📚 Reflecting on a full year of writing, podcasting, and indie author life.
In this special episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell take a heartfelt look back at their past year—what they learned, what surprised them, and how the writing and publishing journey continues to evolve.

Angela and Cassie share insights from their own author journeys, reveal lessons they wish they’d known earlier, and talk openly about the importance of community support and giving yourself grace through all seasons—busy, messy, and magical.

In this episode, they explore:

📌 How to balance writing with a chaotic life (and still enjoy it)
📌 Why creative seasons change—and why that’s normal
📌 Lessons learned from publishing mistakes and successes
📌 The importance of community when writing feels hard
📌 How intuition can guide your next creative move
📌 Why reflecting on your growth matters more than you think
📌 What Angela & Cassie are currently reading, watching, and loving

👇 Question of the week:
What was your biggest writing lesson this past year? ✍️💡

🔔 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 🔑 writing podcast, indie authors, creative journey, publishing tips, author reflections, creative growth, writing motivation, author life, podcasting lessons, time management for writers

📚 How do you pitch your book, find an agent, and break into publishing—without losing your mind along the way?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell chat with Laura Goode, award-winning author, poet, and Stanford professor, about the art and strategy behind getting your book agented, published, and paid.

Drawing from her new craft book Pitch Craft: The Writer’s Guide to Getting Agented, Published, and Paid (Ten Speed Press, 2025), Laura shares her expert insights on querying, pitching, and positioning your work in today’s competitive publishing landscape.

In this explore they explore:

The craft of pitching your book with clarity and confidence ✍️

How to query agents effectively (and what not to do)

Common mistakes writers make in their submission materials

How to identify the right agent and publishing path for your goals

Why persistence and professionalism matter more than perfection

The realities of breaking into traditional publishing as an indie or debut author

How to position your writing as both art and business

Whether you’re polishing your first query letter or preparing to pitch your next big project, this episode is your step-by-step guide to navigating the publishing process with strategy—and heart.

👇 What’s your biggest question about pitching or querying?

Where to find Laura: https://www.lauragoode.com/

🔔 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 🔑 pitching a book, how to get a literary agent, query letter tips, querying agents, traditional publishing, book pitch tips, literary agent advice, publishing process, writing craft, author career, publishing strategy, manuscript pitching, how to get published, writer tips, Pitch Craft Laura Goode

🚨 Writers, beware! Not every opportunity is what it seems.
In this eye-opening episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell break down the most common scams targeting indie authors—from shady “review services” to fake book award schemes—and share real experiences to help you stay safe, smart, and empowered in your author journey.

They unpack how to spot red flags, protect your creative work, and make informed decisions when investing in marketing or promotions. If you’ve ever received a too-good-to-be-true email about your book… this episode is a must-watch.

In this episode they explore:

• How to spot and avoid author scams in the self-publishing world 🚫
• Why authentic engagement matters more than paid reviews
• The truth about unsolicited emails offering promotions or representation
• The pros and cons of paid promotions and what’s actually worth your money
• Why book reviews are valuable only when they’re genuine
• The power of author communities for staying informed and supported
• Why trusting your instincts is your best line of defense

🎧 This episode is your guide to navigating the publishing industry with confidence, clarity, and a healthy dose of skepticism. Because being indie shouldn’t mean being uninformed.

Answer In Comments 👇 Have you ever gotten a suspicious “book promotion” email? Tell us your story in the comments!

For more info on the Alliance Of Independent Authors click here: https://www.allianceindependentauthors.org/

🔔 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 🔑 indie authors, scams, book reviews, promotions, copyright, author community, writing tips, publishing industry, author safety, self-publishing