What happens when a busy mom, a rubber stamp entrepreneur, and a voracious reader suddenly finds herself flat on her back for a week? For Victorine E. Lieske, it was the beginning of an unexpected writing career that would lead to the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists.

In this podcast, Alexa and Victorine discuss:

• Victorine’s surprising path to authorship after an injury sparked her first book idea
• How critiques, rewrites, and years of craft development led to success
• Landing on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists as a self-published author
• What authors can learn from the early days of Kindle publishing—and what still applies today
• The Writing Gals: how four authors built a thriving romance community and virtual conference
• Collaboration projects like the Sweetwater High YA shared world
• How the Happily Ever After Cruise brings authors and readers together
• Top advice for authors on treating publishing like a startup, knowing your goals, and being willing to pivot
• Why series, market research, and “profit before passion” matter for sustainable author income
  
  

Victorine E. Lieske is a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of clean romance and romantic comedy. She co-founded The Writing Gals, a community and conference for sweet romance authors. Alongside her novels, Victorine teaches and collaborates through workshops, anthologies, and unique reader-author experiences like the Happily Ever After Cruise.

Resources & Links

• Victorine Lieske Website
• The Writing Gals Conference (aff link)
• The Writing Gals YouTube Channel
• The Writing Gals Facebook Group
• Critique Circle
• Happily Ever After Cruise