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What if your romance career didn’t hinge on going viral—but on quietly writing your way to 118 books and counting? In this episode, I’m chatting with holiday romance queen Samantha Chase about sustainable careers, Christmas comfort reads, and why she’ll always write a Christmas book.

We talk about what it really looks like to treat writing like a job (in the best way), how Samantha built a wide, library-friendly backlist instead of relying on Kindle Unlimited, and why she’s more interested in consistency than fame. Then we dive into her newest holiday romance, A Holly Brown Christmas, plus a whole sleigh-full of her backlist Christmas books and a couple of festive recs from Lauren Blakely.

Holly Brown Christmas by Samantha Chase

The Christmas Cottage Series by Samantha Chase

Silver Bell Falls Series by Samantha Chase

Mistletoe Between Friends by Samantha Chase

Mistletoe Between Friends Snowflake Inn Duo by Samantha Chase

Moonlight in Winter Park by Samantha Chase

The Snowflake Inn by Samantha Chase

Waiting for Midnight by Samantha Chase

His for the Holidays by Samantha Chase

Moonlight in Winter Park Waiting for Midnight Duet by Samantha Chase

Baking it Merry by Samantha Chase

[00:00] – Intro & catching up with Samantha’s current projects

[03:00] – How she plans series, works with her assistant, and stays three books ahead

[06:00] – Building a 118-book backlist & why your first book won’t define you

[08:00] – KU vs wide: sweeter contemporary, libraries, and diversified income

[10:30] – The “old” marketing formulas that stopped working and what she does now

[13:00] – Virality, fame, and why writing is a job—not a shortcut to celebrity

[15:00] – The origin story of The Christmas Cottage and its Hallmark adaptation

[18:00] – A tour of Samantha’s Christmas backlist (Snowflake Inn, Silverbell Falls, Baking it Merry)

[20:30] – All about A Holly Brown Christmas: office party chaos, divorce drama, and a Snoopy-coded pup Schmoop

[23:00] – Holiday romance recs from Lauren Blakely: My Favorite Holidate & Merry Little Kissmas

[26:00] – Where to find Samantha online + buying books directly from her site

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