I love hearing from authors like Dale L Roberts that have left their mark on the self-publishing ecosystem. I recently began interviewing authors. You can see my interviews on YouTube, Substack, or read about them on my website.

When I sat down with Dale L Roberts for our latest author interview, I wasn’t sure what to expect. This is a guy with two massive YouTube channels (over 125,000 combined subscribers!), 50+ published books, and 40 book awards. Not intimidating at all.

But within minutes, Dale’s down-to-earth personality shined through, and our conversation flowed naturally as we covered everything from his unexpected journey into self-publishing to his current Kickstarter campaign and future pivot to fiction writing.

Timestamps:

• 00:00 – Introduction to Dale L. Roberts
• 03:30 – From healthcare to wrestling to publishing
• 10:20 – YouTube success through consistency (114 daily uploads!)
• 16:05 – Advice for camera-shy authors
• 25:48 – The heart decision: pivoting to fiction writing
• 31:10 – Kickstarter campaign details
• 44:50 – Building community and connecting with readers
• 48:00 – Meet Dale’s cat!

Dale L Roberts on How It Started

Dale’s path to publishing success wasn’t exactly conventional. Before becoming a self-publishing powerhouse, he worked in healthcare, tried his hand as a personal trainer, and even spent time as a professional wrestler! (Yes, really!)

“The bad news is, unfortunately, pro wrestling was not something my body was made for,” Dale shared.

His pivot to writing came from an unexpected challenge from his corporate wellness coach: “Write a book about health and fitness.” That single suggestion awakened his childhood dream of becoming an author.

After publishing his first fitness book and receiving a CreateSpace royalty check for just over $20, Dale saw the potential. “Blood in the water,” he joked. “I’m like, oh, if I can do this full time, what can I be able to accomplish then?”

The YouTube Evolution

Dale’s YouTube journey began simply as a way to answer common author questions and avoid repetitive emails. But in June 2017, something clicked, and he decided to go all-in. What followed was an incredible display of consistency:

“I did 114 days straight of uploads. Every day.”

This marathon of content creation helped him find his voice, improve his efficiency, and discover what resonated with his audience. Though he doesn’t recommend this extreme approach to everyone, the experience laid the foundation for his channel’s explosive growth from 2018-2020.

Overcoming Video Fears

When I asked what advice he’d give authors afraid to put their face on camera, Dale had a thoughtful response. As someone who identifies as an introvert (which surprised me!), he understands the hesitation.

“When you can see the whites of someone’s eyes, you can trust them,” he explained. “I feel like human connection comes when you can put yourself in front of other people and be vulnerable and raw.”

His suggestion for camera-shy authors? Start by recording yourself privately, like a video journal. Then maybe try a livestream (which removes the temptation for endless retakes). The important thing is to push past that initial fear.

“Don’t allow the negative internal thought to stifle what you could bring to the table,” he emphasized. “Think about the lives that you will positively impact.”

Dale L Roberts Calls it “A Heart Decision”

Perhaps the most inspiring part of our conversation was Dale’s decision to close this chapter of his non-fiction career with “The Final Three” Kickstarter campaign for his updated self-publishing books. After this, he’s diving fully into fiction writing—specifically sci-fi horror.

“I’m getting to this age, 49 years old… I need to make this decision now,” he explained. “The little kid in me wants to finally realize that boyhood dream, to be a fiction author, to be a full-time author.”

I’m always inspired by authors and their tenacity in trying new things. Dale is following his heart even when it means leaving a profitable niche he’s dominated for years.

The Final Three Kickstarter

Dale’s Kickstarter campaign blew past its initial $5,000 goal in just 54 minutes(!) and is now approaching $17,000. The campaign features hardcover editions of his final three self-publishing books with beautiful details like gold foiling, sprayed edges, and orange ribbon bookmarks.

There’s still one week left to back the campaign, which includes various perks including an enamel pin saying “Support Indie Authors” (unlocked as a stretch goal). For aspiring authors, there’s even group coaching available.

Learn more at dalelinks.com/kickstarter.

Final Thoughts

As a small YouTube creator myself (around 300 subscribers), I found Dale L Roberts willingness to share both struggles and successes incredibly refreshing. He reminded me that comparison truly is the thief of joy, and that consistency over time is what builds a sustainable author career.

Most importantly, he emphasized that it’s never too late to pursue your creative dreams, even if it means making a significant pivot:

Focus on just my stuff and my own business because eventually things are going to take off the way it should.

Learn more about Dale:

• Website
• YouTube
• Podcast / YouTube
• Kickstarter

Also mentioned in the video:

• Kelli Roberts YouTube – Auggie and Allie make special appearances!
• Jane Friedman’s newsletter (highly recommended by Dale for industry updates)
• Nate Gillick from Laterpress (source for publishing information)
• OBS (Open Broadcaster Software) for desktop streaming
• Author Nation conference in Las Vegas (where Dale will be speaking in November)