The Author Next Door

In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Shamayne Olivia to explore creativity, self-discovery, and what it truly means to embrace your voice in midlife.
Shamayne shares her powerful journey through loss, reinvention, and personal awakening, offering insight into how women over 50 can reconnect with their creativity and step fully into their second act. The conversation dives into intuition, resilience, identity, and the importance of protecting your creative energy while navigating life’s responsibilities.
In this episode, they discuss:
Shamayne Olivia’s journey through grief, reinvention, and creative awakening
The symbolism of “shoes” as a framework for self-awareness and growth
How to protect your creative energy and avoid burnout
Why community, mentorship, and support systems matter
Trusting your intuition and embracing imperfection in the creative process
🚀 Connect with Shamayne Olivia:
 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shamayneolivia/
 https://shoesthatfithersoul.com/

🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas explores how color theory can strengthen author branding and help writers create a more memorable, cohesive visual identity.
She breaks down how colors shape reader perception, signal genre and mood, and influence the overall experience readers have with your books, website, and event materials. From book covers to merchandising, this episode offers practical guidance for authors who want their branding to feel intentional and instantly recognizable.
In this episode, she discusses:
 How color theory affects branding and reader perception 
 The role color plays in signaling genre and mood 
 Common color mistakes authors make in branding and merchandising 
 Why consistency matters across covers, websites, and events 
 How to create the right visual vibe for your author brand 
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 Color Wheel and Color Theory Basics: https://www.color-meanings.com/color-wheel/
Pinterest for Color Palettes: https://www.pinterest.com/
Color Palette Inspiration from Paint Samples: https://www.houzz.com/magazine/color-schemes
Color Psychology in Marketing: https://www.verywellmind.com/color-psychology-2795824
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with fitness expert Fitz Koehler to talk about resilience, longevity, and how movement can transform both your health and your mindset.
Fitz shares her powerful journey through cancer recovery and explains how fitness helped her rebuild strength, energy, and perspective. The conversation explores practical strategies for staying active while managing busy schedules, along with the role of nutrition, discipline, and mental resilience in long-term health.
In this episode, they discuss:
Fitz Koehler’s inspiring cancer comeback story
The four pillars of fitness: strength, cardio, flexibility, and balance
Simple ways to incorporate movement into a busy daily routine
Why nutrition matters for energy and longevity
How discipline and resilience shape long-term wellness
🚀 Learn more about Fitz Koehler:
 https://www.instagram.com/fitzkoehler/
📚 Fitz Koehler’s books:
 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Fitz+Koehler
🎗️ The Cancer Comeback Series:
 https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Cancer+Comeback+Series
🎙️ Fitz Koehler Podcast:
 https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/fitz-koehler-podcast/id1471234567
💪 Hottie Body Fitzness Challenge Community:
 https://www.facebook.com/groups/hottiebodyfitness
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas sits down with Cassie Newell to talk about her journey into traditional publishing and what authors need to know about querying, researching agents, and navigating rejection.
They explore the realities of balancing indie, hybrid, and traditional publishing paths, along with practical strategies for researching agents, pitching effectively, and understanding what opportunities are worth pursuing. 
In this episode, they discuss:
How to research agents using tools like QueryTracker and Publishers Marketplace
What authors should know before entering the query process
How to handle rejection, ghosting, and the emotional side of querying
Balancing indie, hybrid, and traditional publishing goals
🔗 Connect with Cassie Newell:
https://ckdarling.com/
🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Publishers Marketplace: https://www.publishersmarketplace.com/
QueryTracker: https://querytracker.net/
Joanna Penn on AI: https://www.thecreativepenn.com/
🎙️ Learn more about the show:
 https://theauthornextdoor.com/
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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with bestselling author and indie publishing expert Kevin Tumlinson, of Author Anchor, to talk about scaling your author business with virtual assistants.
Kevin shares how authors can move beyond doing everything themselves and start building systems, hiring support, and treating writing like a business. From onboarding and communication to leveraging tools like AI, this conversation offers practical strategies for increasing productivity, streamlining marketing, and creating long-term growth.
In this episode, they discuss:
When it’s time to hire a virtual assistant and scale your author business
How to find, onboard, and build strong relationships with VAs using Author Anchor
Why documenting your processes is key to growth
Using AI and tools to enhance productivity and marketing
Shifting your mindset from writer to business owner
🚀 Learn more about Author Anchor:
https://authoranchor.com/home
🔗 Connect with Kevin Tumlinson:
 Website: https://kevintumlinson.com/

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
 Book Brush: https://bookbrush.com/
LastPass: https://www.lastpass.com/

🎙️ Learn more about the show:
https://theauthornextdoor.com/

📬 Sign up for exclusive content:
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