What is beta reading? How do you become a beta reader? And how do you get the most out of the feedback you receive from beta readers? Three indie authors come together for a rousing discussion, including some wild stories.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the cozy fantasy author of the Lutesong series (beginning with The Stray Spirit) and the Side Quest Row series (beginning with A Rival Most Vial). You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy romance, and its sequel, Patchwork. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) is the author of the queer fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

What is it about rivals-to-lovers that makes readers ravenous for it? Five indie authors form a roundtable to discuss a favorite trope.

RK Ashwick (she/her) is the author of the cozy fantasy A Rival Most Vial and its sequel A Captured Cauldron, as well as the Lutesong trilogy beginning with The Stray Spirit. You can connect with her at her website: rkashwick.com

S.O. Callahan (she/her) is the author of the Fella Enchanted cozy fantasy duology and co-author of the Fae and Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with her on instagram @s.o.callahan

Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the epic fantasy Thoraius Saga beginning with Swords and Seers and the romantasy series Fated Fae beginning with Fae’s Mate. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they), also writing as Aelina Isaacs, is the author of the cozy fantasy series Adventures in Levena beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can connect with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

Sarah Wallace (they/them) is the author of the cozy fantasy series Meddle and Mend beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street and co-author of the Fae and Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

Move over holiday cheer, it’s time for holiday queer! Tess Carletta (she/her) interviews Jay Leigh (she/her) about the upcoming multi-author novella collection, Home for the Holidays, including found family, writing from a place of authenticity, mental illness representation in romance novels, and the necessity of a touch of darkness to make the light shine all the brighter.

Jay Leigh (she/her) is the author of Whisper into the Night, Checking Out, and sundry other mm romances featuring action, suspense, and spice. You can connect with her on instagram @jayelle_m and enter the Home for the Holidays giveaway at her website: authorjayleigh.com

Tess Carletta (she/her) is the author of Kit & Basie, a queer cozy romance, and its sequel, Patchwork. You can connect with her at her website: tesscarletta.com

What are some of the rewards and challenges of taking the road less travelled and writing a romance between an already-established couple? Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Sarah Wallace (they/them) and S.O. Callahan (she/her) about their upcoming queernormative cozy Regency romantasy, Fire Spells Between Friends.

Sarah Wallace and S.O. Callahan are coauthors of the Fae & Human Relations series, a queernormative cozy fantasy beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms.

Additionally, Sarah Wallace is the author of the queernormative cozy fantasy series Meddle & Mend, beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

S.O. Callahan is also the author of the queer historical romantasy duology Fella Enchanted and Fella Ever After. You can connect with her on instagram @s.o.callahan

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of Oak King Holly King, Mr Warren's Profession, Fiorenzo, and other queer romance novels. You can connect with him at sebastiannothwell.com

Sarah Wallace (they/them) interviews Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya (she/her) about her work in the “relationship horror” subgenre, her career spanning nonfiction TV and film criticism to writing fiction, and adding to the growing canon of queer horror with her illustrated novelette, Helen House.

Kayla Kumari Upadhyaya (she/her) is the managing editor of Autostraddle and TriQuarterly and the author of the queer horror novelette Helen House as well as many more articles and short stories. You can connect with her at her website: kaylakumariupadhyaya.com

Sarah Wallace (they/them) is the author of the queernormative cozy fantasy series Meddle & Mend, beginning with Letters to Half Moon Street, as well as coauthors of the Fae & Human Relations series beginning with Breeze Spells and Bridegrooms. You can connect with them on instagram @sarah.wallace.writer

Carolina Cruz (they/them) interviews Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) about his gothic sapphic romance The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall, including lesbian flirtation through sapphic literature, drawing inspiration from Carmilla and The Goblin Market, the perils of writing about writers, 19th century spirit photography, and a surprise guest appearance by Man Door Hand Hook Car Door.

Carolina Cruz (they/them) is the author of the vampire horror romance Blood in the Water and the queer fantasy series The Creed of Gethin (beginning with The Unwanted Prophet). You can connect with them on instagram @ninawolverina

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of The Haunting of Heatherhurst Hall, Oak King Holly King, Mr Warren’s Profession, and sundry other queer historical romance and historical romantasy. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) interviews Luna Daye (she/her) about her upcoming release Fae’s Bargain, the first sapphic story in the Fated Fae romantasy series - coming October 31st!

Luna Daye (she/her) is the author of the Fated Fae romantasy series as well as the high fantasy series the Thoraius Saga. You can connect with her at her website: lunadaye.com

Noah Hawthorne (he/they) is the author of the queer fantasy series Adventures in Levena, beginning with Phantom and Rook. You can catch up with him at their website: neshamapublishing.com

A ship at sea is beset by a vampire, leaving two survivors—one turned, one human—adrift in uncertain tides. A bloody beginning begets a shockingly sweet end. Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) interviews Carolina Cruz (they/them) about their horror romance novella Blood in the Water.

Spoilers for The Last Voyage of the Demeter (2023) and Passengers (2016).

Carolina Cruz (they/them) is the author of the horror novella Blood in the Water as well as the fantasy series The Creed of Gethin beginning with The Unwanted Prophet. You can follow them on twitter and instagram @ninawolverina

Sebastian Nothwell (he/him) is the author of Oak King Holly King, Mr Warren’s Profession, and Fiorenzo, amongst other titles. You can connect with him at his website: sebastiannothwell.com