Can your character drink a Coke? Mention a favorite movie? Name the song playing in the background? What happens if you actually quote the lyrics? And should you trademark your book title?

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell tackle some of the copyright, trademark, and fair use questions indie authors regularly encounter while writing, publishing, and building their author businesses.

They break down the basic difference between trademarks and copyright, discuss when authors can generally reference real-world brands and entertainment in fiction, and explain why reproducing someone else’s creative work is a very different question. They also look at song titles versus lyrics, movie references and quotes, public domain, fair use, and when an author might start thinking about trademark protection for a larger series or brand.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The difference between trademark and copyright
• Why ideas and tropes are different from copyrighted expression
• Referencing brands, movies, and songs in fiction
• Why song lyrics require extra caution
• Fair use versus public domain
• When indie authors might consider trademark protection

Important: Angela and Cassie are authors, not attorneys. This episode provides general educational information and should not be considered legal advice. Authors with questions about a specific book, use, or business should consult a qualified attorney.

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell use the Amazon Prime adaptation inspired by Carley Fortune’s Every Summer After as a case study in what happens when romantic chemistry does not fully carry from page to screen.

They explore the emotional investment readers bring to adaptations, why nostalgia cannot replace chemistry, and how changes in pacing, characterization, and structure can affect the heart of a romance. The conversation also expands into dual timelines, second-chance romance, friends-to-lovers, and the questions writers should ask when building emotionally satisfying relationships on the page.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why chemistry is essential to a satisfying romance
• How reader expectations influence reactions to adaptations
• Why nostalgia alone cannot create emotional investment
• The challenges of writing dual timelines and backstory
• What authors should consider when using familiar romance tropes

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In this Quick Bites episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore an underrated writing tool: the way words physically appear on the page.

They talk about how white space, sentence length, paragraph breaks, fragments, and even unfinished thoughts can influence pacing and emotion. From fast-moving fight scenes to quiet romantic beats, the shape of the prose can change how quickly a reader moves and where they instinctively pause.

In this episode, they discuss:

How white space can create emotional emphasis
Why short sentences can accelerate pacing
How sentence length affects action, dialogue, and reflection
Why formatting can reveal character voice
What poetry can teach fiction writers about space and rhythm

🎙️ Learn more about the show:
https://theauthornextdoor.com/

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https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod