The Author Next Door

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
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In this Quick Bites episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell use the Amazon Prime series Ride or Die to explore how writers can create stronger, more believable female characters.
Spoilers ahead for Ride or Die — so if you have not finished the series yet, consider this your playful warning to come back after you have.
They talk about why strength does not have to mean emotional invulnerability, how female friendships can carry conflict without losing love and respect, and what makes a female villain feel layered instead of flat. The conversation also looks at fallibility, accountability, and why women do not need to reject vulnerability or relationships in order to seem powerful.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Why strong female characters still need fear, emotion, and vulnerability 
 How to write female friendships with conflict, history, and repair 
 Why compelling women should be allowed to make bad decisions 
 What makes a female villain emotionally layered 
 Why heroes and villains both need wins, losses, and consequences 
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In this episode of The Author Next Door After Dark, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell dive into one of the most addictive parts of romance: dialogue. They explore why readers often fall for the conversation before the kiss, and how banter, subtext, and verbal tension can pull two characters together long before either of them is ready to admit what is happening. 
They talk about internal versus external dialogue, almost kisses, emotional exposure, and why the right line can sometimes feel more intimate than the spice itself. The conversation also explores dual POV, callbacks, compliments, and how dialogue helps create the feeling of being deeply noticed in a romance. 

In this episode, they discuss:
 Why banter and subtext build chemistry so effectively 
 How internal dialogue changes the emotional weight of a scene 
 How dialogue shapes intimacy, vulnerability, and emotional tension 
 What makes a romantic line unforgettable on the page 
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