{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"Building Author Friendships &amp; Writing Community | 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 this season finale episode, Kandi and Giana discuss the realities of life in the publishing trenches, the importance of genuine author friendships, what really happens at writing retreats, and answer reader questions about writing and the romance genre. The podcast will return this summer after Giana begins maternity leave. &amp;nbsp; Timestamps: 00:00 \u2013 Season finale announcement &amp;amp; Giana starting maternity leave early 01:36 \u2013 Life in the indie publishing trenches 08:45 \u2013 Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix &amp;amp; Willow Aster 10:07 \u2013 The Spice Report (current reads, shows, and obsessions) 27:58 \u2013 Kandi\u2019s word of the year: \u201cRooted\u201d 30:11 \u2013 Industry advice: building genuine friendships 32:25 \u2013 Why meeting in person matters (&quot;vibe checks&quot;) 43:56 \u2013 What really happens at writing retreats 52:58 \u2013 How to organize your own writing retreat 01:08:17 - Sponsor: Brittanee Nicole 01:12:59 \u2013 Red Flag \/ Green Flag trope discussion 01:18:11 \u2013 Reader question: why write romance? 01:23:29 \u2013 Book club discussion: Deep Pockets by Nana Malone 01:35:29 \u2013 Final Bump-Date &amp;nbsp; BOOK CLUB PICK Deep Pockets by Nana Malone Tropes for that book: Mafia\/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers Link: https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook\/dp\/B0DDGX814Q Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/nanamalonewriter\/ Website: https:\/\/nanamalone.com\/ Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th. &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp; SEASON SPONSORS Brittanee Nicole Darling Daffodils Farm :https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/808533\/darling-daffodils-farm-a-hope-harbor-novel-by-brittanee-nicole\/ Website: https:\/\/www.brittaneenicole.com\/ Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/authorbrittaneenicole\/ &amp;nbsp; 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 &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; &amp;nbsp; WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE Talk Spicy to Me Instagram: https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/talkspicytomepodcast Spotify\/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast &amp;nbsp; 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\/ &amp;nbsp; \ud83d\udd25 AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive) Want the extended, unfiltered conversation? Each week\u2019s After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don\u2019t cover on the main feed. Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/c\/TalkSpicytoMePodcast &amp;nbsp; Listen, watch, and don\u2019t forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft. ","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\/40504240\/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\/40504240"}