SPA Girls Podcast

Who doesn’t want to hand off their least-favorite tasks to a trusted assistant? So how do you go about finding the right person? And what’s the cost? Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning and bestselling author, known as “the Voice of Publishing” for his work as a podcaster and speaker, helping thousands of authors to start, build, and grow their author careers. Kevin is the Chief Brand Officer for Author Anchor—a service aimed at connecting writers to highly trained and qualified virtual assistants, so they can hand off the tough tasks of their author business and “just write.” We ask Kevin all our burning questions – how to find the right assistant, what the costs are, at what point do authors need one, what happens if it doesn’t work out and lots more! Links:AuthorAnchor.com Get $50 your first month Kevin’s Wordslinger Podcast https://www.kevintumlinson.com/ 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

We’re celebrating 500 episodes of the SPA Girls – from our baby podcaster days back in 2015 to today, we share some BEHIND THE MICS stories. How we met, why we started and why we’ve last this long (almost ten years so far, publishing an episode weekly). Plus our vision for the future and selfpublishing 🙂 Thank you so much to all those who’ve listened, downloaded, watched, reviewed, cheered on, guested and emailed. We truly appreciate every single one of you! 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

This episode features an interview with the incredible Ana Huang, multi-million copy bestselling author of new adult and contemporary romance! Ana is a super-smart, hardworking author with a tonne of great advice that she generously shared with SPA Girls Podcast listeners in this information-packed episode.  We range in topics from marketing, to TikTok, to branding, to translations, and everything in between. A must-listen for authors at all stages of their writing career. NB Since recording this podcast in 2023, Ana has achieved many more #1 bestsellers (see her website for details) and publishing milestones including that Netflix has picking up the rights to adapt Ana Huang‘s romance novel “Twisted Love” and its sequels into a TV series in a seven-figure option deal. About AnaAna Huang is the #1 New York Times, #1 USA Today, and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author of fourteen contemporary romances, which have collectively sold over 21 million copies worldwide. Her subgenres range from sports to billionaire and suspense, but all of her books feature her signature blend of steam and swoon. Her work has been translated into thirty-four languages, and she has been featured on Good Morning America, the Drew Barrymore Show, the Today Show, the Washington Post, and more. A BookTok phenomenon, her breakout Twisted series has over two billion views on the platform. It is currently in development for television at Netflix. Ana is also a crossword puzzle enthusiast and an avid traveler. She’s visited nearly forty countries, several of which have served as inspiration for her books. Where to find Ana Huang: www.anahuang.com Instagram TikTok 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your questions. Come on in and join us, we’d love to see you there! www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch the recording on our YouTube Channel @spagirlspodcast

What happens when your books don’t sell? When is it time to end a series? Or Pivot to a new penname? Wendy, Cheryl and Shar are here to give their advice and (strong!) opinions on when it’s the right time to pivot and the steps writers should take to make that decision. We’ve collectively written and published almost 200 books over the past 15 years, so we’ve experienced and witnessed a LOT of author angst, success and industry changes. We hope that this discussion is beneficial to authors at all stages of their journey! We believe in YOU! 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

One of our most popular writing craft episodes deserves a replay: Writing the Black Moment with USA Today Bestseller, Rachel Bailey. NB re audio quality, we apologise that this isn’t to our current standard (despite new editing), but we’re sure you’ll find the content worth listening to nevertheless! A fantastic tutorial on how you can take your writing to the next level! In romance fiction, the black moment (also called the dark night of the soul) is the emotional low point—when it seems like all hope is lost, the relationship is broken beyond repair, and the characters may not find their way back to each other. Some technique tips include: 1. Make It Deeply Personal The black moment hits hardest when it attacks the characters’ deepest fears or vulnerabilities. Ask: What is your character most afraid of? What do they believe about love that this moment confirms? How does this moment feel like the ultimate betrayal or failure? 2. Use Physical and Emotional Reactions Let your character feel it in their body—give them tears, anger, numbness, or gut-punch dread. Make readers feel it. 3. Let It Be Messy This moment is the emotional climax. Don’t hold back on drama, raw dialogue, misunderstandings, or irreversible decisions (or ones that feel that way). 4. Show the Stakes Make sure the reader understands what’s truly at risk—not just the relationship, but something deeper (identity, trust, belief in love). ABOUT RACHEL Rachel Bailey is a lover of books, dogs, and popcorn. Luckily, she has two dogs, a popcorn maker, and bookshelves overflowing with books, so she’s covered on all fronts. Despite spending her life trying to scam more time to read, she’s managed to graduate with degrees in psychology and social work, as well as a PhD in English, and now has her dream job – making up stories for a living. Her books have hit bestseller lists, have won and been nominated for awards, are published in over twenty-six countries and have been translated into sixteen languages. Rachel’s first three novels were released in 2010, and all three became USA Today bestsellers. She has since had books released with three different publishers and dipped her toes in the self-publishing waters, though she recently took a break from publishing to complete her PhD. A past president of the Romance Writers of Australia, Rachel regularly teaches writing workshops at local, national, and international conferences and writing festivals. Find her at: www.rachelbailey.com 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

Jennifer Hilt is a USA Today Bestselling author urban fantasy and non-fiction creator of The Trope Thesaurus series. She joins us this episode to really dig into how to use tropes in your fiction (no matter the genre), practical ways of applying them, how to use them to amp up the emotion and characterisation, and your characters’ GMC (goal, motivation and conflict). Jennifer gives lots of tips for practical application and if you’ve ever been confused about where to start writing with tropes, or how to identify the tropes in your existing work, then this episode will help! About Jennifer Jennifer Hilt is a USA Today Bestselling author of The Trope Thesaurus, Horror Trope Thesaurus, and Trope Thesaurus Romance. She has written twenty-four books across four pen names plus her urban fantasy series: The Undead Detective. With degrees in linguistics and literature, Jennifer loves talking about story development. She also collects dictionaries in unfamiliar languages, binges scandi-noir series, and shouts out tropes from the comfort of her couch. Check out her website at: https://www.jenniferhilt.com and her YouTube channel @‌tropetalk. 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

🎙 Welcome back to the SPA Girls Podcast! Today, we’re diving into one of the most powerful tools in your writer’s toolkit—story structure! Whether you’re a plotter, pantser, or somewhere in between, a strong story structure is the secret sauce that keeps readers turning the pages. In this episode, we’ll dive into chapter “rules”, beats,scenes and sequences, how to craft a compelling beginning, keep the momentum going in the middle, and deliver a satisfying, page-turning ending—while making sure your readers get exactly what they crave. So grab a cup of coffee (or something stronger!), and let’s strengthen that story structure! Resources mentioned: Four Act Structure https://www.masterclass.com/articles/four-act-structure Helen Scheuerer on the SPA Girls Podcast EP #282 https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep282-interview-with-helen-scheuerer/ Rachel Bailey – The Black Moment – SPA Girls Podcast EP80 https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep82-the-black-moment-featuring-author-rachel-bailey/ Sara Rosett – SPA Girls Podcast EP133 https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-episode-133-interview-with-sara-rosett-writing-cozy-mysteries/ Book mentioned: The Hating Game by Sally Thorne 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

What ten editing tips should all authors know? We share in this classic replay of our interview with Editorial Consultant, Mary-Theresa Hussey. Prior to becoming a freelance editorial consultant, Mary-Theresa (known as Matrice) worked at Harlequin for more than 25 years, editing nearly a thousand titles. As editor, senior and executive editor, she read, acquired, revised, rejected and critiqued triple that. Many of the books she has edited went on to find places on both the NYT and USA Today bestseller lists. About Mary-Theresa Hussey How do you recognize an editor? Aside from a love of finding typos in menus, guessing plots while halfway through movies, and an insatiable curiosity about the how and why, an editor will often be adaptable, flexible, know the rules—and know when to ignore them because it makes a better story. Mary-Theresa Hussey–also known as Matrice–knew from the start she loved the stories found in books—and that she didn’t want to be a writer. Some courses in Villanova University where classmates critiqued each other’s papers made her intrigued by the role of the person behind the author. A native New Yorker, she worked with Harlequin for over 25 years, editing nearly a thousand titles. As editor, senior and executive editor she read, acquired, revised, rejected and critiqued triple that. Now she’s bringing her experience to the freelance world. Aside from her love of genre fiction, she likes tv and movies, traveling, taking pictures and browsing on the internet. She’s always eager for the next good story—and hoping it’s well-told. Contact her at Matrice@GoodStoriesWellTold.com Links Mentioned: Resources mentioned: Tiktok – follow @iamthatenglishteacher for grammar and punctuation tips KM Weiland’s Structuring Your Novel (https://www.amazon.com/K-M-Weiland/e/B002RCXQ00/) Enneagram : https://www.enneagraminstitute.com/type-descriptions Myers Briggs: https://www.truity.com/test/type-finder-personality-test-new Purdue Writing resources: https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/grammar/index.html 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

The SPA Girls get down and personal with a Q1 2025 catchup! From surprising successes, unexpected writing tips, hybrid publishing adventures to mindset resets, we Keep It Real in this wild author life. Links mentioned: Wendy Vella website , CA Phipps website, Trudi Jaye website www.theauthorhelper.com Vinci Books https://www.vinci-books.com/ Dragonblade Publishing https://www.dragonbladepublishing.com/ Maggie Marr (SPA Girls Podcast Episode #451 (https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep451-interview-with-maggie-marr/ ) Heather Hildenbrand (SPAGirls Podcast Episode #434 (https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep434-top-3-mindset-tips-for-authors-with-heather-hildenbrand/ ) Erin Wright (SPA Girls Podcast EP391 (https://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep391-how-to-successfully-publish-wide-with-erin-wright/ ) Maggie Stiefvater (https://maggiestiefvater.com/ ) Waitomo Caves https://www.waitomo.com/ 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. Visit Site All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

A Classic Replay of an episode we recorded with the fabulous NYT Bestseller, Laurelin Page, a few years ago. Her advice is just as relevant today to invigorate sales on your backlist books. Laurelin defines a backlist as a book that’s more than 12 months old. Top tips she discussed in this podcast CRAMMED with amazing advice: 1. Keep a calendar for the upcoming year and write in your new releases, then pad around it with backlist titles for “working” once a month 2. The easiest thing to recharge a book is designing a new cover – even if the old cover is good, people want to look at something new. Don’t be precious with your covers. 3. Change your mindset from traditional book marketers: lean into the strengths that indie gives us – and that’s likely changing covers annually When considering her backlist, Laurelin first looks at making cover changes (for entire series ideally – if you can’t afford to do them all at once, then save up rather than doing one at a time). She tries to pair a cover change with a bookbub / freebooksy / blog tour etc – treat the book like it’s a new thing 4. Experiment with lowering the price. A sale can attract new readers (once every six months). Always put your best book as your freebie. Timeframe – it’s never too early to have a sale. Laurelin likes to wait to get the full price audience to see the book first, then reaches a new audience with a sale. For books in KU, she also prefers using five free days rather than a countdown deal. 5. Free Prequels – experiment with these (cliffhangery endings leading into the first book of the series) Need to be wide (can be just Nook for price matching) if you’re in KU. Can do these before AND after release.  Laurelin plans prequels ahead of time. 6. REPACKAGE – especially if getting rights back from trad pubbed books, re-edit, retitle (with a note for readers), recover, always tell readers where to go to the next book. 7. Front and back matter: Laurelin has her full backlist listed in the front matter with a newsletter signup (free book monthly given away thanks to newsletter swaps with similar authors); backmatter focuses on the next step you want readers to take – ie next book. 8. Work your newsletter – send 2 / 3 times per month. Mention your other books frequently. Don’t release then forget them – people need reminding. In every newsletter feature one of your backlist. 9. Marketing is cumulative. You have to keep pushing your backlist. 10. Consider moving in and out of KU if you have more than one book. Treat the move as a new release – do a blog tour etc. 11. Connect books in series, even if there’s no connection for better read through (eg “Summer Reading Series”. 12. Change Titles – is there a catchier way of reaching new readers? Ask what your title tells you about the book. 13. Make your book look new in a different way. Put it in a boxed set? If wide, look at what is ranking well in the Apple charts for your genre and examine cover trends; if KU, look at Amazon.  14. Bundle with other authors – eg “Hot for the holidays” multi-author bundle 15. Don’t shy away from reworking (editing / rewriting / repackaging) existing backlist if they’re not selling Don’t take these tips in isolation. It’s important to ask yourself the overarching question “What can I do to make people find this particular book?” Stop focussing on release week and measuring your success (or failure!) with that. Get out of that mindset! About Laurelin Paige With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Killing Eve, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio. She’s represented by Rebecca Friedman for literary and Jon Brown at Ensemble Entertainment for film. Find Laurelin at: https://www.laurelinpaige.com/ 💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons! ⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you’ll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions. All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast ✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info 😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!