Viral Pages & Bestseller Dreams — Shanti Hershenson on TikTok, Teen Authorship, and Building a 50,000-Book Empire

In this inspiring episode of Amazing Authorities, host Mitch Carson sits down with Shanti Hershenson — a 17-year-old literary prodigy who has already sold over 50,000 books, all while balancing high school and a thriving creative career.Best known for her viral success on BookTok, Shanti transformed TikTok trends into a powerful marketing machine, proving that Gen Z authors can not only compete — they can dominate. By engaging directly with her readers, offering early eBook discounts, and building loyal fan communities, she’s created a sustainable model for long-term author success.But Shanti’s story goes beyond numbers. Her strategy blends creativity with analytics, community with craft — showing that the future of publishing is both digital and deeply personal. From mastering TikTok to preparing for audiobook expansion and college applications, her journey is a masterclass in passion, discipline, and innovation.In this episode, Mitch and Shanti unpack:📱 How TikTok fueled 50,000 book sales and built a loyal Gen Z readership💸 Why discounting eBooks early can accelerate long-term growth🎧 The hidden 20% revenue boost waiting in audiobook production📚 How ARC readers and authentic reviews drive real sales momentum🎨 Why professional editing and design matter for indie success🎙️ The future of fiction marketing — from Patreon to AI narrationShanti’s approach proves that young voices can lead the next wave of publishing — one viral post, one authentic connection, and one great story at a time.🌍 Learn More About Shanti Hershenson:📘 Books: Available on Amazon📱 TikTok: @shantihershenson💌 Patreon: patreon.com/shantihershenson----------If you like this episode, don't forget to check the following links: You can schedule a strategy call with me using this link: https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/meetwithmitch⁠⁠ If you want to be a podcast guest, you can apply here: https://www.getinterviewedguaranteed.com/podcastguest You can find me here:https://www.mitchcarson.com/⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/MitchCarsonOfficial/⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/mitchcarsonofficial/⁠⁠https://www.twitter.com/MCarsonOfficial/⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/mitchcarsoninstantcelebrity/⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/@MitchCarsonOfficial⁠⁠ My Amazon Book Links:The Amazing Authors of Singapore: https://a.co/d/cp9KjC1The Silent Salesmen: https://a.co/d/b4eqa2D If you're serious about publishing and selling more books on Amazon, you need the right data.That’s why I use Publisher Rocket—it’s like having a book marketing expert in your pocket:https://mitchauthor--rocket.thrivecart.com/publisher-rocket-mitch-author/5e8f51fc1dd46/