Unlock the secrets to gamifying your author career with USA Today best-selling author Kelly McClimer on Author Nation Interviews—where creativity meets strategy for nonfiction authors.
In this episode of Author Nation Interviews, host Melody Anne explores the concept of gamifying your author career with USA Today best-selling author Kelly McClimer. The discussion covers Kelly’s journey from historical romance fiction to nonfiction, her insights on marketing, and the creation of the Cream game to boost book sales. Kelly shares practical tips on adapting to the changing landscape of the publishing industry and provides a sneak peek into her upcoming nonfiction book, “The Quantumized Career.”
You'll Learn to Have Fun While Chasing Your Author Dreams
- How gamifying your author career can enhance productivity and marketing efforts
- The importance of the lean-in factor in marketing and engaging with readers.
- Kelly's Cream game and its role in consistent marketing for authors.
- Dealing with the feedback loop, both positive and negative, to improve your writing.
- Insights into Kelly's upcoming nonfiction book, "The Quantumized Career."
Guest: Kelly McClymer
Kelly McClymer, a USA Today best-selling author, began her writing journey with historical romance fiction. After transitioning to indie publishing in 2009, she founded Hack Your Muse Coaching in 2018 to assist authors in navigating the writing, production, and marketing processes. Kelly’s upcoming book, “The Quantumized Career,” delves into changes in the workforce and offers insights for adapting to evolving career landscapes.
Highlights from Insights into the Changing Publishing Landscape
- Kelly's journey from historical romance fiction to indie publishing and coaching.
- Gamifying writing with elements like deadlines, sprints, and collaborative groups.
- Exploring the concept of adapting to change in the publishing industry.
- Introduction to the Cream game and its impact on Kelly's book sales.
- Tips on handling the feedback loop and utilizing ChatGPT for insights.
Actionable Steps to Gamify Your Author Career
Try a Marketing Sprint
Set a timer for five minutes and brainstorm three engaging marketing posts for your book. Focus on creating content that elicits a lean-in factor, encouraging readers to explore further. Explore other ways to gamify your book promotion efforts.
Create a Cream Game Card
Develop your own Cream game card, inspired by Kelly McClimer’s approach. Identify five marketing activities related to collaboration, readers, events, advertising, and media. Fill in your card with quick and manageable tasks for the week.
Utilize ChatGPT for Feedback Insights
Find your reviews, extract the text, and use ChatGPT to generate insights. Ask for information on readers’ favorite tropes, characters, or any recurring themes. This quick analysis can provide valuable data without the emotional impact of directly reading reviews.
If you enjoyed this you might like…
Promote your book successfully | Book promotion plan for self-published authors
Most Ideas to Inspire Your Author Success

Your Writing Has Too Many Audiences
May 28, 2026
No Comments
Your Writing Has Too Many Audiences, and that’s why your message feels scattered instead of unforgettable. Come along to better fight the Hydra and focus

Are You Writing to the Void?
May 21, 2026
No Comments
Are You Writing to the Void? Discover why your writing may not be connecting, and how to create deeper resonance with your readers. Key Takeaways

Why Trying to Please Everyone Kills Your Message
May 7, 2026
No Comments
Trying to reach everyone waters down your message. Write for one person and you’ll finally be heard. Key Takeaways From Why Trying to Please
