The aim of an author-entrepreneur is to balance craft with commerce, making a living while creatively fulfilled. In today's show, I discuss how creators can earn a living with Nathan Barry, who moved from non-fiction author to software developer, focusing on email marketing for online entrepreneurs – people like you and me!
In the introduction, I talk about my personal creative challenges right now as I head towards 10 years as an author-entrepreneur. Plus, I'm working on How to Write Non-Fiction, a book and course that a lot of you have asked for.
This podcast is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, which helps authors self-publish and reach readers in global markets through the Kobo eco-system. You can also subscribe to the Kobo Writing Life podcast for interviews with successful indie authors.
Nathan Barry is the author of three books, a software designer, and the founder and CEO of ConvertKit, which helps creators earn a living through email marketing.
You can listen above or on iTunes or Stitcher or watch the video here, read the notes and links below. Here are the highlights and full transcript below.
Show Notes

* How writing his first books inspired Nathan to create ConvertKit

* Managing the balance between craft and commerce

* Committing to an idea for the long-term despite short-term financial squeezes

* Balancing the positive and negative sides of ambition

* How ConvertKit solves problems for authors

* The creativity inherent in communicating with our readers

* Beginner tips for starting with ConvertKit, whether you have a list already, or are starting from scratch

Click here for my tutorial on how to build an email list with ConvertKit.
You can find Nathan Barry at ConvertKit.com and on Twitter @nathanbarry

Transcript of Interview with Nathan Barry
Joanna: Hi, everyone. I'm Joanna Penn from the creativepenn.com, and today I'm here with Nathan Barry. Hi, Nathan.
Nathan: Hey, thanks for having me on.
Joanna: Oh, it's great to have you on the show. Just a little introduction.
Nathan is the author of three books, a software designer, and the founder and CEO of ConvertKit, which helps creators earn a living through email marketing.
Now, very exciting, Nathan, you started out in programming but then you wrote several books including “Authority” which is all about self-publishing.
What did you learn from writing books that lead you into starting your larger online business, ConvertKit?
Nathan: Probably the first thing that I learned is that you could actually make money from writing books and self-publishing.