

SPA Girls Podcast
SPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors
Join the SPA Girls each week for the top self-publishing podcast!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2024 • 0sec
SPA Girls Podcast – EP450 – Interview with Melanie Harlow
Branding, Marketing Books and Going All In with Small Town Romance
USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow writes sweet, sexy, feel-good romance. She is a powerhouse of publishing, starting in 2013 with historical romance to today where she focuses on small town contemporary romance.
In this incredible conversation, Melanie details her approach to:
How She Changed Her Approach To Publishing Commercially
Marketing & Branding
Making Intentional Decisions
Writing The Blurb First
How She Built Her Newsletter List
Learning From Reading
Backlist Promo Planning
Evergreen Ads
Hybrid Publishing
“I think about marketing before I write the book – it’s baked in.” ~ Melanie Harlow, SPA Girls Podcast EP450
About Melanie:
USA Today and #1 Amazon bestselling author Melanie Harlow writes sweet, sexy, feel-good romance. She likes her martinis dry, her heels high, and her history with the naughty bits left in. If she’s not writing or reading, she’s probably at Orangetheory or watching Schitt’s Creek again. She lifts her glass to readers from her home near Detroit, MI, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and pet rabbit.
She is represented by Rebecca Friedman of Friedman Literary.
find Melanie at: melanieharlow.com
Resources Mentioned:
Elana Johnson’s Writing Killer Cover Copy
Elana Johnson’s SPA Girls Podcast Episode #227 and #228
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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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!

May 22, 2024 • 12min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP449 – 7 Ways To Boost Your Positivity
Feeling a bit blah about your writing and / or author career? Welcome back to another 15 min SPA Girls mini-tips session. Today’s topic is 7 easy ways to boost your positivity that you can put into action TODAY!
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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!

May 15, 2024 • 60min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP448 – Changing From Frontlist to Backlist Focus with Maggie Dallen
This week we talk to regency romance and young adult author Maggie Dallen, who tells us how she changed her mindset and her author business model, with huge success! Maggie is a prolific author who was writing up to twenty books a year, but she was reaching a point where she wanted to slow down and diversify her writing skills by learning script writing.
She realised she needed to find a system that would take advantage of her extensive backlist, and allow her more time for her other writing interests. In this fascinating interview, Maggie talks us through how she did it, what the major challenges were, and how you can do the same thing!
Maggie was a delight to interview, and gave us so much useful advice – you’re going to love this one!
For more about Maggie:
https://maggiedallenbooks.com (Maggie’s Direct Sales website)
About the SPA Girls Podcast:
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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!

May 7, 2024 • 57min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP447 – Overcome Doubts & Back Yourself!
#WritingLife How to hone your instincts, trust your gut and back yourself!
We all have that moment of cold dread that we’ve picked a dream we can’t turn into a reality, and it’s those moment we need to remember why we started. Find that self belief that set you on this journey and carry on.
You got into this game because it was something you believed in. Believed that it was something you could do. Then you started listening and reading. Trying to understand about this business you want to succeed at.
Doubts are the biggest creativity and success blocker. But it takes a strong person not to have them.
No one said this was going to be easy, or everyone would be doing it. If you ask those that succeed in this business they will all tell you they’ve had knock backs. It’s about perseverance. It’s about holding on to your self belief and forging ahead.
“Don’t give up on your dreams, or your dreams will give up on you.” — John Wooden.
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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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!

Apr 30, 2024 • 1h 1min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP446 – Patreon, Kickstarter & Serials – with Tao Wong
How do you build superfans and a sustainable income through patreon*, kickstarter, subscriptions and serial works? Bestselling author Tao Wong joins us this episode to reveal all the secrets of keeping readers begging for more (cliff-hangers anyone ?!), building a thriving community of superfans and, most importantly, diversifying your income streams.
(For those who don’t know, Patreon is a subscription service, where people pay a monthly fee for different benefits/exclusive opportunities offered to them. For authors, this is usually books, excerpts, and other pieces of writing.)
About Tao
Tao Wong is a Canadian science fiction and fantasy author writing in LitRPG and Xianxia (a genre based on Chinese mythology and the concept of the chivalrous spirit, that is huge pop culture phenomenon in China) with five different series across a range of worlds. He’s been writing full time since 2019, and has his books in audio, paperback, hardcover and ebook formats as well as translations to German, Spanish, Portuguese and others.
When he’s not writing and working, he’s practicing martial arts, reading (even more!) and taking care of his family. Other hobbies include occasional RPGs and board games as well as picking up new, random skillsets.
Find Tao at MyLifeMyTao.com
Links mentioned:
Brandon Sanderson
Royal Road https://www.royalroad.com/home
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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!

Apr 23, 2024 • 17min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP445 – 7 Easy Tips For Building Your Newsletter List
How the heck do you build a reader newsletter list when you’re first starting out?
We’re back with another SPA Girls minisode, to get your author career rocking. Listen up for how we built our own reader newsletters and what tools and services we recommend.
7 SIMPLE WAYS TO BUILD YOUR NEWSLETTER LIST:
Join bookfunnel
Provide a tasty sample
Sign ups on social media
Sign ups in books
Join newsletter builder through Booksweeps etc
Work with other authors
Run a facebook ad to your free sample on bookfunnel
SPA Girls EP378 Be Newsletter Ninja with Tammi Labrecque http://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/?s=378
SPA Girls EP258 Nail Your Newsletter with Holly Mortimer
SPA Girls EP177 & 178 with Larissa Reynolds
SPA Girls EP424 with Damon Courtney of Bookfunnel
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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 http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast @spagirlspodcast
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

Apr 17, 2024 • 1h 3min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP444 – Five Steps to Being a Resilient Author with Patricia McLinn
Being a resilient author means being able to bounce back after experiencing a knock – and we all know that being a self-published author can knock you around sometimes! This week we talk with Patricia McLinn, an author who’s been writing for more than 35 years, and who knows a thing or two about how to keep going when the going gets tough.
Pat gives us her top five pieces of advice so you can stay focused and keep the positivity flowing when it seems like everything is falling apart around you.
Show Notes:
Pat’s favourite Affirmation: I write fast with ease and inspiration
Links mentioned:
Pat’s 3 words on writing video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2cmbmM9Hk4
Harlequin Settlement https://www.patriciamclinn.com/harlequin-lawsuit-happy-ending/
Pat’s podcast Authors Love Readers https://www.authorslovereaders.com/
SPA Girls Podcast EP189 PANTSING http://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/spa-girls-podcast-ep189-pantsing-with-patricia-mclinn/
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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 http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast @spagirlspodcast
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

Apr 10, 2024 • 1h 5min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP443 – Book Marketing and TikTok with Kate Hall
Kate Hall is a paranormal romance and non-fiction author who has taken her marketing expertise and used it to kick butt on TikTok. She started Alyne Digital Solutions in an effort to help authors make a sustainable income from their books, and since starting has scaled two of her businesses and several others’ to six figure incomes.
As well as discussing facts and figures for TikTok, we’re also delving into marketing for authors, and why you’re probably using the wrong hooks in your social media.
A wonderful open and informative discussion that could unlock answers to questions we’re all asking right now!
Links:
Find Kate at: Alyne Digital – a 20% discount should be be applied at checkout using this link during May 2024.
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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 http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast @spagirlspodcast
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

Apr 3, 2024 • 20min
SPA Girls Podcast – EP442 – Newbie Mistakes / Chapter Endings
Welcome to the first SPA Girls double-minisode where we invite you into the SPA for a double mini-tips session. This week we’re covering two burning topics: what are the worst mistakes newbies are making, and how to write chapter endings that keep readers reading!
Let us know what you think of this new sub-30 minute episode!
Click the images below to watch on YouTube
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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 http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast @spagirlspodcast
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!

Mar 26, 2024 • 1h 2min
SPA Girls – EP441 – Discovery Writing With Kimboo York
In this podcast we talk to KimBoo about her latest book Secrets of Discovery Writing.We dive into how you can successfully use discovery writing when crafting your novel. It’s an awesome podcast and one the pantsers among us will really enjoy.
KimBoo York is a GenX elder-goth whose main life purpose is to provide a good life for her rescue mutt, Keely-Boo, who is perfect and beyond reproach in every way. She is also a librarian, former project manager, and a professional author who wears too many hats and crosses too many genres including romance, fantasy, and non-fiction.She is a bit grumpy, especially in the morning.
House of York
By the Seat of Your Pants: Secrets of Discovery Writing
💗 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.
⭐ Get personal online coaching with the SPA Girls each month through our $100 tier. Spots for this are strictly limited and on a first-come-first-served basis.
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 http://www.youtube.com/c/SPAGirlsPodcast @spagirlspodcast
Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!


