Solid Gold Podcasts #BeHeard The Hidden Lives of Writers

S05 E09 Takalani M

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Takalani M is the author of the bestselling The Royal Mistress series, the After Dawn series, and the standalone novel A BURNING DESIRE. She has created a publishing and distribution powerhouse that dominates the romance sphere.

Takalani joins Fiona Snyckers and Gail Schimmel to talk about how she got her start in 2017 with a Facebook page and no followers. She tells us about writing 2,500 words a night alongside her full-time job in finance and three children. Takalani breaks down the exact process for producing a book, from editing, layout, and cover design, to sales, distribution, and marketing.

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Chapters
  • 00:13 Writing Week Frustrations
  • 01:58 Balancing Creative and Academic Writing
  • 04:15 Recent Reading Recommendations
  • 09:25 Takalani M's Writing Week
  • 13:54 Writing Routine and Inspiration
  • 21:49 Journey to Publishing
  • 29:36 Writing Process and Plotting
  • 31:53 Relatability and Representation in Takalani's Stories
  • 41:15 Reader Feedback and Plotting
  • 44:17 Publishing Options and Experiences
  • 48:13 Cover Design and Branding
  • 51:45 Pen Name and Branding Strategy
  • 54:28 From Manuscript to Bookshelves: The Process
  • 57:40 Marketing Strategies and Community Engagement
  • 01:07:11 Reading Preferences and Recommendations
  • 01:09:47 Final Thoughts and Appreciation
19 May 2025 English South Africa Books · Arts

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