How Romance Authors Actually Make a Living with Lauren Connolly

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What does it really look like to make a living as a romance author in today’s publishing landscape?

In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Lauren Connolly for a candid conversation about hybrid publishing, creative sustainability, and her latest rom-com Love in Plane Sight.

We talk about Lauren’s journey from libraries to publishing nearly 30 books, why diversifying income streams matters, and how she balances self-publishing with Big Five contracts without burning out. We also dive into pilot romances, found family, money trauma, and why a Gantt chart might just save your creative life.

📚 Books Mentioned

Love in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅

The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅

A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅

Drawn Together by Juliana Smith — Contemporary Romance | Closed Door | Audio ✅

Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce — YA Fantasy | Classic | Audio ✅

⏱️ Episode Timestamps

[00:00] Welcome & Lauren’s publishing journey

[01:30] From libraries to romance writing

[03:00] Why hybrid publishing works

[05:00] The reality of advances & author income

[07:30] Diversifying revenue streams

[08:45] Gantt charts & managing multiple deadlines

[11:30] Negotiating realistic publishing timelines

[13:30] Introducing Love in Plane Sight

[16:00] Money trauma, people-pleasing & romance heroes

[19:30] Audiobooks & narration talk

[20:30] Cozy book recommendations

[24:00] Little Free Libraries & nostalgia reads

[25:30] Where to find Lauren + upcoming events

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