The Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee sit down with romance author Celeste Barclay (also writing as Sabine Barclay), and things immediately go off the rails—in the best way possible.It opens with a now-legendary story: Celeste dictating an entire spicy scene… in a grocery store. Produce section? Fine. Dairy aisle? Escalating. By checkout, we’ve hit violence, catharsis, and 3,000 words. It’s chaotic, hilarious, and quietly profound. Because underneath the absurdity is a powerful truth: there are no rules when it comes to getting the words out.But the real engine of this episode isn’t just process. It’s understanding why readers buy—and why they come back.Celeste brings a rare combination of expertise: economics, teaching, and political marketing. She breaks down how authors can think like behavioral scientists, not just storytellers. The conversation moves from demographics to psychographics, from tropes to emotional triggers, from “what is this book about?” to “what does this book do to someone?”And then, like a quiet reveal in the middle of a magic act, Russell introduces the idea of the “magic trick”.Every author has one.The thing they do again and again that makes readers feel something specific.Once you see it, everything changes. Your writing sharpens. Your marketing simplifies. Your brand locks into place like a key turning in a door.The episode weaves between craft and business like a double helix: Emotion drives story. Emotion drives marketing. And consistency of emotion builds a career.By the end, what starts as a conversation about dictation turns into something much bigger: a framework for building a body of work that readers trust, return to, and recommend without hesitation.Topics Covered:* The infamous “grocery store dictation” story and writing without constraints* Using dictation to dramatically increase output (3,000 words in an hour)* Writing linearly vs. “pantser” discovery writing* Why removing friction in your process matters more than perfection* Celeste’s background: economics, teaching, and political marketing* Understanding consumer behavior in publishing* Macro vs. micro psychology of buyers and readers* The difference between demographics and psychographics* How to identify what readers actually want (not just what they say they want)* The importance of emotional outcomes in genre fiction* Asking the key question: What emotions are readers craving?* “Heartbeat moments” and emotional payoff in romance* Why readers return for emotional catharsis, not just plot* How to translate emotional expectations into marketing copy and visuals* Tropes as shopping signals and silent calls to action* Why trope cards outperform generic marketing graphics* Marketing as nonfiction writing (clear, factual, persuasive)* The challenge of writing marketing copy before the book exists* Loglines, positioning, and communicating value quickly* The concept of the author “magic trick”* Examples of magic tricks across authors and genres* How your magic trick becomes your brand promise* Why consistency matters more than novelty for long-term success* When breaking your brand promise causes reader backlash* Pen names and when to separate your brand* Emotional memory as the core driver of repeat readership* Branding vs. marketing: why branding reduces long-term effort* Building a signature series as a marketing engine* How each new book sells the previous ones* Simple vs. easy: why success frameworks are deceptively hard* Distilling your brand into a single guiding sentence* Using reader reviews to identify your brand promise* The “potato theory” of creativity (one core idea, many outputs)* Why clarity of brand creates freedom, not limitation* Final truth: readers don’t just buy books—they buy predictable emotional experiences This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/* https://link.tertulia.com/ykHxfSIn this episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee sit down with Lynda Hammes, co-founder of Tertulia, to explore a tool built to solve one of the most exhausting parts of the author business: the messy, expensive, duct-taped-together stack of websites, email tools, direct sales platforms, and assorted software subscriptions. Lynda explains how Tertulia began as a book discovery platform and online bookstore, then expanded into Tertulia for Authors, a streamlined author platform designed to make websites and audience-building dramatically easier.The conversation centers on a live walkthrough of the Tertulia website builder, showing how quickly an author can generate a site from an ISBN or ASIN and an Instagram handle, then customize colors, branding, books, blog posts, and calls to action. Lynda demonstrates how the platform imports metadata, reviews, retailer links, and book information, then layers in tools for lead magnets, blogs, custom pages, email campaigns, and direct sales. The core promise is simple but powerful: authors should be able to build a polished home base in minutes, not wrestle for weeks with a pile of disconnected tools.Russell and Lee also dig into a larger issue underneath the tech demo: why so many authors still avoid building a real online home base, even in 2026. The answer is not usually philosophical resistance so much as tool fatigue and intimidation. Tertulia’s pitch is that authors already know they need a website, an email list, and better direct reader relationships. They just do not want to become accidental web developers to get there. That is where the platform is trying to meet them: less friction, fewer subscriptions, and less maintenance over time.A major thread in the episode is author audience ownership. Lynda notes that one recurring lesson from Tertulia’s work with authors is that social media attention is far less durable than a reader email list, and that email campaigns often outperform social in actual sales. Tertulia’s built-in tools are meant to make that shift easier by combining reader magnets, email capture, newsletter templates, and direct sales in one place. For authors tired of bouncing between MailerLite, BookFunnel, Shopify, and a website builder, this consolidation is a major part of the appeal.The episode also opens the door to Tertulia’s broader ecosystem beyond author websites. Lynda describes the original Tertulia business as a book discovery and commerce platform, featuring curated recommendations, celebrity book clubs, indie press roundups, and author recommendation content. That context matters because it positions Tertulia not just as a software tool, but as a company thinking seriously about reader discovery, book buying, and the relationship between authors and audiences.By the end, the episode makes a clear case for what Tertulia is trying to become: not just “another website builder,” but an increasingly complete ecosystem for authors who want to look professional, grow an email list, sell direct, and simplify their business infrastructure without paying for five separate services or spending their creative energy on backend chaos.Topics Covered:* What Tertulia is and how it evolved from a bookstore and discovery platform into Tertulia for Authors* Lynda Hammes’s overview of Tertulia’s mission to simplify the author tech stack* Why authors still resist building websites, even though they know they need one* The “Frankenstack” problem: juggling Wix, WordPress, MailerLite, BookFunnel, Shopify, and other disconnected tools* Live demo of building an author website using only an ISBN/ASIN and Instagram handle* Importing books, metadata, retailer links, descriptions, and reviews automatically into an author site* The design process: choosing templates, updating colors, branding, and layout quickly* How Tertulia handles blogs and custom pages for authors who want more than a static website* Reader magnets and lead capture built directly into the website platform* Replacing the BookFunnel + MailerLite + website combo with a more unified toolset* Email campaigns inside Tertulia, including book-specific newsletter templates for cover reveals, preorders, and more* Why Tertulia prioritized easy, author-specific email templates before more advanced automation features* Selling ebooks and audiobooks direct through the site using Stripe checkout* Tracking direct buyers and audience data inside the platform* The option to prioritize direct buying while still linking to outside retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble* Discussion of embedding pixels for ad tracking and direct sales campaigns* Using Tertulia even if some products are sold elsewhere, such as Shopify or Kickstarter* Adding books manually when they are not widely distributed or do not yet have standard metadata in major systems* Review curation and why Tertulia prefers a cleaner “top review” approach instead of dumping in hundreds of raw reviews* The role of discoverability and how Substack-style discovery compares to bookstore-based discovery* Tertulia’s roots as a discovery engine for books, with curated recommendations and retail built in* Author recommendation content and why author-to-reader recommendation paths can be especially powerful* Tertulia’s celebrity and hosted book club ecosystem, including Bellatrist Book Club* The Tertulia co-op membership for readers and how it differs from the author-facing subscription* Pricing for Tertulia for Authors, including the free trial and monthly subscription tiers* Why onboarding without requiring a credit card lowers friction for authors who just want to test a site first* Domain transfer and setup options for authors moving over from older platforms* Future roadmap: automation sequences, author-fulfilled print commerce, and broader fulfillment solutions* Tertulia’s Friday Zoom office hours and author community support model* Why the long-term maintenance burden is often worse than the initial website setup itself* Final takeaway: for many authors, the real value is not “more tech,” but less chaos, fewer subscriptions, and a website they will actually keep updated This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Lee and Russell veer delightfully off-road into a “totally new format” conversation that blends tarot, business diagnostics, mindset, guided meditations, nervous system regulation, and delegation. Lee shares her two-year journey toward creating a tarot deck without spending $25K–$30K on art, and how AI helped her extract and match quotes from her own books into card concepts. That rabbit trail turns into a bigger theme: permission. Why creators freeze, hustle, or stall out when the real work is learning to believe you belong in the room. From “capitalist tarot” systems (major arcana as business phases) to talismans and rituals that anchor identity, the conversation lands on a practical delegation framework: start with the projects you will never do, hire for agency, and run 7-day experiments instead of building fragile job roles.Topics Covered:* Lee’s new format experiment: building a tarot deck (and why it matters)* The real cost of a traditional tarot deck: 78 cards + art + printing* Pivoting from full art to text-based decks: oracle/stuck deck hybrids* Using AI to extract quotes from your own catalog and match them to cards* “I can’t hit the trend unless I make the trend” and why creators rebuild systems to understand them* Building “business tarot”: diagnostics designed for business, not pasted onto it* Tarot as structured language: major arcana, phases, and shared symbolic meaning* Tarot as poetry: interpretation as self-revelation, not author intent* “Beyond the book” expansion: why rituals and repeat-touch objects matter* Anchors and talismans: poker chips, degrees on walls, and belief as the real ticket in* Permission economy vs. self-permission: how creators get trained to ask instead of act* Lee’s guided meditations for authors: relaxing into the solution-state and letting the brain map the path* Reticular activating system: priming your mind to notice solutions* Hustle vs. freeze: sympathetic overload, cortisol loops, and “gas + emergency brake” burnout* Walking as regulation: bilateral movement cues safety and de-escalation* Play as nervous system reset: “sketch with no outcome,” look up, take a photo, be present* Delegation as a common creator pain point: burnout + distrust + micromanaging* Delegation metaphor: if you order coffee without running into the kitchen, you’ve delegated* Hiring for agency: “extrapolating from known data” as Russell’s key interview test* The recursive feedback loop: taste, questions, and improving output over time* The “F*** List”: projects you will never do (perfect first delegation targets)* Don’t hire for high-context roles too early: community, ads, brand voice, etc.* Delegate low-hanging fruit first: personal life tasks and modular business tasks* Delegation stall-out: bicycle → Ferrari transition and tolerating the temporary slowdown* 7-day experiments over rigid goals: test, review, iterate, replace* Zone of genius homework: notice flow states, write them down, delegate the rest* Space creates growth: firing headaches, reclaiming runway, hiring better replacements* Closing recap: tarot, meditations, delegating, and embracing “good chaos” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this deeply honest and wide-ranging episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Lee and Russell dive into the often-overlooked connection between bodywork, burnout, creativity, and financial success. Drawing from neuroscience, somatic tracking, chronic illness research, and lived experience, they explore why mindset work alone often fails — and how unregulated nervous systems keep authors stuck in cycles of exhaustion, anxiety, and self-criticism. This episode reframes success through the lens of safety, regulation, and joy, offering practical tools for healing, creativity, and sustainable growth in 2026 and beyond.Topics Covered:* Why writer’s block and income plateaus often originate in the body, not the mind* The mind-body connection: psychosomatic symptoms, TMS, and neuroplastic pain* Burnout as a survival response, not a personal failure* How hustle culture disconnects creators from their bodies* Why affirmations alone don’t work without somatic safety* Somatic tracking and checking in with the body throughout the day* The role of chronic stress in shutting down creativity and desire* Trauma responses and internal “protector parts” formed in childhood* How negative self-talk operates below conscious awareness* Why your nervous system doesn’t understand language — only sensation* Rest vs. productivity: redefining what “success” feels like* Neutral thinking and releasing judgment as a path to peace* Parasympathetic vs. sympathetic nervous systems explained simply* Why anxiety is not a signal of danger — and when it actually matters* Fight, flight, freeze, fawn, and people-pleasing as stress responses* The myth of boredom and anxiety as opposites* How animals regulate stress — and what humans forgot* Breathwork basics: resonant breathing, 4–7–8 breathing, and why box breathing isn’t enough* Why most adults don’t breathe properly (and how to fix it gently)* Pain reprocessing therapy, Curable, JournalSpeak, and brain retraining* Yoga, stretching, movement, and ancient regulation practices across cultures* Religion, ritual, and community as nervous system regulation tools* Why creativity and marketing require safety, play, and embodiment* The danger of perfectionism and the value of “good enough” action* Closing stress cycles instead of suppressing emotion* Why emotions naturally last 90 seconds — and what keeps them looping* Radical acceptance of self, others, and life events* Why most things actually work out for most people* The “dog on the nail” metaphor and choosing relief sooner* How fear-driven busyness blocks inspiration* Why rest creates better ideas faster than grinding* Cutting spinning plates instead of sustaining exhaustion* Doing fewer things better as the true path to scaling* Reverse time-blocking: designing work around life, not the opposite* Why regulation is the foundation for creativity, income, and joy* Choosing softness, safety, and pleasure as a radical success strategy* Teaching the next generation emotional regulation as a superpower* Redefining “paradise” as presence, peace, and creative flow This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this powerful and reflective episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee explore what it really means to hit a brick wall in your creative or business journey — and why you shouldn’t always try to smash through it. Through stories of coaching calls, spiritual metaphors, and mindset shifts, they unpack how resistance often signals misalignment, not failure. Learn how to recognize when you’re forcing the wrong path, how to find “the door” instead of breaking the wall, and how to diagnose whether your challenge is a project, audience, prioritization, or income problem.Topics Covered:* Why most “brick walls” aren’t meant to be broken — they’re signals, not barriers* Healing limiting beliefs one “brick” at a time instead of fighting the whole wall* The armor we build from childhood and how to safely shed it for true growth* Addition by subtraction: why scaling up often requires doing less, not more* Learning to control inputs, not outputs — and embracing creative surrender* How collaboration and outside perspectives accelerate your author growth* Releasing control and building trust through editing, partnerships, and feedback* The difference between “real” blocks and imagined ones — mindset vs. mechanics* The universe’s brick walls as invitations to pivot, not punishments* Understanding when pain or loss is actually clearing the path for expansion* The “lock through” metaphor: waiting for alignment before moving to the next level* How fear disguises itself as over-control or over-effort* The “Happy Compass” framework: diagnosing your true problem* Heart / Project problems – issues inside the book or creative work* Audience problems – not enough or the wrong readers* Prioritization problems – too many low-impact actions* Income problems – conversion or pricing challenges* Why solving the wrong problem keeps authors stuck* Choosing the money: how to double down on what’s already working* Micro-practices to open your “flow” with money and creative energy* Nervous system regulation and somatic awareness for sustainable creativity* How embodiment, mindset, and business systems interconnect* From frustration to flow: how to reconnect with joy and direction This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode of the Six Figure Author Experiment, Lee and Russell are joined by Seth Norris, CPA and founder of Author CPA. Together, they demystify accounting, taxes, and cash flow for authors, with a focus on the popular Profit First method. Seth explains how authors can structure their finances to increase profit, manage ad spend, and avoid costly tax mistakes. From S-Corps to home office deductions, they cover practical strategies to help authors keep more of what they earn while building a sustainable business mindset.Topics Covered:* Why most authors avoid money conversations—and why that’s a mistake* The core principles of the Profit First method* How to use multiple bank accounts to enforce profit, taxes, and expenses* Recommended Profit First percentages for authors under $250K/year* What “real revenue” means and why ad spend may belong in cost of goods* Challenges of funding growth and why debt can be dangerous* How to reinvest profit and owner pay strategically* The role of intellectual property as an asset in author businesses* When and why to consider switching from sole proprietor/LLC to S-Corp* The true tax differences between LLCs and S-Corps* How “reasonable compensation” works under IRS rules* Smart ways to save on taxes: SEPs, Solo 401Ks, and home office deductions* Hobby vs. business rules and how to prove intent to profit* Why mindset matters: paying yourself and thinking like a business owner* Memorable tax court cases authors can learn from (including a brothel research deduction!)* Building systems that support sustainable growth and financial confidenceWebsite: authorcpa.comYoutube: youtube.com/@authorcpaNewsletter: norriscpafirm.com/newsletter This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this candid episode of the Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee discuss navigating significant financial and business changes, the reality behind income and profit, and the crucial systems authors need to succeed long-term. Russell shares the ups and downs of his recent financial rollercoaster, the closure of Writer MBA, and how unexpected challenges ultimately led to growth and newfound financial stability. Lee highlights the importance of building sustainable systems, prioritizing newsletters and community engagement, and emphasizes the value of resilience, emotional regulation, and strategic pivoting.Topics Covered:* Managing drastic financial shifts and loss of major income streams* Realities of revenue versus profit for authors* The hidden cost of business growth and reinvestment* Why some authors appear successful but struggle financially* The importance of reducing friction in business growth* Long-term strategies versus short-term gains in publishing* The power and profitability of newsletters and automation* Creating sustainable income through diverse revenue streams* The emotional toll of closing down projects and businesses* Pivoting effectively after setbacks* Building financial and emotional resilience* Introducing Russell’s new membership, "Capitalist," focusing on happiness and balanced success* Lee's Book Marketing Bootcamp details and approach* How to create systems that continuously support author income* Understanding the true value of passive income and long-term asset creation* Learning to embrace endings and creating space for new opportunities* Strategic budgeting, saving, and financial preparedness for uncertainty* Emotional intelligence in handling business disappointments and stress* How mindset and expectations shape enjoyment and success This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this deep and emotionally resonant episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee go beyond marketing strategies to talk about what really holds authors back: fear of being seen, fear of momentum, and the resistance that shows up when we’re close to success.Lee opens up about launch avoidance, the anxiety of visibility, and the physical effects of pushing through emotional blocks. Together, they explore the tension between doing the “right things” and sabotaging yourself at the moment it matters most. From co-author dynamics to the pressure of performance, from setting the vulnerability level in your community to crafting transformational fiction—this episode is a masterclass in emotional clarity and sustainable authorship.If you’ve ever found yourself procrastinating the most important thing, questioning your worth, or wondering why you can’t seem to follow through—this episode is for you.Topics Covered:* Why self-sabotage isn’t laziness—it’s fear of transformation* The surprising emotional toll of being seen and gaining momentum* Co-author partnerships and the temptation to hide behind others* How fear can manifest as over-productivity, burnout, and avoidance* Physical anxiety responses to visibility and viral success* Setting the vulnerability tone in small reader communities* Why readers share: building emotional resonance over gimmicks* Using fiction to help readers (and ourselves) feel deeply seen* How dark romance, fantasy, and smut can become safe containers for exploration* Forest author marketing: transformation, resonance, and identity* The myth of “needing to connect more” vs. letting your work connect* Russell’s insight: “Nobody loves your book because you wrote it well”* Understanding your true offer: what transformation does your book provide?* Marketing as a conduit—not the transformation itself* Scaling slowly and sustainably: from one-person bootcamps to lasting legacy* 31 launches in 36 months: the consequences of saying yes to everything* Letting go of cluttered calendars to build something amplifiable* Six Figure series case study: https://millionaire-author-coaching.teachable.com/l/pdp/six-figure-series-case-study* Book marketing bootcamp: https://millionaire-author-coaching.teachable.com/p/bookmarketingbootcamp This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode, Jennifer Hilt, author of The Trope Thesaurus series, joins Lee and Russell to break down the true power of tropes in fiction writing—not as clichés, but as emotional shorthand and marketing gold. Together, they explore how tropes function in storytelling, why they’re the secret weapon of bestselling authors, and how to twist them in ways that honor your voice and resonate with readers. Whether you’re writing epic fantasy, spicy romance, domestic thrillers, or cozy mysteries, this episode helps you see tropes not as a box but as a toolkit. You'll learn how to identify, use, and market tropes so readers instantly “get” your story—and want more.Topics Covered:* Jennifer’s definition of tropes—and how they differ from clichés* The three “buckets” of tropes: character, conflict/stakes, and setting* Why tropes aren’t formulas—they’re ingredients readers crave* The role of tropes in genre blending (e.g., romance + mystery, fantasy + thriller)* Using tropes to reverse-engineer your blurb and boost conversion* The growing importance of “trope cards” in romance marketing* Why your book already has tropes (even if you don’t realize it yet)* How identifying tropes can solve plot problems and unlock stalled drafts* Misdirection and red herrings as underused “conflict” tropes* Tropes as shared language between you and your reader* Examples of evergreen tropes: ticking time bomb, forced proximity, only one bed* Why “structure is just a list of tropes” and how that builds trust with readers* The value of “same but different” stories in commercial fiction* Baking marketing into your book from the beginning* Layering in secondary genre tropes to widen appeal* How voice transforms tired tropes into unforgettable stories* Using your personal “id list” to build trope-rich stories that excite you* The power of identity and series-spanning tropes (e.g., orphan to icon arcs)* The difference between trope usage in high-concept vs. slow-burn fiction* Tropes as both creative springboards and safety nets for readers This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this high-impact episode, former Amazon insider Janet Margot drops truth bombs about what really moves the needle on Amazon—and it’s not just tweaking your ad bids.After a decade helping build the Amazon ads platform specifically for books, Janet has seen the game from the inside. Now she’s out in the wild, coaching authors to not just run ads, but to think strategically about their entire Amazon ecosystem.💡 What You’ll Learn:* Why most ad problems aren’t ad problems—they’re product problems.* The biggest myths authors believe about Amazon ads.* How to use your product page, book packaging, and strategy to create a flywheel that works even when ads aren’t.* Why Janet calls herself an “Amazon coach” instead of an “ads coach” now—and what that shift means for your career.* The missing piece from most advertising courses (including her first book!) and why her new second edition focuses more on strategy over tactics.🛠️ Lee and Russell jump in with their own experiences—Russell brings his signature “burn-it-down-and-rebuild” mindset while Lee’s juggling spicy Batman novels and the grind of the long game.This episode is a goldmine for indie authors who:* Feel like their ads are “working” but sales still suck.* Are ready to stop throwing money at Amazon and start building a sustainable system.* Want to understand what Amazon rewards (hint: it's not just money).If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the backend of your author business, or you’re tired of buying one more ads course that doesn’t deliver, this is the episode you can’t afford to miss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/This episode features a presentation Russell gave in Lee’s Facebook group tht breaks down a crucial lesson for authors: success isn’t about picking the “best” platform, whether it’s Kickstarter, Substack, or direct sales, but about how they work together to amplify each other.The focus isn’t on chasing the next big thing or worrying about industry collapse. It’s about simplifying, optimizing, and integrating existing strategies to create a sustainable sales ecosystem.Key takeaways include:* Why direct sales, crowdfunding, and memberships work better together.* How to build a system where each platform strengthens the others.* The importance of doing fewer things, better, instead of chasing silver bullets.If you’re tired of constantly adapting to new trends, this talk offers a practical, no-nonsense approach to making a living as an author. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode, we dive into the messy, exciting world of building a six-figure author career. Joined by the incredible Katie Cross, we explore how she’s turned direct sales into a thriving business for her fantasy novels and why connection with readers matters more than following every trend.We talk about the "need" trap and how authors pile unnecessary pressure on themselves by chasing shiny objects like Shopify stores or TikTok shops. Instead, the real magic happens when you focus on what lights you up and let that guide your efforts.You'll learn:* Why sequencing your tasks beats chaotic multitasking every time.* How to redefine success beyond financial milestones and embrace the joy of the creative process.* The power of stillness, trust, and letting time happen instead of blowing things up just to feel busy.* How to uncover and tackle the limiting beliefs that might be holding you back.This one’s packed with insights, laughs, and the reminder that there’s no one-size-fits-all path to success. Whether you’re just starting out or working to sustain your wins, this conversation will leave you inspired to lean into what works for you. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com

* Listen on Spotify* Listen on Apple* Listen on Youtube* Listen on Pocketcasts* Book Launch checklist: https://BookHip.com/BDSWRRT* Millionaire Author Mastermind Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/millionaireauthormastermind/* http://hapitalist.com/In this episode, Heather Hildenbrand joins the Six Figure Author Experiment to share her journey as an author, coach, and advocate for embracing success. Together, we explore the intersection of mindset, nervous system regulation, and actionable strategies for authors aiming to achieve their next $100,000 milestone.Highlights:* Manifestation 101:Heather discusses the importance of accepting abundance, training your subconscious for success, and why saying “yes” to money signals the universe to send more your way.* The Science of the Nervous System:Chronic stress and trauma can block creativity and decision-making. Heather shares tools like tapping and vagus nerve exercises to calm the fight-or-flight response, allowing for greater focus and productivity.* The Power of Community:Aligning with successful peers helps normalize success. Heather and the hosts discuss how surrounding yourself with goal-oriented individuals accelerates personal and professional growth.* Healing, Embodying, Allowing:Heather introduces her framework for transformation, emphasizing that healing past trauma, embodying your ideal self, and allowing outcomes to unfold are simultaneous processes.* Compassion Over Perfection:The episode critiques traditional notions of perfectionism, reframing it as an opportunity for self-compassion. Heather explains how this shift leads to long-term growth and fulfillment.Actionable Takeaways:* Create an Evidence List: Track your achievements to reinforce positive beliefs about your capabilities.* Calm Your Nervous System: Practice techniques like tapping or vagus nerve exercises to manage stress and foster clarity.* Surround Yourself with Success: Network with goal-oriented individuals to internalize their mindset and habits.* Adopt Heather’s Framework: Focus on healing, embodying your goals, and allowing success to manifest organically.* Prioritize Rest: Evidence shows that stepping back and resting can lead to your most significant breakthroughs.Final Takeaway:Success isn’t about striving for perfection—it’s about believing you deserve it, embracing your flaws, and creating the right conditions for growth. As Heather says, "You get to be rich and a hot mess." Find your balance, lean into self-compassion, and watch everything fall into place. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.sixfigureauthorexperiment.com