The Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast

• Episode 41 - Profit First for Authors with Seth Norris, CPA

  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

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• Episode 40 - Writing Naked: Vulnerability, Reinvention, and Longevity in Publishing with NYT bestseller Jennifer Probst

  Back Jennifer’s Kickstarter here: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jenniferprobst/write-naked-the-official-course In this inspiring episode of the Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell and Lee sit down with New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Probst to explore the realities of a long-term writing career. Jennifer shares insights from 35+ years in the industry, reflecting on vulnerability, resilience, and the cycles of growth and reinvention every author faces. Together, they discuss balancing creativity with business, the importance of community, and how to embrace both failures and breakthroughs as part of the journey. The conversation also dives into Jennifer’s Write Naked philosophy, scaling strategies, and how to build sustainable systems that support both creative freedom and financial security.Topics Covered:* Jennifer Probst’s 35-year career and hitting 60 published books* The raw beginnings of writing and finding your first readers* Building impact versus just chasing income* Authenticity, vulnerability, and balancing private vs. public life as an author* Product-led growth and how books grow by being shared* The evolution of publishing: from query letters to Substack, Patreon, and community platforms* Navigating shame, pivots, and rebuilding after setbacks* Root systems: unseen growth periods that lead to future breakthroughs* Creating space in life and career versus chasing endless hustle* The value of resilience and the ability to reinvent repeatedly* Understanding growth seasons vs. monetization seasons* Simplifying your message and focusing on what truly carries* Scaling by doing fewer things exceptionally well* The importance of systems and middle-ground solutions between burning out and blowing up projects* Why effort doesn’t directly equal income in writing* Jennifer’s Write Naked course and its focus on joy, craft, and authenticity* The balance between consistency, reinvention, and longevity in an author career 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

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• Episode 39 - Why Growth Periods Can Make You Feel Broke

  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

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• Episode 38 - What Is Enough? Money, Satisfaction, and Fulfillment

  In this emotionally insightful episode of The Six Figure Author Experiment, Russell returns from a whirlwind European tour through Prague, Vienna, and Bratislava with a personal story that carries a deeper lesson. He shares a moment of panic when he thought he lost his expensive SLR camera and how, instead of spiraling into stress and ruining the trip, he chose peace. This unexpected act of mindfulness—of staying present despite looming loss—sparks a conversation about growth, mindset, and how long-term success as a creator is deeply tied to emotional resilience.Lee and Russell explore how years of professional challenges—from losing companies to surviving chaotic launches—have reshaped how Russell views control, money, and creative life. They touch on themes like letting go of perfection, managing emotional responses, and focusing on what’s truly in your control.This episode isn’t just a travel tale—it’s a powerful metaphor for author life. Sometimes, you have to trust the process, accept uncertainty, and keep moving forward.Takeaways:* Emotional growth is a key part of author success.* You don’t need to control every outcome to enjoy the moment.* Losing something can be an opportunity to gain perspective. 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

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• Episode 37 - Self-Sabotage, Fear of Success, and Building a Career That Sees You

  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

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