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What happens after the book is finally out in the world—and all the noise starts creeping in? 

In this conversation, indie MM romance author Alex Cross joins me to talk about emotionally intense storytelling, publishing pressure, writer’s block, and the challenge of protecting your creativity once readers, reviews, and big expectations enter the picture.

We talk about the Fire Between Us series and its highly anticipated second installment, From Our Ashes, which released May 4th, 2026, as well as her stunning Us duet—Echoes of Us and Becoming Us. 

We dig into the craft, including keeping track of dual timelines, writing toxic relationships, character psychology, and messy, deeply human love stories. Alex also shares her journey into self-publishing, the realities of revising published work, navigating social media and comparison, and learning how to reconnect to why she writes in the first place.

It’s an honest conversation about creativity, vulnerability, and continuing to write even when fear and doubt get loud.

Timestamps

04:04 Meet Alex Cross

08:29 Choosing a risky debut

11:37 Echoes of Us

19:11 Crafting dual timelines

24:44 Revising published work

29:49 Fire Between Us update

33:30 Writing high-angst stories

35:53 Writer’s block + sequel struggles

37:56 Reviews, doubt, and social media

41:35 Boundaries and support systems

44:48 Protecting the magic of writing

47:26 What’s next + where to find Alex 

To connect with Alex and read her books, go to her website and follow her on Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.

All of Alex's books are available in KU. 

Have a comment or idea about the show? Send me a direct text! Love to hear from you.

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To get in touch with Stacy:

Email: Stacy@writeitscared.co

https://www.writeitscared.co/wis

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