Brady Hunsaker works a full-time job, writes for two hours before he leaves for the office, and earns six figures from his fantasy books. He published his first book in 2023, has sold around 80,000 copies since, and now runs six-figure Kickstarter campaigns for his deluxe editions.

We get into the book marketing strategy behind those sales. Brady explains why he stopped caring about followers and started measuring posts by whether they sell books, how he runs separate TikTok accounts for different kinds of content, and why he pitches the world of a fantasy novel instead of the characters. He tests a book idea on social media before he writes it. One of those videos reached 300,000 views, so he wrote the book.

We also talk about the business side of being an indie author. Brady breaks down where his income comes from across Kickstarter, direct sales from his own store and Kindle Unlimited, what he spends to produce a special edition, and when it made sense to hand fulfillment to someone else. He walks through how he drafts a novel in about two months without a second draft, and the daily schedule that fits writing, marketing and a family around a day job.

Find Brady Hunsaker

  • Website: https://bradyhunsaker.com
  • Shop: https://shop.bradyhunsaker.com
  • Depths of Vanalf: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDYL2C6?tag=hermansteuern-20
  • All books on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BRL74ZDJ?tag=hermansteuern-20
  • Instagram: https://instagram.com/bradyhunsaker
  • TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@bradyhunsaker
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BradyHunsaker

Mentioned in This Episode

  • Jeff Brown Graphics (cover art): https://www.jeffbrowngraphics.com
  • Merrick Books (special editions and fulfillment): https://www.merrick-books.com

Time Stamps

  • 00:00 Sales over followers
  • 00:43 Meet Brady Hunsaker
  • 03:30 Why he chose self-publishing
  • 07:28 A thousand sales on day one
  • 09:47 A second TikTok account and a new pitch
  • 14:17 Posting every day for sales
  • 16:38 Covers, audio and Kindle Unlimited
  • 19:03 Six-figure Kickstarters and where the money comes from
  • 26:32 Writing fast around a full-time job
  • 36:38 His number one piece of advice

Support the Show

  • Back my next Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/hermansteuernagel/interdimensional-drink-master?ref=72j627
  • The Pint & Portal Author Podcast: https://pintandportal.com
  • My books, newsletter and socials: https://www.hermansteuernagel.com/links

Tools I Actually Use

  • All deals: https://www.pintandportal.com/deals
  • Publisher Champ, 10% off: https://www.publisherchamp.com/referral/42246/
  • Publisher Rocket: https://publisherrocket.cartknox.com/buy-rocket?aff=442
  • Wise, first transfer up to $800 CAD free: https://wise.prf.hn/l/RlANJvG/
  • Envato: https://1.envato.market/c/7700687/298927/4662
  • Stallion Express: https://ship.stallion.ca/register/Qr3Wy5
  • Riverside: https://riverside.com/?via=herman-steuernagel

Theme song: Power Rock Intro 7 by AndrewVovchynaC, licensed via Envato. Some links may be affiliate links. Using them costs you nothing extra and helps support the show. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

© Herman Steuernagel, The Pint & Portal Podcast

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