In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with award-winning author and military veteran Zac Diamanti to explore how personal experience, storytelling, and strategic thinking can shape a successful author career.

Zac shares how his background influences his fiction, why storytelling can be a cathartic process, and how he approaches author business decisions with clarity and intention. The conversation also dives into Kickstarter strategy, social media marketing, and the importance of testing what works while building a loyal community around your books.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Zac Diamanti’s journey from military service to publishing fantasy fiction
• How personal experiences and catharsis shape stronger storytelling
• What authors need to know about running a successful Kickstarter
• Why social media matters for building visibility and reader trust
• How community and business decisions work together in author growth

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Zac Diamanti’s Website: https://zsdiamanti.com/
Kickstarter – Mages & Mayhem - Deluxe Edition: Cozy Fantasy Book: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/zsdiamanti/mages-and-mayhem-deluxe-edition-cozy-fantasy-book
Free Fantasy Fiction: https://freefantasyfiction.com

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off May by breaking down the business decisions they’ve made over the past year and the core essentials every indie author needs in place to build a sustainable career.

They discuss the mindset shifts that come with treating writing like a business, along with practical systems for banking, bookkeeping, planning, marketing, and reinvestment. From email lists and backlist strategy to professional production and multiple revenue streams, this conversation offers a grounded look at what it really takes to run an author business with intention.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why indie authors need a business mindset, not just a creative one
• The importance of a separate bank account, bookkeeping, and understanding your business structure
• Why your email list is one of your most valuable assets
• How publishing plans, backlist strategy, and multiple revenue streams create stability
• The tools and systems that help authors stay organized and professional

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Scrivener: https://www.literatureandlatte.com/scrivener/overview
Vellum: https://vellum.pub/
Atticus: https://www.atticus.io/
World Anvil: https://www.worldanvil.com/
Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com/

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with thriller author Marc Avery to talk about how he built book-signing momentum across the country by starting small, staying persistent, and learning how to connect with readers in person.

Marc shares how he approaches bookstores, plans signings, and uses authenticity, conversation, and consistency to turn casual interactions into loyal readers.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Marc Avery built success through bookstore visits, tours, and in-person events
• Why persistence matters more than rejection in author marketing
• How introverted authors can get more comfortable talking to readers
• Using Threads to grow visibility and community
• Why authentic connection and local relationships help sell more books

🔗 Connect with Marc:
Website: https://linktr.ee/authormarcavery
Threads: https://www.threads.com/@author_marc_avery

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Threads: https://threads.net/
Discipline: https://www.amazon.com/Discipline-Marc-Avery-ebook/dp/B0DG6TDGMF

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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/

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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

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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

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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/

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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/

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