The following is a Twitter Chat between fellow authors Catherine Carrigan and Tim Lewis on Tuesday, Nov. 12 for the Alliance of Independent Authors.

Tim Lewis is the author of Social Media Networking: How to Use Social Media to Get the Job You Want, Find Love, Get Business Success and Boost Your Travel Experience as well as several fantasy and sci-fi books, host of #Indieauthorchat on Twitter and host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast. You can find out more about Tim at Begin Self-Publishing and also Stoneham Press Ltd.

Our topic was how to use books to promote your business.

#Indieauthorchat with Tim Lewis and Catherine Carrigan

#Indieauthorchat with Tim Lewis and Catherine Carrigan

Twitter Chat with Tim Lewis

“Hello everyone, this week I’m the guest on #indieAuhorChat” 12 noon PST/3 pm EST/8 pm London time with Tim Lewis @StonehamPress

Q1 Tim Lewis: You main business is not your books. Why did you decide to start writing books?  #IndieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan: I published my first book in 1997 back in the old day of traditional publishing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan: Q1: It was the bestselling book of the original publisher and went on to be translated into Chinese. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan:Q1: However, I only made $3,000 because the traditional publisher got all the money.  #indieAuthorChat @IARTG

Catherine Carrigan:I stopped writing books for 18 years. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan:Q1: Then a client in Los Angeles discovered my first book translated in Chinese in the Los Angeles Public Library. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Chinese edition, Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide by Catherine Carrigan

Chinese edition, Healing Depression: A Holistic Guide by Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan:Q1: Nobody had even told me my book had been published in another language. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan:Q1: I thought, “If I wrote a book good enough to be published in Chinese I need to write books again.” #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

My Seven Amazon Number One Bestsellers: What Is Healing?; Unlimited Energy Now; Banish the Blues Now; Unlimited Intuition Now; What Is Social Media Today? and The Difference Between Pain and Suffering and The Little Book of Breathwork

My Seven Amazon Number One Bestsellers: What Is Healing?; Unlimited Energy Now; Banish the Blues Now; Unlimited Intuition Now; What Is Social Media Today? and The Difference Between Pain and Suffering and The Little Book of Breathwork

Catherine Carrigan:Q1: On top of all that, my soul longing throughout my life has been to write and publish books. I am about to publish my 10th book, which is titled Reading the Soul. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

08:17 Q2 Tim Lewis: How do you decide what books about natural healing to write? #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q2: I am a #medicalintuitive healer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q2: I live my entire life prayerfully. I #pray first thing as soon as I open my eyes and throughout the day. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q2: I follow my soul guidance on literally every aspect of my life, including what topics to write books about. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q2: 2nd, I write about the common problems and concerns of my clients – #pain, exhaustion, #depression, #anxiety. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q2: 3rd, I write about the aspirations of my clients – #intuition, #soulguidance, #spiritualgrowth. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

What Is Healing? Awaken Your Intuitive Power for Health and Happiness by Catherine Carrigan

What Is Healing? Awaken Your Intuitive Power for Health and Happiness by Catherine Carrigan

08:24 Q3 Tim Lewis: How do you tie in your books with your business? #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q3 First, I am very passionate about my work as a medical intuitive healer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: Every day I work with clients who have not found solutions through traditional medicine. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: At the same time, I have great respect for medical doctors. My brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather and uncle were or are medical doctors. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: I write about the common concerns of my clients. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. most of my clients are exhausted and/or in adrenal burnout, so I wrote Unlimited Energy Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Unlimited Energy Now by Catherine Carrigan

Unlimited Energy Now by Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients want to learn how to access more of their own soul guidance, so I wrote Unlimited Intuition Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Unlimited Intuition Now by Catherine Carrigan

Unlimited Intuition Now by Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are depressed, so I published Banish the Blues Now. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Banish the Blues Now by Catherine Carrigan

Banish the Blues Now by Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are anxious, so I published The Little Book of Breathwork so they can lower their #anxiety naturally anytime anywhere with conscious #breathing exercises. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: E.G. many of my clients are in pain and want to learn how to get out of pain naturally without drugs so I published The Difference Between Pain and Suffering. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

The Difference Between Pain and Suffering, Number 1 in Seven Categories on Amazon

The Difference Between Pain and Suffering, Number 1 in Seven Categories on Amazon

Catherine CarriganQ3: E.G. many of my clients are very #spiritual people and want to understand more about what’s going on with themselves at the #soul level, so I wrote my 10th book, soon to be published Reading the Soul. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q3: I listen carefully to the common concerns of my clients so that I can refer them to my books for deeper understanding not only about what’s going on but about what they can do to feel better naturally without drugs. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

08:31 Q4 Tim Lewis: How much work do you outsource in creating your books given you manage to release so many and have a business to run?  #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q4: At this point, I have a team of people who help me publish my books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: My editor Tony Kessler @TonyKessler saves me from my most egregious errors. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: I have an #Amazon marketing specialist, Denise Cassino. @DeniseCassino, who has taken 7 of my books to #numberone in their categories. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: Ramajon Cogan @sedonaMTB creates my book covers and does my formatting and uploading. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

With Ramajon Cogan, creator of 9 of Catherine Carrigan's book covers

With Ramajon Cogan, creator of 9 of Catherine Carrigan’s book covers

Catherine Carrigan Q4: Mike Gustin of MTG Recording Studios produces my #audiobooks. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: Holly Parsons, a poet, narrates my #audiobooks. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: Diane Fulmer is my trusty photographer for whenever I need #author headshots or photos for the inside of my books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: These are all incredibly professionals, very reasonably priced, highly experienced and we all love working together to make great #books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: I’m more than happy to share the contact information for any of my great team members. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q4: Just shoot me an email at catherine@catherinecarrigan.com and I will send you a joint email of introduction so you can produce great books. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

08:38 Q5 Tim Lewis: How much time do you spend writing your books as compared to the rest of your business. Do you write all year around or in particular seasons?   #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I feel I am very productive because I take things project by project and don’t overload myself. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I integrate #writing into the rest of my life and #write and promote my #books and #business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 For example, I have finished writing and editing my 10th book, Reading the Soul, and am waiting for the formatting and #audiobook to be produced. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Reading the Soul by Catherine Carrigan

Reading the Soul by Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I’m still promoting my 9th book The Little Book of Breathwork and appear almost every week on #podcasts and #radio. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

The Little Book of Breathwork, available in ebook, paperback and audiobook.

The Little Book of Breathwork, available in ebook, paperback and audiobook.

Catherine Carrigan Q5 My narrator just had emergency surgery so it will be 1 month before they can get back into the studio to complete the #audiobook. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 Of course I’m disappointed because I hoped my new book Reading the Soul would be out before Christmas. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I like to write first thing in the morning. #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan I wake up, #pray and #meditate and then start #writing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I don’t believe people who tell you that you have to write so many words per day. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I have written 2 books this year. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q5 I am a single self supporting woman, a #solopreneur, so I write my books while also running my business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

08:43 Q6 Tim Lewis: What is the biggest lesson you would give other business owners looking to self-publish books about their industry? #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q6: Writing books is one of the best things you can ever do to help your business. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6:  For one, when you publish a book you establish your #authority in your field of expertise. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6:  Secondly, if you have the potential like I do to work with clients all over the world, publishing books empowers you to reach a worldwide audience. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 3rd, writing #books help your potential customers get to know you and how you do what you do. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 I have 26 years full time experience in #natural healing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 I am a master #healer and can write with authority on a broad range of topics. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 I feel that writing #books helps to spread the knowledge about how people can heal themselves naturally. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 4th, When you publish a book you give people a reason to invite you to appear on #podcasts and #radio. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 In this way, you get to talk about your work and people can more easily find you to hire you. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 5th, You never know who might really need you. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 Since publishing my 2nd #book I have been invited to host my own radio show, The Natural Healing Show @UKHealing for UK Health Radio @ukhealthradio #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

The Natural Healing Show for UK Health Radio with Host Catherine Carrigan

The Natural Healing Show for UK Health Radio with Host Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q6 I’ve been hired to do #medicalintuitive readings for Darin McBratney at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa @CRYogaSpa for people who come there from all over the world for #healing retreats. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Author Catherine Carrigan at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara, Costa Rica

Author Catherine Carrigan at the Costa Rica Yoga Spa in Nosara, Costa Rica

Catherine Carrigan Q6 6th, Writing #books empowers you to speak directly to your potential customers bypassing traditional sales channels. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 My sole sources of advertising include #books, #socialmedia, my #radioshow and my #newsletter.  #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 This reduces my #marketing costs and still allows me to maintain a great #business working from home #debtfree. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 It also empowers me to do my work from anywhere in the world making me an #ompreneur, #solopreneur and an #internetentreprenuer. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 7th, remember to produce an #audiobook because many people would rather listen than read a #book. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 #audiobooks are the fastest growing segment of #publishing. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 If you don’t produce an #audiobook you leave money on the table and may miss out on potential #customers. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 8th, write about your customers concerns, not about YOU. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 Make a list of common problems and concerns of your #customers then write books explaining how to solve these issues. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 When you write #books, do #we thinking and #all thinking, NOT me thinking. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 Write for your customers and explain how they can get over their #pain and show them how they can achieve their #dreams. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 9th, Embrace #socialmedia. I just interviewed two gentleman who are coauthors of a new book who didn’t have a #Twitter or #Instagram. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

What Is Social Media Today: Hashtags, Keywords and You Oh My! By Catherine Carrigan

What Is Social Media Today: Hashtags, Keywords and You Oh My! By Catherine Carrigan

Catherine Carrigan Q6 They had to hire a PR company to do their promotion. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 I am deeply inspired by the great Tyler Perry @tylerperry who advises “own your stuff.” #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q6 Own your #books, own your #marketing and you will soon own your #success. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

What Is Social Media Today: Get Ready to Win the Game of Social Media

What Is Social Media Today: Get Ready to Win the Game of Social Media by Catherine Carrigan

08:53 Q7 Tim Lewis: How can people find out more about Catherine Carrigan and your books? #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Q7 Read about my work as a #medicalintuitive at www.catherinecarrigan.com #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q7 Sign up for my newsletter at https://visitor.r20.constantcontact.com/manage/optin?v=001PTUI55zVN-iNOxZk5SNQKwD1VD84VbEwAr9dExI5_4Ma5HHNuwrqcRiZzrxa4RhoMmL1YRbraZ0Ft9rdH082VQZJX-nV5X3vNqeUvgnVD0E%3D so you can learn even more about how you can heal yourself naturally. #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q7  Subscribe to my Youtube channel to watch my videos with experts on natural healing at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCvjD3ITR1gKQEyS2JBT3QQ?view_as=subscriber #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q7 Follow me on #Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Catherine-Carrigan/e/B000AQ4SGG?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1573581419&sr=8-1 #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Catherine Carrigan Q7 Follow my #audiobooks on #Audible at https://www.audible.com/author/Catherine-Carrigan/B000AQ4SGG?pf_rd_p=e81b7c27-6880-467a-b5a7-13cef5d729fe&pf_rd_r=2G23TCSG7P4AD3KZ3AH6&ref=a_search_c3_lAuthor_1_1_1 #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Q7  Follow me on #Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/638831.Catherine_Carrigan #indieAuthorChat

Catherine Carrigan Follow me on Twitter @CSCarrigan #indieAuthorChat @IARTG #ALLi

Story Board for my 10th book Reading the Soul

Story Board for my 10th book Reading the Soul

To set up an appointment for a medical intuitive reading or healing work, please email catherine@catherinecarrigan or call 678-612-8816. If you are calling internationally, please call me at the same number through WhatsApp so I can return your call toll free!