Building Author Friendships & Writing Community | 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 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.   Timestamps: 00:00 – Season finale announcement & Giana starting maternity leave early 01:36 – Life in the indie publishing trenches 08:45 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster 10:07 – The Spice Report (current reads, shows, and obsessions) 27:58 – Kandi's word of the year: "Rooted" 30:11 – Industry advice: building genuine friendships 32:25 – Why meeting in person matters ("vibe checks") 43:56 – What really happens at writing retreats 52:58 – How to organize your own writing retreat 01:08:17 - Sponsor: Brittanee Nicole 01:12:59 – Red Flag / Green Flag trope discussion 01:18:11 – Reader question: why write romance? 01:23:29 – Book club discussion: Deep Pockets by Nana Malone 01:35:29 – Final Bump-Date   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.       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/   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 extended, unfiltered conversation? Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed. Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content: https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast   Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.