What do we wish someone had told us before becoming authors? In Season 3, Episode 8 of Talk Spicy to Me, bestselling romance authors Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner get candid about the realities of building a writing career - from finding your author brand and marketing your books to handling bad reviews, creative burnout, writer's block, and the pressure that comes with turning your passion into a business. Whether you're an aspiring author, indie author, or longtime romance reader curious about what really happens behind the scenes, this episode is packed with honest publishing advice and lessons Giana and Kandi learned the hard way. 💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe → https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe TImestamps: 00:00 - Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me 04:34 - The Spice Report 11:20 - Giana's Road to Ruin publishing update 15:04 - Kandi's current writing project 22:21 - Kandi announces Hot Mess 24:34 - What we wish we knew before becoming authors 25:36 - Passion doesn't guarantee readers 29:35 - Slow down before you publish 31:46 - Finding your author brand 35:46 - When writing starts to feel like a job 40:04 - Readers won't experience your book the way you do 41:42 - Bad reviews are inevitable 44:28 - Other authors are NOT your competition 47:42 - Success comes in seasons 52:13 - Don't let your backlist die 53:48 - Stop being rigid with your writing process 56:13 - "I don't believe in writer's block" 57:00 - Balancing art and business 59:43 - Pushing through when writing feels hard 1:00:54 - Why authors need to learn to say no 1:03:22 - Red Flag or Green Flag: stalking 1:05:35 - Reader question: do real people inspire characters? SPONSORS: This season of Talk Spicy to Me is brought to you by Lauren Blakely and Kat Singleton! Lauren Blakely is the bestselling author of sexy, funny, feel-good romance, including Just Playing for Keeps, a grumpy-sunshine hockey romance with fake dating, viral heartbreak, and a broody tattooed hockey hero. Follow Lauren Blakely: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurenblakelybooks/ Website: https://laurenblakely.com/ Kat Singleton is the author of In Good Company, a forbidden billionaire romance featuring an ex's brother, private chef, age gap tension, and a dreamy Hamptons setting. Follow Kat Singleton: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorkatsingleton/?hl=en Website: https://authorkatsingleton.com BOOK CLUB: We're reading The Hot Shot by Piper Rayne! Join us for the September 9th episode when Giana and Kandi break it all down. 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 💬 QUESTION OF THE EPISODE: Authors and aspiring authors: what's ONE thing you wish someone had told you before you started writing? Want more Talk Spicy to Me? #TalkSpicyToMe #GianaDarling #KandiSteiner #AuthorAdvice #IndieAuthor #SelfPublishing #RomanceAuthors #WritingAdvice #PublishingTips #RomanceBooks

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