This week, we are sitting down with the incredible Paige to tackle some of the biggest ethical conversations swirling around the bookish community right now—from copyright drama to the reality of making a living in this space. Paige has transitioned from an avid reader into providing author services. She joins the podcast to share her perspective on how indie authors can navigate massive release weeks, value their time, and build a career with kindness.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Trademark Drama: We unpack the recent community drama surrounding authors trying to trademark phrases that aren't actually their intellectual property, the ethics of the indie space, and why we cannot allow double standards to exist.
• The Bravery of Indie Fiction: Where Paige's love for indie books first started, and why indie authors are consistently the bravest storytellers in the market.
• Doing Hard Things (Even When Scared): Paige shares her journey of expanding into author services, learning to recognize her own worth, and overcoming the fear of charging appropriately for her time.
• Reviewing with Kindness: Why Paige chooses to lead with kindness when reviewing books on her own platform, proving you can be honest without being destructive.
• Releasing Alongside Giants: Paige drops invaluable advice for indie authors launching their books at the same time as massive industry names like Rebecca Yarros or Sarah J. Maas.
• Rethinking ARC Deadlines: Why strict deadlines for Advance Reader Copies might actually be hurting your book. We discuss how staggering your reviews can keep the post-launch hype train rolling much longer.
• The Power of Off-Campus: How Elle Kennedy’s Off-Campus series beautifully illustrates what "hope" looks like in fiction, and how that same feeling is alive and well in the indie scene.

Paige is currently juggling an array of exciting new projects, and her passion for lifting up authors shines through every single one of them.

Tatum reminds us that so many of us aren’t a fan of our first draft manuscript. It doesn’t mean you should give us. She joins us to talk about the birth of her debut novel, The Starlight Saviour, and why pushing through the awkward stages of writing is the only way to find the magic. From fangirling over the authors who raised us to taking the leap into indie publishing, this episode is a love letter to the books—and the boundaries—that shape us.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Surviving the First Draft: Tatum shares how she navigated the messy beginnings of The Starlight Saviour and why a bad first draft is just raw material, not a sign to give up.
• The Richelle Mead Fan Club: We fully embrace our fan-girl status and talk about how the legends of 2010s paranormal romance inspired our own creative paths.
• The Power of New Adult: Why the NA category is such a sweet spot for readers who grew up on Vampire Academy and Shadowhunters—allowing the characters to finally age up and mature right alongside us.
• Choosing Romance Over "Romantasy": Why Tatum decided to buck the current trend and steer clear of heavy romantasy for her debut, opting instead to write a story she personally wanted to read as a hopeless romantic.
• The Freedom of Self-Publishing: Tatum talks through her pivot away from the traditional querying trenches and how retaining total control over her creative vision brought her a new sense of freedom.
• The Subjectivity of Reading: I share my thoughts on Direbound and Furybound, leading into a larger discussion on why art will always be entirely subjective.
• Hunting for the Ideal Reader: The eternal struggle of book marketing and why ARC (Advance Reader Copy) teams are still one of the absolute best resources for building an audience.
• Character Connection: A vital reminder that if readers don't care about the souls of your characters, they have no reason to keep turning the pages.

What if the fae aren't the sparkling, helpful creatures we were promised in fairytales? This week, we are sitting down with the brilliant Evelyn to dissect her stunning debut novel, which pulls back the curtain on the darker side of folklore. As a fellow South African author, it was an absolute joy to connect with Evelyn over our shared roots, the calling of gothic romance, and the deeply personal pieces of ourselves we leave on the page.

In This Episode, We Explore:

• The Call of the Gothic Romance: Why Evelyn was drawn to the moody, atmospheric, and romantic world of gothic fiction for her very first book.
• Mental Health & the Manuscript: A vulnerable conversation about how Evelyn’s personal mental health journey is reflected in her characters and narrative arcs.
• Separating Faith from Fiction: How Evelyn navigates the boundary between her personal religious beliefs and the dark, magical stories she chooses to tell.
• Empowered Women in Dark Places: A look at Evelyn's dedication to centering female empowerment within her storytelling, even when the world around her characters is grim.
• The "Parents Don't Need to Know" Club: A relatable laugh about the things we write as adults that we still hope our parents never read.
• Paving the Way with Content Warnings: Why content warnings are essential tools for managing reader expectations, not spoilers. We discuss how indie authors are leading the charge on this while traditional publishing lags behind.
• The AI Threat to Creativity: A serious discussion on why artificial intelligence doesn't belong in creative spaces and the very real concerns indie authors face regarding the future of the industry.

• Content Warnings: This episode includes minor discussions about grief, loss, the loss of a child, and suicide.
• Spoiler Alert: We discuss major plot points for Verity by Colleen Hoover. Skip ahead if you haven't read it yet!

This week, we are sitting down with R. Lynn Hanks to discuss her debut novel, Gamma Raids, a friends-to-lovers romance set at a high-stakes space academy. If you think sci-fi is all cold tech and complex physics, think again. R. Lynn Hanks is here to introduce us to a whole new world of fiction, and remind us that Sci-fi can be sexy too.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• The Rise of "RomantiSCI": She breaks down this exciting subgenre and explains why sci-fi doesn't have to be intimidating. (Pro-tip: If you can understand a magical fantasy system, you can easily understand a sci-fi world!)
• Defending the Friends-to-Lovers Trope: Why has this classic trope faced a surge of hate recently? We unpack the awkward, high-stakes reality of risking a lifelong friendship for a shot at love, and why that emotional foundation is actually the ultimate relationship goal.
• The Romance Spectrum: From the modern spicy pages of RomantiSCI back to the Jane Austen era—where a single, bare-handed touch was enough to cause a scandal.
• Trope Fatigue vs. Real Connection: A much-needed reminder for authors to go back to creating content that helps readers connect with the heart of the story, rather than just listing marketing checkboxes.
• Navigating the Industry: R. Lynn shares her brief stint with the querying trenches, how she realized the indie path was the perfect fit, and how she decided between the YA (Young Adult) and NA (New Adult) categories.
• The Brutal Reality of Reviews: Managing expectations in the reader review space. While reader feedback is always valid, we discuss the reality that an author isn't going to rewrite a book that is already out in the world.
• Crafting the Best Manuscript: The invaluable role of a trusted publishing team, how to work with sensitivity readers when resources seem scarce, and why finding your unique author community is the ultimate lifeline.

What happens when the characters you created start making their own decisions? According to Kara, you basically just have to buckle up and enjoy the ride. She gets real about the "learn as you go" approach to publishing. Whether you’re an unpublished author or a dedicated reader, this conversation is a refreshing reminder that there is no single "right" way to build a creative life.

Highlights from the Episode:

• The "No Plan" Plan: We bond over our shared experience of jumping into the publishing world without a map and learning the hard way that sometimes, "doing" is the best form of research.
• Reclaiming Your Journey: Breaking the unspoken rules of the industry. Kara reminds us that as authors, we hold the reins—you don’t have to follow a traditional path if it doesn't serve you.
• Battling the Algorithm: Why it might be time to stop trying to "crack the code" and just start having fun again.
• The "Romantasy" vs. "Romantic Fantasy" Debate: Kara explains why she’s careful with her marketing and the importance of being honest with readers about what’s actually between the covers.
• The Road to Audio: Kara talks us through her journey into audiobook production and reveals a few "wishlist" narrators we’re all crossing our fingers for.
• The Era of Delusion: Why we’re both leaning into big, "delusional" goals and reframing what success looks like outside of normal conventions.

If you live for deep lore, ancient mythology, and a heavy side of romance, you’ve likely already found a home in Nicole’s work. Nicole isn’t just writing books—she’s building an entire interconnected universe. In this episode, we chat about the heavy lifting required to construct a fantasy realm and how to protect your creativity in a world of instant feedback.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Architecture of Myth: Nicole shares her obsession with mythology and the intricate process of building a world where every series is interconnected.
• Why "Romantasy"?: We dive into why Nicole chooses the romantic fantasy subgenre as her primary vehicle for storytelling.
• The "Book Two" Pressure: The psychological hurdle of writing sequels when readers have already built their own theories. How do you stay true to your vision without psyching yourself out?
• The Shadowhunter Influence: We nerd out over Cassandra Clare and how the Shadowhunters universe set the gold standard for expansive, interconnected series for both of us.
• The Negativity Bias: Why the human brain is hardwired to fixate on one scathing review while ignoring fifty five-star ratings, and how Nicole manages the noise.
• Sustainability & Boundaries: In an era of unprecedented author accessibility, Nicole explains why setting hard boundaries isn't just a choice—it's a requirement for mental health and a long-term writing career.

For so many of us, books have changed our life, and for Sam it’s no different. She spotted a unique oppurtunity and was able to bridge the gap between physical movement and the literary world. She didn’t just want to stay active; she wanted to make it fun. So, she took her passion for books and turned it into a business that keeps readers moving.

• From Black Belts to Bookish Business: How Sam applies the discipline and "never-quit" mindset from her Karate days to the world of entrepreneurship.
• The ACOTAR Effect: We discuss how Sarah J. Maas’s series serves as a gateway for so many of us, and briefly touch on that iconic Call Her Daddy interview.
• Books as Connection: Reflecting on how 2020 shifted our worldview and why we are all still searching for the community and connection that only a good book can provide.
• The Magic of Audiobooks: A look behind the curtain at the production process and the talented narrators who bring our favorite characters to life.
• Mindf*cks and Superheroes: Why we both share a deep love for the Mindfck* series and the surprising parallels we found in The Boys TV series.

• Content Warning: This episode contains a brief mention of eating disorders (ED).
• Spoiler Alert: We discuss plot points for The Boys TV series. Listen with caution if you aren't caught up!

In This Episode, We Explore:⚠️ Content & Spoiler Warnings

If you’ve ever wondered why this podcast features more than just authors, this conversation with Sarah is the perfect answer. She’s convinced that every book has it’s reader and she’s made it her mission to help authors bridge that gap. From building a brand to the nitty-gritty of indie marketing, Sarah joins me to pull back the curtain on the publishing industry.

We discuss:

• The Leap from Hobby to Business: Sarah walks us through her progression from casual posting to being fully booked through the end of 2026.
• Monetizing Your Passion: The importance of building awareness before you start charging for your work, and how to overcome the nerves of valuing your time.
• The Indie Author’s Greatest Challenge: Why marketing is the #1 hurdle for indie writers today and how Sarah helps authors find that perfect "blend" to reach their ideal audience.
• "Getting Paid to Read": How Sarah’s husband explains her "dream job" to their kids, and the reality of what it actually takes to maintain it.
• The Subjectivity of Story: Why reading is so deeply tied to our identities and why Sarah is determined to help every book find its reader—even if it wasn't the right fit for her personally.

[SPOILER ALERT]

We discuss the Zodiac Academy series and if you have not read it yet, there are some things in our discussion that may be considered a spoiler.

In this week’s episode we discuss Ema’s latest release and the emotional alchemy of turning fear into art. The Smog Cursed Kingdom will mark a shift in her career, and we dive into how she leveraged her industry experience to navigate a new genre while staying true to her own voice.

• The Birth of "Traumantasy": We explore this emerging subgenre and what it means to weave deep emotional healing into fantastical worlds.
• The "Not For Everyone" Philosophy: Ema gets candid about the reality that no book is universal—and why that’s actually a good thing.
• Embracing the DNF: While some authors fear the "Did Not Finish" shelf on Goodreads, we talk about why we actually love it.
• The Review Spiral: How authors (and humans!) tend to hunt for the one negative comment in a sea of praise, and how to stop picking yourself apart.
• Sobriety & Writing: A vulnerable look at balancing real-life challenges with professional goals. Ema shares how her sobriety journey has reshaped her process and how we’re both navigating a culture often centered around drinking.
• Boundaries & Public Personas: Why keeping an open mind—and a firm set of boundaries—is essential for authors and readers in today’s digital landscape.

Whether you’re an aspiring writer or a dedicated reader, this conversation is a raw, refreshing look at the human being behind the book. Ema knows exactly who she is, and she isn’t pretending to be anyone else. And more than anything, that’s the type of voice we need in publishing.

Elva’s entry into book conventions began when she started tattooing at them, and it’s safe to say she’s been deeply embedded in the book community ever since. One thing that stands out immediately about her is how committed she is to giving back. She’s passionate about helping readers and authors connect with stories—and with each other—which is exactly why the welcome packets for Spellbound Book Convention are famously detailed. Elva shares everything she’s learned so others don’t have to make the same mistakes she did.

In this episode we talk about:

• Building community through book events and why spaces like Spellbound matter
• How Elva approaches the difficult discourse around book conventions
• The growing demand for English-language fantasy across Europe
• Why Dutch summers are absolutely magnificent—and one of Europe’s most underrated experiences while everyone else rushes to the Mediterranean
• Creating spaces where books can become solace and escapism when we need them most
• And why patience and kindness at book conventions go a long way—because authors are people too, and everyone is doing their best

⚠️ Spoiler note: If you haven’t read Legendborn or Immortal Dark, we do touch on a few small spoilers during the episode.