SPA Girls Podcast

Épisodes

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  Sell More Books With Every Launch – Series Launch Strategy ft. Helen B. Scheuerer (Classic Replay EP#565) 12.08.2026 46min

  Is your back matter costing you sales? Bestselling fantasy author Helen B. Scheuerer joins us to break down exactly how to launch a book series — from optimising your back matter for read-through, to pre-order strategy, ARC campaigns, and building a street team that generates real buzz. In this Classic Replay episode, Helen shares the launch strategies behind her book How To Launch A Successful Series. Whether you’re a new indie author planning your first book launch or a seasoned self-published author looking to level up your release strategy, you’ll walk away with practical tactics: the “rank vs bank” pre-order debate, why buffer time saves your sanity, and how to run a street team on Discord that turns readers into cheerleaders. 👤 ABOUT HELEN B. SCHEUERER: Helen B. Scheuerer is the bestselling fantasy author of The Oremere Chronicles, Curse of the Cyren Queen, and The Legends of Thezmarr. Her work has been praised for its strong, flawed female characters and action-packed plots. She also publishes advice for authors through her nonfiction series, Books For Career Authors, and has been a full-time author since 2018. 🔗 https://www.helenscheuerer.com 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: How To Launch A Successful Series by Helen B. Scheuerer: [Amazon link] How To Write A Successful Series by Helen B. Scheuerer: [Amazon link] BookFunnel (for ARC delivery): https://bookfunnel.com Our previous episodes with Helen on writing a series: [episode links] 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast
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  Should You Change Genres? 5 Key Questions To Help You Make The Leap Successfully (EP#564) 05.08.2026 49min

  Dreaming of writing in a new genre? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP564), all four SPA Girls answer a listener’s question about switching genres as a self-published author, including how Cheryl knew it was the right time to move from contemporary romance to cozy mysteries. Whether your books aren’t selling, you’re bored with your current genre, or a new trend is calling your name, this episode gives you a 5-question framework to make the decision with confidence. Changing genres is one of the biggest decisions in an indie author career — it can mean a new pen name, new covers, new marketing, and starting your readership from scratch. We unpack when a genre switch makes sense, when a tweak to your current genre is the smarter move, and how to test a new genre before you commit. #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #AuthorTips 1️⃣ Check your motivation — are you running FROM something or stepping TOWARD something? 2️⃣ Check your relationship with your current genre — would a tweak fix it? 3️⃣ Check your timing — where are you in your career and catalogue? 4️⃣ Check your brand and readers — will they follow you? 5️⃣ Check your practical reality — so you can plan your switch for success 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” ❤️ Watch our episode recordings on the SPA Girls Podcast You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #
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  Debunking Publishing Myths & How To Beat Procrastination ft. Rachael Herron (Classic Replay EP#563)   29.07.2026 51min

  This episode was originally recorded in 2021. We’re replaying it because the advice hasn’t aged a day. Most writers don’t have a talent problem. They have a fear problem.In this Classic Replay, internationally bestselling author Rachael Herron joins Trudi, Shar, Cheryl and Wendy to talk about why fear is the real engine behind procrastination, what to actually do about it, and three publishing myths that need to die. Rachael has written more than two dozen books across thriller, mainstream fiction, feminist romance, memoir and nonfiction for writers. She publishes both traditionally and independently, which makes her one of the most useful people to ask about how those two paths really compare — money included. What we cover: How seven years of not writing ended with a 50,000-word NaNoWriMo draft — and a three-book deal at auction What a six-figure, three-book New York deal actually paid her per year after taxes and agent commission Why she’s never earned out a US advance, and what “earning out” really means How keeping ANZ rights separate accidentally launched her self-publishing career Why she now makes more from self-publishing than from traditional Three publishing myths worth killing: that you need a degree, that a big advance means you can quit your job, and that publishers market better than you do Ira Glass’s “gap” theory, and why your good taste is the thing making you miserable Building a “trash mountain” first draft on purpose Her revision toolbox: the sentence outline, 100 Post-its, and writing forward as if you’ve already fixed it Practical anti-procrastination tactics — the café with no Wi-Fi, the check-in buddy, the 45-minute burst Swapping your to-do list for a “ta-da list” Writing across multiple genres, and what it costs you Rachael’s one piece of advice: write “Don’t wait” on a Post-it and stick it on your computer. About Rachael HerronRachael Herron (also writing as R.H. Herron) is the USA Today and internationally bestselling author of more than two dozen books. She received her MFA in writing from Mills College, Oakland, and has taught writing extension workshops at UC Berkeley and Stanford. Her most recent novel is The Seven Miracles of Beatrix Holland. She lives in Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand. Find Rachael: rachaelherron.com | How Do You Write podcast | Resources for writers Note since recording: NaNoWriMo closed as an organisation in March 2025. For a structured drafting challenge, try Sarra Cannon’s Rough Draft Challenge at roughdraftchallenge.com 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” ❤️ Watch our episode recordings on the SPA Girls Podcast You Tube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast
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  Writing Fear & Emotion That Hooks Readers ft. Becca Puglisi (EP#562) 22.07.2026 1h 1min

  Why do some characters feel real enough to root for while others fall flat despite having every “correct” ingredient? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP562), we dive into writing fear and emotion with Becca Puglisi, international speaker, writing coach, and bestselling co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus. Becca’s writing craft books have sold over 1.4 million copies and are used by novelists, screenwriters, and universities worldwide. Becca unpacks the difference between surface-level fear and the deep, wound-driven fear that powers a character’s arc — and how to weave it through your whole story without spelling it out. We talk showing vs. telling emotion, the danger of over-aware characters who kill reader empathy, using setting to amplify feeling, how fear drives the plot through turning points and choices, and why villains weaponise fear while protagonists learn to overcome it. Whether you’re a plotter or a “messy middle” pantser, this one will change how you build characters readers can’t stop caring about. If your book isn’t working, the problem might be that you haven’t nailed your character’s fear yet. Watch On You-Tube 👤 ABOUT BECCA PUGLISI:Becca Puglisi is the bestselling co-author of The Emotion Thesaurus series (with Angela Ackerman), an international speaker and writing coach whose resources have sold over 1.4 million copies worldwide. She’s the co-founder of the Writers Helping Writers blog and One Stop for Writers, home to the Character Builder and Storyteller’s Roadmap tools. 🔗 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Writers Helping Writers blog: https://writershelpingwriters.net One Stop for Writers: https://onestopforwriters.com The Fear Thesaurus (Becca’s newest release) The Emotion Thesaurus & the full thesaurus series 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: https://www.spagirlspodcast.com🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast”💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
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  Turning Down a Six-Figure Trad Deal & Building a Sustainable Indie Author Career, ft. Brenna Aubrey (Classic Replay EP#561) 15.07.2026 1h 22min

  This week we’re revisiting a favourite conversation with USA Today bestselling author Brenna Aubrey — and it’s a masterclass in both bold business decisions and long-term career survival. Brenna takes us right back to the beginning: writing sprawling epic fantasy at night while her husband worked the graveyard shift, stumbling into her local RWA chapter, and the shower-thought that became her breakout gamer romance, At Any Price. Then came the moment that made her something of a self-publishing legend — her debut went to auction, two houses landed in a bidding war, and Brenna told her agent there was a third bidder: herself. She walked away from a six-figure, three-book deal to go indie… and made back more than that offer in her first year. Brenna is refreshingly honest about the long fall that can follow a big high, including the online criticism she wasn’t prepared for, and walks us through the mindset practices that brought her back (mindfulness, meditation, EFT tapping, gratitude journaling, time in nature, and Becca Syme’s strengths work), and why “anxiety lies, depression lies” became a mantra. On the business side, Brenna shares her framework for career longevity. Whether you’re weighing traditional vs indie, clawing your way out of a rough patch, or thinking about how to keep this career going for the long haul, Brenna’s warmth and honesty will leave you feeling seen — and hopeful. Watch Episode Recording on YouTube In this episode: The bidding war — and why Brenna became her own “third bidder” Trad vs indie: the scheduling, cover, and non-compete red flags that made her choose self-publishing The crash after the high, and why mindset is “a full-time job” Brenna’s practical mindset toolkit for anxiety and burnout Trying something new: co-writing, serializing, and new genres as career fuel “Series 2.0”: rebranding covers and moving wide → KU Why less-is-more back matter converts better Her one golden nugget for career longevity Links & resources mentioned: Brenna Aubrey’s website: https://brennaaubrey.net/ Becca Syme — Strengths for Writers (QuitBooks / Better-Faster Academy) Zoe York — Romance Your Brand / Series 2.0 Penny Reid (cover branding help) Headspace app; “Therapy in a Nutshell” (YouTube); EFT tapping SPA Girls episodes with Zoe York – EP#335, EP#226, EP#65 About Brenna Aubrey Brenna is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author of contemporary romance featuring geek culture. Her bestselling romance series, Gaming The System, is available in eBook and print format across all vendors. When she’s not dreaming up people and worlds and writing them down, she’s also a mom, wife, teacher, avid reader, a proud geek-girl, a self-confessed gaming addict, a French-speaking Francophile, lover of nature and beautiful sunsets. Find her at www.brennaaubrey.net 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” ❤️ Watch our episode recordings on our YouTube Channel http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity
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  Cracking the German Book Market ft. USA Today Bestseller Skye MacKinnon (EP#560) 08.07.2026 1h 1min

  Germany is the third-biggest book market in the world — and it’s still hungry for indie authors. This week we’re joined by USA Today bestselling romance author Skye MacKinnon, who returns to update us on everything that’s changed in German translations since her first appearance in 2023. Skye has more than 70 novels across three pen names, and Germany is now her biggest market worldwide. She’s just released the second edition of Self-Publishing in German, and it’s more than double the length of the original — because there was that much to update. From the collapse of IngramSpark distribution in Germany to Tolino’s new audiobook feature, from why print books still matter to how gorgeously the Germans do special editions, Skye walks us through what indie authors need to know in 2026. IN THIS EPISODE WE COVER: What’s changed in the German market since 2023 (spoiler: a lot) Why IngramSpark no longer works for German distribution — and what to use instead The Tolino Alliance: how German booksellers built a genuine Amazon alternative The fixed-price law every wide author needs to understand before publishing in Germany Why print books still sell — and why German special editions are on another level How to market in a language you don’t speak (and why you already have most of the content) Cover trends: object covers vs man-chest, and why German romance covers look different Genres that thrive in Germany — including one surprising winner (hint: Westerns) The Impressum, title protection, and other legal must-knows Why translators legally own the copyright of your translation (and why that’s fine) Reader behaviour: Lovely Books, newsletter engagement, and the Rare signing surprise Is it still worth entering the German market in 2026? Skye’s honest answer Whether you’re translation-curious or already have German books and want to sell more of them, this one’s packed with practical, up-to-date advice from someone actually doing it. 👤 ABOUT SKYE MacKINNON: Skye B. MacKinnon is a Scottish USA Today bestselling romance author who has written 70+ novels across multiple pen names, including 50 adult novels and 20 children’s books (as Isla Wynter). A former journalist, she’s been a full-time author since 2018 and has been publishing in German since 2020 — where her books have been featured in hundreds of Thalia bookstores, hit number one in Apple Books Germany’s free chart, and won the Tolino All-Star Favorites Award for Children’s Book in 2025. She’s an admin of the Wide for the Win group and consults with indie authors on breaking into the German market. 🔗 www.skyemackinnon.com 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Self-Publishing in German: Second Edition — Skye’s book (available direct from skyemackinnon.com, plus all major retailers) Marketing German Indie Book Translations — Skye’s Facebook group for authors translating into German Tolino Alliance — the German bookseller ecosystem that’s roughly equal in size to Amazon Germany Lovely Books — the German equivalent of Goodreads Findaway Voices / InAudio — audiobook distribution Wide for the Win — Facebook group Skye admins for wide indie authors 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity
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  How to Write a Book Series Readers Binge ft. Helen Scheuerer (Classic Replay EP#559) 01.07.2026 1h 4min

  Want to write a book series readers binge — and come back to buy again and again? Bestselling YA fantasy author Helen Scheuerer joins the SPA Girls to break down how to design a series that hooks readers, boosts your read-through rate, and sets you up for long-term author income. Whether you’re plotting your first trilogy or wondering if your genre even suits a series, this episode covers the strategy behind binge-worthy fiction. Helen shares the real reasons a series is more lucrative than standalones (hint: you build your audience once), how to use open loops, breadcrumbs, and cliffhangers to pull readers into the next instalment, and why a working series bible will save you serious time and heartache. She also unpacks exit and expansion strategies so a slow-selling — or runaway-hit — series never traps you. 🔁 CLASSIC REPLAY — This episode was originally recorded in 2022 and the series-building advice is just as relevant today. #SelfPublishing #WriteAStory #IndieAuthor 📌 IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 — Introduction & catching up with Helen 03:30 — What actually counts as a “series” (dynamic vs static) 06:00 — Why a series is more lucrative than standalones 10:30 — How many books should a series be? (and why not to lock it in) 14:00 — Literary universes & rewarding long-term readers 19:00 — How Helen plans a brand-new series from scratch 27:00 — Open loops, breadcrumbs & cliffhangers explained 38:00 — Series arc vs individual book arcs 47:00 — Keeping a series bible (and why every genre needs one) 58:00 — Does any genre NOT suit a series? 👤 ABOUT HELEN SCHEUERER: Helen Scheuerer is the bestselling YA fantasy author of The Oremere Chronicles and the Curse of the Cyren Queen quartet, known for strong, flawed female characters and action-packed plots often likened to Sarah J. Maas. She holds a Bachelor of Creative Writing and a Masters of Publishing, and now writes full-time from the mountains of New Zealand. Her non-fiction guide, How to Write a Successful Series, distils everything she’s learned across two bestselling series. 🔗 https://helenscheuerer.com/ 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: • How To Write A Successful Series: Writing Strategies For Authors by Helen B. Scheuerer: https://helenscheuerer.com/ • Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes • The One Page Novel outline by Derek Murphy 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast
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  Mental Resilience for Indie Authors (EP#558) 24.06.2026 49min

  Why do the highs and lows of an indie author career always hit when you least expect them? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP558), it’s just the four of us — Cheryl, Shar, Wendy, and Trudi — talking openly about mental resilience and how to weather the emotional rollercoaster of self-publishing. We unpack the panic of watching your numbers drop, the comparison trap, and the burnout that can quietly creep up on even seasoned authors. Whether you’re spiraling over a bad sales week or questioning whether your writing matters at all, this episode is a reminder that the dips are part of the journey — and you will come out the other side. We share the real tools we’ve used to climb back up: managing what you can control, setting boundaries with social media, knowing when to fold ’em, and learning to be gentle with yourself. #SelfPublishing #AuthorMindset #IndieAuthor Watch on YouTube 📌 IN THIS EPISODE:• Why you can’t measure your worth against your Amazon ranking• The “money date” approach to checking your numbers without the panic• How comparison and online echo chambers fuel the spiral• Accepting that change is normal (blame the saber-toothed tiger)• Recognising and recovering from burnout• Knowing when to say yes — and when to walk away• Controlling the narrative and asking for help• Remembering your “why” and defining your own version of success 📌 LINKS MENTIONED Heather Hildenbrand https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep434-top-3-mindset-tips-for-authors-with-heather-hildenbrand/Screen Zen phone app 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.spagirlspodcast.com🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast”💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast
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  Six-Figure Income on One Book a Year: An Indie Author’s Slow-Release Strategy ft. Helen Scheuerer (EP#557 Classic Replay) 16.06.2026 1h 2min

  🔁 CLASSIC REPLAY — This episode was originally recorded in 2021 and the strategy is just as relevant today. Helen has since gone on to become an internationally bestselling romantasy author with multiple series, proving the long-game approach works. What if you could earn six figures a year writing just ONE book? We sit down with International Bestselling Fantasy author Helen Scheuerer to unpack how she built a six-figure self-publishing career on a single annual release — the opposite of the “rapid release” model most indie authors are told to follow. Helen took her traditional publishing education (Bachelor of Creative Writing, Masters of Publishing) and applied it to her indie career with stunning results. If you’re a slow writer, a perfectionist, or a deep-world fantasy author who can’t churn out four books a year, this episode is for you. We dig into Helen’s launch strategy, her decision to leave traditional publishing behind, and the marketing approach that lets one book a year perform spectacularly. Watch On You Tube 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Oremere Chronicles trilogy: https://helenscheuerer.com/the-oremere-chronicles/ About Helen Helen Scheuerer is the Sunday Times bestselling author best known for her romantasy series, The Legends of Thezmarr and The Ashes of Thezmarr. Her work has been highly praised for its strong, flawed female characters and its action-packed plots. She also publishes advice for authors with her nonfiction series, Books For Career Authors. Helen’s love of writing and books led her to pursue a creative writing degree and a Masters of Publishing. She has been a full-time author since 2018 and now lives amidst the mountains in New Zealand where she is constantly dreaming up new stories. Find her at: https://helenscheuerer.com/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast
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  How to Market Audiobooks Wide: Direct Sales, Spotify & Facebook Ads ft. Rebecca Hefner (EP#556) 09.06.2026 1h 7min

  What if you could make more money selling audiobooks direct than on Amazon and Audible combined? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP556), USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner returns for a third time to break down exactly how she’s doing it — and how indie authors can market audiobooks wide, build a direct store that converts, and stop relying on a single retailer. Rebecca walks us through the Facebook ad strategies, Pinterest funnels, newsletter excerpt formula, and bundle pricing that now drive the majority of her author revenue from her own Shopify and Payhip stores. We also dig into the rapidly changing audiobook landscape — Spotify, YouTube audiobooks, Kobo Plus, and why repackaging your existing catalog into box sets is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. Whether you’re brand new to direct selling or already running a wide audiobook strategy, this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff advice from someone testing it all in real time. watch on YouTube 👤 ABOUT REBECCA HEFNER: USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home. In her youth, she would sneak into her mother’s bedroom and read the romance novels stashed on the bookshelf, cementing her love of HEAs. A huge Buffy and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father). Before becoming an author, Rebecca had a successful sales career. After launching her own indie publishing company, she is now a full-time author who also helps coach authors especially on publishing Wide strategies and direct selling. Rebecca’s author website is rebeccahefner.com and visit https://indieauthorvault.com for a free listing of curated resources for authors. She is also the admin of the Marketing Audiobooks Wide group on FB (https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingaudiobookswide) and Buy Direct From Authors (https://buydirectfromauthors.com/) which we highly recommend you join. 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Indie Author Vault: https://indieauthorvault.com Indie Audiobook Deals: https://indieaudiobookdeals.com Buy Direct From Authors: https://buydirectfromauthors.com Wide & Direct Autthor Substack: https://wideauthormarketing.substack.com Book a Consult with Rebecca: https://payhip.com/b/L6XMI 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode! #WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast
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  From Zero to $100K per Month – A Prolific Author’s Business Strategy ft. Elana Johnson (EP#555 Classic Replay) 03.06.2026 1h 6min

  We loved our first chat with Elana so much that we kept the mics running! In this follow-up episode to #553, Elana dives into the business side of her prolific career — the release strategies she swears by, the advertising that actually moves the needle, and the mindset it took to reach her first $100K month. True to form, she’s just as honest about the mistakes as the wins. If EP553 was about how she writes, this one’s about how she earns. #SelfPublishing #WritingProductivity #IndieAuthor About Elana Johnson USA Today Bestselling Author, Top 10 Kindle Unlimited All-Star Author, and #1 Bestselling Author on Nook and Apple Books, Author Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance, usually set on the beach or within the vicinity of the beach. Unfortunately, she lives in a landlocked state and must travel to the beach to get her fix, which her husband gladly accompanies her to do a few times each year. She also writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance as Liz Isaacson and sweet romantic women’s fiction as Jessie Newton, and all of her books are part of the Feel-Good Fiction Books brand. 🔗 authorelanajohnson.com   🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity
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  No Sugarcoating the Author Business ft. Bestselling Romance Author Elizabeth O’Roark (EP554) 27.05.2026 55min

  The indie author realities no-one talks about (much). Bestselling romance author Elizabeth O’Roark joins us this week for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations we’ve had on the show — covering everything from her Random House deal to the indie strategies she’s quietly walked away from. In this episode we chat about: Going from medical writer to indie romance author in 2013 The Devil series breakout and working with publicist Nina Grinstead at Valentine PR Pantser writing, rewriting every book 30 times, and writing scenes out of order The honest truth about special editions, direct sales and Amazon ads for romance authors Landing a two-book Random House deal — how it happened and what surprised her Why KU is “like doing heroin” and the realities of going wide as a romance author Cover changes, branding decisions, and learning to take feedback from other authors The biggest challenge after 23 books: staying inspired Voice dictation as a game-changer for writing faster ABOUT ELIZABETH O’ROARK Elizabeth O’Roark has a bunch of degrees she does not use and gave up working as a medical writer to craft grumpy, alpha heroes and the flawed women who love them. When not writing, she likes to spend time with her three kids, who are now teenagers and wish she’d find a different way to spend time. She can be found on Facebook feverishly debating whether or not “Die Hard” is a Christmas movie and telling people to read “The Hating Game”, which she did not write but wishes she had. Website: https://www.elizabethoroark.com 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Elizabeth’s website: https://www.elizabethoroark.com Nina Grinstead / Valentine PR: https://valentine-pr.com Natural Readers (text-to-speech for self-editing): https://www.naturalreaders.com Romance Author Mastermind (RAM) Entangled Publishing (Devil series print deal) Whitney G — author who gave the cover feedback Elizabeth credits CliftonStrengths / Gallup Strengths assessment Book Lovers by Emily Henry (mentioned re: trad publishing process) 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #RomancePodcast Watch the recording on You Tube 📌 IN THIS EPISODE: 00:00 — Introduction & welcome 01:15 — From medical writer to indie romance author: how it started in 2013 04:21 — Finding her stride: the Devil series breakout 06:13 — Branding, reader expectations & not bait-and-switching your audience 09:37 — Writing process: pantser life, writing scenes out of order, 30 rewrites 14:52 — Editors, beta readers & last-minute drafts 17:34 — The honest truth about special editions and direct sales 21:10 — “I’m very bad at my job”: on outsourcing what you’re not good at 23:24 — Building the brand: covers, website & finding a designer 26:12 — TikTok, Instagram & the viral video she didn’t plan for 27:46 — Working with a publicist (Nina Grinstead, Valentine PR) 30:48 — The Random House deal: how it happened and what surprised her 36:00 — Audio, translations & wide vs KU 39:10 — What readers actually love about her books 40:02 — Reader events, signings & the real cost of being “on” 45:40 — Cover changes: why they matter and how to use them 49:27 — The biggest challenge: staying inspired after 23 books 52:06 — Final advice: voice dictation as a game-changer 54:15 — Wrap-up and where to find Elizabeth
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  Inside a Prolific Author’s Daily Routine ft. Elana Johnson (Classic Replay EP#553) 22.05.2026 48min

  🔁 CLASSIC REPLAY — Originally recorded in 2020 and the advice is just as relevant today. How does a USA Today bestselling author write 84,000 words in 10 days? In this episode, Elana Johnson — author of over 130 books across three pen names — shares the exact daily routine, outlining methods, and mindset shifts behind her prolific output. We cover her “intense project / light project” system for always writing two books at once, why she outlines to the midpoint using Romancing the Beat, how she learned to write in 15-minute blocks while teaching elementary school, the steering wheel desk that changed her writing life, why tracking your own patterns for 30–60 days is the single best productivity move you can make, and why she gave herself permission to stop writing in the morning like everyone said she should. Whether you’re writing your first novel or trying to speed up your backlist, this one is packed with practical takeaways. #SelfPublishing #WritingProductivity #IndieAuthor 👤 ABOUT ELANA JOHNSON: USA Today Bestselling Author, Top 10 Kindle Unlimited All-Star Author, and #1 Bestselling Author on Nook and Apple Books, Author Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance, usually set on the beach or within the vicinity of the beach. Unfortunately, she lives in a landlocked state and must travel to the beach to get her fix, which her husband gladly accompanies her to do a few times each year. She also writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance as Liz Isaacson and sweet romantic women’s fiction as Jessie Newton, and all of her books are part of the Feel-Good Fiction Books brand. 🔗 authorelanajohnson.com 🔗 Indie Inspiration Facebook Group 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes (outlining method) Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jamie Davenport (beat sheet) Vellum (book formatting tool) BookBub (book promotion) Steering wheel desk (search on Amazon — Elana’s secret weapon!) 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
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  Ethical Digital Narration: What It Means for Indie Authors ft. Phil Marshall of Spoken Press (EP#552) 13.05.2026 1h 5min

  Ever wanted to create an audiobook but been scared off by the price tag? Phil Marshall, founder of Spoken.Press, built an AI-powered platform specifically for indie authors who want professional-quality audio without the professional-level costs. In this episode we chat about: Phil’s path from surgeon to tech founder and sci-fi author What “ethical AI narration” means — consenting voice actors who are credited and compensated The difference between text-to-speech (TTS) and speech-to-speech (STS) and when to use each How Spoken analyses your manuscript to recommend voices matched to your characters Creating multi-voice and full-cast audiobooks on a self-publishing budget Where you can distribute AI-narrated audiobooks (spoiler: more places than you think) About Phil Marshall Phil Marshall is the founder and CEO of Spoken (spoken.press), the AI Audiobook Company. With a background in medicine and 25+ years in technology — including founding a conversational AI company in healthcare — Phil built Spoken after experiencing firsthand how expensive and complicated audiobook production was for his own debut novel. Spoken now serves thousands of authors worldwide, from first-time self-publishers to New York Times bestsellers. Website: https://www.spoken.press/ 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Spoken.Press: https://www.spoken.press/ Spoken Ethical AI page: https://www.spoken.press/ethicalai Voices by InAudio (distribution): https://www.voicesinaudio.com/ BookFunnel (direct audiobook sales): https://bookfunnel.com/ Author Republic (distribution): https://www.authorrepublic.com/ Taming the Perilous Skies by Phil Marshall (debut novel, June 2026) 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast
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  Success Through Switching Genres – with Romance Author, Daniela Romero (Classic Replay EP#551) 05.05.2026 52min

  This is a classic replay of a fascinating interview we recorded a few years ago with author Danielle Annett (aka Daniela Romero) , who as switched genres from Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance, with amazing results. She talks us through the decision to change genres, and what she did to make it a success, including some of the big decisions she had to make, such as whether to create a new pen name, how to market it, and what kind of social media/website and newsletter presence she wanted to have with the new genre/name. Danielle is a savvy businessperson, and you’ll definitely pick up some excellent tips from this discussion…  Danielle is also an organisational superstar, and we talk a little bit about how she organises all the various segments in her life so successfully! We loved chatting to her, and we’re sure you’re going to enjoy listening to this episode again! About Daniela Daniela Romero is a Snarky AF, Latinx Author, who happens to also be a Mom of 3. Born and raised in sunny California, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest and is happy to enjoy all four seasons even if the snow can sometimes be a bit much. She hates cheese—of all kinds—and yes that means she orders cheeseless pizza. Daniela is an ENTJ all the way which means she loves to talk (a lot) and is probably as extroverted as they come so feel free to shoot her a message, send a raven, throw up smoke signals. Whatever it may be. She love’s chatting with readers so feel free to stalk her. Find her at: https://daniela-romero.com/ Danielle’s bookbox business: https://baddiesbookshop.com/ 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast #authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter #SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity
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  Book Formatting Made Easy – with Brad Andalman of Vellum (EP#550) 29.04.2026 1h 13min

  What if formatting your book could take minutes instead of hours? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP550), we sit down with Brad Andalman, co-founder of Vellum, the book formatting software (Mac-only) that’s transformed self-publishing for indie authors. Brad shares the surprising Pixar origin story behind Vellum, walks us through exactly how the software works, and reveals some of the newer features — including double-page chapter spreads — that most authors don’t even know exist. Whether you’re a brand-new self-publisher about to format your first book or a Vellum veteran who suspects you’re not using it to its full potential, this episode covers everything from the basics (importing your manuscript, choosing styles, exporting for Kindle and print) through to the advanced design tricks that make your books look professionally typeset. Brad also explains why so many authors have started writing inside Vellum itself, and shares how the platform has evolved over the past decade-plus. All the SPA Girls are avid Vellum users (even Shar, who’s a Windows girl but bought a cheap Mac just to use it years ago!). If you’d like to try Vellum before you buy, hop over to Vellum.Pub (full disclosure, this is an affiliate link that supports our podcast. If you’d prefer to not use it, just google Vellum Pub) 👤 ABOUT BRAD ANDALMAN:Brad Andalman is the co-founder of Vellum, the leading book formatting software for indie authors. Before Vellum, Brad spent years at Pixar working on animated films, where he and co-founder Brad West built professional-level software alongside their design work. Together, the “two Brads” launched Vellum to put beautiful book design into authors’ hands. 🔗 https://vellum.pub 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: Vellum: https://vellum.pub Vellum tutorials on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VellumApp 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources:http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.comYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPAGirlsPodcast 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions:http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
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  How to Run Your Author Business Without Losing Your Mind ft. Corinne O’Flynn (Classic Replay – EP#549) 21.04.2026 1h 6min

  Feeling buried under your author business? Juggling deadlines, launch plans, newsletter, ads, admin, social media, and somehow you have to also get the actual writing done? Trust us, you are not alone! In this episode, we sat down with USA Today bestselling author, certified life coach, and podcaster Corinne O’Flynn to talk about how authors can organise their businesses, prevent burnout, and stay sane when the to-do list never ends. Corinne has lived it. After years of writing-to-market, chasing the algorithms, and running on a rapid-release treadmill, she hit deep burnout — the kind that doesn’t lift after a weekend off. What she discovered on the way out became the foundation of The Calm Entrepreneur: a back-to-basics approach to the admin, systems, and daily rhythms that make or break an indie author career. We dig into why so many of us end up stressed and overwhelmed, how to spot the early warning signs before full burnout hits, and the practical fundamentals you can put in place so your author business works for you instead of running you into the ground. If you’ve ever thought “I love writing, so why does this feel so awful?” — this one’s for you. In this episode we chat about: How writing-to-market and rapid release can quietly lead to burnout Why recovery isn’t just about rest — it’s about rebuilding your foundations The admin and systems most authors avoid (and what happens when you do) Getting back in touch with the things you’ve put on auto-pilot How to build a sustainable author business that still leaves room for a life Why organising is a skill, not a personality trait — and anyone can learn it Corinne’s words say it best: “Before this burnout experience, I was not someone who operated from a place of stress. I loved my work and somehow got lost in the mire. Getting back to the place where I work in ease has been transformative for me, and it’s something I think I need to share with the world. I believe it’s possible to thrive in your business and live your full life without losing your mind in the process.” 🔁 Classic Replay — This episode was originally recorded in 2022 and the advice is just as relevant today, maybe more so. About Corinne O’Flynn Corinne O’Flynn is a USA Today bestselling fiction author, certified life coach, certified Quantum Human Design™ specialist, podcaster, nonprofit executive director, and multi-passionate entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience being self-employed. She’s on a mission to change the way we talk about work and life, productivity and success — helping authors, solopreneurs, and small business owners simplify their businesses, reconnect with their passion, and get it all done without the overwhelm. 🔗 Connect with Corinne: www.corinneoflynn.com 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!
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  Supercharge Your Backlist – How To Make Old Books Sell Again (EP# 548) 15.04.2026 48min

  Got a backlist gathering dust? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP# 548), we dig into how to breathe new life into your older books and get them earning again. Most indie authors pour all their energy into the next release and forget that their backlist is the engine that funds everything — so we’re walking through exactly what to refresh, what to promote, and how to bundle older titles so they keep working for you. Whether you’ve got three books or thirty sitting quietly on Amazon, this episode gives you a practical checklist to get them moving again. We cover cover refreshes, blurb fixes, metadata clean-ups, bonus content for newsletter growth, ad strategies, and the bundling tricks that turn old books into new income. #SelfPublishing #BacklistMarketing #IndieAuthor 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Best Book Promotion Sites in 2026: [URL] BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com 🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com 🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search “SPA Girls Podcast” 💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast Subscribe so you never miss an episode!
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  SPA Girls Podcast – EP547 – Success Writing Small Town Romance – with USA Today Bestseller, Kait Nolan (Classic Replay) 08.04.2026 1h 7min

  Romance writers gather ’round – Kait Nolan, bestselling author of smart, sassy, small town Southern romance is in the SPA! This is a classic replay of an awesome episode we recorded with Kait a couple of years ago, and well worth a relisten. These days Kait not just writes small town romance, but also romantic suspense (as Harper Jackson), and her writing and marketing advice is spot on! About Kait Nolan Kait Nolan is a USA Today best selling, RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin’, and can wield a ‘Bless your heart’ like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world’s most perfect food. When she’s not writing, reading, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off. You can check out her darker alter ego Harper Jackson for romantic suspense.Find her at : kaitnolan.com
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  SPA Girls Podcast – EP546 – Interview with Lucy Score: Breaking Out, Advice For New Authors 31.03.2026 58min

  She’s back! NYT #1 Bestseller, Lucy Score last joined us back in March 2021 , before Things We Never Got Over launched her into the stratosphere! In this episode, Lucy talks about what her breakout moment actually looked like from the inside, how she’s navigated the shift from working author to household name (and instant #1 NYT Bestseller), and what’s stayed surprisingly the same. We dig into the practical stuff , including her evolving covers, brand-building, the Riley Thorn series, and advice for emerging authors. Plus the mindset it takes to keep showing up at the page when the pressure (and the audience) keeps growing. Lucy is just as genuine and delightful behind the scenes as she is in public, and we couldn’t be more thrilled for her success (and why this is the third time she’s been on the show!). Whether you’re deep in your publishing journey or just getting started, this honest, fun and inspiring conversation is a must-listen (or watch). ABOUT LUCY SCORE Lucy Score is an instant #1 New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance. She grew up in a literary family who insisted that the dinner table was for reading and earned a degree in journalism. Her books have been translated into thirty languages and her international bestseller Things We Never Got Over has been optioned for television. She writes full-time from the Pennsylvania home she and Mr. Lucy share. When not spending hours crafting unforgettable characters, Lucy can be found reading books other people wrote, snacking, and sometimes even working out. https://www.lucyscore.net 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!