Romance, Relationships, and Reinvention | Tricia Copeland (Maria Jane) (Ep. 321)

Tonight, I welcome back award-winning author, publisher, and podcast host Tricia Copeland, who also writes contemporary romance under the pen name Maria Jane, for a deep dive into creativity, storytelling, and building a career around imagination.We explore why she separates pen names across genres, how her background in science evolved into prolific fiction writing, and the craft behind believable romance that balances heart with realism.Tricia shares the origins and themes of her Perfect romance series—from alternate endings and multiple POVs to character-driven self-discovery, plus how reader input helped shape settings and personalities. We also dig into the realities of publishing today, why romance continues to thrive, how podcasts connect authors and readers, and the enduring relevance of books in a distracted, AI-saturated world. Tricia opens up about process, discipline, and hope: finding the magic in everyday life, trusting your creative instincts, and taking the next step even when outcomes aren’t guaranteed. If you love contemporary romance, author journeys, or the inside track on publishing and podcasting, this one’s for you.Guest: Tricia Copeland/Maria Janewww.triciacopeland.com  Watch LIVE tonight at 7PM CT Rumble.com/JoeRooz YouTube.com/@JoeRooz FOLLOW US ON:X: https://x.com/joeroozFacebook: https://facebook.com/joeroozshowTwitch TV: https://twitch.tv/joeroozInstagram: https://instagram.com/notjoeroozTikTok: https://tiktok.com/joe.roozMinds: https://minds.com/joeroozGETTR: https://gettr.com/joeroozSpecial thanks to:Executive Producer Wayne RankinExecutive Producer Rosanna RankinExecutive Producer Carolina JimenezExecutive Producer Angela WetuskiExecutive Producer John SeeleyWant to be a guest on The Joe Rooz Show?Send Joe a message on #PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/joeCheck out our partners:Podhome.fmCreative EdgeMusic: https://youtube.com/@pogo️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! https://streamyard.com/pal/d/5724294587940864(00:51) Opening monologue and show setup(04:01) Introducing Tricia Copeland aka Maria Jane(05:09) Why use a pen name for romance(07:00) From watching rom coms to writing romance(08:28) Switching between fantasy and romance(10:09) Which genre feels most natural(11:06) Alternate endings in Perfect and reader reactions(12:16) From scientist to storyteller and podcaster(13:16) Finding the Magic podcast cadence and guests(13:48) Defining success as an author(15:47) Why readers love romance and HEAs(17:17) Building believable relationships on the page(21:08) How much psychology goes into characters(21:56) Where to start with Maria Jane books(23:04) Release pace and writing obsession(24:33) Process, research, and constant ideation(26:21) High-output authors and systems(26:30) Why pair romance with self-discovery(27:33) Outlining lightly and characters revealing themselves(28:44) Standalone stories in a connected series(30:16) The Perfect series overview(33:08) Expanding the friend group: Brie, Mira, Elle(34:48) A workplace romance in Denver(35:06) Early reception for Perfect Secrets(35:17) Next up: Dani and My Not So Perfect Cop(36:28) Protecting characters and making the love interest worthy(37:20) What readers should feel: hope(39:05) Finding the magic as a creative brand(39:46) New opportunities in publishing and podcasting(41:03) Will books stay relevant in the age of AI?(42:46) Why physical media and books still matter(46:23) Dracula, format, and a modern prequel tip(46:51) Final questions, shout-outs, and where to find Tricia(49:12) Hosts closing reflections on finding magic(50:28) Thank-yous and producer acknowledgments(52:17) Sign-off and calls to action - Marisa Lee - Wayne Rankin - Rosanna Rankin - Angela Wetuski - Carolina Jimenezhttps://www.joerooz.com/supporthttps://www.joerooz.com