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

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.

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

In 2016, I was offered a traditional publishing contract. I said no — and that decision shaped everything that came after it. In this episode I share the real reasons why: the royalty maths that didn't add up, the value of freedom that I wasn't willing to compromise, my honest lack of patience for a four-year timeline, and the bigger picture of wanting to build a sustainable business for myself and my family. This isn't a case against traditional publishing. It's a case for knowing yourself well enough to make the right decision for you.

How One TikTok Video Changed Everything with Romance Author Lauren Jackson

She went viral overnight, landed a Penguin deal, and is somehow doing it all as a brand new mum. Lauren Jackson is a Gold Coast romance author and BookTok creator whose path to publishing is one of the most exciting stories in Australian romance right now. She started by self-publishing, built a devoted readership one book at a time, and when Tierney Page featured her work on TikTok — everything changed. In this episode, Lauren and I talk about her journey from self-published author to Penguin Books, what it was like to go viral and have the industry suddenly come knocking, how she's built such a genuine and loyal community online, and what life looks like now that she's navigating a creative career with a newborn in the mix. This is a conversation about persistence, timing, and what happens when the right person discovers your book at the right moment.