In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell sit down with Kara Infante of Bookish Flights and Gigi Howard of Drinks in the Library to talk about how they built thriving book communities around their podcasts and platforms.

They share what it takes to grow a community both organically and intentionally, how authentic engagement creates trust, and why connection matters more than perfection. The conversation also explores podcasting, social media, live events, and the ways authors can better connect with readers, creators, and community builders in the literary space.

In this episode, they discuss:

• How Kara and Gigi built their communities over time
• Why authentic connection matters more than polished perfection
• The role of social media and live events in community growth
• How authors can approach podcasters and creators more effectively
• Why your unique voice is one of your strongest assets

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Bookish Flights Podcast: https://www.bookishflights.com/podcast
Drinks in the Library: https://www.drinksinthelibrary.com/

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell explore the difference between having an audience and building a real community as an author.

They talk about why so many authors chase visibility instead of connection, how social media can distort our sense of progress, and why newsletters often become a stronger long-term tool for reader engagement. The conversation also dives into super fans, authenticity, consistency, and the kinds of relationships that support both creativity and career longevity.

In this episode, they discuss:

• The difference between audience, visibility, and true community
• Why social media can create burnout and distorted feedback loops
• How newsletters help authors build deeper reader relationships
• What turns casual readers into long-term super fans
• Why consistency and authenticity matter more than chasing metrics

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
Jenn DePaula Marketing: https://jenndepaula.com/
J.R. Ward: https://jrward.com/
Rebecca Yarros: https://rebeccayarros.com/
Emily Henry: https://www.emilyhenrybooks.com/books

🎙️ Learn more about the show:
https://theauthornextdoor.com/

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In this episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell kick off Networking and Community Month with an honest conversation about what authentic networking really looks like for authors.

They explore why networking is really relationship-building, how reciprocity shapes healthy author communities, and what they’ve learned from both strong and disappointing connections in the writing world. The conversation also dives into confidence, consistency, community fit, and how the right support system can sharpen your perspective and help you avoid costly mistakes.

In this episode, they discuss:

• Why networking is about relationships, not using people
• How reciprocity and trust shape healthy author communities
• What to look for when choosing the right writing spaces
• Why consistency matters when building real connections
• How community can strengthen both confidence and creativity

🛠️ Resources mentioned:
CliftonStrengths by Gallup: https://www.gallup.com/cliftonstrengths/en/home.aspx
Superstars Writing Seminar: https://superstarswriting.com/
Fiction Writing Made Easy Podcast: https://www.savannahgilbo.com/podcast
Dialogue Doctor Community: https://dialoguedoctor.com/
Becca Syme – Write Better Faster 101: https://betterfasteracademy.com/wbf101/

🎙️ Learn more about the show:
https://theauthornextdoor.com/

📬 Sign up for our newsletter:
https://linktr.ee/theauthornextdoorpod