I Asked a CPA Why Authors Struggle With Money—His Answer Shocked Me

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In this episode, Kevin Tumlinson sits down with accountant and author advocate Seth Norris to demystify the “business” side of the author journey. They dive into common money mistakes, why most authors avoid talking taxes, and how to turn scary finances into manageable habits. Whether you’re new to direct sales, seeking smarter tax strategies, or need systems to manage your indie career, this episode is packed with practical advice—plus an inside look at Author Unlimited and resources for building a sustainable author business!

Show links:

* Author CPA – Main hub for Seth’s services, newsletter signup, and YouTube channel

* Author Unlimited Community – Community & resources for authors on finances & systems

* Profit First (Book) – The money-management method discussed in this episode

* Seth’s Substack – Mindset, creative business tips, and the “week in Seth’s head”

* School (Community Platform) – Platform used by Author Unlimited

* Author Anchor – Author task and marketing assistant service (sponsor link)

Watch on YouTube

I Asked a CPA Why Authors Struggle With Money—His Answer Shocked Me

Important Topics & Timestamps:

[00:01:05] – Seth’s journey into author conferences[00:02:05] – Turning accounting skills into author niche (Author CPA)[00:03:09] – What does an “Author CPA” actually do?[00:04:53] – Trends & money mistakes indie authors make[00:07:00] – Hidden costs of direct sales & royalty comparisons[00:09:44] – Helping authors set up bookkeeping and automations[00:11:38] – The surprising power of authentic, low-fuss YouTube videos[00:15:42] – What “Profit First” means for authors[00:22:16] – Simple formula for setting aside tax money[00:24:46] – Building Author Unlimited (community for author business systems & finances)[00:27:31] – Getting the most out of community, templates, and automation[00:30:11] – Seth’s Substack: creativity, mindset, and life as an author CPA

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