Write! Grow! Launch!

If you’re tired of vague advice and publishing myths, you’re in the right place. Write! Grow! Launch! is a top-ranked podcast for indie authors who want profitable self-publishing, real strategy, and zero BS.Hosted by veteran of the publishing industry and indie author marketing & branding coach, Christina Kaye, this show is guaranteed to teach you things NO ONE else will, give you advice that ACTUALLY works, and hopefully, inspire and motivate you (and maybe even make you laugh once or twice).Season 4 starts now.

If you’re just now deciding to write a book for the first time, but you have no idea how to get started, or even if you’ve already written and published books before, only to receive very few reviews and purchases, then it’s time to ask for help. Just like you would hire an instructor if you decided to become a concert violinist, an author needs someone to show them the basics, guide them through the process of learning, and teach them how to become not just AN author but a SUCCESSFUL author! This week, I’m switching things up a bit, and we’re diving deep with my client who’s had the most successful launch week out of over 100 clients so far. This way, you can hear firsthand how hiring not just any coach but the right coach for you (like me) can completely transform your writing career and set you on the course toward success! In this episode, you will: · Learn what exactly author coaches do for authors · Learn what it’s like to work with an author coach and why you need one · Learn how a skilled author coach can teach you more than just writing basics · Learn exactly how I can take you from no sales to launch success in just 3 months! Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Author Kota Kai Lovett To learn more about Amy and her books: https://www.kotakailovett.com/ Follow Kota on social media @kotakailovett Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://bookbossboutique.com/ To Follow us on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook @bookbossboutique To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/ For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/

  Proper pacing is not just a good thing to have in your novel. It’s crucial to your reader’s experience. If the pacing is too slow, the reader will lose interest and get bored. If it’s too fast, they’ll feel like they have whiplash and be frustrated and lost. What we must do instead is find a way to have Goldilocks type pacing! Don’t worry. I’ll explain what that means in this episode. So, tune in and listen as my guest host and I unpack the topic of perfect pacing and discuss ways you can keep your readers not just interested but engaged and flipping the page to see what comes next! In this episode, you will: · Learn why it’s important to have perfect pacing · Learn how to avoid too slow pacing · Learn how to avoid too fast pacing · Learn other ways to maintain perfect pacing throughout your story Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host –Bestselling Author Amy Impellizzeri To learn more about Amy and her books: https://www.amyimpellizzeri.com/ For your FREE TRIAL of LeadPages: https://leadpages.pxf.io/gb1noB Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://bookbossboutique.com/ To Follow us on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook @bookbossboutique To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/ For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/  

One crucial element of a great novel that doesn’t get as much attention as characters, plot, and setting is your timeline. But a coherent, easy to follow timeline is crucial to your reader’s enjoyment of your story. If the timeline is wonky or hard to follow, readers will likely get frustrated, confused, and eventually, they’ll give up and put the book down – something no author ever wants! But how do we create and maintain a proper timeline to avoid this? That’s exactly what we are discussing on this week’s episode! In this episode, you will: · Learn why it’s important to have a coherent timeline · Learn ways to tackle dueling timelines · Learn how to write timelines and still divulge backstory · Learn other ways to reveal backstory aside from flashbacks Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host –Bestselling Author Sonali Dev To learn more about Sonali and her books: https://sonalidev.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://bookbossboutique.com/ To Follow us on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook @bookbossboutique To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/

The setting of your book should be a character in and of itself. It should speak to the reader, showing (not telling) them exactly where the protagonist is at any given moment, and if written properly, it should transport the reader wherever you want them to imagine themselves. But how do we effectively bring our setting to life without info dumping or over describing every detail? On this week’s episode, that’s exactly what we’re discussing! In this episode, you will: · Learn why it’s important to have a beautifully described setting · Learn ways to describe your setting in a way that brings it to life · Learn how to avoid info dumping, especially at the beginning of your book · Learn ways to use more than just visual clues to describe setting Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host –Bestselling Author Amy Reichert To learn more about Julietta and her book (The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman): https://www.amyereichert.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/

  One of the first decisions an author must make when they decide on a new story idea is whether they are writing in single, dual, or multiple POV (points of view). And it’s not always that easy deciding, either. Some genres and stories work better with a single perspective, while others work wonderfully with multiple character perspectives. But determining this before you begin writing can help you avoid head hopping and unclear or indistinguishable character voices. This week, we’re discussing how to master the practice of writing a story written in multiple POV and how to decide which is the best approach for your story. In this episode, you will: · Learn the different options you have when choosing perspectives · Learn which genres work best with which type of POV · Learn how to effectively write in multiple POV · Learn the best ways to create different voices for each perspective Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host –Author Julietta Henderson To learn more about Julietta and her book (The Funny Thing About Norman Foreman): https://juliettahenderson.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/  

  Especially in 2021, we all wear and juggle so many different hats, it’s ridiculous. We must constantly switch modes from parent to spouse to employee to boss to chauffer to maid and even teacher. If we want to be writers, that’s yet another hat to juggle. So, how on earth are we supposed to balance all these things and still find time to write, let alone have time to think, plan, and create? The key is to organize and schedule. And those things don’t come as naturally to some as they do others. This week, I sat down with Bestselling Author Madeline Martin and got some great, actionable tips we can all use starting now to create more balance, find time to write, and most importantly, not neglect our own mental health and wellbeing in the process. In this episode, you will: · Learn ways to prioritize your daily “to do” list · Learn when you should be writing and how often · Learn how to create your own special writing nook · Learn the best way to create a manageable writing schedule Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Bestselling Author Madeline Martin To learn more about Julia and her book: https://www.madelinemartin.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/  

  All great authors know that our entire purpose is to create a story for readers that allows them to escape their everyday lives and be transported to a different time and place. And the only way to ensure we paint pictures that are vivid enough to allow our readers to have a visceral reading experience is to get as many of the details of our story right. The best way to do this is by researching before you write certain things you include in the story. You can definitely do online research, but there are many other ways you can research and make sure you know enough about the story you’re writing to make even the most fantastic fiction novel seem like a real experience to your readers. This week, we’re discussing some of the most effective, unique ways you can learn about all the aspects of your story before you write. In this episode, you will: · Learn the different aspects of your story that require research and planning · Learn ways to research outside of internet searches · Learn how to store and organize your research for easier access when needed · Learn creative ways to investigate and learn about your setting, characters, and plot Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Author Julia Heaberlin To learn more about Julia and her book: https://juliaheaberlin.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/ Online Writing Course - Best Book Method: How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Book https://bookboss-writingcourse-vault.teachable.com/purchase?product_id=2421304  

  For most authors, it’s easier to “stay in our lane” and write stories from the perspective of a character who shares our gender identity. It just comes more naturally to most. But sometimes, we need to share the perspective of a character from the opposite sex. And that does not come as naturally. We are afraid of misrepresenting, or worse, offending anyone, which is understandable. But there is a way to walk that fine line between writing stereotypical gender roles and making characters not authentic enough. That’s why this week, I sat down with an expert in the field of writing for different gender roles, and we discussed different ways we can approach this, accurately portray male sand females, and respect one another’s differences at the same time. In this episode, you will: · Learn how to avoid stereotyping different genders · Learn ways to accurately portray someone of the opposite sex · Learn how to do research into different gender identities · Learn ways to accurately but respectfully portray characters of different genders Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Author Susannah Marren To learn more about Ally’s book on organization: http://www.susanshapirobarash.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/ Online Writing Course - Best Book Method: How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Book https://bookboss-writingcourse-vault.teachable.com/purchase?product_id=2421304  

  Every writer needs a place where they can write in peace and quiet, otherwise, all the noise and distractions can stem the flow of creativity. Of course, it’s not always easy finding a quiet, peaceful space inside your home, especially if you have little ones, live with your parents, or in a dorm or apartment. But where there is a will, there is a way. And this week, I’ve brought the go-to gal when it comes to organization and enhancing your space on the show so we can discuss why you need a sacred writing nook, as well as where and how you can create one, even on a budget and even if space is limited. It just takes a little creativity. And as writers, we have creativity on reserve. In this episode, you will: · Learn why it’s important to create your very own writing space/nook · Learn where you can set up a writing nook, even in small spaces · Learn some of the best home office products to enhance your space · Learn ways to organize and make your writing space most productive Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Author Ally Deatherage To learn more about Ally’s book on organization: https://www.allydeatherage.com/ Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://modernbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/ Online Writing Course - Best Book Method: How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Book https://bookboss-writingcourse-vault.teachable.com/purchase?product_id=2421304  

  I know I’m not alone when I have moments where I need to be writing…or even WANT to be writing…but inspiration is nowhere to be found. While we all wish inspiration struck us every day the way it did when that idea first hit us like lightning from a clear, blue sky, the reality is, it doesn’t. In fact, often, lack of inspiration is the biggest reason we don’t finish writing when we planned to, and it can even be the real reason behind most cases of “writer’s block.” So, this week, we’re talking about how to get (and stay) inspired to write, even when it feels hopeless. In this episode, you will: · Learn what do to when you feel uninspired but need/want to write · Learn ways to get inspired even if it seems hopeless · Learn why inspiration sometimes doesn’t come when we need it most · Learn tips on staying inspired and motivated to write so we don’t get stuck Hosts & Guests Host – Christina Kaye Guest Host – Peter Robinson To learn more about Peter Robinson books: https://inspectorbanks.com/ Online Writing Course - Best Book Method: How to Write, Publish, and Sell Your Book https://bookboss-writingcourse-vault.teachable.com/purchase?product_id=2421304 Shop for Essentials/Supplies for Your Writing Nook: https://bookbossboutique.com/ To Follow Write Your Best Book on ALL Social Media: @writeyourbestbook To Contact Christina Kaye: info@writeyourbestbook.com www.writeyourbestbook.com For a Consultation with Christina Kaye https://letsmeet.io/writeyourbestbook/free-coaching-call For a FREE Sample Edit & Quote for Book Editing: https://writeyourbestbook.com/contact-us/  

As an author, you probably write mostly for the love of the craft. But let’s face it, wouldn’t we all love to make money living out our dreams? And I believe most authors have the dream of eventually being able to make money from our passion for...

I'm so thrilled that you've tuned in to the premiere episode of Write Your Best Book! We're going to start this season off by discussing one of the MOST asked questions I hear from my clients and other authors: "How do I structure my novel?" In this...

If your book isn’t selling well at all, it’s not JUST a “marketing problem.” It’s a (fixable) problem with your conversion rates. The best way to convert Amazon scrollers to buyers is what I call The Trifecta of Book Sales - the three elements that make or break your ability to turn browsers into buyers, which includes your book cover, your title, and your blurb. Even with all the changes in publishing and marketing over the last few years, these fundamentals haven’t changed…and they still carry the most weight.Your cover must instantly signal genre and meet reader expectations. Your title should be clear, compelling, and aligned with what your audience is already searching for. And your blurb? It’s your sales pitch (not a summary) and it needs to hook readers emotionally while clearly communicating stakes and conflict.In this episode, I’ll teach you that, when these three pieces are dialed in, everything else in your strategy becomes more effective. And if you want personalized, actionable feedback on how to improve your own book’s sales performance, check out my Book Sales Breakthrough Video Audits linked below.What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        The 3 elements that actually convert scrollers to buyers·        Why DIYing your book cover is a deadly mistake·        How and where to get a book cover that converts affordably·        Why you can’t just title your book whatever feels “right”·        How to come up with the best title for your book·        What your book blurb is and what it isn’t·        How to write a compelling Amazon description/book blurbPRODUCTION TEAM!This show is produced by the lovely Joshua Hatcher of HatcherMedia.net! For affordable yet high quality podcast production with fast and super helpful service, send Josh a note and tell him Christina Kaye sent you!RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More, Get More, and Work With Me: https://christinakaye.com/ Snag a Book Sales Breakthrough Video Audit: https://square.link/u/oLnHtOQp Free Resource: https://bit.ly/4s6JI8F My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.com Find Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficial Substack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

Authors with clear, consistent, and recognizable voices are 3X more likely to gain readers’ trust, as well as their loyalty.For indie authors, especially, establishing our brand voice isn’t an optional “thing” to tick off a list! It’s what sets you apart in a sea of those who are publishing every single day. When your tone, personality, and messaging are consistent and recognizable, readers start to remember you, trust you, and come back for more. Why? Because they’re not just connecting with your books, they’re connecting with you.That’s why in this week’s episode, I’m going to wrap up my three-part series on author brand building with what is arguably the most essential and critical element of all: your brand voice. Your “voice” isn’t about whether your speech is quiet or loud or gravely or sexy. It’s the super unique way you sound in your content, how you connect, and how readers come to know it’s you without even seeing your name. What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        What the true meaning of “brand voice” is!·        Why your brand voice can make (or break) your career!·        How to tap into your own unique brand voice and draw it out!·        How to share your unique brand voice consistently in everything you do!·        How failing to establish your unique brand voice makes you a minnow in an ocean!·        How you can, instead, become a shark in a very small pond!KEY TAKEAWAYYour brand voice already exists. It’s what makes you stand out uniquely to those who know and love you and can tell you apart in crowd based on any number of things that are genuinely YOU. Maybe you’re a full-fledged, unapologetic girly girl (like me). Maybe you have a certain catch phrase people are used to hearing. Maybe you are obsessed with purple. Whatever it is, if you want to find, attract, and build long-lasting (profitable) relationships with readers looking specifically for books like yours, building your unique brand, including your distinguishable voice, is paramount. PRODUCTION TEAM!This show is produced by the lovely Joshua Hatcher of HatcherMedia.net! For affordable yet high quality podcast production with fast and super helpful service, send Josh a note and tell him Christina Kaye sent you!RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More, Get More, and Work With Me: https://christinakaye.com/ Free Resource: https://bit.ly/4bXGwqW My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.com Find Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficial Substack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

98% of consumers say brand authenticity matters more than ever before when choosing which businesses to support.And readers are no different. They don’t just connect with books; they connect with the people who write them. Your brand story is the small but meaningful part of your life that explains why you write the kinds of stories you do. It’s not about oversharing or turning your life into a memoir. It’s about sharing a relatable moment, experience, or passion that helps readers see the real person behind the books. So, in this episode of Write! Grow! Launch!, we’re diving into one of the most powerful—and often overlooked—elements of an author brand: your brand story. It’s Part 2 in my 3-part series on how hot build an indie author brand that attracts your ideal readers and allows them to connect with you, relate to you, and ultimately, trust you (which leads to much higher sales conversions)!Over the next 3 weeks, I’ll go over the three critical elements of an effective indie author brand that converts: your visual aesthetics, your brand story, and your brand voice. And this week, I’m going over one of the most critical of these elements…your brand story!What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        What on earth a brand story even is!·        Why your brand story matters more than ever for indie authors!·        How you can uncover your own unique brand story!·        Tips on how to actually share your story with your target audience!·        How to naturally attract readers who already love the same books you do!KEY TAKEAWAYYour brand story doesn’t have to be dramatic or deeply personal—it just has to be real. When readers understand why you love the kinds of stories you write, they begin to see you as someone who shares their interests, their curiosity, and their passion for those worlds. And that simple connection is often the difference between someone casually discovering your book… and becoming a lifelong fan who shows up for every new release.PRODUCTION TEAM!This show is produced by the lovely Joshua Hatcher of HatcherMedia.net! For affordable yet high quality podcast production with fast and super helpful service, send Josh a note and tell him Christina Kaye sent you!RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/ Free Resource: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1QZW6AqiZKRL4s4zam4N5dZwsmOPw5jUL/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=112062873962772342332&rtpof=true&sd=true My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.com Find Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficial Facebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficial YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficial LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/ SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

80% of consumers say they MUST be able to relate to and connect with a brand before they buy from it (and yes, that includes books)!Long gone are the days when authors could hide behind our computer screens in blissful anonymity as we write to our little hearts’ content. They’ve been replaced with a modern market filled with consumers (including readers), who must feel some sort of personal connection to a brand before they invest a penny in them. We have to build what’s called the “know-like-trust” factor. And the most important way we can do that, as indie authors, is by building a magnetic, cohesive, and complete author brand!That’s why, on Write! Grow! Launch!, I’m bringing you a 3-part series on how hot build an indie author brand that attracts your ideal readers and allows them to connect with you, relate to you, and ultimately, trust you (which leads to much higher sales conversions)!Over the next 3 weeks, I’ll go over the three critical elements of an effective indie author brand that converts: your visual aesthetics, your brand story, and your brand voice. We’ll start this week by going over one of the most fun but important of these elements…the aesthetics!What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        Why everything you post visually online must be branded!·        Why the visual aspects of your brand are so important!·        How to choose your brand color palette and fonts!·        Choosing, finding, and even creating on-brand graphics!·        Taking “branded selfies” and why being “face-forward” is critical!KEY TAKEAWAYWhen you show up for your audience, you put your best face forward, and you reveal yourself as a genuine, regular lover of books, who is just like them, magical things happen. You’ll go from having a couple hundred “followers” to thousands of avid, loyal fans and friends who will show up for you during launch week just because they care and want to support you, and then, guess what happens? You will NEVER have to “sell” a book again in your career! So, put together a reader-facing visual vibe your Ideal Readers can relate to and connect with for starters.RECOMMENDED NEXT STEPS•        Dial in on your chosen genre, subgenre, and niche (i.e., dark romantasy not just fantasy)•        Start spending time online each day where your Ideal Reader Avatar is hanging out•        Pay attention to everything: what they love and don’t, what they want and don’t…•        Spend 10-15 min EVERY day following, engaging with, and talking directly to your IRA•        When connecting with your readers, think like a Booktoker, NOT an Authortoker•        Stop pitching and start building relationships with your IRA 90 days before you launch RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/Schedule a FREE strategy call: https://hello.dubsado.com/public/form/view/69634d3f7a5de72a93761652My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.comWant me to audit your entire book sales system and send you a private video with feedback?https://square.link/u/oLnHtOQpFind Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficialSubstack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

Being an indie author doesn’t really mean you have to do everything totally alone. Most indie authors have heard the term “street team,” but if you asked them to explain it clearly, they’d hesitate. A true street team is a small, organized group of loyal readers (and other supporters) who actively help you build visibility before, during, and after your launch. The problem is that no one really teaches what a street team actually does, how to structure it, or how to turn reader enthusiasm into strategic support instead of chaos.So, this week, on Write! Grow! Launch!, I’m sitting down with prolific bestselling indie author, Victoria Danann, who has sold MILLIONS of her books and credits her street team as one of the biggest factors in her success.We’ll discuss what exactly defines a street team, how (and when) you can build one yourself, and how to encourage them to help spread the word about your book and help you get far more visibility than you would ever get alone.What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        What a street team really is·        Who you want in your street team·        How to recruit the right people to join·        What they can and should do for you·        How to encourage them and keep them motivatedKEY TAKEAWAYDoing everything by yourself is not only exhausting and a road to absolute burnout, but it’s almost impossible to get the kind of exposure your book really needs that way. Stop thinking you have to do it all solo. Find a group of your most loyal online (and IRL) friends, group them together, and turn them into a powerful engine that will drive sales faster and higher than you thought possible.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/Learn About Victoria & read her books: https://victoriadanann.com/My Course (The Bestselling Indie Author Playbook): https://bit.ly/49HT4ABMy Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.comFind Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficialSubstack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

Is using an outdated strategy REALLY worth damaging or even losing your career as an indie author?I’m betting your answer to that is that, no, it isn’t. Unfortunately, too many indies are either unaware of or unwilling to stop things that are damaging their chances at a career, let alone a successful one. And one of the most dangerous “strategies” still being used daily by indie authors is the ARC Review process.So, this week, on Write! Grow! Launch!, I’m diving deep into yet another “hot topic” that creates debate, even chaos, every single time I post or talk about it. But like it or not, the truth is that ARC Reviews, while posted by kindhearted, well-intentioned readers volunteering their time, is a time suck you can’t afford. But most importantly, it’s dangerous to your career!In this short, to-the-point episode, I’m going to explain very clearly and under no uncertain terms, exactly why this strategy is outdated, wasteful of your time, and potentially deadly for your books.What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        What exactly is an ARC Reviewer and why it’s not their fault.·        Why using ARCs is a complete waste of your time and will throttle your progress.·        How ARC Reviewers are unintentionally telling Amazon their review is fake or hired.·        What Amazon is currently doing regarding book reviews that changed all this.·        What you can do to get honest, verified, and safe reviews for your book instead.KEY TAKEAWAYWhile it’s hard to hear that you’re depending on and using outdated, even dangerous strategies to self-publish and market, it will be even harder on you to learn that your book has been removed from Amazon…or worse yet, that you can no longer use the biggest book sales platform in the world to publish and sell your books! So, take heed, listen to my advice, and instead, lean more into building your community and gently reminding them to leave reviews.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.comFind Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficialSubstack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.

What would happen if Taylor Swift’s next album dropped, and it was death metal? The truth is, while a tiny handful of her millions of die-hard fans MIGHT think it’s cool, the vast majority, and I mean 99.999%, would revolt. That may seem like an absurd thing to imagine, but it’s exactly what many indie authors try to pull off daily, then wonder why they aren’t selling books.That’s exactly why this week, on Write! Grow! Launch!, I’m going to slow things down a smidge and give you the no BS, no holding back TRUTH to why I (and any expert worth their weight in gold) shout from the rooftops that, “No! You cannot write and publish across different genres under the same name and expect to be successful. It will not work.”And before you decide NOT to listen to this episode because you think I’m wrong without hearing the WHY behind what I’m telling you, just know that this one episode could quite literally change the entire trajectory of your publishing career…especially if you take what I teach you to heart.This episode may spark quite the debate, just as it does every time I post about this, send a newsletter, or talk about it on any platform. But if even one indie author listens, heeds my advice, and it helps them finally realize their dream, it’s every bit worth it for me.What You’ll Learn in This Episode·        What it actually means to “niche down” for indie authors.·        How choosing one genre to write is the biggest marketing decision you’ll make·        Why choosing one genre isn’t stifling your creativity or limiting you like you think·        How you can choose your genre/niche even if you “love all kinds of books”·        What’s at stake if you don’t niche down and choose your subgenre·        How this is not a forever rule and how you can one day write whatever you wantKEY TAKEAWAYThe thought of niching down and writing and publishing in one genre only is understandably uncomfortable for many indie authors, but it isn’t forever. One day, you’ll have the freedom of time, energy, and finances to create as many different brands to write under as you can manage. But if you want to build a sustainable, profitable career in self-publishing, you have to accept the fact that this is what works in 2026, and it’s how you’re 1000X more likely to be discovered by the right audience of readers, for them to buy your book and read it, and most importantly, to love it and share it with their fellow avid readers in that same genre.RESOURCES & LINKSLearn More About Me: https://christinakaye.com/My Etsy Shop (The Bookish Swag Shop): https://thebookishswagshop.etsy.comFind Me, Follow Me, DM Me on These Platforms:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@christinakayeofficialSubstack: https://substack.com/@christinakayeofficialFacebook: https://facebook.com/christinakayeofficialYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChristinaKayeOfficialLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinakayeofficial/SUBSCRIBE & FOLLOW THIS SHOW If you enjoyed this episode, follow and/or subscribe to Write! Grow! Launch! wherever you listen to podcasts, so you don’t miss future episodes on successfully self-publishing, profitably launching your book, and building a sustainable indie author career…without burnout or BS.