How Romance Authors Actually Make a Living with Lauren Connolly

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.What does it really look like to make a living as a romance author in today’s publishing landscape? In this episode, I’m joined by romance author Lauren Connolly for a candid conversation about hybrid publishing, creative sustainability, and her latest rom-com Love in Plane Sight.We talk about Lauren’s journey from libraries to publishing nearly 30 books, why diversifying income streams matters, and how she balances self-publishing with Big Five contracts without burning out. We also dive into pilot romances, found family, money trauma, and why a Gantt chart might just save your creative life.📚 Books MentionedLove in Plane Sight by Lauren Connolly — Contemporary Romance | Audio ✅The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna — Cozy Fantasy | Audio ✅Drawn Together by Juliana Smith — Contemporary Romance | Closed Door | Audio ✅Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce — YA Fantasy | Classic | Audio ✅⏱️ Episode Timestamps[00:00] Welcome & Lauren’s publishing journey[01:30] From libraries to romance writing[03:00] Why hybrid publishing works[05:00] The reality of advances & author income[07:30] Diversifying revenue streams[08:45] Gantt charts & managing multiple deadlines[11:30] Negotiating realistic publishing timelines[13:30] Introducing Love in Plane Sight[16:00] Money trauma, people-pleasing & romance heroes[19:30] Audiobooks & narration talk[20:30] Cozy book recommendations[24:00] Little Free Libraries & nostalgia reads[25:30] Where to find Lauren + upcoming eventsJoin the ConversationSubscribe to our Substack for exclusive recommendations. (wtrnblog.substack.com)Follow & Subscribe: What to Read Next Blog | YouTube: What to Read NextSubscribe & leave a review!