The Publishing Performance Show Craig Martelle - The 20 Books to 50K Method
Aug 19, 2025
49:07
Craig Martelle is a powerhouse in the indie publishing world with nearly 200 published works, including over 110 full-length novels. A retired Marine and former lawyer turned bestselling author, Craig is the visionary founder of the 20 Books to 50K community—one of the largest and most supportive author networks in the world. His journey from military service to literary success has made him a sought-after mentor and speaker in the indie author community.
In this episode:
- From Marine Corps to literary empire: Craig's incredible transformation story
- The productivity secrets behind writing and publishing multiple books annually
- Strategic book pricing that maximizes sales and reader acquisition
- Breaking into international markets with German translations and global reach
- How author conferences evolved and why they're crucial for indie success
- Building and nurturing thriving online author communities (20 Books to 50K insights)
- Mastering the balance between fiction series and non-fiction projects
- The mindset shifts that separate successful authors from struggling writers
- Real-world strategies for sustained long-term author careers
Resources mentioned:
- 20 Books to 50K Facebook group
- Author Nation conference (formerly 20 Books Vegas)
- Self-Publishing Show Live conference
- Amazon ads for authors
- Findaway Voices for audiobooks
- TranslateBooks.com for translations
Books Mentioned:
- Ian Bragg thriller series
- Cygnus Space Opera series
- End Times Alaska series
- Free Trader series
- Battleship Leviathan series
- "Witten Wisdom"
- "An Author's Legacy"
Connect with Craig Martelle:
- Website: craigmartelle.com
- Facebook group: 20 Books to 50K
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- @teddyagsmith
- Website: https://publishingperformance.com/?ref=ywm3mtc
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/publishingperformance/
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- Instagram - https://instagram.com/publishingperformanceinsta
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- Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/publishing-performance/
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