The Author Next Door

Angela Haas & Cassie Newell
  • 5.0 (5)
  • 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. Social Media For Authors: What Actually Works with Aimee Ravichandran

    2D AGO

    Social Media For Authors: What Actually Works with Aimee Ravichandran

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Aimee Ravichandran of Abundantly Social to talk about what actually works in social media and book marketing right now — and how authors can stop feeling so overwhelmed by all the noise. They discuss consistency, audience fatigue, platform selection, community building, and the difference between chasing vanity metrics versus cultivating real reader relationships. The conversation also dives into Facebook groups, Instagram engagement, newsletter growth, paid ads, and why authors need to think long-term when it comes to marketing their books. In this episode, they discuss: Why consistency matters more than chasing every algorithm changeHow authors can show up online without feeling like content machinesWhich metrics actually matter when measuring marketing successWhy authentic community beats follower count every timeHow social media, promotions, and paid ads work together over time✨ Learn more about Aimee and Abundantly Social: https://abundantlysocial.com/ 🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

    52 min
  2. Episode 60: Simplify Your Marketing Strategy with Crewfiction

    MAR 11

    Episode 60: Simplify Your Marketing Strategy with Crewfiction

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with Sam Namias and Tom Papaspyros, founders of Crewfiction, to talk about one of the biggest hurdles indie authors face after publishing their first book: marketing. They explore why so many authors feel overwhelmed once the writing is done, how simplifying marketing systems can unlock creativity, and why connection—not complexity—is the key to long-term success. The conversation dives into email marketing, reader segmentation, collaboration between authors, and how tools like Crewfiction aim to streamline the process so authors can focus on storytelling. In this episode, they discuss: Why marketing is often the point where authors quitThe importance of building authentic connections with readersHow email marketing remains one of the most powerful tools for authorsThe value of collaboration and community among indie writersWhy simplifying marketing systems can increase creativity and consistency🚀 To learn more about Crew Fiction, sign up here: https://l.gourl.es/l/151d0af4f3b6d6862eb94997a0d25f20268f1c48?u=11689812 (Disclosure: This is an affiliate link. If you choose to sign up, it helps support the podcast at no additional cost to you.) 🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

    56 min
  3. Episode 59: Direct Sales, Authenticity, and the Future of Author Marketing

    MAR 4

    Episode 59: Direct Sales, Authenticity, and the Future of Author Marketing

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas break down marketing trends for 2026 and what authors should be focusing on moving forward. From authenticity to direct sales, they explore how the marketing landscape is shifting and what that means for indie authors. They reflect on what worked in 2025, what didn’t, and why 2026 is shaping up to be the year of community building and direct reader relationships. The conversation covers strategic planning, content repurposing, in-person events, and practical tools that help streamline marketing without overwhelming creativity. In this episode, they discuss: Why 2026 is the year of direct sales for authorsHow authenticity strengthens long-term reader loyaltyRepurposing content to save time and increase visibilityLeveraging in-person events to build communityTools and strategies that simplify author marketing🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

    41 min
  4. Episode 58: How to Write a Compelling Romance Series & Keep Readers Coming Back

    FEB 25

    Episode 58: How to Write a Compelling Romance Series & Keep Readers Coming Back

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore how to craft interconnected romance series that keep readers invested across multiple books. From sustaining chemistry to planning character arcs, they break down what makes a series feel cohesive without becoming overwhelming. They discuss how world-building, setting choices, and emotional continuity shape reader loyalty, and why series don’t have to be long or complex to be effective. Whether you’re writing a duology, a friend-group romance arc, or a sprawling saga, this episode offers practical strategies for balancing interconnected storytelling with standalone readability. In this episode, they discuss: How to sustain chemistry and tension across multiple booksThe role of world-building and setting in romance seriesDesigning multi-character friend groups and family dynamicsMarketing considerations for series versus standalone novels🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

    43 min
  5. Episode 57: Romance Genres, Tropes and What Readers Really Want

    FEB 18

    Episode 57: Romance Genres, Tropes and What Readers Really Want

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with romance author Holly Lyne to discuss the continued dominance of romance in today’s publishing landscape and what that means for indie authors. They explore why romance accounts for more than half of the most sold Kindle titles, how reader expectations shape the genre, and why understanding subgenres and tropes is essential for success. The conversation also touches on dark romance, taboo themes, and how authors should approach reviews and reader feedback. In this episode, they discuss: Why romance leads today’s Kindle marketplaceThe importance of reader expectations in romanceWhat defines dark romance and its appealWhy engaging with negative reviews can hurt more than help🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp➡ Get to know Holly Lyne here: https://hblyne.com/

    41 min
  6. Episode 56: The Evolution of Romance: From Misunderstood to Empowered with Danika Bloom

    FEB 11

    Episode 56: The Evolution of Romance: From Misunderstood to Empowered with Danika Bloom

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with bestselling contemporary romance author Danika Bloom to talk about her journey into romance writing, the power of representation, and why the genre deserves far more respect than it often gets. Content note: This episode includes brief discussion of sexual assault and explicit themes in the context of romance writing and personal experience. Listener discretion is advised. They explore how real-life experiences shape romantic storytelling, why conversations about sex in romance matter beyond the page, and how mentorship and community play a critical role in helping authors grow. The conversation also looks at how romance continues to evolve as more diverse voices enter the genre, creating space for deeper connection and empowerment for readers and writers alike. In this episode, they discuss: How Danika Bloom found her way into romance writing in 2020Why romance is a powerful vehicle for representation and empowermentThe challenges and importance of writing sex scenes as part of character developmentHow open conversations about sex in romance normalize real-life communicationThe role of mentorship and community in supporting romance authorsWhy finding your niche in romance is a deeply personal journey🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp💋 Check out Danika's work here: https://www.danikabloom.com/👉 Explore Author Ever After: https://www.authoreverafter.com/

    55 min
  7. Episode 55: The Heart of Writing Romance: Lessons On Love

    FEB 4

    Episode 55: The Heart of Writing Romance: Lessons On Love

    In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas explore the deeper value of romance literature and why it continues to resonate so powerfully with readers. They discuss how romance teaches emotional literacy, normalizes communication and consent, and centers healing in ways other genres often don’t. From character depth to evolving genre trends, this conversation reframes romance not as “escapism,” but as a meaningful reflection of how people grow, love, and change. In this episode, they explore: Why romance uniquely teaches readers about love and emotional intelligenceHow the hero’s journey shows up in personal love storiesThe importance of character depth and emotional healingHow romance has shifted conversations around boundaries and consentWhy rom-coms may be on the verge of a comeback🎙️ Learn more about the show: https://theauthornextdoor.com/ 📬 Sign up for exclusive content: https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

    40 min
  8. Episode 54: The Emotional Core: Why Romance Works In Every Genre (After Dark Sneak Peek)

    JAN 28

    Episode 54: The Emotional Core: Why Romance Works In Every Genre (After Dark Sneak Peek)

    Welcome to Episode 54 of The Author Next Door — and a special sneak peek of our very first Author Next Door After Dark episode 🍷 In this After Dark preview, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell pull up a chair, pour a drink, and dig into a topic we love to challenge: 👉 Romance is not a genre — it’s a skill set. From thrillers and fantasy to sci-fi and action, romance (or relationships) shape emotional stakes, character motivation, tension, and payoff — whether writers realize they’re using it or not. In this candid, unscripted conversation, we talk about: Why every genre uses romance tools (even when it pretends not to)How romance subplots increase pressure, stakes, and reader investmentThe difference between character flaws vs. emotional woundsWhat chemistry really reveals about power dynamics and valuesWhy misplaced kisses ruin great action scenes (yes, we’re looking at you, Hollywood 👀)Why romance is still misunderstood — and why that’s finally changingThis episode is looser, deeper, and more unfiltered than our regular episodes — the kind of conversation that usually happens after hours, when authors stop performing and start telling the truth. ✨ Want more After Dark episodes like this? Future After Dark conversations are available only to our newsletter subscribers, and they’re always: Bite-sizedHonestCraft-focusedRomance-forward (without the fluff)👉 Sign up for our free newsletter using the link below to get access to upcoming After Dark episodes — including next month’s candid discussion on spice, tension, and why emotional foreplay matters more than page count. Pull up a chair. Pour a drink. Welcome to After Dark. 🔔 Subscribe for more! ➡  https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor     🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/   Sign up for exclusive content 👉  https://bit.ly/49hvRVp 🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:    ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure  🚀💕  https://ahaaswrites.com/     CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/   Young Adult 🧚  https://authorcmnewell.com/    ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 romance in every genre, romance writing craft, emotional core of storytelling, writing emotional stakes, romance subplot, character chemistry, writing relationships, emotional tension in fiction, romance author podcast, writing craft podcast

    59 min
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5
out of 5
5 Ratings

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
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025
  • Show Website
    The Author Next Door

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