The Author Next Door

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell host a special panel from Superstars Writing Seminars focused on what it really means to build community in the writing world.
Featuring Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Todd Fahnestock, Steve Ruskin, and James A. Owen, this conversation explores how Superstars began as a small gathering and grew into a conference people return to year after year because of the relationships, generosity, and sense of belonging it creates. The panel also dives into practical networking advice for authors, from making genuine connections at conferences to maintaining those relationships long after the event ends.
In this episode, they discuss:
How Superstars Writing Seminars grew into a thriving author community
Why genuine relationships matter more than transactional networking
How authors can make meaningful conference connections
Ways to maintain relationships beyond events and social media
Why bravery, generosity, and vulnerability matter in author networking
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Superstars Writing Seminars: https://www.superstarswriting.com/
Mark Leslie Lefebvre: https://markleslie.ca/
Todd Fahnestock: https://toddfahnestock.com/
Steve Ruskin: https://www.steveruskin.com/
James A. Owen: https://jamesaowen.com/
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
https://theauthornextdoor.com/
📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Kara Infante of Bookish Flights and Gigi Howard of Drinks in the Library to talk about how they built thriving book communities around their podcasts and platforms.
They share what it takes to grow a community both organically and intentionally, how authentic engagement creates trust, and why connection matters more than perfection. The conversation also explores podcasting, social media, live events, and the ways authors can better connect with readers, creators, and community builders in the literary space.
In this episode, they discuss:
 How Kara and Gigi built their communities over time 
 Why authentic connection matters more than polished perfection 
 The role of social media and live events in community growth 
 How authors can approach podcasters and creators more effectively 
 Why your unique voice is one of your strongest assets 
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 Bookish Flights Podcast: https://www.bookishflights.com/podcast
Drinks in the Library: https://www.drinksinthelibrary.com/
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
 https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore the difference between having an audience and building a real community as an author.
They talk about why so many authors chase visibility instead of connection, how social media can distort our sense of progress, and why newsletters often become a stronger long-term tool for reader engagement. The conversation also dives into super fans, authenticity, consistency, and the kinds of relationships that support both creativity and career longevity.
In this episode, they discuss:
 The difference between audience, visibility, and true community 
 Why social media can create burnout and distorted feedback loops 
 How newsletters help authors build deeper reader relationships 
 What turns casual readers into long-term super fans 
 Why consistency and authenticity matter more than chasing metrics 
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 Jenn DePaula Marketing: https://jenndepaula.com/
J.R. Ward: https://jrward.com/
Rebecca Yarros: https://rebeccayarros.com/
Emily Henry: https://www.emilyhenrybooks.com/books
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
 https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off Networking and Community Month with an honest conversation about what authentic networking really looks like for authors.
They explore why networking is really relationship-building, how reciprocity shapes healthy author communities, and what they’ve learned from both strong and disappointing connections in the writing world. The conversation also dives into confidence, consistency, community fit, and how the right support system can sharpen your perspective and help you avoid costly mistakes.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Why networking is about relationships, not using people 
 How reciprocity and trust shape healthy author communities 
 What to look for when choosing the right writing spaces 
 Why consistency matters when building real connections 
 How community can strengthen both confidence and creativity 
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 CliftonStrengths by Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
Superstars Writing Seminar: https://superstarswriting.com/
Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast
Dialogue Doctor Community: https://dialoguedoctor.com/
Becca Syme – Write Better Faster 101: https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf101/
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
 https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell close out Business Month with an honest conversation about the parts of author business that rarely make it into the polished success stories: money, brand behavior, and the pressure to publish faster than your life or creativity can actually sustain.
They talk about why money conversations matter, how every public move becomes part of your author brand, and why publishing cadence needs to be based on your actual capacity rather than industry pressure. The conversation also highlights Becca Syme’s strengths-based perspective on burnout, plate size, and the danger of forcing someone else’s system onto your own writing life.
In this episode, they discuss:
 Why money conversations are essential in an author business 
 How brand behavior shows up in everything from reviews to social media 
 The risks of oversharing and comparison when you are the brand 
 Why rapid release is not the right strategy for every author 
 How to define a sustainable publishing cadence without burning out 
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 Better-Faster Academy: https://betterfasteracademy.com/
QuitCast for Writers: https://betterfasteracademy.com/podcast/
Dear Writer, Are You in Burn Out?: https://betterfasteracademy.com/books-by-becca-syme/dear-writer-are-you-in-burn-out/
Gallup CliftonStrengths: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
 https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod