14 Lessons in Romance: Surviving a Decade in Publishing | 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 3, hosts Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by special guest Melanie Harlow for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about surviving a decade in romance publishing.

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TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me

02:35 – Patreon & After Dark episodes

03:20 – Season sponsors

04:23 – Introducing Melanie Harlow

10:47 – The Spice Report (Hot Salsa only)

22:36 – Melanie Harlow's origin story

27:17 – Changing covers & reader backlash

35:11 – Staying in your lane & long-term growth

36:10 – Balancing creativity and business

49:28 – Discipline, routine & keeping joy in writing

53:14 – Taking risks & trying traditional publishing

56:06 – Adaptation vs emulation of trends

57:20 – Protecting your peace & consistency

01:17:31 - Red Flag / Green Flag

01:23:52 - Reader Question: Have you ever completely abandoned a project?

Melanie Harlow

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

Website: https://www.melanieharlow.com/

BOOK CLUB PICK

A.L. Jackson

From Here to Eternity (Moonlit Ridge, Book 1)

Link: https://geni.us/FHTEAmznOP

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

Website: https://www.aljacksonauthor.com/

Join us for the From Here to Eternity discussion on February 18th.

SEASON SPONSORS

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)

Want the uncensored conversation?

This week: Aging With An Audience

Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast

Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author interviews, and spicy romance discussions.