The Anatomy of a Romance Bestseller w/ Liz Tomforde | Talk Spicy to Me

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 Season 2, Episode 9, the hosts are joined by bestselling romance author Liz Tomforde to break down the anatomy of a bestseller.

They also share personal updates, reality TV obsessions, and the importance of author friendships while navigating pregnancy, publishing, and the chaos of a writing career.

 

Liz Tomforde

Upcoming Release: In Her Own League

https://liztomforde.com/in-her-own-league

Website - https://liztomforde.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/liztomforde.author/

 

💬 Got a question you’d like us to answer on the podcast? Submit it here → Send us a voice message on SpeakPipe: https://www.speakpipe.com/TalkSpicytoMe

 

 

 

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 – Welcome to Talk Spicy to Me

01:05 – Pregnancy updates & baby shower weekend

02:06 – Prenatal classes and unexpected anxiety

03:07 – Why friendships matter in pregnancy and writing

04:15 – Season sponsors: Lena Hendrix & Willow Aster

05:20 – Surprise guest reveal: Liz Tomforde

17:39 – The Spice Report

17:45 – Kandi’s obsession: Below Deck

21:38 – Giana’s obsession: Bridgerton

25:46 – Liz’s obsession: Love Is Blind

28:57 – The Anatomy of a Bestseller

32:49 – Why characters are the heart of a great romance

37:49 – Avoiding self-insert characters

38:89 – Writing empathy into character choices

40:14 – Purposeful pacing and emotional tension

44:45 – Building highs and lows in storytelling

46:26 – Adding compelling elements beyond the romance

51:03 – Conflict as the “bones” of a bestseller

01:17:50 – Red Flag / Green Flag

01:22:28 – Reader Question

 

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

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

Intagram: 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.