The Author Next Door

Angela Haas & Cassie Newell
  • 5.0 (6)
  • Books
  • 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. 4d ago

    Writing the Weird Together with Jeff Elkins and JP Rindfleisch IX

    What happens when two authors share one fictional world, seven character perspectives, and wildly different ideas about who should survive the next chapter? Authors Jeff Elkins and JP Rindfleisch IX return to The Author Next Door to celebrate the release of Season Two of NRDS: National Recently Deceased Services, their queer paranormal comedy about an underfunded federal ghost-hunting agency that's spectacularly bad at its job. But behind the supernatural chaos, questionable government agencies, and 666 F-bombs is a fascinating creative partnership. Angela and Cassie dig into how Jeff and JP outline, draft, edit, and occasionally derail their own plans—all while trusting each other to make the story better. The conversation also explores a challenge many authors face: how to build a series with a large cast without overwhelming readers. Plus, Jeff shares why the second book took longer than expected, JP explains how a redesigned cover transformed their in-person sales experience, and everyone swaps ghost stories just in time for Halloween. In this episode, they discuss: How two authors with different creative styles co-write a seriesBuilding trust, handling edits, and embracing the "yes, and" approachWhy creative detours and delays can sometimes improve a manuscriptIntroducing large casts without overwhelming readersManaging multiple POVs and developing characters across a seriesLearning from books that don't work for you as a readerWhy book covers matter when selling books in personGhost stories, supernatural encounters, and Halloween chaos👻 Connect with JP Rindfleisch IX:https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/ ✍️ Connect with Jeff Elkins:https://jeffelkinswriter.com/ 🎙️ Explore the Dialogue Doctor:https://dialoguedoctor.com/ 🎧 More about The Author Next Door:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📻 Find us on Authors on the Air:https://soundcloud.com/authorsontheair 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Writing the Weird Together with Jeff Elkins and JP Rindfleisch IX

  2. Oct 21

    From the Badge to the Bookshelf with Patrick O'Donnell

    What does it take to turn a writing career into a thriving author business? Sometimes it starts with a little crime scene tape and a willingness to talk to strangers. Former Milwaukee police sergeant and returning guest Patrick O'Donnell joins Angela and Cassie to share his journey from writing crime thrillers to publishing true stories from his 25 years in law enforcement. But Patrick isn't just writing books. He's finding creative ways to sell them, building relationships with local businesses, and turning everyday conversations into opportunities to connect with readers. From book signings at coffee shops and community events to media appearances, podcast promotion, and early preorders, Patrick shares the strategies that have worked for him and what he's learned when things didn't go as planned. In this episode, they discuss: Writing true police stories versus fictional crime thrillersFinding unconventional places to sell booksCreating displays that attract potential readersHow to pitch your book in 15 secondsBuilding relationships with bookstores, businesses, and local mediaLearning from unsuccessful book signingsUsing preorders, back matter, and podcasts to support book launchesThe advantages of collaborating with other authors🚔 Connect with Patrick O'Donnell and the Cops and Writers Podcast:https://copsandwriters.com/📚 Buy the book! https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0GSLDPD55 🎙️ More about The Author Next Door:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    From the Badge to the Bookshelf with Patrick O'Donnell

  3. Oct 14

    Is Your Book Really Done? with Alycia E. Anderson

    What happens when the book you're supposed to be writing isn't the book your creativity wants you to write? Romantic fantasy author Alycia E. Anderson joins Angela and Cassie to talk about balancing romance and fantasy, navigating reader expectations, building immersive worlds without overwhelming readers, and knowing when a manuscript is finally ready to leave your hands. Alycia also shares how getting stuck on one book led her to write an entirely different novel and why that creative detour ultimately gave her the energy to return to her original series with fresh eyes. In this episode, they discuss:• The difference between romantic fantasy and romantasy• Marketing books that don't fit neatly into one category• Why creative detours aren't always procrastination• How to know when a manuscript is actually finished• Creating slow-burn romance with enough yearning and payoff• Building fantasy worlds without info dumps• Why creative writing deserves to be treated like an art form Connect with Alycia E. Anderson:📚 https://linktr.ee/authoralyciaeanderson📸 https://www.instagram.com/alyciaeanderson_author/ 🎙️ More about The Author Next Door:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

    Is Your Book Really Done? with Alycia E. Anderson

  4. Oct 7

    Writing Dark Romance with Kelly R. Nelson

    What makes a romance dark? Is it the spice level, the themes, the characters—or how far an author is willing to take the reader emotionally? In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with dark romance author Kelly R. Nelson about writing emotionally intense stories, handling difficult themes, and finding the balance between darkness, vulnerability, romance, and healing. Kelly shares how she approaches the spectrum of dark romance, researches perspectives outside her own, and learned to rethink her stance on trigger warnings after talking directly with readers. But the conversation goes beyond craft. Kelly is also navigating that familiar sophomore-author question: I wrote the books…now how do I get people to read them? From bookstore signings and hand-selling to social media, author branding, and simply being willing to try something before you know whether it will work, Kelly shares what she's learning while building her indie author career. In this episode, they discuss: What makes a romance "dark"Balancing heavy themes, spice, vulnerability, and healingWriting intimate scenes from different character perspectivesTrigger warnings and reader expectations in dark romanceFinding your readers instead of trying to reach everyoneWhy Kelly has found success selling books in personTreating your author career like a small businessWhy sometimes you have to stop preparing and just try the thingLearn more about Kelly R. Nelson:https://www.kellyrnelsonstoryteller.com/ 🎙️ Learn more about the show:https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for our newsletter:https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

  5. Sep 30

    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

  6. Sep 29

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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5
out of 5
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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
    93
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Author Next Door

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