The Author Next Door

What makes a side character memorable without letting them take over the entire story?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell dig into the craft of writing supporting characters who feel like real people instead of background furniture.
They explore why side characters need their own voices, motivations, and lives beyond the protagonist, while also serving a clear purpose within the larger story. The conversation covers how supporting characters can deepen themes, reveal different sides of the protagonist, strengthen world-building, and sometimes grow into characters readers want to follow into another book.
In this episode, they discuss:
What makes a side character feel memorable
Why supporting characters need independent goals
How side characters can reveal new sides of the protagonist
When a supporting character is becoming too important
Why distinctive names, voices, and traits matter
How side characters strengthen world-building
Maintaining character consistency across a series
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What happens when the characters you want to read about are not the characters you keep seeing on the page?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with urban fantasy author Deborah Wilde about her journey from screenwriting to novel writing, creating older female protagonists, finding her voice, and building an indie author career around the stories she actually wanted to tell.
Deborah shares how her creative background shaped her approach to storytelling, why representation of older women matters to her, and how writers can turn something that initially feels like a limitation into part of their creative strength.
The conversation also explores the realities of indie publishing, author branding, marketing, Kickstarter, character development, and why building a sustainable career often requires experimentation, iteration, and asking for help.
In this episode, they discuss:
Deborah’s transition from screenwriting to urban fantasy
Writing compelling older female characters
Turning perceived limitations into creative strengths
Using emotional exploration to develop characters
Building and evolving an indie author brand
Navigating marketing without losing your creative identity
Using Kickstarter and community to support your author business
Why authors do not have to do everything alone
Learn more about Deborah Wilde:
https://deborahwilde.com
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What makes a book adaptable for film, television, theater, or even one of the rapidly growing new storytelling formats?
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with actor, writer, producer, and creator Jennifer Lieberman about what authors should understand when they begin dreaming about taking a story beyond the page.
Jennifer shares insight into what makes characters and concepts adaptable, why originality still matters, and how writers can begin navigating industries that often feel difficult to enter. The conversation also explores screenwriting, theater production, vertical series, networking, festivals, new technology, and why independent creators sometimes have to build their own opportunities instead of waiting for permission.
In this episode, they discuss:
What makes a book adaptable for screen or stage
Why relatable characters matter across different formats
How books, screenplays, and theater require different storytelling approaches
The growing world of vertical series and short-form storytelling
Why networking matters for writers and filmmakers
How indie creators can begin building their own opportunities
Learn more about Jennifer Lieberman:
https://www.jenniferliebermanactor.com/
Jennifer’s book, Year of What?:
https://www.amazon.com/Year-What-Jennifer-Lieberman-ebook/dp/B08NT1PV64
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https://theauthornextdoor.com/
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A strong author brand is bigger than one book launch.
In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell talk with Mickey from Creative Edge Publicity about how authors can use public relations, media opportunities, and consistent visibility to build a recognizable author brand over time.
Mickey shares practical advice for indie and traditionally published authors alike, including why authors should start building their public profile early, how media relationships develop, what makes someone easier to book for interviews, and why branding needs to be consistent without feeling forced or inauthentic.
In this episode, they discuss:
Why authors should build their profile before they need publicity
How PR differs from simply marketing a book
Why consistency matters in author branding
How interviews and media appearances build long-term visibility
What authors should look for when choosing a PR partner
Common communication mistakes that can hurt media opportunities
Learn more about Creative Edge Publicity:
https://www.creative-edge.services/
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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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https://theauthornextdoor.com/
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