In today's episode, Danikka and Erin kick off their Problematic Authors series with the one and only — the queen of being problematic — J.K. Rowling.

They dig into how Rowling rose to fame with Harry Potter, what led to her very public fall from grace starting in 2018, and why her ongoing views and financial influence continue to spark controversy.

If you've ever wrestled with separating the art from the artist, or wondered about the real-world impact of continuing to support Rowling's work, this episode will give you plenty to think about.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by [Mikel & Game Chops.](https://gamechops.com/tag/mikel/)

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

This week on the Snailed It Podcast, to celebrate finally launching the Authors Own mentoring program, Danikka and Erin dive in on what an author mentor actually is and why it might just be what you're looking for! They discuss the range of topics covered by the AOP mentors, talk you through how the pricing works, and more.

You can find the episode transcription as well as links to any articles or resources mentioned here: https://authorsown.com.au/snailed_it/episode-29/

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & Game Chops. https://gamechops.com/tag/mikel/

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

Please note, this episode discusses topics that some listeners may find distressing related to violence and sexual assault. Listeners should exercise personal discretion and prioritise their well-being when deciding whether this content is right for them.

In this episode of the Snailed It Podcast, Danikka and Erin tackle the ever-recurring question: are women authors, especially in fantasy, actually being taken seriously? (Not to ruin the episode with a spoiler, but we all know the answer).

They're ranting about why books by women are so often being shoved into YA or *romantasy* categories, and how marketing trends (and misogynistic double standards) play a big role in this pigeonholing of women authors.

If you've ever wondered why dragons + sex scenes = "smut" when written by a woman, but the same story written by a man would be "epic fantasy", then this episode is for you.

Links to all further articles or further reading mentioned can be found on the blog.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authors.own.publishing.com

Instagram: @authorsownpublishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

In today's episode, Danikka and Erin dive headfirst into the world of pen names — why you might want one, how it could help you, and what roadblocks to watch out for.

Whether it's to keep your personal life private, or to make sure grandma never finds out what you've really been thinking about hot demons, pen names can be a powerful tool for creating a clear separation between your writing work and real life.

If you're a new author trying to decide which path to take, tune in to find out whether publishing under a pseudonym might be your best next step.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

In this episode, Danikka and Erin are getting personal as they dive into a tool that’s helped them both manage imposter syndrome, burnout, and the relentless pressure to do all the things. Yep, we’re talking about naming your inner mean girl (or guy, or judgy inner perfectionist gremlin).

They explore where their inner critics came from, how naming them gave those voices less power, and why this weirdly helpful strategy might be the gentlest form of self-accountability you haven’t tried yet. Expect real talk about chronic illness, societal expectations, and the crushing cycle of perfectionism.

Whether your inner mean girl mimics that one girl from high school, or something a little closer to home (IYKYK), this one’s for anyone who's ever felt like they’re not enough, or like they have to apologise just for existing.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details: Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

This week, Danikka and Erin kick off a new series diving into the messy world of problematic authors. First up: The Death Of The Author and whether we can—or even should—separate the art from the artist.

They unpack the origins of both concepts, from 1960s philosophy to 2000s fandom culture, and why these ideas are still so relevant (and so contentious) in today’s book world. Can you still love a story when the author turns out to be awful? Is it enough to “separate the art from the artist”? Or are we just making excuses?

Expect a thoughtful but spicy start to a bigger conversation—this is just the beginning. (And yes, they do finally name the author everyone’s been side-eyeing since 2020. You know the one.)

All links mentioned can be found on The Snailed It Blog Page.

Visit https://authorsown.com.au/

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details: Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

Danikka and Erin are back to tackle the tropes that readers love to hate (and no, not in a cute enemies-to-lovers kind of way). Today they're asking the big questions: are the tropes actually bad, or are they just misunderstood? Are we tired of them because they're overdone—or is it actually the work of three misogynistic raccoons in a trench coat?

From miscommunication meltdowns to the "not like the other girls" epidemic, they're digging into why some tropes get all of the hate—and whether they deserve a redemption arc. Spoiler alert: it's not always the trope that's the problem.

Audiobooks narrated by Nicola Coughlan - see our blog for the link!

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authors.own.publishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

Strap in (or strap on?) because this episode dives deep into some sex scenes written so badly, that one won the Bad Sex Award (we didn't even know that was a thing). Danikka shares a wild ride from the world of online dating that sparked this whole conversation. Because yes, if you tell a man you're an editor, they will send you a “spicy” scene … and no, it wasn’t edited, requested, or good.

We talk about why sex scenes written by women tend to resonate more, the emotional (and physical) disconnect in many male-authored scenes, and the importance of consent, lead-up, and actual female pleasure.

Heads up:

This episode is entirely adult content, and super NSFW. We wouldn't recommend running this one through your car's Bluetooth.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details: Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

Book Reviews - who are they really for? In this episode, Danikka and Erin dive into the heated topic of book reviews. From the three-star debate to who actually benefits from the reviews readers leave online, they discuss how authors should (or shouldn’t) engage with reviews, the role of social media in shaping bookish discourse, and why all reviews - even the bad ones - serve a purpose.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details: Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!

In this episode, Danikka and Erin unpack their buddy read of Butcher and Blackbird by Brynne Weaver. A dark romantic comedy featuring serial killers, sharp objects, and quite the list of content warnings.

They discuss the book’s tone, warnings, key character dynamics, and some of the moments that prompted big reactions. As always with buddy reads, expect spoilers throughout, and join in by sending us your thoughts!

Please note, this episode discusses topics that some listeners may find distressing related to trauma, violence, mental health, and sexual assault. Listeners should exercise personal discretion and prioritise their well-being when deciding whether this content is right for them.

The full list of content warnings for the book can be found here - www.brynneweaverbooks.com/content-warnings

If this episode brings up anything for you, or you need someone to talk to, these services are available:

Australia

Lifeline – 13 11 14 – lifeline.org.au

24/7 crisis support and suicide prevention.

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732 – 1800respect.org.au

National domestic, family and sexual violence counselling service.

United States

988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Call or text 988 – 988lifeline.org

24/7 free and confidential support for people in distress.

National Domestic Violence Hotline – 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) – thehotline.org

Support for anyone affected by domestic abuse.

United Kingdom

Samaritans – 116 123 – samaritans.org

24/7 helpline for emotional support.

National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 0808 2000 247 – nationaldahelpline.org.uk

Free and confidential support from Refuge.

Brought to you by: Authors Own Publishing, Danikka Taylor, and Erin Thomson.

Danikka’s Details:

Website: www.authorsownpublishing.com

Instagram: @authors.own.publishing

Erin’s Details:

Website: www.erinthomsonauthor.com

Instagram: @authorerinthomson

Intro & Outro Music by Mikel & GameChops.

Other references and resources for this episode include:

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the individuals involved and do not necessarily reflect the views of Authors Own Publishing. Thanks for Listening!