How to Build an Indie Author Career From Scratch | Talk Spicy to Me

Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.

In Season 2, Episode 6, hosts Kandi Steiner and Giana Darling share life updates, celebrate publishing milestones, and break down exactly what they would do differently if they were building an indie author career from scratch today.

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00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me

00:55 – Travel episode & Kandi's ski trip in Deer Valley

02:31 – Learning to ski

04:38 – Season sponsors

05:18 – Spice Report

18:03 – Main Topic: Building an indie career from scratch

18:34 – Step 1: Identify your author identity

20:37 – Step 2: Start with a series of standalones

22:28 – Series strategy & saving the fan favorite for last

23:42 – Step 3: Market research & branding

25:52 – Recovering covers & packaging pivots

27:40 – Thinking like a business person

29:16 – Testing covers, blurbs & ads

31:02 – New Release Spotlight: Safe Haven by Kristen Proby

32:00 – Courses & free resources

36:11 – Write more than one book

37:45 – Rapid release strategy

39:02 – Newsletter & reader funnel

41:20 – Film everything (sell the journey)

42:43 – Building super fans

44:02 – Stay positive in the community

45:36 – Sponsor spotlight: Piper Rayne

46:34 – Red Flag / Green Flag: Office Romance

50:32 – Reader Question: Special edition book process

NEW RELEASE SPOTLIGHT

Safe Haven by Kristen Proby

Hockey romance, best friends to lovers, found family, and a protective hero.

Link: https://amzn.to/4gkydGd

SEASON SPONSORS

Piper Rayne – The Hot Shot

Link: https://www.amazon.com/Hotshot-Piper-Rayne-ebook/dp/B0F3FP2WHQ

Lena Hendrix

Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)

Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1

Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix

Willow Aster

What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)

Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes

Website: https://www.willowaster.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/

WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE

Talk Spicy to Me

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast

Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast

Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast

Hosts

Giana Darling

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor

Website: https://gianadarling.com/

Kandi Steiner

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner

Website: https://kandisteiner.com/

AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)

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