🎙️ What happens when you blend creative freedom with smart business strategy? In this episode of The Author Next Door , Cassie Newell and Angela Haas talk with Sacha Black—author, entrepreneur, and writing mentor —about how she’s grown a thriving author business while staying true to the stories she loves to tell. We explore: Sacha’s shift from nonfiction to fiction —and what she learned along the way Balancing reader expectations with your own creative instincts How to build a loyal reader com...
Aug 20, 2025•58 min•Ep. 34
🎙️ Want to grow your author career without burning out? It starts with mindset, community, and a plan. In this episode of The Author Next Door , Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Bryan Cohen —author, coach, and host of The Sell More Books Show —to talk about what it really takes to build a thriving author business . We explore: · Why mindset is the foundation of long-term author success · How to build a supportive network that fuels your growth · Common book marketing pitfalls —and ho...
Aug 13, 2025•47 min•Ep. 33
🎙️ Is your author brand doing the heavy lifting or holding you back? In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas dive into the world of author branding what it really means, why it matters, and how to make yours stand out in a crowded market. We cover: How to build an author brand readers instantly connect with Why emotional resonance matters more than just aesthetics The biggest author branding mistakes (and how to fix them) Rebranding: when to do it and what t...
Aug 06, 2025•37 min•Ep. 32
How do you write romance characters readers actually care about? In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with story revision coach Sue Brown-Moore to unpack the art of character development in romance writing and why transformation is everything. We dive deep into: How to write compelling romance characters that feel real Common tropes (and how to make them fresh) The balance between creative freedom and market expectations The role of reader feedbac...
Jul 30, 2025•59 min•Ep. 31
🎙️ From Action Thrillers to Hockey Romance?! Bestselling author Nick Thacker joins The Author Next Door to talk about his wild genre jump—from high-octane explosions to heart-fluttering emotions. 💥💘 In this refreshingly honest (and hilarious) conversation, Nick opens up about: Swapping plot-driven thrillers for character-driven romance What surprised him most about writing love stories ❤️ How to balance emotional arcs with genre expectations Writing through trauma and writing it well Navigati...
Jul 23, 2025•1 hr•Ep. 30
🎙️ What makes a fictional character unforgettable? Let’s break it down. In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas unpack the art and heart of character creation in fiction—from crafting unforgettable protagonists to elevating side characters that steal the show. We dive into: The secret to writing memorable female leads 💪 Why side characters matter more than you think The power of strong character arcs and themes How quirks and flaws create emotional resonanc...
Jul 16, 2025•41 min•Ep. 29
🎙️ What happens when a mystery writer brings social justice, and a little theater flair, into the mix? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with mystery author Lynn Bohart, whose cozy mysteries weave together rich characters, real-world themes, and just the right touch of humor. We explore: How Lynn blends social justice into twisty, page-turning plots 🔍 Why setting and character motivation matter more than ever Using interviews with real people to fu...
Jul 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 28
🎙️ What makes a character unforgettable and what makes us roll our eyes? In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas dive into the craft of character creation, unpacking what makes some characters leap off the page (or screen) and why others fall flat. We dish on: Our favorite (and least favorite) characters from books, TV, and film The secret sauce behind writing compelling villains 🖤 How female characters have evolved and what we miss from the classics Why no...
Jul 02, 2025•36 min•Ep. 27
🎙️ What do hockey, heartbreak, and healing have in common? A really good romance novel. In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with international bestselling author Ava Miles to talk about her latest hockey romance, her writing journey, and how she crafts deeply emotional, authentic stories that resonate with readers. We explore: The irresistible appeal of sports romance (yes, even if you don’t love sports 🏒❤️) How Ava builds layered, powerful fem...
Jun 25, 2025•43 min•Ep. 26
🎉 25 episodes in and we’re just getting started! In this special milestone episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas take a moment to reflect on their podcasting journey so far—the lessons learned, the laughter shared, and the unexpected ways their conversations have shaped their writing and publishing lives. Inside this celebratory chat: Behind-the-scenes truths about co-hosting a podcast 🎙️ What surprised us most about interviewing guests How podcasting has changed...
Jun 18, 2025•24 min•Ep. 25
🎙️ What happens when two voices bring your story to life? Step inside the booth with real audiobook narrators. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell go behind the mic with audiobook narrators Jonathan Ricardo and Ashley Gatti to explore the fascinating world of audiobook narration—from performance to production and everything in between. We dive into: How Jonathan and Ashley got started in narration (spoiler: not a straight line) The art and complexity of duet n...
Jun 11, 2025•44 min•Ep. 24
🎙️ Why do so many authors quit after their first book—and how do you make sure you’re not one of them? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell tackle the tough (and very real) challenges authors face after publication—burnout, self-doubt, comparison, and the pressure to keep producing in an ever-changing industry. We dive into: Why some writers walk away after book one—and how to avoid it The emotional toll of post-publication burnout Navigating the rise of AI in ...
Jun 04, 2025•29 min•Ep. 23
🎙️ Writing crime fiction? Here’s what TV gets wrong and what real cops wish you knew. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Patrick O’Donnell, former police sergeant and crime novelist, to explore how real-life law enforcement differs from what we see on screen and how writers can get it right. We cover: Patrick’s journey from police work to publishing 📝🚔 The most common mistakes authors make in crime fiction How to research police procedure the ...
May 28, 2025•56 min•Ep. 22
🎙️ Finding the right editor isn’t just about fixing words, it’s about finding the right partner for your story. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with Alice Sudlow, a seasoned developmental editor and book coach, to unpack what really goes into a successful author–editor relationship. We explore: How to find the right editor for your personality, process, and goals Why understanding your values as a writer helps guide editorial decisions The emotion...
May 21, 2025•54 min•Ep. 21
🎙️ Finding the right people to support your writing career shouldn’t feel like a guessing game. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas break down how to build a reliable, empowering support team—from editors to cover designers to coaches—without getting burned or overwhelmed. We explore: How to vet publishing professionals with confidence The importance of writer’s groups and word-of-mouth referrals Why self-esteem and boundaries matter when you’re hiring help Th...
May 14, 2025•43 min•Ep. 20
🎙️ Ever wonder how your personality type influences your writing process or your characters? So did we! In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell dive into the power of personality tests like CliftonStrengths, Myers-Briggs, and the Enneagram and how they can deepen your writing, strengthen your characters, and improve your creative collaboration. We explore: How knowing your type can help you write smarter, not harder 🧠✍️ The surprising ways personality tests shape...
May 07, 2025•38 min•Ep. 19
🎙️ What does it really take to write a romance readers fall in love with? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with award-winning romance author Paula Judith Johnson for a deep dive into the craft, heart, and hustle of writing romance, especially in the historical space. We talk about: Paula’s path to becoming a romance author—and what she’s learned along the way Crafting emotionally rich, fully dimensional characters readers root for The unique challe...
Apr 30, 2025•53 min•Ep. 18
🎙️ Writing book one is hard, but book two? That’s a whole new beast. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with bestselling author Suzy Vadori about the unique challenges (and surprising rewards) of writing the second book in a series. We explore: Why the transition from book one to book two can feel overwhelming How to manage reader expectations—without losing your creative spark The delicate art of recaps, cliffhangers, and keeping the momentum going Suzy...
Apr 23, 2025•54 min•Ep. 17
🎙️ First person? Third? Omniscient? Let’s talk about the POV choices that shape your entire story. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell unpack writing in different points of views. What are they, how they work, and why choosing the right one matters more than you think. We explore: The pros and cons of first, second, and third person POV Why head hopping confuses readers (and how to avoid it) How genre expectations influence POV choices Tips for deepening reade...
Apr 16, 2025•32 min•Ep. 16
🎙️ Struggling to write natural, engaging dialogue? Jeff Elkins is here to help. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas talk craft with Jeff Elkins, award-winning author, editor, and the brilliant mind behind The Dialogue Doctor. Together, they unpack what makes dialogue really work—and how to avoid the most common pitfalls. We dive into: The biggest dialogue mistakes writers make (and how to fix them) Balancing inner thoughts and spoken words on the page How to h...
Apr 09, 2025•55 min•Ep. 15
🎙️ Ready to level up your writing? Let’s talk tools, techniques, and a few fun surprises. To kick off Craft Fair Month, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas dive into their favorite writing craft resources, sharing the books, tools, and strategies that have helped shape their storytelling and might just change yours, too. We explore: Go-to guides and must-read craft books on character and story structure How we each approach character development and world-building 🌍📝 Tools that support focus, flow,...
Apr 02, 2025•31 min•Ep. 14
🎙️ Think email lists are outdated? Think again, your author career might depend on one. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with bestselling author and marketing powerhouse Amy Van Sant about the real strategies behind email list building, audience engagement, and navigating the chaos of marketing across genres. We dive into: Why building an email list is still one of the smartest moves for authors Choosing the right mailing platform—and when to switch Au...
Mar 26, 2025•38 min•Ep. 13
🎙️ What do you do when the world shifts and your book marketing plans go with it? In this candid episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell open up about the challenges indie authors face when marketing during uncertain times, from industry disruptions to reader-facing boycotts—and everything in between. We dive into: The ripple effect of boycotts and shifting trends on small businesses and indie authors The importance of choosing the right platforms for promotion (and letti...
Mar 19, 2025•17 min•Ep. 11
🎙️ Is social media stealing your joy or helping you sell books? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with social media strategist Jenn DePaula to bust the biggest myths about using social media as an author and share what actually works. We dive into: The most common mistakes authors make on social media Why your messaging matters more than your follower count Goal metrics vs. vanity numbers: what should you really be tracking? 📊 How to shift your mar...
Mar 12, 2025•53 min•Ep. 11
🎙️ Marketing your books as an indie author? Exhausting. Necessary. Totally do-able. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas get real about the emotional and practical challenges of book marketing—especially when you're doing it all yourself. We cover: The mental load of marketing while still trying to write ✍️📢 How to build an audience without burning out What we’ve learned from marketing flops, false starts, and figuring it out the hard way The myth of “doing it...
Mar 05, 2025•22 min•Ep. 10
🎙️ Writing is hard! It's best not to do it alone. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with author K.S. Barton about the power (and the pitfalls) of writing community—and how finding the right people can transform your creative life. We explore: How to find and trust your unique writing voice ✍️ The value of critique groups—and red flags to watch for Navigating online writing communities with confidence When to walk away from feedback that doesn’t serve yo...
Feb 26, 2025•41 min•Ep. 9
🎙️ What really happens at a writing conference and how do you make it worth the time (and money)? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell recap their experience at the Superstars Writing Conference, sharing honest takeaways, helpful strategies, and a few surprises along the way. We cover: Why energy management is your secret weapon at conferences What to wear, what to pack, and how to prepare like a pro ✍️ The power of career counseling sessions (and why they’re w...
Feb 18, 2025•36 min•Ep. 8
🎙️ Thinking about attending a writing conference but not sure it’s worth it? Our guests have some thoughts. In this community-focused episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas are joined by a fantastic group of writers and industry pros—Heather Jones (aka Jen Fier), David Chenoweth, Jennifer Brinn, Jennifer Rose, Jason Hamilton, and Lyn Worthing—to talk all things writing conferences. We dive into: Why conferences are about more than panels and pitch sessions The difference...
Feb 11, 2025•21 min•Ep. 7
🎙️ Authors are you terrified of networking? You’re not alone! In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with author Herman Steuernagel about building community, making meaningful connections, and navigating the world of writing conferences—even if you’re an introvert. We dig into: How to network without feeling gross 🙃 Tips for shy, quiet, or socially exhausted writers Choosing the right conferences for your personality and goals How your conference goals evol...
Feb 04, 2025•50 min•Ep. 6
🎙️ Just showing up for your writing time is sometimes the hardest part. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with author, editor, and literary coach Racquel Henry to explore the internal battles writers face—and how mindset can make or break your creative momentum. We discuss: Racquel’s own writing journey and how she learned to show up for herself The power of “touching your project daily”—and what that really means Why comparison is creativity’s kryp...
Jan 29, 2025•41 min•Ep. 5
