emotional connection matters so much in intimate s...Off Campus: Power Shifts, Trauma, and Irresistible Chemistry
In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk about how romance tension works when power, desire, and emotional wounds are all pulling at the same relationship.
Spoilers ahead for Off Campus — so if you haven’t watched the show or read the books yet, this is your friendly warning to come back after you have.
Using Off Campus as a case study, they explore believable chemistry, found family, emotional wounds, and the challenge of writing a third-act breakup that actually feels earned.
In this episode, they...
Panel: How Superstars Built a Conference People Return To with James A. Owen, Todd Fahnestock, Steve Ruskin and Mark Leslie Lefebvre
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell host a special panel from Superstars Writing Seminars focused on what it really means to build community in the writing world.
Featuring Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Todd Fahnestock, Steve Ruskin, and James A. Owen, this conversation explores how Superstars began as a small gathering and grew into a conference people return to year after year because of the relationships, generosity, and sense of belonging it creates. The panel also dives into practical networking advice for authors, from making genuine connections at conferences to maintaining those...
How To Build Real Connections In the Bookish Community with Kara Infante and Gigi Howard
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Kara Infante of Bookish Flights and Gigi Howard of Drinks in the Library to talk about how they built thriving book communities around their podcasts and platforms.
They share what it takes to grow a community both organically and intentionally, how authentic engagement creates trust, and why connection matters more than perfection. The conversation also explores podcasting, social media, live events, and the ways authors can better connect with readers, creators, and community builders in the literary space.
In...
Create Connections Instead of Chasing Likes
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore the difference between having an audience and building a real community as an author.
They talk about why so many authors chase visibility instead of connection, how social media can distort our sense of progress, and why newsletters often become a stronger long-term tool for reader engagement. The conversation also dives into super fans, authenticity, consistency, and the kinds of relationships that support both creativity and career longevity.
In this episode, they discuss:
 The difference between audience, visibility, and true c...Networking For Authors: How to Build Community
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off Networking and Community Month with an honest conversation about what authentic networking really looks like for authors.
They explore why networking is really relationship-building, how reciprocity shapes healthy author communities, and what they’ve learned from both strong and disappointing connections in the writing world. The conversation also dives into confidence, consistency, community fit, and how the right support system can sharpen your perspective and help you avoid costly mistakes.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Why networking is about rel...Three Business Reminders For Authors
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell close out Business Month with an honest conversation about the parts of author business that rarely make it into the polished success stories: money, brand behavior, and the pressure to publish faster than your life or creativity can actually sustain.
They talk about why money conversations matter, how every public move becomes part of your author brand, and why publishing cadence needs to be based on your actual capacity rather than industry pressure. The conversation also highlights Becca Syme’s strengths-based perspective on burnout, pl...
Strategic Planning for Authors: Build a Business That Supports Your Creativity with Nicole Fronek
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Nicole Fronek to talk about what it really takes to balance creativity with strategy in an author business.
Nicole shares practical insights on building a roadmap, managing time and resources wisely, and creating systems that support both the creative and operational sides of a writing career. The conversation also explores mindset, burnout prevention, confidence, and the importance of community and partnerships for long-term growth.
In this episode, they discuss:
Kickstarter, Community and Storytelling with Zac Diamanti
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with award-winning author and military veteran Zac Diamanti to explore how personal experience, storytelling, and strategic thinking can shape a successful author career.
Zac shares how his background influences his fiction, why storytelling can be a cathartic process, and how he approaches author business decisions with clarity and intention. The conversation also dives into Kickstarter strategy, social media marketing, and the importance of testing what works while building a loyal community around your books.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Z...Author Business Essentials: What Indie Authors Need To Get Serious
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off May by breaking down the business decisions they’ve made over the past year and the core essentials every indie author needs in place to build a sustainable career.
They discuss the mindset shifts that come with treating writing like a business, along with practical systems for banking, bookkeeping, planning, marketing, and reinvestment. From email lists and backlist strategy to professional production and multiple revenue streams, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it really takes to run an author business wi...
Book Signings For Authors: What Actually Works with Marc Avery
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with thriller author Marc Avery to talk about how he built book-signing momentum across the country by starting small, staying persistent, and learning how to connect with readers in person.
Marc shares how he approaches bookstores, plans signings, and uses authenticity, conversation, and consistency to turn casual interactions into loyal readers.Â
In this episode, they discuss:
 How Marc Avery built success through bookstore visits, tours, and in-person events  Why persistence matters more than rejection in author marketing  How introverted author...Midlife Creativity: Finding Your Voice and Purpose with Shamayne Olivia
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Shamayne Olivia to explore creativity, self-discovery, and what it truly means to embrace your voice in midlife.
Shamayne shares her powerful journey through loss, reinvention, and personal awakening, offering insight into how women over 50 can reconnect with their creativity and step fully into their second act. The conversation dives into intuition, resilience, identity, and the importance of protecting your creative energy while navigating life’s responsibilities.
In this episode, they discuss:
Shamayne Olivia’s journey through grief, reinvention, and...How Authors Can Use Color Theory For Better Branding
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas explores how color theory can strengthen author branding and help writers create a more memorable, cohesive visual identity.
She breaks down how colors shape reader perception, signal genre and mood, and influence the overall experience readers have with your books, website, and event materials. From book covers to merchandising, this episode offers practical guidance for authors who want their branding to feel intentional and instantly recognizable.
In this episode, she discusses:
 How color theory affects branding and reader perception  The role color plays in sig...How Authors Can Stay Fit, Focused and Healthy with Fitz Koehler
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with fitness expert Fitz Koehler to talk about resilience, longevity, and how movement can transform both your health and your mindset.
Fitz shares her powerful journey through cancer recovery and explains how fitness helped her rebuild strength, energy, and perspective. The conversation explores practical strategies for staying active while managing busy schedules, along with the role of nutrition, discipline, and mental resilience in long-term health.
In this episode, they discuss:
Fitz Koehler’s inspiring cancer comeback storyThe four pillars of...Querying For Authors: Cassie Shares Her Process
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with Cassie Newell to talk about her journey into traditional publishing and what authors need to know about querying, researching agents, and navigating rejection.
They explore the realities of balancing indie, hybrid, and traditional publishing paths, along with practical strategies for researching agents, pitching effectively, and understanding what opportunities are worth pursuing.Â
In this episode, they discuss:
How to research agents using tools like QueryTracker and Publishers MarketplaceWhat authors should know before entering the query processHow to handle rejection, ghosting, and the e...Virtual Assistants for Authors: When It's Time To Hire Help with J. Kevin Tumlinson
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with bestselling author and indie publishing expert Kevin Tumlinson, of Author Anchor, to talk about scaling your author business with virtual assistants.
Kevin shares how authors can move beyond doing everything themselves and start building systems, hiring support, and treating writing like a business. From onboarding and communication to leveraging tools like AI, this conversation offers practical strategies for increasing productivity, streamlining marketing, and creating long-term growth.
In this episode, they discuss:
When it’s time to hire a vi...Social Media For Authors: What Actually Works with Aimee Ravichandran
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Aimee Ravichandran of Abundantly Social to talk about what actually works in social media and book marketing right now — and how authors can stop feeling so overwhelmed by all the noise.
They discuss consistency, audience fatigue, platform selection, community building, and the difference between chasing vanity metrics versus cultivating real reader relationships. The conversation also dives into Facebook groups, Instagram engagement, newsletter growth, paid ads, and why authors need to think long-term when it comes to marketing their books.
In...
Episode 60: Simplify Your Marketing Strategy with Crewfiction
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with Sam Namias and Tom Papaspyros, founders of Crewfiction, to talk about one of the biggest hurdles indie authors face after publishing their first book: marketing.
They explore why so many authors feel overwhelmed once the writing is done, how simplifying marketing systems can unlock creativity, and why connection—not complexity—is the key to long-term success. The conversation dives into email marketing, reader segmentation, collaboration between authors, and how tools like Crewfiction aim to streamline the process so authors can focus on storytelling.
In...
Episode 59: Direct Sales, Authenticity, and the Future of Author Marketing
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas break down marketing trends for 2026 and what authors should be focusing on moving forward. From authenticity to direct sales, they explore how the marketing landscape is shifting and what that means for indie authors.
They reflect on what worked in 2025, what didn’t, and why 2026 is shaping up to be the year of community building and direct reader relationships. The conversation covers strategic planning, content repurposing, in-person events, and practical tools that help streamline marketing without overwhelming creativity.
In this episode, they di...
Episode 58: How to Write a Compelling Romance Series & Keep Readers Coming Back
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore how to craft interconnected romance series that keep readers invested across multiple books. From sustaining chemistry to planning character arcs, they break down what makes a series feel cohesive without becoming overwhelming.
They discuss how world-building, setting choices, and emotional continuity shape reader loyalty, and why series don’t have to be long or complex to be effective. Whether you’re writing a duology, a friend-group romance arc, or a sprawling saga, this episode offers practical strategies for balancing interconnected storytelling with standalone read...
Episode 57: Romance Genres, Tropes and What Readers Really Want
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with romance author Holly Lyne to discuss the continued dominance of romance in today’s publishing landscape and what that means for indie authors.
They explore why romance accounts for more than half of the most sold Kindle titles, how reader expectations shape the genre, and why understanding subgenres and tropes is essential for success. The conversation also touches on dark romance, taboo themes, and how authors should approach reviews and reader feedback.
In this episode, they discuss:
Why romance leads today’s Ki...Episode 56: The Evolution of Romance: From Misunderstood to Empowered with Danika Bloom
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with bestselling contemporary romance author Danika Bloom to talk about her journey into romance writing, the power of representation, and why the genre deserves far more respect than it often gets.
Content note: This episode includes brief discussion of sexual assault and explicit themes in the context of romance writing and personal experience. Listener discretion is advised.
They explore how real-life experiences shape romantic storytelling, why conversations about sex in romance matter beyond the page, and how mentorship and...
Episode 55: The Heart of Writing Romance: Lessons On Love
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas explore the deeper value of romance literature and why it continues to resonate so powerfully with readers.
They discuss how romance teaches emotional literacy, normalizes communication and consent, and centers healing in ways other genres often don’t. From character depth to evolving genre trends, this conversation reframes romance not as “escapism,” but as a meaningful reflection of how people grow, love, and change.
In this episode, they explore:
Episode 54: The Emotional Core: Why Romance Works In Every Genre (After Dark Sneak Peek)
Welcome to Episode 54 of The Author Next Door — and a special sneak peek of our very first Author Next Door After Dark episode 🍷
In this After Dark preview, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell pull up a chair, pour a drink, and dig into a topic we love to challenge:
👉 Romance is not a genre — it’s a skill set.
From thrillers and fantasy to sci-fi and action, romance (or relationships) shape emotional stakes, character motivation, tension, and payoff — whether writers realize they’re using it or not. In this candid, unscripted conversation, we talk about:
W...Episode 53: How To Build Your Author Business With Intention
🧾 If you’ve published a book or two and you’re thinking… “Now what?” — this episode is for you.
In Episode 53 of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off the year with the unsexy-but-critical topic most authors avoid: business goals.
Because once you decide you want to earn income from your books, you’re not “just writing” anymore… you’re officially a small business owner.
In this episode, we talk about the question that changes everything:
✅ Is writing your hobby… or your career plan?
Your answer determines your path — from how you spen...
Episode 52: Finding Joy, Momentum & Growth as an Indie Author with Holly Lyne
✨ What happens when you stop chasing numbers—and start chasing joy instead?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with indie author Holly Lyne to reflect on a year of unexpected growth, mindset shifts, and creative breakthroughs.
Holly shares how 2025 became a transformative year in her author journey—one where simplifying goals, reconnecting with creativity, and focusing on genuine reader engagement led to more success than she ever anticipated.
Together, they talk honestly about the realities of indie publishing today: navigating digital marketing, experimenting with platforms like T...
Episode 51: New Year Energy: Writing Goals, Self-Care & Creative Dreams
✨ A new year means a fresh reset—for your writing, your goals, and yourself.
In the first episode of the year, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down to talk honestly about their writing goals, personal aspirations, and what they want this next season to look like—both on and off the page.
They dig into why focusing on one meaningful goal can be more powerful than chasing everything at once, how self-care plays a crucial role in long-term creative success, and why community matters more than ever for authors navigating publishing and career growth.
This...
Episode 50: Purpose, Mindset and Growth: Lessons for Every Author
🎉 Fifty episodes, countless lessons, and one incredible author journey.
In this milestone 50th episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell celebrate a year of real conversations about writing, publishing, and creative growth. Joining them is Dr. Jodi Blinco, a transformative leader, author, and mindset coach who shares powerful insights on personal growth, purpose-driven goals, and overcoming challenges in the writing life.
This episode is part celebration, part reflection, and part masterclass in creative resilience. Together, Angela, Cassie, and Dr. Blinco explore how to stay grounded, joyful, and purpose-focused—no matter where you are i...
