SPA Girls Podcast

SPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors
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Join the SPA Girls each week for the top self-publishing podcast!

  1. 1d ago

    Debunking Publishing Myths & How To Beat Procrastination ft. Rachael Herron (Classic Replay EP#563)  

    This episode was originally recorded in 2021. We’re replaying it because the advice hasn’t aged a day. Most writers don’t have a talent problem. They have a fear problem. In this Classic Replay, internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron joins Trudi, Shar, Cheryl and Wendy to talk about why fear is the real engine behind procrastination, what to actually do about it, and three publishing myths that need to die. Rachael has written more than two dozen books across thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir and nonfiction for writers. She publishes both traditionally and independently, which makes her one of the most useful people to ask about how those two paths really compare — money included. What we cover: How seven years of not writing ended with a 50,000-word NaNoWriMo draft — and a three-book deal at auction What a six-figure, three-book New York deal actually paid her per year after taxes and agent commission Why she’s never earned out a US advance, and what “earning out” really means How keeping ANZ rights separate accidentally launched her self-publishing career Why she now makes more from self-publishing than from traditional Three publishing myths worth killing: that you need a degree, that a big advance means you can quit your job, and that publishers market better than you do Ira Glass’s “gap” theory, and why your good taste is the thing making you miserable Building a “trash mountain” first draft on purpose Her revision toolbox: the sentence outline, 100 Post-its, and writing forward as if you’ve already fixed it Practical anti-procrastination tactics — the café with no Wi-Fi, the check-in buddy, the 45-minute burst Swapping your to-do list for a “ta-da list” Writing across multiple genres, and what it costs you Rachael’s one piece of advice: write “Don’t wait” on a Post-it and stick it on your computer. About Rachael Herron Rachael Herron (also writing as R.H. Herron) is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and has taught writing extension workshops at UC Berkeley and Stanford. Her most recent novel is The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland. She lives in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. Find Rachael: rachaelherron.com | How Do You Write podcast | Resources for writers Note since recording: NaNoWriMo closed as an organisation in March 2025. For a structured drafting challenge, try Sarra Cannon’s Rough Draft Challenge at roughdraftchallenge.com 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” ❤️ Watch our episode recordings on the SPA Girls Podcast You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

  2. Jul 22

    Writing Fear & Emotion That Hooks Readers ft. Becca Puglisi (EP#562)

    Why do some characters feel real enough to root for while others fall flat despite having every “correct” ingredient? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP562), we dive into writing fear and emotion with Becca Puglisi, international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus. Becca’s writing craft books have sold over 1.4 million copies and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and universities worldwide. Becca unpacks the difference between surface-level fear and the deep, wound-driven fear that powers a character’s arc — and how to weave it through your whole story without spelling it out. We talk showing vs. telling emotion, the danger of over-aware characters who kill reader empathy, using setting to amplify feeling, how fear drives the plot through turning points and choices, and why villains weaponise fear while protagonists learn to overcome it. Whether you’re a plotter or a “messy middle” pantser, this one will change how you build characters readers can’t stop caring about. If your book isn’t working, the problem might be that you haven’t nailed your character’s fear yet. Watch On You-Tube 👤 ABOUT BECCA PUGLISI: Becca Puglisi is the bestselling co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus series (with Angela Ackerman), an international speaker and writing coach whose resources have sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide. She’s the co-founder of the Writers Helping Writers blog and One Stop for Writers, home to the Character Builder and Storyteller’s Roadmap tools. 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Writers Helping Writers blog: https://writershelpingwriters.net One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com The Fear Thesaurus (Becca’s newest release) The Emotion Thesaurus & the full thesaurus series 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: https://www.spagirlspodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

  3. Jul 15

    Turning Down a Six-Figure Trad Deal & Building a Sustainable Indie Author Career, ft. Brenna Aubrey (Classic Replay EP#561)

    This week we’re revisiting a favourite conversation with USA Today bestselling author Brenna Aubrey — and it’s a masterclass in both bold business decisions and long-term career survival. Brenna takes us right back to the beginning: writing sprawling epic fantasy at night while her husband worked the graveyard shift, stumbling into her local RWA chapter, and the shower-thought that became her breakout gamer romance, At Any Price. Then came the moment that made her something of a self-publishing legend — her debut went to auction, two houses landed in a bidding war, and Brenna told her agent there was a third bidder: herself. She walked away from a six-figure, three-book deal to go indie… and made back more than that offer in her first year. Brenna is refreshingly honest about the long fall that can follow a big high, including the online criticism she wasn’t prepared for, and walks us through the mindset practices that brought her back (mindfulness, meditation, EFT tapping, gratitude journaling, time in nature, and Becca Syme’s strengths work), and why “anxiety lies, depression lies” became a mantra. On the business side, Brenna shares her framework for career longevity. Whether you’re weighing traditional vs indie, clawing your way out of a rough patch, or thinking about how to keep this career going for the long haul, Brenna’s warmth and honesty will leave you feeling seen — and hopeful. Watch Episode Recording on YouTube In this episode: The bidding war — and why Brenna became her own “third bidder” Trad vs indie: the scheduling, cover, and non-compete red flags that made her choose self-publishing The crash after the high, and why mindset is “a full-time job” Brenna’s practical mindset toolkit for anxiety and burnout Trying something new: co-writing, serializing, and new genres as career fuel “Series 2.0”: rebranding covers and moving wide → KU Why less-is-more back matter converts better Her one golden nugget for career longevity Links & resources mentioned: Brenna Aubrey’s website: https://brennaaubrey.net/ Becca Syme — Strengths for Writers (QuitBooks / Better-Faster Academy) Zoe York — Romance Your Brand / Series 2.0 Penny Reid (cover branding help) Headspace app; “Therapy in a Nutshell” (YouTube); EFT tapping SPA Girls episodes with Zoe York – EP#335, EP#226, EP#65 About Brenna Aubrey Brenna is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance featuring geek culture. Her bestselling romance series, Gaming The System, is available in eBook and print format across all vendors. When she’s not dreaming up people and worlds and writing them down, she’s also a mom, wife, teacher, avid reader, a proud geek-girl, a self-confessed gaming addict, a French-speaking Francophile, lover of nature and beautiful sunsets. Find her at www.brennaaubrey.net 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” ❤️ Watch our episode recordings on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity

  4. Jul 8

    Cracking the German Book Market ft. USA Today Bestseller Skye MacKinnon (EP#560)

    Germany is the third-biggest book market in the world — and it’s still hungry for indie authors. This week we’re joined by USA Today bestselling romance author Skye MacKinnon, who returns to update us on everything that’s changed in German translations since her first appearance in 2023. Skye has more than 70 novels across three pen names, and Germany is now her biggest market worldwide. She’s just released the second edition of Self-Publishing in German, and it’s more than double the length of the original — because there was that much to update. From the collapse of IngramSpark distribution in Germany to Tolino’s new audiobook feature, from why print books still matter to how gorgeously the Germans do special editions, Skye walks us through what indie authors need to know in 2026. IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER: What’s changed in the German market since 2023 (spoiler: a lot) Why IngramSpark no longer works for German distribution — and what to use instead The Tolino Alliance: how German booksellers built a genuine Amazon alternative The fixed-price law every wide author needs to understand before publishing in Germany Why print books still sell — and why German special editions are on another level How to market in a language you don’t speak (and why you already have most of the content) Cover trends: object covers vs man-chest, and why German romance covers look different Genres that thrive in Germany — including one surprising winner (hint: Westerns) The Impressum, title protection, and other legal must-knows Why translators legally own the copyright of your translation (and why that’s fine) Reader behaviour: Lovely Books, newsletter engagement, and the Rare signing surprise Is it still worth entering the German market in 2026? Skye’s honest answer Whether you’re translation-curious or already have German books and want to sell more of them, this one’s packed with practical, up-to-date advice from someone actually doing it. 👤 ABOUT SKYE MacKINNON: Skye B. MacKinnon is a Scottish USA Today bestselling romance author who has written 70+ novels across multiple pen names, including 50 adult novels and 20 children’s books (as Isla Wynter). A former journalist, she’s been a full-time author since 2018 and has been publishing in German since 2020 — where her books have been featured in hundreds of Thalia bookstores, hit number one in Apple Books Germany’s free chart, and won the Tolino All-Star Favorites Award for Children’s Book in 2025. She’s an admin of the Wide for the Win group and consults with indie authors on breaking into the German market. 🔗 www.skyemackinnon.com 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Self-Publishing in German: Second Edition — Skye’s book (available direct from skyemackinnon.com, plus all major retailers) Marketing German Indie Book Translations — Skye’s Facebook group for authors translating into German Tolino Alliance — the German bookseller ecosystem that’s roughly equal in size to Amazon Germany Lovely Books — the German equivalent of Goodreads Findaway Voices / InAudio — audiobook distribution Wide for the Win — Facebook group Skye admins for wide indie authors 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity

  5. Jul 1

    How to Write a Book Series Readers Binge ft. Helen Scheuerer (Classic Replay EP#559)

    Want to write a book series readers binge — and come back to buy again and again? Bestselling YA fantasy author Helen Scheuerer joins the SPA Girls to break down how to design a series that hooks readers, boosts your read-through rate, and sets you up for long-term author income. Whether you’re plotting your first trilogy or wondering if your genre even suits a series, this episode covers the strategy behind binge-worthy fiction. Helen shares the real reasons a series is more lucrative than standalones (hint: you build your audience once), how to use open loops, breadcrumbs, and cliffhangers to pull readers into the next instalment, and why a working series bible will save you serious time and heartache. She also unpacks exit and expansion strategies so a slow-selling — or runaway-hit — series never traps you. 🔁 CLASSIC REPLAY — This episode was originally recorded in 2022 and the series-building advice is just as relevant today. #SelfPublishing #WriteAStory #IndieAuthor 📌 IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 — Introduction & catching up with Helen 03:30 — What actually counts as a “series” (dynamic vs static) 06:00 — Why a series is more lucrative than standalones 10:30 — How many books should a series be? (and why not to lock it in) 14:00 — Literary universes & rewarding long-term readers 19:00 — How Helen plans a brand-new series from scratch 27:00 — Open loops, breadcrumbs & cliffhangers explained 38:00 — Series arc vs individual book arcs 47:00 — Keeping a series bible (and why every genre needs one) 58:00 — Does any genre NOT suit a series? 👤 ABOUT HELEN SCHEUERER: Helen Scheuerer is the bestselling YA fantasy author of The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet, known for strong, flawed female characters and action-packed plots often likened to Sarah J. Maas. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Writing and a Masters of Publishing, and now writes full-time from the mountains of New Zealand. Her non-fiction guide, How to Write a Successful Series, distils everything she’s learned across two bestselling series. 🔗 https://helenscheuerer.com/ 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: • How To Write A Successful Series: Writing Strategies For Authors by Helen B. Scheuerer: https://helenscheuerer.com/ • Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes • The One Page Novel outline by Derek Murphy 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

  6. Jun 24

    Mental Resilience for Indie Authors (EP#558)

    Why do the highs and lows of an indie author career always hit when you least expect them? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP558), it’s just the four of us — Cheryl, Shar, Wendy, and Trudi — talking openly about mental resilience and how to weather the emotional rollercoaster of self-publishing. We unpack the panic of watching your numbers drop, the comparison trap, and the burnout that can quietly creep up on even seasoned authors. Whether you’re spiraling over a bad sales week or questioning whether your writing matters at all, this episode is a reminder that the dips are part of the journey — and you will come out the other side. We share the real tools we’ve used to climb back up: managing what you can control, setting boundaries with social media, knowing when to fold ’em, and learning to be gentle with yourself. #SelfPublishing #AuthorMindset #IndieAuthor Watch on YouTube 📌 IN THIS EPISODE: • Why you can’t measure your worth against your Amazon ranking • The “money date” approach to checking your numbers without the panic • How comparison and online echo chambers fuel the spiral • Accepting that change is normal (blame the saber-toothed tiger) • Recognising and recovering from burnout • Knowing when to say yes — and when to walk away • Controlling the narrative and asking for help • Remembering your “why” and defining your own version of success 📌 LINKS MENTIONED Heather Hildenbrand https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep434-top-3-mindset-tips-for-authors-with-heather-hildenbrand/ Screen Zen phone app 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.spagirlspodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

  7. Jun 16

    Six-Figure Income on One Book a Year: An Indie Author’s Slow-Release Strategy ft. Helen Scheuerer (EP#557 Classic Replay)

    🔁 CLASSIC REPLAY — This episode was originally recorded in 2021 and the strategy is just as relevant today. Helen has since gone on to become an internationally bestselling romantasy author with multiple series, proving the long-game approach works. What if you could earn six figures a year writing just ONE book? We sit down with International Bestselling Fantasy author Helen Scheuerer to unpack how she built a six-figure self-publishing career on a single annual release — the opposite of the “rapid release” model most indie authors are told to follow. Helen took her traditional publishing education (Bachelor of Creative Writing, Masters of Publishing) and applied it to her indie career with stunning results. If you’re a slow writer, a perfectionist, or a deep-world fantasy author who can’t churn out four books a year, this episode is for you. We dig into Helen’s launch strategy, her decision to leave traditional publishing behind, and the marketing approach that lets one book a year perform spectacularly. Watch On You Tube 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Oremere Chronicles trilogy: https://helenscheuerer.com/the-oremere-chronicles/ About Helen Helen Scheuerer is the Sunday Times bestselling author best known for her romantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and The Ashes of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. She also publishes advice for authors with her nonfiction series, Books For Career Authors. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories. Find her at: https://helenscheuerer.com/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

  8. Jun 9

    How to Market Audiobooks Wide: Direct Sales, Spotify & Facebook Ads ft. Rebecca Hefner (EP#556)

    What if you could make more money selling audiobooks direct than on Amazon and Audible combined? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP556), USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner returns for a third time to break down exactly how she’s doing it — and how indie authors can market audiobooks wide, build a direct store that converts, and stop relying on a single retailer. Rebecca walks us through the Facebook ad strategies, Pinterest funnels, newsletter excerpt formula, and bundle pricing that now drive the majority of her author revenue from her own Shopify and Payhip stores. We also dig into the rapidly changing audiobook landscape — Spotify, YouTube audiobooks, Kobo Plus, and why repackaging your existing catalog into box sets is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. Whether you’re brand new to direct selling or already running a wide audiobook strategy, this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff advice from someone testing it all in real time. watch on YouTube 👤 ABOUT REBECCA HEFNER: USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home. In her youth, she would sneak into her mother’s bedroom and read the romance novels stashed on the bookshelf, cementing her love of HEAs. A huge Buffy and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father). Before becoming an author, Rebecca had a successful sales career. After launching her own indie publishing company, she is now a full-time author who also helps coach authors especially on publishing Wide strategies and direct selling. Rebecca’s author website is rebeccahefner.com and visit https://indieauthorvault.com for a free listing of curated resources for authors. She is also the admin of the Marketing Audiobooks Wide group on FB (https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingaudiobookswide) and Buy Direct From Authors (https://buydirectfromauthors.com/) which we highly recommend you join. 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Indie Author Vault: https://indieauthorvault.com Indie Audiobook Deals: https://indieaudiobookdeals.com Buy Direct From Authors: https://buydirectfromauthors.com Wide & Direct Autthor Substack: https://wideauthormarketing.substack.com Book a Consult with Rebecca: https://payhip.com/b/L6XMI 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

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Join the SPA Girls each week for the top self-publishing podcast!

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  • Creator
    SPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    300
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © copyright SPA Girls Podcast
  • Show Website
    SPA Girls Podcast