Welsh writer Jennifer Holdich’s second novel is as darkly funny as her first. Her love of Roald Dahl, specifically his children’s book The Twits, inspired Mr. and Mrs. Dixon Hide a Body. Holdich talks about her second novel angst, what plagued her writing process, and what kept her writing about a couple of horrible people trapped in a loveless marriage committed to doing horrible things to each other. She stitches together a seamstress, a sublimely evil prank, and a killer ending sure to delight anyone who enjoys their wicked British mysteries with a cozy/thriller twist.

Learn more about Guest Jennifer Holdich: https://www.unitedagents.co.uk/jennifer-holdich/

Learn more about Host Melissa Westemeier: https://www.melwestemeier.com/

What happens when you stop trying to write the characters you think you are supposed to write — and start creating the ones you actually want to see?

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 novels, writing older female protagonists, finding her unique creative voice, and building a sustainable indie author brand.

Deborah discusses why representation of older women matters in fantasy and romance, how something that initially feels like a flaw or limitation can become a source of empowerment, and why compelling characters often begin with understanding their emotional framework.

The conversation also moves behind the scenes of indie publishing: branding, marketing, Kickstarter, creative iteration, changing technology, and the pressure authors sometimes feel to handle every part of their publishing business themselves.

In this episode, they discuss:

Deborah’s transition from screenwriting to novel writing

Why representation of older women matters

Writing female characters with depth, agency, and emotional complexity

Turning perceived weaknesses into creative strengths

Using emotional models to understand character behavior

Finding and refining your author brand

The realities of marketing as an indie author

Using Kickstarter and community to support creative projects

Why successful authors do not have to do everything themselves

💡 Tip of the Week:

Pay attention to the thing you are tempted to hide about your writing or author identity. Sometimes what feels too niche or different is exactly what makes your work recognizable.

💬 Question of the Week:

What is something about your stories, characters, or author identity that makes your work distinctly yours?

Learn more about Deborah Wilde:

https://deborahwilde.com

🔔 Subscribe for more ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor

🎙️ More about the podcast ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

📬 Sign up for our newsletter ➡ https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

🗺️ Connect with the hosts:

Angela Haas – Choose-your-own-adventure storytelling 🚀💕

https://ahaaswrites.com/

Cassie Newell –

Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/

Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

🔑 Keywords:

Deborah Wilde, urban fantasy, indie publishing, older female characters, women over 40 in fiction, author branding, screenwriting, character development, Kickstarter for authors, self-publishing, writing tips, creative process, indie author marketing

Watch on YouTube: https://youtu.be/b2brImWky68

Listen to Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/43j6qWK48j53BqrQzXwpwk

Listen to Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/urban-fantasy-with-deborah-wilde-the-author-next/id687959058?i=1000791270363

On the latest episode of Now, Appalachia, Eliot interviews author Earl Swift about his latest nonfiction book UP ON COVE MOUNTAIN. Earl is s the author of the New York Times bestseller Chesapeake Requiem, which was named to ten best-of-the-year lists. His most recent book, Hell Put to Shame, was a finalist for the Edgar Award (Best Fact Crime) and the Virginia Literary Award. A former reporter for The Virginian-Pilot and a contributor to Outside and other publications, he lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains west of Charlottesville.

In Episode 55 of High Stakes, Tracey Devlyn sits down with author Manda Collins to discuss her romantic comedy, GHOST ME, MAYBE—an island mystery packed with mischief, sparks, and enough suspicious shenanigans to keep the pages flying.

“If you grew up loving to solve mysteries with Scooby and the gang, do not miss GHOST ME, MAYBE. Witty, heartfelt, engaging—I loved it.” —Cynthia Eden, New York Times bestselling author

Author’s Website:

https://MandaCollins.com

Show Notes:

https://traceydevlyn.com/podcast

Love this episode? Rate it ⭐️ Thumbs Up 👍 Subscribe 🔔

#newrelease #romanticcomedybooks #contemporaryromancebooks #HighStakesWithTraceyDevlynPodcast

Uh Oh…That Hot One Night Stand Is Now My Boss—Inside I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU with Lauren Blakely

Chloe’s feeling down on her luck. She’s lost her job. Her car threatens to constantly break down. And now, at a dog birthday party, a giant Mastiff knocks her into a lake. But her luck seems to change when the man who rescues her turns into a hot one night stand. Chloe is certain she’ll never see Sawyer again…that is until she realizes he’s her new boss at her dog training school.

I’VE GOT A CRUSH ON YOU is for anyone who loves a spicy romance with lots of laughs, a grumpy sunshine trope and fun canine characters.

For more information on Lauren, visit: laurenblakely.com

For more about my K-9 books, visit: kathleendonnelly.com

Sit. Stay. Read. is a proud part of the Authors on the Air Global Network.

What if you were an ex-criminal who’d gone straight? What would it take for you to trade your dream life for one more heist? Critically acclaimed author, Gary Phillips, discusses his new release, THE HEIST. When an ex-thief is approached to raid a tech billionaire’s bunker under a high profile sports arena, he’s lured out of retirement. But the target is well protected and ghosts from his past will make this heist one of the hardest ever. “Punchy...a raucous, ripped-from-the-headlines heist novel.”—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

Listen in as we chat about how he keeps track of the incredible knowledge base required to pull off a good heist, how a super cool episode of The American Life inspired important parts of this novel, and the item I’m hoping gets featured in a future story!

https://www.mariesutro.com/twisted-passages-podcast

https://gdphillips.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Gary Phillips has published novels, comics, novellas, short stories and edited or co-edited several anthologies, including the Anthony-winning The Obama Inheritance: Fifteen Stories of Conspiracy Noir. Violent Spring, his debut effort more than a quarter century ago, was named in 2020 one of the essential crime novels of Los Angeles. He is also a story editor on Snowfall, an FX show about crack and the CIA in 1980s South Central, where he grew up.

Today I'm talking with Vanessa M. Knight, my longtime critique partner and a hybrid author writing both romantic suspense and cozy mystery. We talk about her Roxy Horne series, her brand-new release Straighten Up and Die Right, and a very real (and very Vegas) piece of research that plays a big part in the book: a pig farm that turns leftover Strip buffet food into livestock feed.

For more information check her out here: vanessamknight.com

For more on Las Vegas Livestock, the pig farm she researched for the book: lasvegaslivestock.com

For more information on the host, go to www.nicoleleiren.com

On AI: Author, Podcaster, and SICLA President Dan White discusses why he’s not afraid of the robot, but the person programming the robot.

In Episode 54 of High Stakes, Tracey Devlyn sits down with Amazon bestselling author Bonnie Traymore to discuss MY HUSBAND IS GOING TO KILL ME—a twisty domestic suspense about fear, manipulation, obsession, and one wife’s terrifying question: Is her husband truly dangerous, or is someone manipulating her into believing he is?

Author’s Website:

https://BonnieTraymore.com

Show Notes:

https://traceydevlyn.com/podcast

Love this episode? Rate it ⭐️ Thumbs Up 👍 Subscribe 🔔

#newrelease #psychologicalsuspense #domesticsuspense #HighStakesWithTraceyDevlynPodcast

In this episode, Alexandria Bellefleur discusses her new paranormal rom-com 'Damned If I Do,' exploring her characters, world-building, and the fun research behind her demon-filled universe. Bethany Maines hosts a lively conversation about writing, tropes, and the joys of paranormal storytelling.

Resources & Links:

Learn More About Bethany: https://bethanymaines.com/

Learn More About Alexandria: https://www.alexandriabellefleur.com/