🎙️ 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