Panel: From Overwhelmed to Connected: The Power of Community {ep. 194}
November 19, 2025
In this live episode from Author Nation in Las Vegas, Alexa Bigwarfe sits down with YA author C.C. Robinson, editor Dakota Nyght, and travel writer Annie Slade to talk conferences, community, tools, AI, and why you should never try to build an author career alone in a changing publishing landscape.
Recorded live at Author Nation in Las Vegas, this episode of Alexa’s Publishing Chat brings together YA dystopian author C.C. Robinson, editor Dakota Nyght, and travel writer Annie Slade. They dig into why community matters so much for writers and publishing professionals, what they’re learning at the conference, and how to turn overwhelm into meaningful connections.
In this podcast, Alexa, C.C. , Dakota, and Annie discuss:
In this podcast, Alexa, C.C. , Dakota, and Annie discuss:
- Why community is essential for authors, editors, and publishing professionals
- The reality of walking into a big conference as a new or emerging author
- Highlights from sessions with Becca Syme, Joanna Penn, Drew Davis, Katie Cross, and T.D. Donnelly
- How AI and SOPs are reshaping the way authors and editors work
- Rethinking marketing funnels as experiences and connections
- The power of hearing familiar concepts from different teachers and angles
- Navigating vendor hall overwhelm and making sense of tools and services
- How platforms like BookFunnel, ProWritingAid, Curios, 11 Labs, and Spotify fit into an author business
- Surprising takeaways from talking to vendors you almost skipped
- The importance of cross-industry learning (like hospitality) for reader experience
- Personal stories of connection: late-night shop talk, lunch-table brainstorms, and “emotional support extroverts”
- Why online communities make in-person events less intimidating and more impactful
- Practical encouragement for anyone feeling stuck, isolated, or unsure of their next step