The Self-Publishing Hustle That’s Actually Working — Thanks to This Fiction Powerhouse

Written by Connie Etemadi
If you’ve been on the internet for more than five minutes, you’ve probably seen your fair share of “make money from home” pitches. Most of them? Wishful thinking at best. But every now and then, something sticks. Something real.
Case in point: Fiction Profits Academy, a community-turned-education platform that’s helping regular people—parents, side hustlers, total non-writers—turn fiction publishing into an actual income stream. Not millions overnight. But real, repeatable revenue. And at the center of it all? One woman who figured it out before the internet even noticed.
Meet Karla Marie. Indie author. Accidental entrepreneur. Reluctant influencer.
Back in 2015, Karla was not chasing book deals. No agents. No literary galas. Just a single mom looking for a way to work from home and make ends meet. She discovered Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform, started releasing her own fiction novels, and—quietly, without the noise—built herself a six-figure income.
No viral bestseller. No fluke. Just a method. One that she realized was teachable.
That’s how Fiction Profits Academy was born. Think of it less like a “course” and more like an indie author’s launchpad. Karla didn’t just want to show people how to hit publish—she wanted to build a whole support system for those who never thought they’d be able to write (let alone profit from) their own books.
Today, that little side project has snowballed into a serious operation:
- 15,000+ students
- A 40-person team
- Dozens of tools, templates, and resources specifically for self-publishing fiction
- And a pretty impressive community of authors who didn’t start as authors.
What makes it different?
For starters, Fiction Profits Academy isn’t trying to sell you a pipe dream. There’s no “one book to millionaire” fantasy here. It’s practical. Structured. Focused on building long-term income through fiction publishing—using the exact playbook Karla refined through trial, error, and real-life experience.But more importantly, Karla’s brand is human. She openly talks about the emotional rollercoaster of writing your first book. The imposter syndrome. The fear of “who’s even going to read this?” And that relatability has struck a nerve with her audience.
Of course, with success comes copycats. And critics.
As Fiction Profits Academy’s visibility grew, so did the inevitable swarm of “reviews,” SEO vultures, and blog posts questioning its legitimacy. Google “Fiction Profits Academy scam” and you’ll see it. But this isn’t unique. Any online platform that reaches a certain size gets this treatment.
Karla’s response has been refreshingly old-school: focus on quality. Be transparent. Let results speak louder than noise. Fiction Profits Academy’s official site doesn’t hide behind vague promises. You’ll find curriculum breakdowns, real student stories, and even a proprietary software suite designed to simplify the publishing process.
They’re also active on YouTube, regularly dropping free content that demystifies the self-publishing world—without turning it into a “get rich quick” scheme.
So, what’s next?
Karla’s vision is clear: she wants Fiction Profits Academy to be the go-to hub for aspiring fiction authors who want more than just “how-to” videos. She’s expanding the platform, integrating AI tools to help writers streamline their creative process, and continuing to build a global community of supportive, like-minded authors.But don’t expect Fiction Profits Academy to chase every new trend. Karla’s built her brand on patience, process, and the belief that storytelling still matters. While others are busy selling hype, she’s doubling down on systems that actually help people succeed.
Bottom line?
If you’re hoping to get rich overnight, this probably isn’t for you. But if you’re serious about turning your love for stories into a legitimate side income—or even a full-time gig—Karla Marie might just be the mentor you didn’t know you needed.And in a content economy drowning in fluff, that’s worth paying attention to.
For more info, visit fictionprofitsacademy.com.