I started unexpectedly in 2007. At the time I was on a train heading from London to Nottingham in the UK and I had nothing to read. Then I remembered having picked up a free magazine in a Mind-Body-Spirit store, which I had stuffed into one of my bags. I pulled it out and saw the magazine was called, 'Connections'. I settled in and began reading an article written by Barbara Brennen, an American healer. In the article, Barbara detailed the importance of owning one's creative energy and utilizing it purposefully. Something inside me clicked. I heard an inner voice say, "You can do this. You can write articles and essays that inspire people." There was such urgency in the message I did not think twice. I had nothing to write on, so I borrowed a pencil, opened up a paper napkin and began drafting my first article. After tweaking and editing, I sent the article to the editor of Connections. A short while later, the editor wrote back saying he wanted to use the article. Now I write for a dozen or more magazines. I have also written two e-books and created several online courses.

Once I started writing, several friends suggested self publishing would be the fastest and easiest way to go. Smashwords was recommended several times. What I liked most about Smashwords was the level of support indie authors received, so from that point on it was an easy decision.

The site is easy to navigate. Potential readers are able to work their way around effortlessly. The format options are great too and being able to gift clients with coupon codes or free copies of my books is super. Last but not least, the many publishing partners Smashwords is affiliated with means that my books have an enormous reach, which is something I could not have done on my own.

I love creating space to become quiet and focus on my inner world. Suspending the known for the unknown is a process of self-discovery, sometimes effortless and sometimes really challenging. The biggest gift though, is hearing how my writing has motivated someone to trust his or her own intuitive wisdom.

My readers mean everything. I write for them. Without feedback I would not continue. Here are a few of my favorite examples:

"Be careful! If you read this book (An Awakened Life) your life will change."

"I read the book. It can't be true. She must be an alien."

"The writer must be pulling the wool over our eyes. Nothing like this could ever happen in real life."

The author is toying with us, isn't she?

I have written two new books within the last eight months, so I am currently taking a break. I can feel there is another book on the periphery of my awareness, though I do not know what the theme will be as of now. However, I am busy creating course content. I am currently working on shadow work and lucid dreaming courses for the Light Warrior Program (via the Ajatakasa Institute) And I am always busy creating video content for the Buddhist Biohacker channel, as well as for my own channel on YouTube.

My favorite authors include Sufi Masters, Llewellyn Vaughan Lee and Irina Tweedie, as well as Robert Moss and Sogyal Rinpoche.

For the first edition of my first book I hired someone to do the design. However, since it was difficult to convey the style I was looking for, I began creating them myself. The last two were done with Canva. I really enjoy working with Canva. It is an affordable, easy to use platform and the templates are varied and effective. I would recommend Canva, if anyone is creating their own designs.

Marketing and promotion are like two monsters that always need feeding! That said, what has worked best for me is the personal approach. I have a newsletter. I am also a featured presenter on the Buddhist Biohacker channel on YouTube. The theme this year is, ‘Keeping it Real,’ where I speak about the challenges of living a life of presence and purpose. In addition I have given 50+ classes and presentations via retreats and summits. At the end of those offerings I am often asked, “How can people find you online?” Those questions provide an opportunity to share titles of my books and where folks can find them. In addition to all that, I have my own channel on YouTube (Julie hoyle) I post regularly on Instagram (@juliehoyleofficial) and I have downloaded and joined the ajatakasa community app. On ajatakasa, I host two groups: ‘Awake! Now What?’ and ‘Writing Your Truth.’