SPA Girls Podcast

<p>&#8220;<strong>The hardest part is the first step &#8211; be brave enough to reach out!</strong>&#8220;</p> <p>A lot of us are introverts and the idea of &#8220;networking&#8221; gives us chills (and not in a good way). Historical Romance author, Celeste Barclay, recorded this show with us a few years ago. Her advice is just as relevant now, as building your author community will help ride out the ups and downs of this wild self-publishing ride!</p> <p>Celeste Barclay books combine history and heat. She has a created a connected world that brings all her series together, so readers never have to say goodbye to their favorite characters.</p> <p>Before becoming a full-time author, Celeste was a Social Studies and English teacher. She holds degrees in International Affairs (BA), Teaching Secondary Social Science (MAT), and Political Management (MPS). She channels that knowledge into creating rich historical romances that bring the steam. She also a speaker and teaches writing and publishing as well as working with with aspiring and emerging authors to bring their publishing goals to life. </p> <p>It was the third book in her first series which really took off and she&#8217;s been incredibly successful ever since. Celeste says her Author Village &#8220;made her career&#8221; and today she talks to us about what that means to her, how to find and build your own village, and why it&#8217;s so important.&#160;</p> <p>Celeste defines her Author Village as her own network of fellow author peers who lend friendship, support, feedback, writing and business advice. They’re like-minded people who she trusts and respects.&#160;</p> <p>What a village offers:<br />&#8211; anthology opportunities<br />&#8211; increased business<br />&#8211; newsletter swaps, Facebook group takeovers, etc</p> <p>Some ways to find your author village:<br /><em>attend in-person author events and signings&#160;and conferences</em></p> <p><em>Join&#160;</em>author Facebook groups such as Millionaire Author Mastermind (<a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/</a>),</p> <p>or Renee Rose&#8217;s &#8211; Abundance Mindset For Authors (<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/abundancemindsetforauthors/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.facebook.com/groups/abundancemindsetforauthors/</a>)<br />To find more, search within Facebook for your own genre group</p> <p>Find Celeste at: <a href="https://www.celestebarclay.com/">https://www.celestebarclay.com/</a></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP538.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP538-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3623" srcset="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP538-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP538-300x169.jpg 300w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP538-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!</p> <p>⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you&#8217;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.</p> <p>All the info is at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast">http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast</a></p> <p>✍️ Visit <a href="http://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/">http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com</a> for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info</p> <p>😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast</p> <p>Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!</p>

<p>We are delighted to welcome book ads and strategy consultant for authors &#38; publishers, Janet Margot, to talk all things <strong>Amazon Strategy for Authors</strong> including approaching it with the right mindset.<br />Janet covers best practices for building a solid Amazon strategy for authors, metadata, packaging inside and out, when and how to start Amazon Ads and the “ads advice” she sees that is the opposite of helpful to indies.<br /><em>”Amazon ads are a feedback loop: what Amazon thinks and what customers think about your book”</em> ~ Janet Margot</p> <p><strong><em>About Janet Margot</em></strong></p> <p>Janet doesn&#8217;t just understand the Amazon Ads platform—she helped build it. During her ten-year tenure at Amazon, she owned the advertiser experience for books and spearheaded its international expansion.<br />Today, Janet leads <strong>Book Geeks Media</strong>, where she translates elite tech algorithms into actionable growth for independent authors. By combining a decades-long media career (Condé Nast, Lonely Planet) with insider platform knowledge, she provides authors with a data-driven &#8220;unfair advantage&#8221; that few others can claim.</p> <p>Website: <a href="https://www.bookgeeksmedia.com/">https://www.bookgeeksmedia.com/</a></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP537-Janet-Margo.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP537-Janet-Margo-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3626" srcset="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP537-Janet-Margo-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP537-Janet-Margo-300x169.jpg 300w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP537-Janet-Margo-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!</p> <p>⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you&#8217;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.</p> <p>All the info is at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast">http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast</a></p> <p>✍️ Visit <a href="http://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/">http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com</a> for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info</p> <p>😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast</p> <p>Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!</p>

<p>Have you always wanted to write a cozy mystery but don&#8217;t know where to start? This classic replay we recorded a few years back with Nancy J. Cohen will get you going!<br />Cozy Mysteries are hugely popular with readers and authors alike, and Nancy J. Cohen shares her fantastic advice for writing the successful cozy.</p> <p>Alongside her fiction, Nancy has also written the acclaimed “how to” for cozies “Writing The Cozy Mystery”, so we’re thrilled she agreed to give us the scoop on all things cozy.</p> <p>ABOUT NANCY:</p> <p>Nancy J. Cohen writes the Bad Hair Day Mysteries featuring South Florida hairstylist Marla Vail. These books have won numerous awards along with her nonfiction titles,&#160;<em>Writing the Cozy Mystery&#160;</em>and&#160;<em>A Bad Hair Day Cookbook.</em>&#160;Active in the writing community, Nancy is a past president of Florida Romance Writers and Mystery Writers of America, Florida Chapter. When not busy writing, she enjoys cooking, fine dining, cruising and visiting Disney World. Visit her at&#160;<a href="https://nancyjcohen.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">NancyJCohen.com</a></p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP536.jpg"><img decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP536-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3616" srcset="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP536-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP536-300x169.jpg 300w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Classic-Replay-EP536-768x432.jpg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!</p> <p>⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you&#8217;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.</p> <p>All the info is at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast">http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast</a></p> <p>✍️ Visit <a href="http://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/">http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com</a> for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info</p> <p>😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast</p> <p>Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!</p>

<p>Getting Organized: Business Systems For Authors with Lorna K. Bailey</p> <p>Self-published a book? Congratulations you’re now running an author business (whether you want to or not). Whether you have 5 books or 50, being an author is a LOT of plate-juggling. This episode we talk to the amazing Lorna K Bailey who as worked with bestselling authors and entrepreneurs, helping them organise and systemize their processes so they can manage their energy, focus on what they do best: creating and building their career.</p> <p>This is a packed episode with a lot of great tips on systems, strategies and processes including:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>How to know when you’re ready to hire help</li> <li>How to find the right VA for you</li> <li>The difference between energy management and time management</li> <li>Building Systems Yourself To Maximize Efficiency and Minimize Your Stress</li> <li>Tools to use</li> </ul> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3612" srcset="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535-300x169.jpg 300w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535-768x432.jpg 768w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EP535.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p><strong>About Lorna K Bailey</strong></p> <p>Lorna Bailey has been an Executive Virtual Assistant since 2014 working behind the scenes for bestselling authors and entrepreneurs including Dave Chesson (Kindlepreneur, Publisher Rocket, Atticus) to help them grow but thrive in their business.</p> <p>Lorna knows many authors struggle with systems, organization, and the business side of being a writer. She’s seen what <em>actually works</em>&#160;to get books into readers’ hands and to build sustainable writing careers.</p> <p>Now, she focuses on teaching authors how to:</p> <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Work effectively with assistants</li> <li>Create simple systems and processes to free up time</li> <li>Shift into the mindset of a healthy, entrepreneurial author</li> </ul> <p>In short, she helps writers stop drowning in the “business stuff” so they can get back to what they love most: writing!</p> <p>Find her at <a href="http://www.lornakbailey.com/">www.lornakbailey.com</a></p> <p><strong><em>Resources mentioned</em></strong><br />Lorna’s course: Indie Author Empire <a href="https://www.lornakbailey.com/the-indie-author-empire">https://www.lornakbailey.com/the-indie-author-empire</a><br />20Booksto50K Facebook Group <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/20Booksto50k">https://www.facebook.com/groups/20Booksto50k</a></p> <p>Notion <a href="https://www.notion.com/">https://www.notion.com/</a><br />Trello <a href="http://www.trello.com/">www.trello.com</a></p> <p>💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!</p> <p>⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you&#8217;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.</p> <p>All the info is at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast">http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast</a></p> <p>✍️ Visit <a href="http://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/">http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com</a> for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info</p> <p>😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast</p> <p>Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!</p>

<p>Amira Alvarez is the founder and CEO of The Unstoppable Woman, a global coaching company helping entrepreneurs, empire builders, athletes, creatives, and rising stars in all fields achieve their dreams and goals in record time. This classic replay of an interview we originally recorded in August 2020 is just what we need to get our mindset right for the new year and how to be productive without burning ourselves out! </p> <p> As someone who has made a quantum leap (going from barely making 6-figures to making $700k in one year, then onto 7-figures) and has lived to tell about it, Amira knows exactly what tactical strategies and mindset shifts are required to get out of your own way, live life on your own terms, and master the art of achieving any goal you set your mind to. </p> <p>Learn more about Amira at: https://www.TheUnstoppableWoman.com </p> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2.jpg"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" width="1024" height="576" src="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-1024x576.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-3607" srcset="https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-300x169.jpg 300w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2-768x432.jpg 768w, https://selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2.jpg 1280w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></a></figure> <p>💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!</p> <p>⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you&#8217;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.</p> <p>All the info is at <a href="http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast">http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast</a></p> <p>✍️ Visit <a href="http://www.selfpublishingauthorspodcast.com/">http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com</a> for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info</p> <p>😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast</p> <p>Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don’t miss an episode!</p>