Move over holiday cheer, it’s time for holiday queer! Tess Carletta (she/her) interviews Jay Leigh (she/her) about the upcoming multi-author novella collection, Home for the Holidays, including found family, writing from a place of authenticity, mental illness representation in romance novels, and the necessity of a touch of darkness to make the li…

What are some of the rewards and challenges of taking the road less travelled and writing a romance between an already-established couple? Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Sarah Wallace (they/them) and S.O. Callahan (she/her) about their upcoming queernormative cozy Regency romantasy, Fire Spells Between Friends. Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callah…

Sarah Wallace (they/them) interviews Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya (she/her) about her work in the “relationship horror” subgenre, her career spanning nonfiction TV and film criticism to writing fiction, and adding to the growing canon of queer horror with her illustrated novelette, Helen House. Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya (she/her) is the managing editor of A…

Carolina Cruz (they/them) interviews Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about his gothic sapphic romance The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall, including lesbian flirtation through sapphic literature, drawing inspiration from Carmilla and The Goblin Market, the perils of writing about writers, 19th century spirit photography, and a surprise guest appearance b…

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews Luna Daye (she/her) about her upcoming release Fae’s Bargain, the first sapphic story in the Fated Fae romantasy series - coming October 31st! Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the Fated Fae romantasy series as well as the high fantasy series the Thoraius Saga. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye…

A ship at sea is beset by a vampire, leaving two survivors—one turned, one human—adrift in uncertain tides. A bloody beginning begets a shockingly sweet end. Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Carolina Cruz (they/them) about their horror romance novella Blood in the Water. Spoilers for The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) and Passengers (2016)…

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews RK Ashwick (she/her) about her upcoming novel A Captured Cauldron, a cozy fantasy sequel to A Rival Most Vial—featuring a potion-brewing convention, a cozy kidnapping, and a brand new sapphic romance for a returning fan favorite. RK Ashwick (she/her) is the cozy fantasy author of the Lutesong series (beginning…

Noah Hawthorne interviews A.K. Mulford and K. Elle Morrison about cowriting, grief, inspiring representation, small town autumn, and their new cozy paranormal sapphic romance Pumpkin Spice & Poltergeist. A.K. Mulford (they/she) is the author of the Five Crowns of Okrith novels and the Golden Court series, amongst others. You can connect with them a…

Tess Carletta (she/her) interviews Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about his gay romance novel Mr Warren’s Profession, including historical research, Victorian engineering, and the strange and stubborn road to indie publishing. Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy magical-realism romance. You can connect with her at her we…

Sarah Wallace (they/them) and S.O. Callahan (she/her) answer your questions about cowriting! What does it take to meld two distinct author voices into a cohesive narrative? How did their coauthoring journey begin? And what unique formula have they worked out to balance dialogue with description? All this and more! Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan ar…

“Big guys that stab things also deserve to be soft and squishy.” Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about his queer romantasy Oak King Holly King, including historical research, fae folklore new and old, and the surprising discoveries that occur when creating an audiobook. Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelin…

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Sarah Wallace (they/she) about large print and dyslexia font editions, their importance for accessibility, their value to libraries, and how indie authors can create their own. To learn more about Erin Wright's "Wide for the Win" author classes, check out her website: erinwright.net Sarah Wallace (they/she) is…

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews E. H. Lupton (she/they) about under-explored eras of historical fiction through a queer lens and the community of indie publishing. E. H. Lupton (she/they) is the author of the 1960s-set queer fantasy romance trilogy Dionysus in Wisconsin, Old Time Religion, and Troth. You can connect with them at their websit…

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews M.N. Bennet (he/him) about the catharsis of cozy amidst tragedy, the joys of fanfiction, exploring literal and metaphorical queer experiences simultaneously, taking ithe terrifying leap from fantasy to contemporary, and why indie publishing is not a consolation prize. M.N. Bennet (he/him) is the author of the Bra…

Dear Listener, We hope this episode finds you well… Because it’s time to talk epistolary fiction! From Dracula to Daddy Longlegs to Dangerous Liasons (and everything in between), we discuss the weaknesses, strengths, and practical applications of epistolary writing, and determine once and for all which podcaster is secretly a ghost. Sarah Wallace (…

A character is hurt. A character is comforted. It’s all about vulnerability on today’s episode where we explore one of our favorite tropes: hurt/comfort! (Called “whump” in some circles.) From the cathartic reader experience of seeing beloved characters looked after and cared for to the versatility of a writing tool that enables characters to open …

Indie authors discuss everything we love about libraries! From the strong positive influence of libraries in our individual lives to the power of apps like Libby, Hoopla, and Kanopy, and the vital access provided by the Queer Liberation Library—plus, how to get your favorite indie books into more library collections and other ways YOU can help your…

Five indie authors weigh the benefits of writing interconnected books as a series or specializing in telling single stories, including the shiny lure of a fresh story idea, getting to know intriguing new characters compared to settling in for another adventure with old friends, the challenge of crafting a sequel as compelling as its predecessor, an…

Three indie authors at wildly different stages of newsletter experience discuss what to include in a newsletter, how often to send it, what readers expect from it, and why it’s vital to any indie author’s growth. Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of The Thoraius Saga and the Fated Fae series. You can sign up for her newsletter at her website: www.l…

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Sarah Wallace (they/she) about the newest book in the queernormative cozy fantasy series Meddle and Mend. They discuss the challenges of crafting new love interests for established characters, the many forms queer relationships can take, and what’s coming up next in this beloved world. You can preorder The Spe…

Carolina Cruz (they/them) interviews Mars Adler (they/them) and H. S. Wolfe (they/them/he/him) about starting a small press, queer indie cozy horror, body horror as a tool to write about disability and queerness, catharsis, Weird West, and Kickstarting an anthology. You can back the Dead Cowpokes Don't Wrangle anthology Kickstarter here! Mars Adler…

Newsletters Part One with RK Ashwick and Noah Hawthorne Indie fantasy authors discuss author newsletters, why every author should have one, and what treasures readers can expect to find when they sign up. RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of A Rival Most Vial and The Stray Spirit. You can sign up for her newsletter at her website: rkashwick.com No…

Four indie authors discuss the how and why of audiobook production - including accessibility, distribution, funding, surprises, pitfalls, and the joys of collaborating with human narrators. Plus, the true cost of paperbacks. Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of Phantom and Rook, narrated by Kirt Graves. Sarah Wa…

Do indie authors gain anything from giving books away for free? The answer may surprise you. With bonus digressions into BookBub, Vellum, and Kobo Plus. Sarah Wallace (they/she) is a queer historical romantasy author of such titles as Letters to Half Moon Street (now permafree!) and Breeze Spells & Bridegrooms. You can connect with them and their b…

Six authors attempt to define the genre. Featuring an extremely scientific hurt/comfort formula, manual labor, found family, connecting to nature, and an unforgivable betrayal. Our panel: RK Ashwick (she/her), author of A Rival Most Vial and The Stray Spirit. Noah Hawthorne (he/they), author of Phantom & Rook and Madsdottir & Adrastus. Sarah Wallac…

Tess Carletta (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) talk about body autonomy, escaping into queernormative worlds, and the parallels between English country house life and the isolation aboard ship in the age of sail. You can learn more about Sebastian and his books at his website: sebastiannothwell.com…

Cozy historical fantasy author S. O. Callahan (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss co-writing, connection through character creation, and the inspiration in a happily-ever-after. You can find S. O. Callahan's books and more on Instagram: @s.o.callahan

Cozy fantasy author RK Ashwick (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss catharsis through character development, building stories around your passions, and cozy inspiration. You can find RK's books and more at her website: rkashwick.comتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

Contemporary ace romance author Sarah Whalen (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss the value of feeling seen in fiction and the paradoxical universality of very specific stories. You can learn more about Sarah and her books on instagram: @authorsarahwhalenتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

Carolina Cruz (they/them) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) talk inspirational fantasy, redemption arcs, gothic horror, and the queerly comforting quality of otherworldly characters. You can find Cruz on twitter and instagram @Ninawolverinaتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

Epic fantasy author Luna Daye (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss character-driven storytelling, visceral reader reactions, and the symbiotic relationship between metal music and fantasy novels. You can learn more about Luna and her books on her website: lunadaye.comتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

Urban fantasy and historical fiction author Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, chats with Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about exploring new genres and researching queer pasts. You can find all of Noah’s books and social media on his website: neshamapublishing.com Content warning: discussion of mental illness, depression, fiction…

Cozy historical fantasy author Sarah Wallace (they/she) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss found family, co-writing, and queer happily-ever-afters with and without romance. You can find Sarah's books on their website: sarahwallacewriter.comتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

Cozy magical realism author Tess Carletta (she/her) and Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) discuss how to apply theatre techniques to writing novels and crafting an aspirational world. Check out Tess’s books at her website: tesscarletta.comتوسط Sebastian Nothwell

This episode is all about updates. Anne and Ali talk about the Romance Writers of Australia conference they are headed to next month, including when and where they will be, as well as their plans outside of the conference. They talk about the new social media platform, Threads, how easy it is to use, and how they are using it. They also give advice…

In this Patreon Q&A episode, Anne and Ali answer a question about how much of their social media they do themselves, vs how much they turn over to someone else. They talk about the importance of having an authentic social media presence, and also the importance of having help that compliments you, so that you are less likely to encounter burnout. T…

In this week's special episode, Anne and Ali sit down with Michael Evans, the creator of Ream- a subscription based platform made for authors by authors. Michael talks about his path to creating Ream, including the struggles he had along the way, that lead him to developing a space for authors to create community and cultivate superfans. They talk …

In this special episode, Anne and Ali interview psychologist Dr. Madeleine Amie, who has been working as a counseling psychologist for over 15 years in New Zealand and Australia. They talk about Madeleine's work around survival response and, most importantly, imposter syndrome and how it relates to the author and publishing community. They discuss …

In this week's episode, Anne and Ali dive further into PR and what it can mean for you. They talk about setting realistic goals, defining your boundaries with publicists, and managing your expectations. They give examples of ways you can get PR, even on a budget, and when you aren't able to work with a publicist. They also discuss the importance of…

In this episode, Anne and Ali answer a Patreon question about Motivation. They discuss the challenges of staying motivated when exhaustion sets in and explore the importance of recognizing your own limits to prevent burnout. They talk about how important it is to have fun, and to ensure you are taking care of yourself. They also talk about what con…

Welcome to PR June! In this episode, Anne and Ali introduce the theme of the month and discuss the difference between PR and marketing. Anne explains what PR is, and gives examples of how to distinguish that from your marketing strategy. She also talks about mindset and being strategic. Anne and Ali both give ideas and examples of how they have gon…

In this episode, Anne and Ali discuss the things they've been up to recently. Ali talks about their upcoming book release, and how they are preparing for it, and having fun on social media. Anne talks about the book she is currently writing, as well as a new non-fiction book she recently released. They also talk about being strategic with newslette…

In this episode, Anne and Ali answer a question from patrons, about how they use their drafts. They each talk about how they personally use their TikTok drafts, and how many they usually have. They give tips and advice about different types of drafts you can make and how they can be used to your advantage. They also talk a little about CapCut and h…

In this episode, Anne and Ali talk about strengthening the community you have built, and getting people to keep showing up. They talk about what you can do to help your followers feel valued and appreciated, while also creating connections and deepening bonds. They also discuss keeping the balance between not enough and too much, when it comes to o…

In this episode, Anne and Ali talk about how to get people following you in the right places. They discuss where and how to offer the right level of engagement to meet your followers' needs, as well as how to get people to follow you from one platform to the next. They also talk about simple and fun ways to reward your followers, and encourage them…

May is all about building community. In this episode, Anne and Ali focus on building a foundation for your community- how to pull people together and build the start of a fandom. They talk about the specific elements of community and how to bring them together in a way that gets people talking and wanting to be in your community. They also discuss …

In this final episode of Engagement April, Anne and Ali introduce three of the thirteen TikTok tropes. They talk about the Seinfeld, the Movement, and Big Feelings. They give examples of how to use each of the three tropes, and how they can improve engagement on your page. They also share some information about their courses that are coming soon. I…

This week Anne and Ali answer questions from their patrons. They talk about asking the right questions, as well as how to time those questions and phrase them for maximum engagement. They also discuss using CapCut to easily make content that is on trend, and how doing so will help increase engagement. We'd love to know how you are asking questions …

This week. Anne and Ali talk about what you can do to make people feel welcome on your social media, in your newsletter, and in other spaces where you are trying to build and maintain a community. They talk about the importance of sharing who you are, not just what you do, and getting to know your community. They also discuss the importance of acti…

The month of April is all about engagement. In this episode, Anne and Ali talk about how to keep people watching to the end of your videos. They give specific examples of how to use questions, hooks, images, or trending sounds to keep your viewers watching, and how to use your energy and timing to pull people in. They also talk about how to use tim…