Most authors end up running a business built on obligation and momentum rather than intention. In this episode, Sarah draws on Natalie Ellis's The Freedom Based Business and the Pareto Principle to help writers get honest about where their time is really going — and what it actually looks like to build an author career that fits their life.

In this episode:

• Why so many authors are busy but not making progress — and how the 80/20 rule reveals what's really driving results

• What "delegate or delete" looks like in a practical author business context

• Why clear communication (not mind-reading) is one of the most underrated CEO skills a writer can develop

From fantasy kingdoms to zookeeper rom-coms, A.K. Mulford has built an extraordinary multiverse of stories. This episode first aired August 2025, and I'm bringing it back because it's one of the most practical conversations I've had about writing fast and building a real author business, and because Ali is joining me at the Sunshine Coast Fiction Festival this year.

I sit down with A.K. Mulford, fantasy novelist, rom-com writer, cosy paranormal creator and TikTok favourite, to explore Ali's path to becoming a hybrid author, balancing indie and traditional publishing, and writing across multiple genres. Ali is one of those authors who treats her writing and her books as a business, and she does it exceptionally well. That's the thread that runs through this whole conversation.

I hear how Ali went from filling notebooks as a child to living in jungles as a wildlife biologist, then self-publishing her breakout fantasy The High Mountain Court in 2021, which racked up over a million page reads in its first month. Since then she's signed with Harper Voyager, launched multiple pen names, and built a loyal global readership through an authentic presence on TikTok and Instagram.

What you'll learn in this episode:

👉 How to write fast without sacrificing quality. Ali shares the mindset and systems behind publishing at speed, averaging 50,000 words per novel.

👉 The benefits of being a hybrid author. Why she started in self-publishing and then expanded into traditional, plus the honest pros and cons of each.

👉 The 3-Day 30K Challenge. Ali's neurodivergent-friendly writing sprint that helps authors hit their word count goals in three days.

👉 How to juggle multiple genres and pen names. From epic fantasy to steamy rom-coms to cosy paranormal mysteries, why switching tones keeps her creative energy high.

👉 TikTok for authors. Ali's unconventional approach to BookTok, built on community and long-term readership rather than chasing viral trends.

👉 Creative balance. How she homeschools two kids, manages multiple series, and still protects her joy in the writing.

About A.K. Mulford: A.K. Mulford is an international bestselling author of romantic fantasy, rom-com and paranormal fiction. Her works include The High Mountain Court, She's a Keeper, and the cosy paranormal hit Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist. She's passionate about helping writers find their own path, through the 3-Day 30K Challenge, her YouTube channel for authors, and her social media presence.

Where to start in the Mulford multiverse: Fantasy lovers: The High Mountain Court or A River of Golden Bones Rom-com fans: She's a Keeper (Zookeeper Rom-Com Series) Cosy paranormal readers: Pumpkin Spice and Poltergeist

Connect with A.K. Mulford:

🌐 Website: https://akmulford.com

📱 TikTok & Instagram: @akmulfordauthor

📺 YouTube: A.K. Mulford

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✍️ Writers: Want help building a real writing career?Join my free weekly email for tips on writing, publishing, and growing your readership.→ www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —👋 About This ChannelHi, I’m Sarah Williams. I help writers turn their books into sustainable careers.Here we talk about:• writing and finishing books• publishing and the book industry• author marketing• building a long-term writing careerWhether you're writing your first book or already publishing, you're welcome here.— — — — — — — — — —🚀 Ready to go deeper?✦ The Author CEO – for writers ready to treat their books like a real business ✦ Author Retreats – immersive strategy and writing retreatsLearn more:www.serenadepublishing.com— — — — — — — — — —📌 Connect With MeInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/serenadepublishingTikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@serenadepublishing

How does one book series make money in more than a dozen ways? In this solo episode, I break down how I turned my four-book cowboy romance series, Brigadier Station, into five separate author income streams:

• Ebooks and paperbacks — all four books, available wide

• Audio — three audiobooks narrated by Myles Pollard, plus a set that sells for a single Audible credit

• The ebook boxset — turning existing work into a brand new product

• The premium direct edition — a foil, sprayed-edge special edition I sell only direct, and why that's the most profitable move most authors never make

• Self-published translations — German, Italian, Spanish, and French, all of which I translate and upload myself

This is catalogue thinking in action. Stop counting books, start counting income streams.

It's also the work I do with women authors inside the Author CEO Private Mentorship. Learn more at serenadepublishing.com/the-author-ceo (link in show notes).