Rebuilding My Author Brand into a Viable Income Stream

Creating a viable income streams with writing

I’m rebuilding my author career. If you have followed me for any length of time, you know it’s been a long one. From my first book (now completely unpublished) to the 11 books I’ve published since 2021, being an author is a dream I’ve had since I was young.

Over the last couple of years, I’ve let a lot of doubt get in the way of my author business. I have also focused on building my private practice, which has been amazing to return to. (This has all made me question how I show up as a coach, too, but that’s a story for another day.) I still have a deep passion for helping women, especially moms, find their way without burnout and in balance and without losing themselves. That’s not going away anytime soon.

Still, my unrelenting passion is writing. It always has been. I feel more fulfilled, more peaceful, more joyful when I write. When I let the stories inside come out for myself and others.

Author business – not just a hobby

As a mom, we wear a lot of hats. I thought I could take the pressure off by calling writing and publishing my “monetized hobby.” I love doing therapy, my passion is for coaching and mentoring, though, and for writing. Still, I pushed writing to the background. I called it a “monetized hobby” and gave it less and less attention. (Because, marketing. Ew.)

I still firmly believe EVERYONE should have a non-monetized, non-publicized hobby. Like, one you aren’t constantly sharing or making money from. Something that’s just for you. And between work and the hobbies giving me a break, the two things that required so much social media marketing from me (book writing and coaching), took a backseat. It was too much.

Still, I want my books to make money. I want people to relate my characters and devour my stories. I want them to want the next one and the next. I write heart-filled romance and mystery that feels like home (often in 350 pages or less with a Pacific Northwest Backdrop).

I don’t want this to just be a “monetized hobby.” I want this to be a viable, livable income stream that helps sustain my family and builds up our future wealth.

Why does it matter?

I have seen so often on my threads, my instagram, in facebook groups a need moms express: how do I do this author thing without burning out?
How do I sell my art without letting go of my family time?
How do I make money as an author?
How do I do author life with kids?
How do I do this while being present with my kids?
How do I do it all in spite of imposter syndrome?
How do I navigate the guilt from both sides, from my business and from motherhood?
How do I do all of this without losing my ever lovin’ mind?

That’s what I help moms with. That’s why I have my youtube channel and this blog. That’s why I have my coaching program – a unique program you’ll learn more about soon – and why I keep talking about moms healing from burnout, finding their creativity, and keeping their balance.

I have been feeling so disconnected from the message, because I had been neglecting the part of me I was so passionate about. I have been treating this as a hobby, and not having much to show on the creative part of the business front. I wanted my life to be better evidence of how it can happen. How we can be creative, build a sustainable business, and be present with our families. All without burning out, losing ourselves, or sacrificing the life we want.

So, I’m going to show them how I’m doing it. Showing the behind the scenes. The good. The bad. The ugly.

So, What’s the Plan?

If you want to hear the in-depth plan breakdown and see more of the background of how this came to be, watch the video.

The plan:

• I’m following authors again. Especially on youtube. Learning from them and how they’ve pivoted in the modern era. A lot has changed just since 2021. Also, learning from them in facebook groups. Seeing how they are growing and expanding as midlist and 6-figure authors, not necessarily viral sensations. Connecting with and learning from others matters now.
• I’m working on updating the back matter of my books. Giving readers a clearer path to go forward.
• Getting brand new covers made for my original series. The current covers are amazing, but I want them to fit the genre a bit better. Connect to audiences a bit more.
• Next on my list, which I’ve already started, is revamping my author website and blog. I still have a long way to go, but the process has started. This will also eventually be my online storefront, so I want to get it right.
• Regular updates on this blog and my youtube channel of how things are going. How are my socials growing, getting more engagement? Are the sales growing? (I regret to inform you that if you talk about your books, people buy them. Crazy how this works, right?)
• I’ll be building up an author community as a free tier for my mentorship. Other authors who want connection, writing commiseration, and more.
• Preparing some manuscripts with hopes of getting published with Harlequin. I have a book I’ve already submitted, and it’s in their hands now. Whatever the outcome, this is a bucket list goal of mine, and I will be working toward that.
• Working on a nonfiction book that really explores how this creative work and flexibility matters for moms, and how they can do it without the burnout. Without losing themselves or their work. Something that connects everything I’m passionate about.
• Posting new, consistent content on socials that is connective, entertaining, and also sells my books. I’m also throwing TikTok back into the mix. (We’ll see how that goes.) In today’s world, building an author platform is a non-negotiable.
• I’m also finally going to be starting my author newsletter up. I have a handful of names that I got at an event last year, and have plans to grow the list. I will start by using the first chapter or two of my novel Dark on Fire. After that, I have plans to write a novella that readers can get for free to sign up.
• This new plan will also mean going back to local bookstores. I have sold in two so far. Now, I want to go back to those and also expand to new stores. Going with confidence that I’ll get some “yeses.” I also will be going to more in-person events. I did two of those last year, as well. Now, it’s time for me to step out and do more. Going in-person is making a big difference in a lot of industries.

If you want to follow the journey, make sure you find me here on the blog and on youtube. You can see how I set up and market on my author Instagram, and see behind the scenes of living my best author business life on my coaching/mentorship instagram.

At the core of all of this is my Minimum Viable Daily Business Task list, one that you can download and use to help you run your author or artist business, too. It will help me stay on track on the days the kids need extra, the house needs extra, or my chronic illnesses flare up. It is a great tool for any mom trying to keep business and life balanced and in rhythm.

So, follow along. See how my author business becomes a viable income stream.

Until next time,
Candice <3