by Carissa Andrews

Manifestation has been quite the buzzword in the indie author community recently. Authors are realizing that in order to succeed, they need to keep their eye on the prize.

Have you ever wondered why money and success seem to flow to people who already have more than enough? 

Or have you ever thought to yourself, “I’m doing ALL. THE. THINGS. Why am I not earning that kind of money from my books?”

As it turns out, being an abundant, profitable author is more than just writing books and hoping the readers come. It’s more than just rapid releasing like a machine, too. While it helps to have a consistent publishing schedule, you also need your mind on board with your desire to be profitable.

Here’s why: when you don’t actually believe success and prosperity can happen to you, you’re fighting a deeply embedded belief structure every step of the way.

Trust me, I know. I’ve been there.

When I began my publishing journey in 2010, I knew I wanted to be successful. However, there was a part of me that didn’t believe I was worthy of money. (At least, not from my creative endeavors.) And I operated from that place for a very long time.

Even when I was doing everything right, I wasn’t earning what I knew, deep down I could be earning.

It would frustrate me, so I’d dig in, and work even harder.

But do you know what that ultimately led to?

Burnout.

Big time.

As it turns out, you can’t get to what you want from a place of lack. Who knew?

It’s a different energy altogether.

When we’re operating from that place of lack, we’re writing words that show desperation, so our sales copy or social posts aren’t hitting our audience the way we’d hoped. Or we’re writing books as fast as we can because we’re just trying to earn more money, but our heart isn’t in it. Or maybe we freeze up because the pressure is too much.

From a manifestational standpoint, all of our thoughts, actions, and words are lined up with a lack of money. We’re basically screaming to the universe, “Bring me more of this thing I don’t want!”

This leads me to…

Abundant Author Rule #1: We live in an inclusion-based universe.

Which is to say you get whatever you believe.

The answer is always yes.

In essence, this is the Law of Attraction at work. Like energies are attracted to like energies.

The only question is whether you’re operating from your core desire—or the absence of it.

How our energy is focused, matters. A lot.

Now, the way that you know which direction you’re focused is by how you feel. If you feel good, feel light, or expectant, then you’re operating from your desire. If you’re running scared, anxious, or angry… Well, it’s the other thing that’s taken the wheel.

So, what happens if we’ve been functioning from a place of lack?

I have some good news.

Abundant Author Rule #2: Beliefs can be altered.

Did you know at any time you can change your mind? No, seriously, you can. You’re that adaptable.

Occasionally, changing a belief is as simple as noticing its absurdness. Then, like a lightbulb going off in your head, your mind has been changed. Magic.

However, most of the time, it takes a hot second to get a belief restructured and rewired.

When that happens, we need to consciously notice the thoughts we’re thinking, challenge the underlying beliefs, then choose to think differently.

For example, if you don’t believe indie authors can earn money from their work (and seeing the thousands of examples who are living their best author life hasn’t flipped your switch), then it’s time to pay closer attention to your thoughts.

When you have one crop up that says– “That’s nice for them, but it’ll never happen to me.” –you need to challenge that belief.

We do that by being present enough to notice it, which is sometimes the most challenging part. Then, we need to ask ourselves, “Is that really true?” (Hint: it’s almost always not.) By challenging the thought/belief, we recognize its flawed premise, allowing it to break free and be released. Finally, we choose a better feeling thought and put it on repeat in our mind.

Did you know, beliefs are just thoughts you continue to think?

That’s why not everyone believes exactly the same thing.

Thoughts and beliefs are just stories to tell yourself. And we authors are pros at spinning stories, right?

Since that’s the case, tell yourself a better story. One that works to your advantage.

Remind yourself often about what you want and how you’re going to get it.

When you rewire your beliefs to support your desires, to operate from the place of receiving the thing you want, you are aligning with that desire instead of against it.

In the case of abundance, when you remind yourself, you can have, be, or do anything you want, you are aligned with its inevitability. Your brain literally creates new neuropathways, which open you up to new thoughts—ones you didn’t even have access to before.

It’s powerful and life-altering.  

Abundant Author Rule #3: Inspired action is inevitable.

When you’ve been shifting your vibe, by telling yourselves new and empowered stories, inspired action will come that will take you to the next level.

It won’t always be a bolt of lightning, however. Sometimes the inspired action is small, but it will lead to bigger and better things.

It could be an internal nudge to go for a walk—where you end up bumping into someone that helps your author career in some way. It could be a social post you happen to write on a whim that goes viral. It could even be as simple as feeling the need to take a day off and listening to it for once. Then, having inspiration strike on the plotline you’ve been stuck on.

So stay open and curious about what’s to come.

One thing I’ve seen over and over is authors getting stuck in mid-manifestation and giving up right before their miracle. Stay true to your desires and continued to align with them. When you move forward from that place, all your dreams will come true.

If you’d like to dig deeper into an abundance mindset and manifestation for authors, I’d love for you to join me in my upcoming live masterclass: The Abundant Author Activation. It takes place on February 20 2023 at 1pm CDT.

Learn more about the event and sign up here.

As the CEO of Author Revolution®, and the Millionaire Author Coach™, Carissa Andrews is a thought leader on financial empowerment and an abundance mindset for indie authors. 

Through her compelling digital courses, 1:1 coaching, and her acclaimed Author Revolution Podcast, she empowers indie authors to intentionally design an author career they love.

She’s been a speaker for ALLi’s Self-Publish Con, the Indie Author Project, Kobo Writing Life, and Plottr. 

She was even declared one of the Top 30 Entrepreneurs Disrupting Their Industries in 2022 by Disruptors Magazine.

Carissa has a unique background in the indie author community, having worked in all areas of publishing since she was 14 years old. She’s worked for retail bookstores, publishers, and printers, and is an award-winning graphic designer.

She understands the challenges and opportunities indie authors have from a holistic viewpoint. As she combines her love of authorship and publishing with her keen interest in manifestation and the Law of Attraction, her students are leveling up like never before.