In this episode, I chat with Sara Sampson and Madlené Nel from the Tea and Tales Podcast! I’ve been listening to these ladies during my working hours and trust me—they are so much fun! They talk about writing craft, interview authors and agents, and provide valuable advice for beginner writers, especially those who are going through the traditional publishing journey.This time I get to ask the questions and learn everything about their stories, writing process, their similarities and differences and their biggest pet peeves!Hope you enjoy our chat—I had a blast!Keywordswriting, authors, podcast, publishing, beta reading, creativity, storytelling, journey, romance, fantasyChapters00:00 Introduction00:56 Sara's Story03:43 Madeleine's Story07:53 Publishing Aspirations11:52 Plotters vs. Pantsers23:31 Exploring Series 46:27 Author Heroes50:18 Writing AdviceGuest LinksInstagram:@teaandtalespodcast TikTok: podcastteatalesWebsite: https://teaandtaleswriters.wixsite.com/teaandtalespodcastYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeaandTalespodcast Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/64b73534qT6wBP0PThxGdY?si=102b6d6b0b744c84 HostInstagram | TikTok: @kkalbabooksEmail: k.k.alba.books@gmail.comRecorded with Riverside.fm: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=kkalbaMusic by Denis Pavlov from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/denis-pavlov-music-35636692/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=203388

Get Anastasija's latest release, Devious Love: a Stepbrother Romance here: https://a.co/d/cL1FaaP

And if you're in the mood for a spicy Christmas time, check out A Very Merry Match Point: A Why Choose Holiday Romance here: https://a.co/d/d8IGOuv

In this episode, I interview Anastasija White, a European indie author known for her sports romance novels. We discuss her writing process, marketing strategies, character development, and the balance between writing and personal life, as well as the value of feedback from beta readers and editors.

Keywords

Anastasija White, sports romance, writing process, editing, publishing, character development, reader engagement, marketing strategies, indie author, book recommendations

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:31 The Journey

05:13 From Fanfiction to Published Author

07:56 Reader Expectations

10:22 Researching Sports for Authenticity

12:56 Writing Process

15:29 Editing

18:10 Publishing

20:40 Character Development

23:30 Writing Style

25:50 Future Projects

31:50 Publishing Challenges

33:05 Marketing

39:49 Balancing Writing with a Full-Time Job

41:52 Feedback

58:33 Advice for Aspiring Writers

01:00:17 Influential Authors and Inspirations

Recommendations

The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins

Guest Links

Instagram: @anastasija.white.author

TikTok: author.anastasija.white / anastasija.white

Amazon author page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Anastasija-White/author/B0BWVDGZS7

Host

Instagram | TikTok: @kkalbabooks

Email: k.k.alba.books@gmail.com

Recorded with Riverside.fm: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=kkalba

Music by Denis Pavlov from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/denis-pavlov-music-35636692/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=203388

In this episode, a romance author Jess K. Hardy shares her journey of writing and publishing. Jess discusses her experiences with different genres, the challenges of working with small presses, and the importance of staying creative despite the demands of publishing. She emphasizes the significance of older characters in romance literature and shares her research process for writing about sensitive topics like addiction and recovery. We also dive into Jess's writing process, the emotional depth of her stories, and her future plans.

Keywords

writing, publishing, romance, sci-fi, addiction, older characters, querying, small press, author journey, creative process

Recommendations

Fiction:

August Lane by Regina Black

Sex, Lies and Sensibility by Nikki Payne

Craft:

Fated Mates podcast

Guest Links

Instagram: @jesskhardy_author

Website: https://jesskhardy.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B08D41791W

Host

Instagram | TikTok: @kkalbabooks

Email: k.k.alba.books@gmail.com

Recorded with Riverside.fm: https://www.riverside.fm/?utm_campaign=campaign_5&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=rewardful&via=kkalba

Music by Denis Pavlov from Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/users/denis-pavlov-music-35636692/?utm_source=link-attribution&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=music&utm_content=203388