🎙️ Seven Romance Books. One dyslexic author. A journey defined by humor, heart, and perseverance.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with romance author Ivan Scott, who shares his remarkable story of becoming a published writer while navigating the challenges of dyslexia—and how it ultimately shaped his creativity, storytelling, and voice.

They explore:

Ivan’s inspiring journey from rejection to publication (and what 303 “no’s” taught him)

How dyslexia influences his writing process and creativity ✍️

What it’s like to write romance as a male author—and the responsibility that comes with it

Crafting relatable, emotionally resonant characters that readers connect with

The role of observation and empathy in developing authentic relationships on the page

Why patience and life experience make you a better storyteller

How to view rejection as redirection in your writing career

The joy of writing stories that preserve memories and celebrate love

Ivan’s thoughts on exploring new genres and deeper themes in future projects

This episode is a heartfelt reminder that no matter the obstacles—whether dyslexia, rejection, or self-doubt—every writer has a voice worth sharing.

👇 What’s one challenge you’ve faced in your writing journey, and how did it make you stronger?

Where to find Ivan Scott 👉 https://ivanscottbooks.com/

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Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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🎙️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, dyslexia, romance, male authors, humor, character development, rejection, publishing, storytelling, creativity, indie authors

🎙️ Authors can’t just write in a alone in a cabin, they have to mix it up.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with bestselling author JD Barker to unpack what it really takes to succeed in today’s publishing world—from mastering your mindset to understanding the business behind the books.

We explore:

How to overcome the post–first book slump and stay motivated

Why mindset and persistence are your biggest creative tools

The reality of hybrid publishing and what it means for author freedom

Why you can’t separate writing from marketing anymore 📚💡

The art of thinking differently in a crowded industry

How collaboration can elevate your craft (if done right)

The value of querying agents—even if you’re indie or hybrid

Common myths about authorship and what the writing life really looks like

The importance of saying “no” and managing your creative energy

This is a must-watch episode for writers ready to treat their craft like a career—and take control of their creative future.

Answer in Comments 👇 What’s the best author advice you've ever received?

Where to find J.D. 👉 https://jdbarker.com/

Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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🎙️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, publishing, mindset, collaboration, hybrid publishing, author advice, marketing, J.D. Barker, creativity, book promotion, self-publishing, indie authors

🎙️ Marketing doesn’t have to be overwhelming—especially when you have the right tools.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with Kathleen Sweeney, COO of Book Brush, to talk all things author marketing, AI tools, and the evolving relationship between writers and readers.

They explore:

How author-reader relationships are changing—and how to make them work for you

The journey behind Book Brush and how it’s shaped by real author feedback

Simple ways to use Book Brush to level up your marketing game

Why marketing is a long game (and how to make it sustainable)

How translation services and virtual assistants can help expand your reach and save time

The launch of Author Anchor and the new resources it offers

Whether you’re just getting started or deep in the publishing grind, this episode is packed with tools, encouragement, and insider advice to help you grow with confidence.

Answer in comments👇 What’s one marketing tool or trick that’s worked for you lately?

Helpful Links:
https://bookbrush.com/
https://authoranchor.com/

Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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🎙️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 🔑 Book Brush, Kathleen Sweeney, author marketing, social media, AI in publishing, translation services, virtual assistance, author community, marketing strategies, indie authors, self-publishing

🎙️ What happens when you bring queerness, coziness, and real representation into fantasy writing?
In this heartfelt episode of @theauthornextdoor, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down with JP Rindfleisch IX, award-winning author of queer cozy fantasies, to talk about writing with authenticity, transitioning into full-time authorship, and the power of community in a creative career.

In this episode they explore:

JP’s journey into writing and the leap to becoming a full-time author

The enduring appeal of cozy mysteries and why they matter now more than ever

The importance of queer representation in genre fiction 🏳️‍🌈

How sensitivity readers help writers build trust and authenticity

Navigating negative feedback with grace and self-trust

The emotional impact of writing stories that reflect lived experiences

Why community and connection are essential for sustainable creativity

This episode is a warm, honest conversation for writers who want to tell meaningful stories and readers who crave cozy, inclusive fiction that makes them feel seen.

👇 What cozy mystery (or character) made you feel at home?

Where to find JP: https://shop.jprindfleischix.com/

Support 🔊 @myNoiseDotNet https://mynoise.net/ A great resource for sounds to help you write!

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🎙️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 🔑 queer cozy fantasy, writing journey, full-time author, cozy fantasy, community in writing, diverse characters, sensitivity readers, LBGTQ+ representation

🎙️ Every story is shaped by perspective—and every perspective deserves space on the page.
In this powerful episode of ⁨@TheAuthorNextDoor⁩ Cassie Newell and Angela Haas explore how personal experiences, culture, gender, and tradition all shape the way writers tell stories. This candid conversation reflects on their own creative journeys while celebrating the importance of diverse perspectives in the writing community.

They discuss:

How your personal and cultural background influences the stories you tell

The role of community traditions in shaping characters and voice

Why authentic representation matters (and where stereotypes fall short)

The challenges women face in writing and publishing industries

What it means to write with emotional honesty ✍️💬

How writing goals evolve over time—and why that’s a good thing

The creative growth that comes from listening to different perspectives

If you’ve ever questioned whether your story “counts” or struggled to find your place in the writing world—this episode will remind you: your voice matters.

Answer in comments👇 What life experience has shaped your writing most?

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 🔑 writing, perspectives, storytelling, cultural background, gender, representation, community, personal experiences, misconceptions, career goals, self-publishing, indie authors

🎙️ From brain science to pulse-pounding thrillers—Christine Daigle knows how the mind works.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with Christine Daigle, a neuropsychologist turned thriller author, about how her background in human behavior helps her craft unforgettable characters and twisty, tension-filled plots.

They dive into:

Christine’s unique journey from neuropsychology to thriller writing 🧠📚

How deep insight into human behavior and motivation fuels her characters

The craft of writing thrillers: pacing, twists, and emotional stakes

The power of collaboration and creative partnerships

What it really takes to transition between genres

How research adds authenticity—and what readers notice

The evolving world of speculative fiction and where she sees it going

Resources, mindset shifts, and community advice for indie authors

Answer in comments👇 What’s your favorite thriller that got into your head and stayed there?

Where to find Christine: https://www.christinedaiglebooks.com/

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 🔑
thriller, writing, neuropsychology, character development, pacing, collaboration, speculative fiction, crime fiction, world-building, research, indie authors, self-publishing

🎙️ What makes dark fiction unforgettable? It’s not the monsters, it’s the emotions they uncover.
In this episode of @TheAuthorNextDoor Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Daniel Willcocks, bestselling dark fiction author, to explore his ten-year writing journey and the craft of writing horror that hits you in the gut—not just with fear, but with feeling.

In this episode you'll find:

Daniel’s evolution from solo writer to collaborative creator and coach

The psychological layers of dark fiction and horror 🧠🕯️

How to build suspense and dread that keeps readers flipping pages

Why relatable characters make fear more powerful

The fine line between reader expectations and genre-breaking risks

Maintaining boundaries when collaborating creatively

The importance of loving the process, not just chasing outcomes

Whether you’re writing horror, dark fiction, or just looking for deeper creative insight, this episode will leave you thinking about fear in a whole new way.

Answer in comments 👇 What’s your favorite horror novel that made you feel something real?

Where to find Daniel:
https://www.danielwillcocks.com/

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 🔑 Daniel Willcocks, dark fiction, horror, writing, author, collaboration, boundaries, storytelling, suspense, reader expectations, monsters, post-apocalyptic novels, goosebumps for grownups

#theauthornextdoor #horrorauthor #indieauthors

🎙️ 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!

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🎙️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