{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"How to Build an Indie Author Career From Scratch | Talk Spicy to Me","description":"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. &amp;nbsp; \ud83d\udcac Got a question you\u2019d like us to answer on the podcast?&amp;nbsp;Submit it here \u2192 Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https:\/\/www.speakpipe.com\/TalkSpicytoMe &amp;nbsp; 00:00 \u2013 Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 00:55 \u2013 Travel episode &amp;amp; Kandi\u2019s ski trip in Deer Valley 02:31 \u2013 Learning to ski 04:38 \u2013 Season sponsors 05:18 \u2013 Spice Report 18:03 \u2013 Main Topic: Building an indie career from scratch 18:34 \u2013 Step 1: Identify your author identity 20:37 \u2013 Step 2: Start with a series of standalones 22:28 \u2013 Series strategy &amp;amp; saving the fan favorite for last 23:42 \u2013 Step 3: Market research &amp;amp; branding 25:52 \u2013 Recovering covers &amp;amp; packaging pivots 27:40 \u2013 Thinking like a business person 29:16 \u2013 Testing covers, blurbs &amp;amp; ads 31:02 \u2013 New Release Spotlight: Safe Haven by Kristen Proby 32:00 \u2013 Courses &amp;amp; free resources 36:11 \u2013 Write more than one book 37:45 \u2013 Rapid release strategy 39:02 \u2013 Newsletter &amp;amp; reader funnel 41:20 \u2013 Film everything (sell the journey) 42:43 \u2013 Building super fans 44:02 \u2013 Stay positive in the community 45:36 \u2013 Sponsor spotlight: Piper Rayne 46:34 \u2013 Red Flag \/ Green Flag: Office Romance 50:32 \u2013 Reader Question: Special edition book process &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; 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 &amp;nbsp; SEASON SPONSORS Piper Rayne \u2013 The Hot Shot Link: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Hotshot-Piper-Rayne-ebook\/dp\/B0F3FP2WHQ Lena Hendrix &amp;nbsp; Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1) Link: https:\/\/geni.us\/chasingthesun1 Website: https:\/\/www.lenahendrix.com\/ Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/authorlenahendrix &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; 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\/ &amp;nbsp; WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE Talk Spicy to Me Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/talkspicytomepodcast Spotify\/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast&amp;nbsp; Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; Hosts Giana Darling Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/gianadarlingauthor Website: https:\/\/gianadarling.com\/ Kandi Steiner&amp;nbsp; Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/kandisteiner Website: https:\/\/kandisteiner.com\/ &amp;nbsp; AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive) Want the uncensored conversation? &amp;nbsp; Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/c\/TalkSpicytoMePodcast &amp;nbsp; Listen, watch, and don\u2019t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, writing advice, and unapologetically honest romance talk. &amp;nbsp; ","author_name":"Talk Spicy To Me","author_url":"https:\/\/sites.libsyn.com\/593995","html":"<iframe title=\"Libsyn Player\" style=\"border: none\" src=\"\/\/html5-player.libsyn.com\/embed\/episode\/id\/40144015\/height\/90\/theme\/custom\/thumbnail\/yes\/direction\/forward\/render-playlist\/no\/custom-color\/88AA3C\/\" height=\"90\" width=\"600\" scrolling=\"no\"  allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen oallowfullscreen msallowfullscreen><\/iframe>","thumbnail_url":"https:\/\/assets.libsyn.com\/secure\/item\/40144015"}