Let’s Talk About Author Income—The Fun Kind Welcome back, darling scribes and story-summoners. 🌙 You wrote the book. You published it. Now what? You want your stories to reach readers, yes—but also… you kind of want to get paid. Totally fair. And guess what? Book sales don’t have to be your only income stream. In fact, one of the most empowering things you can do as an indie author is create passive income—the kind that works while you sleep, cast spells, or plot your next villain origin arc. Today, we’re diving into how to build income beyond your book using engaging merch and digital magic—without breaking the bank or burning out. Wait—Passive Income? Is That Like... Royalty Checks?Not exactly. Passive income means you create something once, and it continues to earn for you over time with little-to-no extra effort. That can look like:
Merch That Actually Connects with Your ReadersLet’s be honest: slapping your book title on a mug isn’t enough. To make merch that sells—and feels good to create—you need to tap into what your readers actually connect with. Think:
Digital Products = Instant, Low-Cost MagicNot ready to launch physical merch? Digital is your best friend. Here are a few things you can create with free or cheap tools (like Canva, Google Docs, or Notion): 🖋 Printable bookmarks with quotes, runes, or aesthetics 📓 Digital journals themed after your series or writing rituals 🌒 Wallpaper bundles with character moodboards or inspirational quotes 🗂 Lore sheets or character files (aka “secret author files”) 🧙♀️ Writing prompts or ritual-based creativity guides for fellow authors You don’t need a warehouse. You just need a vibe. Start Small, Build BigDon’t feel like you have to launch a massive shop overnight. Start with one product. One idea. One post. Then build from there. Try this:
Why don’t you try out my Author’s Ultimate Toolkit?Want to plan your merch, digital offers, and brand vibes without losing your mind? That’s why I made the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit. If you’ve been following along this month, you already know it’s packed with magic. But in case you need a refresher, here’s what you get:
You don’t need to be everywhere. You just need a little structure—and this toolkit is that enchanted structure. ✨ The Author’s Ultimate Toolkit can help you turn your creativity into income, without draining your soul in the process. Go ahead, friend. Open the spellbook. Final Thoughts: This Is How You Build Your Author EmpireYou are more than just a writer. You’re a brand. A storyteller. A world-builder. Let your words become prints, pages, playlists, and merch. Let your story bloom into something bigger. You don’t have to go viral. You don’t have to be perfect. You just have to keep showing up—with intention. Your readers are waiting. So is your next income stream. 🖤 TL;DRPassive income lets you grow your author career without relying only on book sales. Start with digital products or print-on-demand merch. Focus on connection, not perfection. And if you need help staying organized? The Author’s Ultimate Toolkit has your back.
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Marketing Shouldn’t Make You Cringe Welcome back, darling scribes and story-summoners. 🌙 Let’s be real—most marketing advice out there feels… icky. Shove your book into people’s faces. Post five times a day. Beg for attention. Hard pass. You didn’t become a writer to be a salesperson. But you do want your story to reach the people it’s meant for—and that’s where authentic marketing comes in. Marketing doesn’t have to be pushy. It can be beautiful. Magnetic. Story-driven. Let’s talk about how to share your work without selling your soul. What Even Is Authentic Marketing? Authentic marketing is marketing that feels like you. Not what a guru said you should do. Not what a bestselling author did with their full team. You. It’s showing up as the creator of a world you love—and inviting others in. Think of it like this:You’re not selling a product. You’re casting a spell. You’re saying, “Here’s my story. Step into the magic if it calls to you.” When you shift the energy from “please buy this” to “this might be for you,” everything changes.  Marketing Strategies That Don’t Feel GrossLet’s skip the corporate nonsense and get straight to the strategies that feel human, magical, and creative: 🔮 1. Tell the story behind your story
🕯️ 2. Quote Your Book Like It’s Sacred Text Post quotes from your book that make you feel something. Don’t wait for perfect formatting—just start with lines you love. You can even match them to a vibe: “This book is for the ones burdened by ancestral shadows—and brave enough to break the cycle.” (The Hidden) “She thought the truth would set her free. Instead, it made her dangerous.” (The Hunted) That’s Mood Over Market, baby. 🌘 ✨ 3. Create a vibe, not a pitch. Think aesthetics. Symbolism. Feels. Try posting things like:
 You’re painting a mood. The right readers will feel it. 🧹 4. Pick a Platform You Actually Like Hate TikTok? Don’t use it. Love Instagram but want less pressure? Focus on Reels or carousels. Prefer long-form writing? Start a newsletter. You don’t have to be everywhere—you just have to be consistent somewhere.  📜 5. Repurpose Like a Witch Reusing Her Spell Ingredients. One line can become:
What to Say If You Hate Talking About Your BookTry saying things like:
 Why don’t you try out my Author’s Ultimate Toolkit? ✨🖤Trying to market your book without feeling like a walking billboard? I’ve got you. You’re here, reading a blog about authentic book marketing, so chances are you don’t want to be pushy—you just want to get your story into the hands of people who will love it. That’s where the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit comes in. This isn’t some fluffy PDF. This is a fully loaded spellbook for authors. You get:
But if it does work for you? You might actually enjoy showing up online. You might feel like your brand makes sense. You might even look forward to your next launch. (No, really.) And hey—maybe you’ll even have time to curl up with a spooky read or brew a little inspiration tea while your toolkit keeps your brain from exploding. ☕🖤 Go on, friend. Open the spellbook. The Author’s Ultimate Toolkit is ready when you are. Final Thoughts: You’re Not “Selling”—You’re Sharing Your story is already powerful. You don’t need to scream. You don’t need to beg. You need to believe in the magic you made—and show it to the people who’ve been waiting for it. Marketing is just an invitation to your world. And friend… it’s beautiful in there. Embark on Your Self-Publishing Journey: Month 1 Overview Welcome to your first steps into the enchanting world of self-publishing! 🌟 Whether you're spinning webs of intrigue, conjuring fantastic realms, or baring your soul through personal narratives, self-publishing offers a magical gateway to share your unique voice with the universe. Every month, I’ll be your guide through the mystical labyrinth of becoming a published author. From nurturing your growth as a writer and honing your craft, to launching your creations and unveiling the business aspects of authorship, I've got you covered. We'll explore effective marketing strategies that feel authentic and not at all sleazy. 💅✨ Each topic will be distilled into four weeks of free resources—insightful blogs, cozy reels, and magical videos all crafted to meet you where you are. This month, we begin with the foundation of your creative empire.  Here's what you can expect: 🔮 Week 1: How to Become a Self-Published Author – a beginner-friendly guide to outlining your author journey 🔥 Week 2: How to Stay Motivated While Writing – rituals, mindset shifts, and creative resilience 👻 Week 3: How to Market Your Book Without Feeling Sleazy – authentic promo that doesn’t feel like selling your soul 💫 Week 4: How to Create Engaging Merch & Passive Income as an Author – build your magical empire, one product at a time Ready to unlock the secrets of self-publishing? Let’s turn the page to your new chapter! 📖✨ 🌙 The Start of Something SpellbindingYou're not just writing a book. You’re building a legacy—an entire world made of ink, emotion, and moonlight. But first? You need a map.  This blog is the first of many, each one a candle along your path. Month 1 is designed to help you:
✍️ What We’ll Actually Do This Month (Spoiler: It’s Not Just Reading)We’ll blend gentle productivity, creative self-trust, and a little strategy: 🖋 You’ll explore different writing methods and how to make them work for you 🕯 You’ll set up a ritual to return to the page without shame or pressure 📣 You’ll learn how to talk about your book in ways that don’t feel gross 💰 You’ll discover how to set up passive income streams even if you’re starting from scratch And yes, you’ll walk away with templates, aesthetic ideas, and a whole new mindset around what it really means to be a working indie author. 🌒 A Little Reminder Before We Begin...This journey isn’t about being perfect. It’s about showing up—with intention, with love for your stories, and with the belief that you’re already an author. Even if your draft is a disaster. Even if you haven’t opened your doc in a week. Even if you’re terrified to say it out loud. 💫 Here’s My Pitch. (Yep, the affiliate moment—but make it magical)Why don’t you try out my Author’s Ultimate Toolkit? Do you plan to write a book? I mean, you’re here, so I’m gonna guess yes. Do you need help staying on track without losing your creative soul in the process? If not, go on and keep doing your magical thing. 🖤 But if you do… and you’re feeling a little lost in the shadows of too many tabs, tools, and timelines? Then this bundle is your glow-up. Here’s what’s inside: 🎮 A Gamify Google Sheet 📚 A Project Bible ✍️ A Publishing Prepbook 🗓 A Publishing Planner (your choice of week start!) 📝 A Genre Prompt Book 📋 3 Milanote Templates (because ✨aesthetic✨ counts) ✨ The toolkit helps you stay organized, inspired, and wildly witchy while building your author life. You could be using that toolkit instead of wondering what to do next. And who knows… maybe it’ll even give you enough clarity to go write under the stars or make a batch of writing potion tea. ☕ So go ahead. Light your candle. Open the spellbook. The Author’s Ultimate Toolkit is waiting for you. Final Thoughts: This Is Just the Beginning You're not late. You're not behind. You're exactly where you're meant to be. Let this be your fresh start—your own “once upon a time.” And let me be your guide through the fog, the plot twists, and the wild magic of self-publishing. I’ll be here every week with new insight, new inspiration, and new tools to keep you going. See you in Week 1, where we dive into exactly how to become a self-published author (without the gatekeepers). 💌 TL;DR
Welcome to Month 1 of your indie author era! We’re covering how to begin your self-publishing journey, stay motivated while writing, market without sleaze, and build passive income through merch. Each week, you’ll get cozy blogs, magical tips, and helpful tools. And if you want a head start, grab the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit—your creative companion for the long haul. Writing Feels Hard? You're Not Broken. Welcome, darling scribes and story-summoners. 🌘 Let’s talk about the part of writing no one wants to admit: sometimes, you just… don’t want to do it. You love your story. You want to finish it. But every time you sit down, the cursor blinks like it’s judging you. Your plot feels off. Your characters are silent. You're tired. And that doesn’t mean you’re not a real writer. Writing is a long-term creative relationship—with your story, your mind, and your emotions. And motivation? It’s not always going to be there. The trick is learning how to keep going anyway—gently, sustainably, and with a little ritual.  Mindset First: Writing Is a Practice, Not a PerformanceYou’re not failing because you're stuck. You're not lazy for needing breaks. You're a human being, not a productivity spell gone wrong. Let’s reframe the way we think about motivation:
Creative Rituals to Spark Momentum When you feel disconnected from your writing, sometimes the key isn’t to “push harder”—it’s to get intentional. Here are my favorite low-pressure, high-vibe rituals to reignite your spark: 🕯️ Light a Candle + Set an Intention Start your writing time with a moment of stillness. Light a candle, breathe deep, and say: “I release perfection. I welcome progress.” 🖋️ Write a Single Line (Yes, Just One) Tell yourself you only need to write one sentence. Nine times out of ten, you’ll end up writing more. 📜 Keep a “Magic Moments” File Make a document or notebook where you save your favorite scenes, quotes, or feedback. Revisit it when you feel like your writing is trash (spoiler: it’s not). 🔮 Use a Timer to Cast a Writing Spell Set a timer for 10–15 minutes and call it a “focus spell.” Write whatever you can. When the timer ends, you're free to stop—but you might not want to. 🧠 Change the Task, Not the Goal Too burnt out to draft? Outline instead. Brainstorm a future scene. Make a moodboard. Writing energy comes in many forms—use them all. What To Do When You Want To QuitIt’s going to happen—especially during the messy middle. Here’s what to try before you walk away from your book entirely:
 And if all else fails? Rest. With intention. Guilt-free. Motivation From the Heart of My StoriesWhen I feel the fog rolling in, I read my own story vibes back to myself like affirmations. Here are two from my Haunted Series:  🖤 The Hidden “This book is for the ones burdened by ancestral shadows—and brave enough to break the cycle.” 🕯️ The Hunted “She thought the truth would set her free. Instead, it made her dangerous.” Write a line from your own WIP that reminds you why you love it. Put it on a sticky note, your lockscreen, or next to your favorite candle. Let your words call you back. Why don’t you try out my Author’s Ultimate Toolkit? Still struggling to find your rhythm? I see you, friend. You're here because writing feels a little heavy right now—and that’s okay. But what if you had something that made staying on track feel less like pressure and more like a ritual? That’s exactly why I created the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit—a one-stop bundle of magical tools to help you stay focused, feel inspired, and actually enjoy the writing process again. Here’s what’s inside:
If this toolkit helps you stay on track, or even just feel a little more magical during your writing sessions—then honestly? That’s a win. Go on, friend. The Author’s Ultimate Toolkit is waiting to be your writing ritual’s new best friend. 🖤  Final Reminder: You’re Allowed to Take Your TimeYou don’t have to rush. You don’t have to write every day. You don’t have to feel “on” all the time. You just have to keep going. Word by word. Ritual by ritual. Candle by candle. The story will be there. And when you’re ready, so will your magic. 🕯️
4/13/2025 How to Become a Self-Published Author: A Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Author JourneyRead NowHow to Publish Your Own Book (Without Gatekeepers) Welcome, darling scribes and story-summoners! 🌒 You have a story. A spark. A universe whispering inside you. But you don’t know how to take that first real step toward becoming a published author. Let’s change that. Self-publishing can feel overwhelming, especially when you're bombarded by conflicting advice and expensive “must-have” tools. But the truth is? You don’t need to do it all at once. You just need a map—and a little creative courage. This guide will walk you through the foundational steps of becoming a self-published author—from idea to draft—with plenty of cozy witchy energy to keep you grounded. Let’s begin.  Set Your Author IntentionsBefore you dive into writing, publishing, or outlining, I want you to slow down and reflect. Yes, really. This step is overlooked far too often—but it's essential for staying focused and feeling fulfilled. Ask yourself:
Choose Your Writing MethodEvery author has their own style—and there’s no wrong way to create. Which one feels most like you? 🖋️ Plotter – You love structure and outlines. You plan your chapters, plot points, and character arcs ahead of time. Tools like Notion, Milanote, or Scrivener will be your familiar. 🌙 Pantser – You write by vibe. No outline, just intuition and mood. Keep a notebook handy to track spontaneous ideas as they flow. 🌗 Plantser – You enjoy a light outline but leave room for discovery. Think of it as writing with a compass, not a map. None of these are more “correct” than the others. The best method is the one that helps you finish. Build the Bones of Your StoryOnce you’ve chosen your method, it’s time to prep the foundation. Use this as your prewriting checklist:
Start Your First Draft (a.k.a. The Wild Messy Magic)Here’s your permission slip: your first draft is allowed to be bad. It’s supposed to be. This is where you let the story take form. Don’t worry about grammar, pacing, or perfection. Focus on telling yourself the story first. Tips for surviving the first draft:
 Surround Yourself with SupportWriting is often a solitary act—but publishing doesn’t have to be. Join writing groups, find writing TikToks that inspire you, or follow authors on Instagram who are on the same path. You don’t need a huge community—just a few people who get it. And yes, you’re welcome in my coven anytime. 🖤 Try My Author’s Ultimate Toolkit!Starting your author journey and already overwhelmed? Friend, I’ve got the perfect little bit of magic for you. You’re reading a blog about becoming a self-published author, which means you're probably juggling a million ideas, twenty tabs, and possibly one slightly judgmental pet. That’s exactly why I created the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit—to help you organize your chaos and actually enjoy your writing process. Inside, you’ll find:
But if it does work for you? You’ll stop forgetting key details, finish that draft, and maybe even get a little excited about your author brand again. ✨ So go on, friend. Grab the Author’s Ultimate Toolkit and start writing like the main character you are. Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need Permission to BeginYou don’t need a publisher’s approval. You don’t need to be a bestselling author before you call yourself one. You don’t need to be perfect to be powerful. You just need to say yes. To your story. To your magic. To your beginning. So take a breath, light a candle, and write that first sentence. Because the world needs your words—even the messy ones. 💌 But just in case you’re waiting for a sign… here’s one anyway: I made you a Permission Slip, sweet friend. Save it, screenshot it, use it however you need to. 📲 Tag me or send me a DM on TikTok or Instagram if you post or use it—I'd love to see your writing magic in action. @author_lynifer_craft on both  TL;DRBecoming a self-published author starts with intention. Choose your writing style, lay the foundation of your story, and allow your first draft to be messy and magical. Surround yourself with community and don’t forget—you are the magic. The only permission you need is your own. |
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