Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me: The podcast where two bestselling romance authors go rogue and talk all things romance: the good, the bad, the unbearably hot, and everything in between.
In Season 2, Episode 3, hosts Giana Darling and Kandi Steiner are joined by special guest Melanie Harlow for a candid, behind-the-scenes conversation about surviving a decade in romance publishing.
💬 Got a question you'd like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 – Welcome back to Talk Spicy to Me
02:35 – Patreon & After Dark episodes
03:20 – Season sponsors
04:23 – Introducing Melanie Harlow
10:47 – The Spice Report (Hot Salsa only)
22:36 – Melanie Harlow's origin story
27:17 – Changing covers & reader backlash
35:11 – Staying in your lane & long-term growth
36:10 – Balancing creativity and business
49:28 – Discipline, routine & keeping joy in writing
53:14 – Taking risks & trying traditional publishing
56:06 – Adaptation vs emulation of trends
57:20 – Protecting your peace & consistency
01:17:31 - Red Flag / Green Flag
01:23:52 - Reader Question: Have you ever completely abandoned a project?
Melanie Harlow
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melanie_harlow/
Website: https://www.melanieharlow.com/
BOOK CLUB PICK
A.L. Jackson
From Here to Eternity (Moonlit Ridge, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/FHTEAmznOP
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aljacksonig
Website: https://www.aljacksonauthor.com/
Join us for the From Here to Eternity discussion on February 18th.
SEASON SPONSORS
Lena Hendrix
Chasing the Sun (Star Harbor, Book 1)
Link: https://geni.us/chasingthesun1
Website: https://www.lenahendrix.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorlenahendrix
Willow Aster
What It Takes (Windy Harbor Series, Book 2)
Link: https://geni.us/WhatItTakes
Website: https://www.willowaster.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/willowaster/
WHERE TO FIND EVERYONE
Talk Spicy to Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talkspicytomepodcast
Spotify/Apple: @talkspicytomepodcast
Youtube: @talkspicytomepodcast
Hosts
Giana Darling
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gianadarlingauthor
Website: https://gianadarling.com/
Kandi Steiner
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kandisteiner
Website: https://kandisteiner.com/
AFTER DARK (Patreon Exclusive)
Want the uncensored conversation?
This week: Aging With An Audience
Join the Patreon for bonus episodes, extended conversations, and exclusive content:https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author interviews, and spicy romance discussions.
