Ann Charles on Writing, Publishing, and Spicy Mystery (Ep. 260)

Tonight I’m joined by USA TODAY bestselling author Ann Charles for a lively, no‑BS conversation about building a career in mystery fiction that blends suspense, laugh‑out‑loud humor, and a dash of paranormal mayhem. We dig into how Ann found her voice after early false starts in romance, why she chose to go indie when a Big Five deal fell through, and how ebooks and timing helped her break out—right up to the surprise moment she discovered she’d already hit the USA TODAY list. Ann shares the real talk on marketing in 2026 (it changes monthly), balancing grit and spice without losing tension, and writing long‑running series that make readers want to visit the real‑world settings—like Deadwood, South Dakota.

We also get into co‑writing her Old West Undertaker series with her husband, reader events vs. writer conferences, handling reviews, and the power of perseverance while life is life‑ing. If you love rowdy, character‑driven mysteries with supernatural streaks, this one’s for you.

We close with what Ann’s writing now—from the next Deadwood Undertaker installment to a new Jackrabbit Junction caper—plus practical advice for aspiring authors: start writing the story that won’t leave you alone, learn the marketing game, and keep going.

Guest: Ann Charles
https://anncharles.com

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(00:01:07) Opening: Live from Asylum Studios and show intro

(00:01:27) Joe’s Monday kickoff, housekeeping, and schedule

(00:02:27) Weekend recap: crypto talk, Bible study, and Valentine’s

(00:04:21) Live show times, website plugs, and audience engagement

(00:06:27) Guest intro: USA TODAY bestselling author Anne Charles

(00:07:04) Anne joins: tech glitches, ghosts, and Creative Edge

(00:08:24) Icebreakers: TED Talk on marketing and competitiveness

(00:12:07) From reader to writer: finding her voice and genre

(00:15:32) Pivot from romance to mystery and mixed genres

(00:18:40) Big-house publishing near miss and going indie

(00:20:33) Tech writing career and lessons for fiction

(00:22:31) Learning the craft: early books, contests, and persistence

(00:24:46) Turning point: marketing grind, family, and perseverance

(00:26:29) Early ebook era, luck, and a Jeopardy! surprise

(00:30:01) Riding the wave: recognition and perspective on success

(00:33:27) What “USA TODAY bestseller” really means

(00:36:07) Lists, presales, and chasing numbers vs. craft

(00:40:31) What makes Anne’s mysteries different: setting and series

(00:42:13) Balancing humor with suspense and real-life darkness

(00:44:41) Defining “spicy mystery” vs. cozy conventions

(00:48:19) Writing groups, conferences, and reader events

(00:52:41) Current projects: Deadwood Undertaker and Jackrabbit 7

(00:55:04) Jackrabbit Junction: sisters, villains, and tangled plots

(00:58:33) Favorite scenes: sisterly chaos and small-town jail

(01:00:45) Co-writing Westerns, accuracy, and world consistency

(01:01:04) Keeping canon: tracking 500+ characters in series

(01:01:08) Marketing is harder than writing: fast-changing playbook

(01:03:39) Handling reviews, self-doubt, and longevity

(01:05:23) Advice to beginners: start writing the story you have

(01:06:30) Inspiration: rebuilding an Italian Alps stone house

(01:08:01) Where to find Anne: site, YouTube, and building her hub

(01:08:39) Platform talk: Rumble, algorithms, and creator control

(01:10:02) Show wrap: support tiers, producers, and value-for-value

(01:15:55) Final sign-off: reviews, Texas line, and closing

- Joe "Rooz" Russiello

- Marisa Lee

- Wayne Rankin

- Rosanna Rankin

- Angela Wetuski

- Carolina Jimenez

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