When Ruth’s publishing plans didn’t go as expected, she decided to bet on herself—and it changed everything. Instead of querying, she pivoted to self-publishing, proving that sometimes the indie route isn’t a fallback, it’s creative freedom. It gave her the chance to tell her story her way, without fitting into traditional molds.

Ruth gives us a peek into her intricate world and magic system, and we talk about her friends genius idea of using book clubs as beta readers—petition to make that a thing! We also chat about the constant tug-of-war with perfectionism as indie authors and learning when to finally hit “publish.”

She shares her thoughts on what makes an unforgettable enemies-to-lovers story, the double standards that still exist in publishing, and how she’s layered her Latina heritage and complex relationship with religion into her work. Through it all, Ruth’s journey is a reminder that trusting yourself as an author can be the most powerful decision you make.

You can find Ruth's Instagram here.

AI might be shaking up the creative world—but not always for the better. But thankfully, it seems like protections are starting to be put in place to guard human creativity.

Megan joins me to share her journey into audiobook narration—a dream that didn’t come easy. She failed the first time, tried again, and made it happen. Her story is the perfect reminder that failure isn’t the end—it’s where the learning begins.

We talk about intimacy coordinators and why they’re more vital than ever, plus what it really means to set boundaries in an industry that thrives on saying yes. From scarcity mindsets to self-worth, Megan keeps it refreshingly real.

She also pulls back the curtain on audiobook production—from choosing which stories to narrate to the surprising costs behind every finished product.

A must-listen for anyone chasing their creative dream (and needing a reminder that it’s okay to try again).

Content/Spoiler Warnings: It Ends With Us, Reign (TV Series)

You can find Megan on Instagram here.

Spoiler Warning: Manacled

Cat is an unpublished fantasy author whose debut series began with a dream and turned into something much bigger. We chat about treating characters like real people, turning trauma into stories of healing, and navigating the wild world of writing your first book.

She shares her thoughts on when to start building your author platform, the importance of community, and finding balance between writing, marketing, and actually living. Imposter syndrome? We’ve all been there—and we talk about how we try to move through it.

As the host of the Storytelling Sirens Podcast, she’s all about keeping creativity alive and giving authors a voice. We also get into industry double standards, fan fiction ethics (and why you can’t profit off it!), and why she chose self-publishing over traditional.

You can find Cat's Instagram page here.

I don’t know nearly enough horror fantasy authors, but Rachel is here to change that—one conversation at a time. She kicks things off by explaining what readers can expect from the genre and gives us a peek into her own growing horror fantasy multiverse.

We talk about her love for 80’s-inspired fantasy (a huge influence on her books), how she names her series, and the shock I felt discovering that Jurassic Park was a book first—who knew? Rachel shares how authors like Mary Shelley paved the way for writers like us, and how her own stories have evolved alongside her. Writing, for Rachel, has become a kind of therapy—an honest reflection of growth and imagination.

She also opens up about commissioning character art—when it’s worth it, how to approach it, and whether authors truly need it. A self-proclaimed enemies-to-lovers and found family purist, Rachel believes in writing from a place of truth, especially when exploring mental health and neurodivergence.

Since recording, her latest release has officially launched, and we couldn’t be more excited! We wrap up by talking about the many ways to approach writing—and why there’s never just one right way to tell your story.

You can find Rachel's instagram here.

While the pandemic was a difficult time for many, it reignited Ali’s passion for reading—and eventually, her own writing. She and I bonded over our mutual dislike of a certain MMC, and from there our Instagram friendship grew.

We discuss how no one really has their 20s figured out, and how making mistakes, learning from them, and taking accountability is part of the process. Ali has such a detailed and thoughtful approach to reviewing, balancing the expectations of ARCs with her personal reading preferences, and even navigating those tricky DNF decisions. And while I first invited her on as a Bookstagrammer, it turns out she’s also a romance author!

Unlike most, Ali isn’t a Chaol hater, and she has a well-thought-out reason for it that she shares in this episode. Our conversation touches on some big topics, from motherhood and the choices surrounding it, to why classifying romance as “clean” vs. “non-clean” can be harmful. Ali also shares her thoughts on reader preferences and why no one should be shamed for what they enjoy.

Spoiler warnings for the Throne of Glass series apply!

AJ’s debut novel Oblivion’s Hymn launches next week, and she’s giving female friendships the spotlight they deserve. But her story goes deeper—what happens when life doesn’t follow the plan you thought it would? Spoiler: very few of us have it all together.

In this episode, we chat about:
✨ The “supportive partners” era and why it matters.
✨ AJ’s experience living with endometriosis and how it’s shaped her journey.
✨ What really goes into commissioning a book cover.
✨ The honest inner monologue of an indie author gearing up for launch.
✨ Why finding the right readers matters more than chasing the masses.
✨ Her unconventional take on writing spice.

AJ’s refreshingly real perspective makes this episode a must-listen—just in time to celebrate her debut release.

You can find her on Instagram here.

Vanessa has been such an inspiration to me in the author space, and in this episode she’s as authentic as ever. We chat about tackling creative burnout, battling the comparison game, and the surprising moment she made me realize I actually do edit as I go.

Most authors won’t change their book covers mid series, but Vanessa had a very good reason for doing this, and she talks us through it. But also, how her faith influences the stories she writes, and small glimpse of what it looks like to juggle motherhood and authorship.

We also dig into subscription boxes, hybrid publishing, and why trying again doesn’t mean you’re behind—it means you’re still in the game.

Plus, my border collie puppy makes a guest appearance!

You can find her Instagram profile here.

If there’s one thing you’ll take away from this episode, it’s Kristen’s fearlessness. She’s not afraid to put herself out there, challenge the norm, and even write something as a joke—only to have it take off in the best way possible.

We dive into her debut Alex Bain series, her worldbuilding process, and the question every author faces: how do you put your own stamp on a story when nothing is truly “original” anymore?

Other highlights include:

✨ The struggle of drumming up commitment for later books in a series—and why standalones and duologies are on the rise.

✨ The growth of indie-to-trad or hybrid publishing, and how to decide what’s right for you.

✨ Why all of Kristen’s series may share fantasy roots, but each feels completely unique (even if they’re all connected!)

✨ Pen names, day jobs, and the reality of being “discovered.”

✨ Balancing motherhood, marriage, and a full-time job while still chasing your writing dreams.

And of course—we wrap it up with a good dose of girl power.

You can find Kristen's instagram account here.

Catie is a multi-genre author who’s carving out her own path in the indie space. We chat about everything from the challenges of getting podcast spots if you’re not writing romantasy, to why she started interviewing indie authors on her own page.

She pulls back the curtain on the financial realities of book events, how to decide whether a pen name makes sense, and just how far in advance authors can really plan their publishing schedules.

We also dive into:

✨ Making sci-fi and romantasy feel less intimidating (while keeping them immersive).

✨ Representation in her stories—including a fierce female lead in STEM.

✨ Why feedback is an art form, and how to ask for the kind you actually need.

✨ Giving “unlikable” characters a chance, and questioning what really makes someone good vs. bad.

Content warning: We do discuss Throne of Glass series spoilers!

If you want to connect with Catie, you can find her Instagram here.

Content Warning: This episode discusses sensitive topics including child abuse, trauma in the medical field, sexual assault, and other forms of abuse.

Maddie is proof of the magic that happens when you put yourself out there and take a chance on the unknown. Her fascination with gothic literature opened the door to her interest in psychiatric medicine—something she taught me a lot about in this episode.

Drawing from her own experiences with trauma, Maddie has turned pain into purpose. We explore the nature vs. nurture debate—are monsters born, or do we create them?—and dive into her unique decision to create vampires with a soul in her debut novel, Mortals End.

She also shares the medical reasoning behind why we fear what we don’t understand, defines what it means to be a gothic literature romance author, and reflects on Anne Rice’s legacy—what modern urban fantasy authors can still learn from the trail she blazed.

You can connect with Maddie on her instagram here.