My guest this episode is D. K. Marie, a Michigan-based romance author who writes stories about second chances, emotional healing, and hope. She's moved from traditional publishing into indie publishing and recently won a Wishing Shelf Gold Award. We talk about her journey from reader to writer, the business side of indie publishing, building a loyal readership, and why she believes romance novels can offer comfort during difficult times. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest D. K. Marie is a Gold Winner of the Wishing Shelf Book Awards and the author of eleven published works, including romance novels and a poetry collection. Her stories center on unexpected connections and emotional intensity, blending heart, heat, and humor with relatable characters and emotional depth. When she's not writing, she can be found behind a camera lens, on her motorcycle, or curled up with a good book. She lives in metro Detroit with her husband, two children, and a cat who supervises her writing with zero impartiality.