Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Born and raised in Connecticut, I grew up admiring two authors: Laura Ingalls Wilder an Danielle Steele. Besides wanting to be Mariah Carey when I grew up, I wanted to become an author who wrote books and had babies. From going to college at 16, pitching screenplays in Hollywood at 30 and writing/producing off Broadway in my mid-30s, I’m like a cat in that I have 9 lives… and I continue to reinvent myself through my work as an author, coach, motivational speaker, and creator of the Fire Your Inner Critic training program for entrepreneurs. As a wife and mom of 3 kids and 2 fur babies, I’m learning that the goal of life is not to get it ‘right’ but to live my adventure. I’m the author of 23 books with more on the way!
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is called ‘Fire Your Inner Critic, Find Your Inner Badass and Finally Build Your Business.’ As a mentor and business coach, I’ve watched too many aspiring entrepreneurs listen to their inner critics and give up on their business dreams… and I’m done seeing that happen. I created a training program called Fire Your Inner Critic Level 1 that’s designed to help entrepreneurs dethrone their inner critics, activate their inner badass and stay the course on building a successful business. I wrote the book to give aspiring entrepreneurs a blueprint for how to trust their calling and build a powerfully successful business.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I talk to myself as I write. If the words don’t move me when I say them out loud, they must be rewritten.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
Brene Brown’s ‘Braving the Wilderness’ rocked my world. I also love Danielle LaPorte’s ‘The Fire Starter Sessions’ and Gary Keller’s ‘The ONE Thing’ has reshaped the way I run my company.
What are you working on now?
I am currently working on a new book called “You Can Do Hard Things.” I’ve had this message in my heart for over a year now and I’m thrilled to finally have the time to sit down and write it.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
My best method for promoting my books is writing blog posts on Medium.com. I gain a lot of email subscribers and followers.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Write more books, even if you’re not currently selling a lot of what you’ve published so far. So many people balk at the idea of writing more books if they aren’t currently selling enough of the books they have on the market. My writing mentor (who earns quite a bit every month from Amazon revenue) gave me this advice when I first started and he was absolutely right. Writing consistently will develop your writing voice, will build your confidence, will give you more books to test in the market so you know what kinds of books to write in the future and it will teach you resilience and grit. As a writer, you have to play a long game strategy if you’re going to make a living writing full time. That means staying the course even when you’re not making the kind of money you hoped you would. Again, write more books and create a consistent writing schedule that you follow every single day.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Trust your talent and trust the timing of your life.
What are you reading now?
Relentless by Tim Grover.
What’s next for you as a writer?
Putting all of my books on Audible and going on a college speaking tour.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
Ooh, tough question. Here are the 4 books I’d bring:
1) Marianne Williamson’s ‘The Gift of Change’
2) Brene Brown’s ‘Braving the Wilderness’
3) Norman Vincent Peale’s ‘The Power of Positive Thinking’
4) A Course in Miracles
Author Websites and Profiles
Kassandra Vaughn Website
Kassandra Vaughn Amazon Profile
Kassandra Vaughn’s Social Media Links
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