✨ A new year means a fresh reset—for your writing, your goals, and yourself.
In the first episode of the year, Cassie Newell and Angela Haas sit down to talk honestly about their writing goals, personal aspirations, and what they want this next season to look like—both on and off the page.

They dig into why focusing on one meaningful goal can be more powerful than chasing everything at once, how self-care plays a crucial role in long-term creative success, and why community matters more than ever for authors navigating publishing and career growth.

This episode also introduces a brand-new segment—✨ The Author Next Door After Dark ✨—where Cassie and Angela plan to have deeper, more unfiltered conversations about romance writing and the nuances that come with it.

In this episode they explore:

📌 How authors can reset and set intentional goals for the new year
📌 Why self-care isn’t optional for sustainable creative careers
📌 The role of community in writing, publishing, and personal growth
📌 Trusting your instincts in both writing and marketing
📌 Exploring romance and other genres as creative expansion
📌 Dream careers, personal aspirations, and passions beyond writing

👇 Question of the week:
What’s one writing or personal goal you’re setting for this year? ✍️✨

🔔 Subscribe for more! ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

Sign up for exclusive content 👉 https://bit.ly/49hvRVp

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:
ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 writing, goals, self-care, romance, community, podcast, authors, publishing, career, aspirations, indie authors, self-publishing

🎉 Fifty episodes, countless lessons, and one incredible author journey.
In this milestone 50th episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell celebrate a year of real conversations about writing, publishing, and creative growth. Joining them is Dr. Jodi Blinco, a transformative leader, author, and mindset coach who shares powerful insights on personal growth, purpose-driven goals, and overcoming challenges in the writing life.

This episode is part celebration, part reflection, and part masterclass in creative resilience. Together, Angela, Cassie, and Dr. Blinco explore how to stay grounded, joyful, and purpose-focused—no matter where you are in your author journey.

We explore:

• Why celebrating milestones is vital for reflection and growth
• The connection between personal growth and creative success
• How to navigate fear, self-doubt, and judgment as a writer
• The value of rest and reflection in sustaining creativity
• Setting goals that align with your purpose and joy
• Finding peace and fulfillment in the messy middle of creativity

This isn’t just an anniversary—it’s a reminder that writing is about more than words on a page. It’s about the journey, the joy, and the growth along the way.

Answer in comments 👇 What’s one milestone in your author journey that made you proud?

Where to find Dr. Jodi Blinco : www.drjodiblinco.com

🔔 Subscribe for more! ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:
ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 writing, mindset, personal growth, book publishing, author journey, transformative leadership, overcoming challenges, goal setting, self-help, creativity

📚 Reflecting on a full year of writing, podcasting, and indie author life.
In this special episode of The Author Next Door, Angela Haas and Cassie Newell take a heartfelt look back at their past year—what they learned, what surprised them, and how the writing and publishing journey continues to evolve.

Angela and Cassie share insights from their own author journeys, reveal lessons they wish they’d known earlier, and talk openly about the importance of community support and giving yourself grace through all seasons—busy, messy, and magical.

In this episode, they explore:

📌 How to balance writing with a chaotic life (and still enjoy it)
📌 Why creative seasons change—and why that’s normal
📌 Lessons learned from publishing mistakes and successes
📌 The importance of community when writing feels hard
📌 How intuition can guide your next creative move
📌 Why reflecting on your growth matters more than you think
📌 What Angela & Cassie are currently reading, watching, and loving

👇 Question of the week:
What was your biggest writing lesson this past year? ✍️💡

🔔 Subscribe for more! ➡ https://www.youtube.com/@TheAuthorNextDoor

🎙️For More About The Author Nextdoor ➡ https://theauthornextdoor.com/

🗺️ Other places to find us and connect:
ANGELA HAAS Choose your own adventure 🚀💕 https://ahaaswrites.com/

CASSIE NEWELL Romance 🩷 https://ckdarling.com/
Young Adult 🧚 https://authorcmnewell.com/
Writing Coach 📚 https://www.sassywritingcoach.com/

ℹ️ Keywords 🔑 writing podcast, indie authors, creative journey, publishing tips, author reflections, creative growth, writing motivation, author life, podcasting lessons, time management for writers