In 1900 he worked as an associate editor of Suggestion, a New Thought journal, and wrote his first book, Thought-Force in Business and Everyday Life: a series of lessons in personal magnetism, psychic influence, thought-force, concentration, will-power & practical Mental Science.

He soon teamed up with met Sydney Flower, a well-known New Thought publisher and businessman. Assuming the editorship of Flower's popular New Thought magazine from December, 1901 until 1905. His tenure created a huge following for his work with readers clamoring for more and more of his articles. He founded the Psychic Club and the "Atkinson School of Mental Science." Both were located in the same building as Flower's Psychic Research Company and New Thought Publishing Company.

During this time, Atkinson began to explore major religions with a particular interest in Hinduism. He made the acquaintace of Baba Bharata, who was familiar with Atkinson's writings. They both shared similar ideas, which led to collaboration with Bharata providing the material and Atkinson the writing talent. Together they created a series of books penned under the name Yogi Ramacharaka as a measure of their respect for a former teacher. Atkinson wrote about 13 books under this pseudonym. They were published by the Yogi Publication Society in Chicago and reached more people than his New Thought works did. In fact, all the books they created under this pseudonym are still reprinted today, a tribute to their collaboration.