The Author Next Door

Angela Haas & Cassie Newell
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Books
  • Updated Weekly

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.

  1. 5d ago

    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. They also discuss an essential romance-writing question: What happens when a story tells the audience there's romantic tension but doesn't quite make them feel it? In this episode, they discuss: How control and restraint create romantic tensionThe different approaches to romance in Dirty Dancing and The Idea of YouHow age gaps and societal judgment influence romantic decisionsWhy emotional vulnerability matters to romantic payoffUsing show, don't tell to make readers feel the longing🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    The Moment They Lose Control

  2. 6d ago

    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 into another book. In this episode, they discuss: What makes a side character feel memorableWhy supporting characters need independent goalsHow side characters can reveal new sides of the protagonistWhen a supporting character is becoming too importantWhy distinctive names, voices, and traits matterHow side characters strengthen world-buildingMaintaining character consistency across a series🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Your Side Characters Need a Life

  3. Sep 23

    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 initially feels like a limitation into part of their creative strength. The conversation also explores the realities of indie publishing, author branding, marketing, Kickstarter, character development, and why building a sustainable career often requires experimentation, iteration, and asking for help. In this episode, they discuss: Deborah’s transition from screenwriting to urban fantasyWriting compelling older female charactersTurning perceived limitations into creative strengthsUsing emotional exploration to develop charactersBuilding and evolving an indie author brandNavigating marketing without losing your creative identityUsing Kickstarter and community to support your author businessWhy authors do not have to do everything aloneLearn more about Deborah Wilde:https://deborahwilde.com 🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Finding Your Author Voice in a Crowded Market with Deborah Wilde

  4. Sep 16

    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, new technology, and why independent creators sometimes have to build their own opportunities instead of waiting for permission. In this episode, they discuss: What makes a book adaptable for screen or stageWhy relatable characters matter across different formatsHow books, screenplays, and theater require different storytelling approachesThe growing world of vertical series and short-form storytellingWhy networking matters for writers and filmmakersHow indie creators can begin building their own opportunitiesLearn more about Jennifer Lieberman:https://www.jenniferliebermanactor.com/ Jennifer’s book, Year of What?:https://www.amazon.com/Year-What-Jennifer-Lieberman-ebook/dp/B08NT1PV64 🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Is Your Book Adaptable with Jennifer Lieberman

  5. Sep 9

    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. In this episode, they discuss: Why authors should build their profile before they need publicityHow PR differs from simply marketing a bookWhy consistency matters in author brandingHow interviews and media appearances build long-term visibilityWhat authors should look for when choosing a PR partnerCommon communication mistakes that can hurt media opportunitiesLearn more about Creative Edge Publicity:https://www.creative-edge.services/🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    PR For Authors: Build Visibility Before You Need It with Mickey Mikkelson

  6. Sep 2

    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 creative work is a very different question. They also look at song titles versus lyrics, movie references and quotes, public domain, fair use, and when an author might start thinking about trademark protection for a larger series or brand. In this episode, they discuss: The difference between trademark and copyrightWhy ideas and tropes are different from copyrighted expressionReferencing brands, movies, and songs in fictionWhy song lyrics require extra cautionFair use versus public domainWhen indie authors might consider trademark protectionImportant: Angela and Cassie are authors, not attorneys. This episode provides general educational information and should not be considered legal advice. Authors with questions about a specific book, use, or business should consult a qualified attorney. 🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Copyright, Trademark & Fair Use: What Indie Authors Need to Know

  7. Aug 26

    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. In this episode, they discuss: Why chemistry is essential to a satisfying romanceHow reader expectations influence reactions to adaptationsWhy nostalgia alone cannot create emotional investmentThe challenges of writing dual timelines and backstoryWhat authors should consider when using familiar romance tropes🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    When Chemistry Gets Lost From Text To Screen

  8. Aug 12

    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 emphasisWhy short sentences can accelerate pacingHow sentence length affects action, dialogue, and reflectionWhy formatting can reveal character voiceWhat poetry can teach fiction writers about space and rhythm 🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    How Formatting Can Reveal Character, Tension, and Hidden Emotion
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About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Angela Haas & Cassie Newell
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    89
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Author Next Door

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