Why I Chose to Publish Independently — And Why I'd Do It Again

Creating a multiverse of stories with A.K Mulford

From fantasy kingdoms to zookeeper rom-coms, A.K. Mulford has built an extraordinary multiverse of stories. This episode first aired August 2025, and I'm bringing it back because it's one of the most practical conversations I've had about writing fast and building a real author business, and because Ali is joining me at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival this year. I sit down with A.K. Mulford, fantasy novelist, rom-com writer, cosy paranormal creator and TikTok favourite, to explore Ali's path to becoming a hybrid author, balancing indie and traditional publishing, and writing across multiple genres. Ali is one of those authors who treats her writing and her books as a business, and she does it exceptionally well. That's the thread that runs through this whole conversation. I hear how Ali went from filling notebooks as a child to living in jungles as a wildlife biologist, then self-publishing her breakout fantasy The High Mountain Court in 2021, which racked up over a million page reads in its first month. Since then she's signed with Harper Voyager, launched multiple pen names, and built a loyal global readership through an authentic presence on TikTok and Instagram. What you'll learn in this episode: 👉 How to write fast without sacrificing quality. Ali shares the mindset and systems behind publishing at speed, averaging 50,000 words per novel. 👉 The benefits of being a hybrid author. Why she started in self-publishing and then expanded into traditional, plus the honest pros and cons of each. 👉 The 3-Day 30K Challenge. Ali's neurodivergent-friendly writing sprint that helps authors hit their word count goals in three days. 👉 How to juggle multiple genres and pen names. From epic fantasy to steamy rom-coms to cosy paranormal mysteries, why switching tones keeps her creative energy high. 👉 TikTok for authors. Ali's unconventional approach to BookTok, built on community and long-term readership rather than chasing viral trends. 👉 Creative balance. How she homeschools two kids, manages multiple series, and still protects her joy in the writing. About A.K. Mulford: A.K. Mulford is an international bestselling author of romantic fantasy, rom-com and paranormal fiction. Her works include The High Mountain Court, She's a Keeper, and the cosy paranormal hit Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist. She's passionate about helping writers find their own path, through the 3-Day 30K Challenge, her YouTube channel for authors, and her social media presence. Where to start in the Mulford multiverse: Fantasy lovers: The High Mountain Court or A River of Golden Bones Rom-com fans: She's a Keeper (Zookeeper Rom-Com Series) Cosy paranormal readers: Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist Connect with A.K. Mulford: 🌐 Website: https://akmulford.com [https://akmulford.com] 📱 TikTok & Instagram: @akmulfordauthor 📺 YouTube: A.K. Mulford — — — — — — — — — — ✍️ Writers: Want help building a real writing career?Join my free weekly email for tips on writing, publishing, and growing your readership.→ www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —👋 About This ChannelHi, I’m Sarah Williams. I help writers turn their books into sustainable careers.Here we talk about:• writing and finishing books• publishing and the book industry• author marketing• building a long-term writing careerWhether you're writing your first book or already publishing, you're welcome here.— — — — — — — — — —🚀 Ready to go deeper?✦ The Author CEO – for writers ready to treat their books like a real business ✦ Author Retreats – immersive strategy and writing retreatsLearn more:www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —📌 Connect With MeInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/serenadepublishingTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@serenadepublishing

One Series, Five Income Streams — The Brigadier Station Story

How does one book series make money in more than a dozen ways? In this solo episode, I break down how I turned my four-book cowboy romance series, Brigadier Station, into five separate author income streams: * Ebooks and paperbacks — all four books, available wide * Audio — three audiobooks narrated by Myles Pollard, plus a set that sells for a single Audible credit * The ebook boxset — turning existing work into a brand new product * The premium direct edition — a foil, sprayed-edge special edition I sell only direct, and why that's the most profitable move most authors never make * Self-published translations — German, Italian, Spanish, and French, all of which I translate and upload myself This is catalogue thinking in action. Stop counting books, start counting income streams. It's also the work I do with women authors inside the Author CEO Private Mentorship. Learn more at serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo (link in show notes).

The Advice I Give My Students That Actually Changes Things

In this episode, I'm sharing the four investments I come back to again and again in my work with authors. These aren't things I learned from a course. They're the things I see actually move the needle for the women who are serious about building real, sustainable author careers. We cover: * The money mindset shift that changes how you invest in your career * Why I recommend getting a coach sooner than feels comfortable, and what it actually gives you * What retreats offer that no online experience can replicate, and the connections that change careers * Why showing up at conferences and industry events is one of the most strategic things you can do * The manifesting practice I recommend to students and what it actually does for clarity and confidence * The identity principle that connects all of it If you're ready to stop waiting and start building with real strategy and support, I'd love for you to look into The Author CEO Private Mentorship. Applications are open at www.serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo [https://www.serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo].

What It Actually Means to Think Like an Author CEO

If you're serious about building an author career — not just finishing a book, but actually turning your writing into a sustainable business — this episode is going to change how you think about everything. I've written ten novels, built Serenade Publishing from the ground up, and spent years coaching women fiction authors through the publishing decisions that make or break a long-term career. And the single biggest difference I see between authors who build something lasting and authors who stay stuck? It's not talent. It's not even hard work. It's how they think about their books. In this episode, I'm sharing the Author CEO mindset — the framework I've used in my own career and that I now teach inside The Author CEO Private Mentorship — including three specific mental shifts that will change how you approach every publishing decision you make from here. In this episode we cover: * Why your books are employees — and what it means to give each one a job description * The self-publishing strategy question most authors never ask (and why it's costing them) * How to make money as an author beyond royalties, and why your back catalogue is your most underused asset * The ideal reader clarity practice that changes your book marketing, your covers, your content, and your income * Why publishing rights are a wealth decision, not just a contract detail * The money mindset shift that women authors are rarely given permission to make * How manifestation and business strategy work together — and why you actually need both This episode is for you if: * You're a fiction author who wants to build a real, financially sustainable writing career * You've been self-publishing or considering it, and you want a clear strategy — not just more information * You feel like you're making publishing decisions in the dark and you're ready for that to change * You want to understand how indie authors actually build passive income from their books over time * You're done treating your writing like a hobby and ready to run it like a business Resources mentioned: The Author CEO Private Mentorship — 4 months, 1:1, for women authors who are ready to build strategically: serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo Connect with Sarah: Website: serenadepublishing.comInstagram: @serenadepublishingThe Write Podcast: serenadepublishing.com/thewritepodcast If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe and leave a review — it helps other women fiction authors find this podcast and the support they've been looking for.

Unlocking Your ADHD Superpowers with Strengths Coaching

Are you a writer or creative entrepreneur with ADHD—or suspect you might be? In this powerful episode of The Write Podcast, host Sarah Williams chats with certified Gallup Strengths Coach and author Samara Thorn about how understanding your unique strengths can transform your writing process, boost your productivity, and help you thrive as a neurodivergent creator. You’ll learn: * How ADHD affects writers and entrepreneurs * Why traditional productivity hacks often don’t work for neurodivergent brains * How Gallup Strengths can help you write and work in alignment with your personality * Real-life strategies for harnessing focus, confidence, and creativity—even with a busy brain Whether you’re struggling with motivation, consistency, or the overwhelm of running a creative business, this episode offers hope, encouragement, and actionable insights to help you embrace your ADHD and succeed on your own terms.