Glee Made Me a Millionaire: How Fandom Psychology Turned Chaos into a Career

What if I told you that fandom psychology—not luck or traditional marketing—made me a millionaire author? No, I wasn’t cast on Glee (though I’d have crushed a Cheerios solo). But falling hard into obsessive fandoms taught me how to build a cult following and turn chaos into a thriving author career. That’s the story behind Episode 1 of The Feral Fandoms Podcast.

From Readers to Fandoms: Why Fandom Psychology Creates Obsession that Pays Off

Here’s the truth most author business gurus miss: readers buy books, but fandoms buy everything. When you harness fandom energy, your audience doesn’t just read—they collect merch, join your Patreon, create fan accounts, and turn inside jokes into culture. That’s engineered, not accidental.

• Books, merch, stickers, Patreon tiers, bonus episodes, standees—they want it all.

  
  

• My readers have fake Instagram accounts for my characters (fandom engagement at its wildest).

  
  

How Fandom Saved Me: Burnout, Obsession, and a New Path

After my YA career fizzled, I was a burned-out nurse writing novels on the side. I almost quit—until fandom saved me. The Kurt/Blaine fandom on Tumblr led me to Sterek, Destiel, K-pop, and a crash course in obsession psychology. People don’t remember just “good books”—they remember characters they become feral over.

• I wrote a series about seven gay psychopaths, leaned into obsession-worthy details, and built a fandom empire.

  
  

• In five years: from 32 to 4,000 patrons, a six-figure merch store, and seven-figure author status.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• The difference between readers and fandoms

  
  

• Why obsession beats traditional marketing every time

  
  

• How fandom lingo (ships, OTPs, stanning) can fuel your author brand

  
  

• My full messy origin story—from burnout to fandom architect

  
  

• Why my fandom scares other authors (in the best way)

Why Fandom Psychology Matters for Authors

If you’re frustrated that readers disappear after launch, it’s not your writing—it’s your lack of fandom rituals. Fandoms live, breathe, and defend your characters like they’re real. That’s how you build cult longevity and sustainable creative careers. This podcast is your blueprint for turning books into fandom fuel.

Next Up: K-Pop Fandom Psychology & Fandom Building Secrets

Why K-pop Demon Hunters’ songs slap harder than your ex’s breakup text

• How K-pop parasocial rituals create loyalty

  
  

• What authors can steal from K-pop to build their own fandoms