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.

It’s always a treat to find a fellow millenial who has similar tastes in media to you, so we shall dub this, the millenial episode. An ARC reader brough Stevie and I together, and I’m so grateful for the oppurtunity to get to follow Steview and her journey. In this episode, we chat about writing layered characters that reflect our real-life experiences, and how Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Friends helped inspire Shadow of Lillith.

We also get into:

• Why character growth and real change on the page is non-negotiable
• Discovering identity at any stage of life—and how to weave that authentically into fiction
• Why representation in storytelling matters now more than ever
• The unspoken author responsibility to emotionally wreck your readers (lovingly) so they have to keep reading
• The noticeable shift in how indie authors are viewed by readers—and treated by the publishing industry

I’ve been on a kick of reading authors who are new to me, falling headfirst into their books, and then immediately tracking them down on social media so I can have them on the podcast, which sounds way creepier than I mean it to. But Sheila is a perfect example of this.

⚠️ Spoiler warning: We discuss The Poison Daughter throughout this episode.

Sheila talks about using writing to process intense emotions. While her stories are dark and driven by feminine rage, she’s sweet, bubbly, and thoughtful in person—which makes for a fascinating contrast.

In this episode, we dive into:

• Spice, power, and empowerment in The Poison Daughter
• The structure of enemies-to-lovers in fantasy
• Chronic illness representation
• Luck, timing, and the uncomfortable truth about “making it” as an author

Fast-paced, thoughtful, and full of craft talk—this one’s a must-listen.

Spoiler Warnings: The Kindred Curse Saga

There’s something magical about getting a front-row seat to your favourite author’s mind. Penn is genuinely one of the kindest people in this industry — thoughtful, generous, and the kind of storyteller you could listen to for hours.

She reminds us that being a full-time author is possible, and she walks us through the realities of creative life, including the Dunning–Kruger effect and why so many of us struggle to trust our own art. In a world obsessed with chasing the next viral hit, she’s encouraging us to focus on craft first and trust that the marketing will follow.

I also introduce her to what I’m calling the “Penn Cole Effect,” and she breaks down the thinking behind her hybrid publishing deal — including why she refused to settle for anything less than what she knew she deserved, even when her dream felt far-fetched. This episode is an absolute must for any indie author!

When I struggled to find a designer to interview, Nikkita didn’t hesitate to step in. To those that have been around for a while, you know she holds a special place in my heart: her first episode is what kickstarted this entire podcast journey, and she’s a very dear friend of mine too. Coming back this time, she shares everything from a designer’s perspective—and truly, no topic is off limits.

We talk about hated characters in literature, the key differences artists consider when creating book covers versus character art, and the fantasy sub-genre cover trends we’re seeing right now. Nikkita breaks down how talent, experience, and instinct guide her creative process, and we even get candid about bodies, anatomy, nipples (yes, really), and what it’s like living with breast implants.

We also dive into taking familiar urban fantasy tropes and making them uniquely our own, researching experiences you haven’t personally lived so you can still write them authentically, and the often-misunderstood difference between commercial and usage rights. Also, why pre-made covers and character art are becoming increasingly appealing for artists.

Most importantly, we talk about trust—what she hopes authors keep in mind when working with artists, and why a strong, respectful author–artist relationship is essential to creating something truly special.

You can find Nikkita on Instagram here.

Spoiler Warnings: Their Series, The Sundered Realms Universe & The Kindred Curse Saga

Meeting Parker and Bree was genuinely one of the coolest moments of my podcasting journey — and a powerful reminder of what true creative friendship can accomplish. Inspired by a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, these two co-authors have an effortless way of building a shared vision and finding compromise when the story demands it.

They talk about the power readers hold — especially how word of mouth can change an author’s entire trajectory — and Parker gives us a glimpse into her author-artist perspective. We also get the official pronunciations for some of their character and series names, and they even confirm a few of my theories about the Ascended.

We dive into why they took a different approach to crafting their trials when writing The Ascended, how that choice shaped the uniqueness of the story, and if their readers have caught all the Easter Eggs they’ve left throughout the books…which now means I need to reread the entire series.

You can find Parker on Instagram here and Bree on Instagram here.