Teach Me K-pop: Fandom, Community, and Author Advice with Kaenyn King

What happens when a voracious reader and fandom maker becomes an MM romance author? In this episode, we chat with Kaenyn King—creator of Mulvaney Media and author of Teach Me K-pop—about the power of community, the creative spark of fandom, and the practical side of indie publishing.

Why Authors Should Care About Fandom - Author Advice

The conversation opens with a confession: some of us are simply not built for casual fandom. That obsession is a creative superpower. Kaenyn's journey from fan account admin to published author proves that community isn’t just a side effect of fandom—it’s the engine. Early connections and author advice with BL creators, K-pop stans, and book clubs turned into a support network of editors, designers, and early readers.

Author takeaway: Your niche isn’t a limitation—it’s a bridge to collaboration, resources, and real creative growth.

From Fandom to Fiction: The Creative Process

Kaenyn's shares how K-pop became her creative compass—BTS as a first bias, Stray Kids as a gateway, variety shows as inspiration. Parasocial bonds with idols and the chaotic joy of fandom became story fuel. Her book, Teach Me K-pop, began with a lightning-bolt idea and a twenty-two page outline written in a flash.

Author takeaway:

• Let your obsessions guide your writing.

• Community cross-pollination (book clubs, fanfic, K-pop, BL) can spark new ideas and collaborations.

• Don’t be afraid of messy drafts—embrace the process and trust your editorial partners.

  
  

Indie Publishing: Real Talk & K-Pop Author Advice

We get honest about the logistics: choosing editors, covers, and genre signals, balancing Kindle Unlimited with direct sales, and handling newsletters, merch, and last-minute changes. The real enemy? Perfectionism and scope creep.

Author takeaway: Practice over polish—get your book out there, and let each release teach you how to improve. Readers want your story, not just bonus extras.

Writing for Insiders, Welcoming Outsiders

Teach Me K-pop is a romance that welcomes both K-pop fans and newcomers. The story uses a secret-celebrity premise with accessible, soft on-ramps—no gatekeeping, just genuine connection.

Author takeaway: Write with love for your niche, but leave the door open for new readers. Your story can be both authentic and discoverable.

Final Wisdom for Authors

• Community is creative infrastructure, not trivia.

• Your fandom roots can become your author superpower.

• Perfectionism is the enemy—done is better than perfect.

• Let your story be an invitation, not a gate.