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 this season finale episode, Kandi and Giana discuss the realities of life in the publishing trenches, the importance of genuine author friendships, what really happens at writing retreats, and answer reader questions about writing and the romance genre.
The podcast will return this summer after Giana begins maternity leave.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Season finale announcement & Giana starting maternity leave early
01:36 – Life in the indie publishing trenches
08:45 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster
10:07 – The Spice Report (current reads, shows, and obsessions)
27:58 – Kandi's word of the year: "Rooted"
30:11 – Industry advice: building genuine friendships
32:25 – Why meeting in person matters ("vibe checks")
43:56 – What really happens at writing retreats
52:58 – How to organize your own writing retreat
01:08:17 - Sponsor: Brittanee Nicole
01:12:59 – Red Flag / Green Flag trope discussion
01:18:11 – Reader question: why write romance?
01:23:29 – Book club discussion: Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
01:35:29 – Final Bump-Date
BOOK CLUB PICK
Deep Pockets by Nana Malone
Tropes for that book: Mafia/Assassin romance, Best friend's sister, Age Gap, Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers
Link: https://www.amazon.com/Deep-Pockets-Forced-Proximity-Romance-ebook/dp/B0DDGX814Q
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nanamalonewriter/
Website: https://nanamalone.com/
Join us for the Deep Pockets deep dive on March18th.
SEASON SPONSORS
Brittanee Nicole
Darling Daffodils Farm :https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/808533/darling-daffodils-farm-a-hope-harbor-novel-by-brittanee-nicole/
Website: https://www.brittaneenicole.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbrittaneenicole/
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 extended, unfiltered conversation?
Each week's After Dark mini-episode dives deeper into topics we don't cover on the main feed.
Join the Patreon for early access and bonus content:
https://www.patreon.com/c/TalkSpicytoMePodcast
Listen, watch, and don't forget to subscribe for weekly episodes, author conversations, and honest discussions about romance, publishing, and storytelling craft.
