🎙️ From short stories and satire to sci-fi, fantasy and rubber duckies? Meet David Hankins.
In this episode of @TheAuthorNextDoor Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with David Hankins, award-winning author of fantasy and sci-fi, to talk about storytelling, writing rituals, and how a sense of humor can be a superpower.

In this episode we explore:

How David’s writing journey began with bedtime stories for his daughter

The transition from short stories to full-length novels

Crafting effective humor, satire, and heart into speculative fiction

The impact of his military background on character and worldbuilding

Why rest and creative recovery matter (especially for productivity)

Practical tips for pitching stories with clarity and confidence

And of course… his very unexpected love of rubber duckies 🐥

This is a lively, insightful, and delightfully quirky episode perfect for writers who want to explore the balance between structure and spontaneity.

Answer in Comments 👇 What's your favorite way to unwind after a big creative push?

Find our more about David Hankins here 🐤
https://davidhankins.com
https://www.facebook.com/DavidHankins.Author
https://www.instagram.com/_davidhankins/
https://www.tiktok.com/@_davidhankins
https://bsky.app/profile/davidhankins.bsky.social

Kickstarter for Murder Fish 👇 https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/mikejackstoumbos/murderfish-a-wonderbird-press-anthology

Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:
ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 David Hankins, writing, fantasy, sci-fi, humor, short stories, novels, military influence, writing advice, author journey, avoid burnout

#authorjourney #writingcommmunity #authorsuccess

🎙️ From romance to horror, and everything in between, this month we're talking genres!

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas open up about the genres they write in and what draws them to each one. From first loves in storytelling to current favorites (and guilty pleasures), this conversation is both craft-focused and full of personal stories.

We explore:

Why we love writing in young adult and fantasy (and the freedom it brings)

The unique challenges (and joys) of romance writing 💕

Where we draw the line in horror and speculative fiction

Why romance and escapism remain timeless storytelling forces

How our writing styles have evolved across genres

Personal insights and fun facts you might not know about us

A sneak peek at upcoming guests and conversations 🎉

If you’ve ever genre-hopped, or wondered how writing in different spaces shapes your voice, this episode is a mix of reflection, craft talk, and a little author fun.

👇 What genre do YOU love writing or reading most? Drop it in the comments!

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

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

Goodreads article on cross-genres: https://www.goodreads.com/blog/show/2889-17-new-cross-genre-book-trends-we-re-spotting-in-2025

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 : genres, writing, romance, young adult, fantasy, horror, speculative fiction, cross-genre, storytelling, escapism

#genres #writingprocess #theauthornextdoor

🎙️ Want to see your book on bookstore shelves or sell more at live events? Angela has some advice!

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell break down the nuts and bolts of selling books in person, with a special focus on indie bookstores and live events.

Angela shares insider tips from her years in retail, including:

• How to approach indie bookstores with confidence (and professionalism)
• The difference between wholesale vs. consignment—and what works best
• Why merchandising and presentation matter as much as the book itself
• Pricing strategies that set you up for success 💵
• How to make the most of book conventions and author fairs
• Red flags when researching events—so you don’t waste time or money

This episode is packed with practical, real-world advice to help indie authors thrive outside the digital marketplace and build lasting relationships with booksellers and readers.

👇 Have you tried selling your book in person? Share your best (or funniest!) experience with us!

🔔 Subscribe for more! ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor
🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS
Choose your own adventure
🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL
Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑: author business, indie bookstores, book marketing, selling books, merchandising, wholesale, consignment, book conventions, author events, creative marketing

🎙️What happens when you blend creative freedom with smart business strategy?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas talk with Sacha Black—author, entrepreneur, and writing mentor—about how she’s grown a thriving author business while staying true to the stories she loves to tell.

We explore:

• Sacha’s shift from nonfiction to fiction—and what she learned along the way
• Balancing reader expectations with your own creative instincts
• How to build a loyal reader community that feels like family
• Branding basics every author should know (and actually use)
• Creating accessible content that invites readers in
• The role of e-commerce, merchandise, and direct sales in an author business
• Why community engagement isn’t just nice—it’s necessary
• Defining yourself as an author entrepreneur and owning that identity

If you’ve ever wondered how to grow your reach without losing your creative spark, this conversation is packed with both practical strategies and inspiring mindset shifts.

👇 How do you balance creativity with business in your author career?

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

Find more about Sacha Black (aka Ruby Roe) Here:

✍️ Sacha Black: https://sachablack.co.uk/

💜 Ruby Roe: https://www.rubyroe.co.uk/

🎙️To Find More About The Author Next Door➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS

Choose your own adventure

🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL

Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/

Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️

Keywords 🔑: author growth, writing journey, reader engagement, branding, marketing, e-commerce, merchandise, community, author entrepreneur, creative writing

#TheAuthorNextDoor #WritingPodcast #IndieAuthorTips

🎙️ Want to grow your author career without burning out? It starts with mindset, community, and a plan. In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Bryan Cohen—author, coach, and host of The Sell More Books Show—to talk about what it really takes to build a thriving author business.

We explore:

· Why mindset is the foundation of long-term author success

· How to build a supportive network that fuels your growth

· Common book marketing pitfalls—and how to avoid them

· Brian’s journey from indie author to respected writing coach

· Why patience and persistence beat quick wins every time

· The role of routine in boosting both creativity and productivity

Whether you’re launching your first book or scaling your backlist, this episode offers practical advice, encouragement, and a reminder that you don’t have to figure it all out alone.

👇 What’s one new strategy you’ve tried to grow your author business this year?

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

Find more about Bryan Cohen Here:

👉 https://learn.bestpageforward.net/

📚 https://www.sellmorebooksshow.com/

🎙️To Find More About The Author NextDoor➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS

Choose your own adventure

🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL

Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/

Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️

Keywords 🔑: author growth, mindset, community, writing routine, marketing strategies, Bryan Cohen, BestPage Forward, ad school, coaching, patience

#authorpodcast #bookpublishing #yournextbook #mindsettips #bryancohen #indieauthors

🎙️ Is your author brand doing the heavy lifting or holding you back?

In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Cassie Newell and Angela Haas dive into the world of author branding what it really means, why it matters, and how to make yours stand out in a crowded market.

We cover:

How to build an author brand readers instantly connect with

Why emotional resonance matters more than just aesthetics

The biggest author branding mistakes (and how to fix them)

Rebranding: when to do it and what to consider

What indie authors can learn from top consumer brands

Visual branding tips—from color palettes to typography to logo design

How to create reader trust (and actually deliver on your brand promises)

Whether you're launching your first book or giving your author brand a much-needed glow-up, this episode is packed with practical tips and real talk to help you attract readers who stick around for the long haul.

👇 Tell us in the comments: What’s your author brand and does it truly reflect who you are as a writer?

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

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS

Choose your own adventure

🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL

Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/

Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

Keywords 🔑: author branding, emotional connection, visual consistency, reader engagement, brand voice, rebranding, typography, logo design, marketing strategies, indie authors

How do you write romance characters readers actually care about?

In this episode of The Author Next Door, hosts Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with story revision coach Sue Brown-Moore to unpack the art of character development in romance writing and why transformation is everything.

We dive deep into:

How to write compelling romance characters that feel real

Common tropes (and how to make them fresh)

The balance between creative freedom and market expectations

The role of reader feedback in shaping your story

Why authenticity matters more than ever

And how to avoid cookie-cutter characters in your manuscript

Sue also shares insights on the business side of romance: how marketing, community, and mindset impact your success as an author.

Whether you’re just starting out or revising your tenth draft, this conversation will inspire you to rethink your characters and your storytelling approach.

👇 Let us know in the comments: What’s your biggest struggle with writing romance characters?🔔

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

🏆EXCLUSIVE FOR AUTHOR NEXT DOOR PODCAST: Free Build Your Character ARC Worksheet

More about SUE BROWN-MOORE Here:

👉 https://www.suebrownmoore.com/

📚 https://suebrownmoore.kit.com/sss

➡️ EXCLUSIVE OFFER LINK: https://www.suebrownmoore.com/free-character-arc-worksheet/?utm_source=referral-AuthorNextDoorPodcast&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=20minuteheromakeover&utm_content=20250722

🎙️To Find More About The Author NextDoor➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:

ANGELA HAAS

Choose your own adventure

🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL

Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/

Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

Keywords 🔑: character development, romance writing, author tips, story arcs, reader engagement, writing advice, character transformation, romance tropes, marketing for authors, writing community

🎙️ From Action Thrillers to Hockey Romance?!

Bestselling author Nick Thacker joins The Author Next Door to talk about his wild genre jump—from high-octane explosions to heart-fluttering emotions. 💥💘

In this refreshingly honest (and hilarious) conversation, Nick opens up about:

Swapping plot-driven thrillers for character-driven romance

What surprised him most about writing love stories ❤️

How to balance emotional arcs with genre expectations

Writing through trauma and writing it well

Navigating reader expectations when you switch lanes

And why romance is harder—and more rewarding—than he thought

Whether you’re a thriller writer toying with a rom-com idea, a romance author refining your character arcs, or just love hearing how authors stretch their creative muscles—this one’s for you.

📣 Stick around for writing insights, big laughs, and behind-the-scenes moments from Nick’s publishing journey.

👇 Drop a comment: What’s a book you loved that surprised you by being outside your usual genre?

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

Find more about Nick Thacker Here:
👉 https://www.nickthacker.com/
📚 https://learn.bookcareerinayear.com/

🎙️To Find More About The Author NextDoor➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find Angela & Cassie and connect:

ANGELA HAAS
Choose your own adventure
🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL
Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

Keywords 🔑: character development, hockey romance, thrillers, writing tips, author success, dialogue, female characters, male characters, sports romance, storytelling, writing, romance, character development, marketing, storytelling, point of view, trauma, reader expectations, genre crossover, intuitive writing