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.   💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe   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) Want the uncensored conversation?   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 conversations, writing advice, and unapologetically honest romance talk.