Midlife Creativity: Finding Your Voice and Purpose with Shamayne Olivia

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 relationships, not using people  *  How reciprocity and trust shape healthy author communities  *  What to look for when choosing the right writing spaces  *  Why consistency matters when building real connections  *  How community can strengthen both confidence and creativity  🛠️ Resources mentioned:  CliftonStrengths by Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx [https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Superstars Writing Seminar: https://superstarswriting.com/ [https://superstarswriting.com/] Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast [https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast] Dialogue Doctor Community: https://dialoguedoctor.com/ [https://dialoguedoctor.com/] Becca Syme – Write Better Faster 101: https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf101/ [https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf101/] 🎙️ Learn more about the show:  https://theauthornextdoor.com/ [https://theauthornextdoor.com/] 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:  https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod [https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod]

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, plate size, and the danger of forcing someone else’s system onto your own writing life. In this episode, they discuss: *  Why money conversations are essential in an author business  *  How brand behavior shows up in everything from reviews to social media  *  The risks of oversharing and comparison when you are the brand  *  Why rapid release is not the right strategy for every author  *  How to define a sustainable publishing cadence without burning out  🛠️ Resources mentioned:  Better-Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/ [https://betterfasteracademy.com/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] QuitCast for Writers: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/ [https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Dear Writer, Are You in Burn Out?: https://betterfasteracademy.com/books-by-becca-syme/dear-writer-are-you-in-burn-out/ [https://betterfasteracademy.com/books-by-becca-syme/dear-writer-are-you-in-burn-out/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Gallup CliftonStrengths: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx [https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx?utm_source=chatgpt.com] 🎙️ Learn more about the show:  https://theauthornextdoor.com/ [https://theauthornextdoor.com/] 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:  https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod [https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod]

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: *  How authors can balance creative passion with business thinking  *  Why strategic planning and roadmaps matter for long-term success  *  The role mindset and self-awareness play in decision-making  *  How community and partnerships support sustainable growth  *  Why rest and reflection are part of the process, not a distraction from it  🛠️ Resources mentioned:  Sheconomy: https://www.sherisesstudios.com/ [https://www.sherisesstudios.com/] Corporate Coach Approach: https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Coach-Approach-Systematic-Development/dp/1952465575  [https://www.amazon.com/Corporate-Coach-Approach-Systematic-Development/dp/1952465575] 🔗 Connect with Nicole Fronek: https://twohorseproductions.com/about/ [https://twohorseproductions.com/about/] 🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ [https://theauthornextdoor.com/] 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:  https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod [https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod]

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: *  Zac Diamanti’s journey from military service to publishing fantasy fiction  *  How personal experiences and catharsis shape stronger storytelling  *  What authors need to know about running a successful Kickstarter  *  Why social media matters for building visibility and reader trust  *  How community and business decisions work together in author growth  🛠️ Resources mentioned:  Zac Diamanti’s Website: https://zsdiamanti.com/ [https://zsdiamanti.com/] Kickstarter – Mages & Mayhem - Deluxe Edition: Cozy Fantasy Book: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/mages-and-mayhem-deluxe-edition-cozy-fantasy-book [https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/mages-and-mayhem-deluxe-edition-cozy-fantasy-book?utm_source=chatgpt.com] Free Fantasy Fiction: https://freefantasyfiction.com [https://freefantasyfiction.com] 🎙️ Learn more about the show:  https://theauthornextdoor.com/ [https://theauthornextdoor.com/] 📬 Sign up for our newsletter: https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod [https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod]

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 with intention. In this episode, they discuss: *  Why indie authors need a business mindset, not just a creative one  *  The importance of a separate bank account, bookkeeping, and understanding your business structure  *  Why your email list is one of your most valuable assets  *  How publishing plans, backlist strategy, and multiple revenue streams create stability  *  The tools and systems that help authors stay organized and professional  🛠️ Resources mentioned:  Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview [https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview] Vellum: https://vellum.pub/ [https://vellum.pub/] Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/ [https://www.atticus.io/] World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/ [https://www.worldanvil.com/] Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/ [https://draft2digital.com/] 🎙️ Learn more about the show:  https://theauthornextdoor.com/ [https://theauthornextdoor.com/]