Podcasts about indie publishing

Johnny B. Truant is one of indie publishing's early authorities, having created and co-hosted the original Self Publishing Podcast with Sean Platt and David Wright. He is also the author of the indie cornerstone guide Write. Publish. Repeat, and hosted the Smarter Artist Summit author conference in Austin, Texas from 2015-2018 with the same two partners. Johnny joins us to talk about his upcoming project, The Artisan Author, and how authors can thrive and become bulletproof in the age of over-production and AI.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Should you set up your publishing company as a hybrid publisher? To help answer that question, Broad Book Group's co-founder Dr. Jennifer Dorsey joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about how they formed their hybrid publishing business, including how they set up contracts with authors, how they handle book distribution, how they decided what types of marketing services to offer, and much more!PARTICIPANTSDr. Jennifer Dorsey has worked in book publishing for over 25 years and is a founding partner of Broad Book Group and publisher of Broad Book Press. Specializing in nonfiction, she has worked for both small presses and large national publishers in the history, tech, lifestyle, self-help, business, and professional development categories. In addition to working in the business side of publishing, she has also co-authored, revised, and ghostwritten books in the medical, business, and personal growth categories. She is a graduate of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College and earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in rhetoric and composition at Saint Louis University.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Learn more about Broad Book Group here: www.broadbookpress.comLearn more about Dr. Jen Dorsey here: www.drjendorsey.comCheck out Dr. Dorsey's book, From Pitch to Print: A Nonfiction Writer's 10-Step Plan to Getting Published here: https://www.drjendorsey.com/get-my-bookCheck out the IBPA Hybrid Publisher Criteria here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/hybridpublisherFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/Follow Broad Book Group and Dr. Jen Dorsey here:@broadbookgroup@drjenniferdorsey 

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dale L. Roberts talks with J. Kevin Tumlinson about building a personal author brand that attracts loyal readers. They explain why branding is about human connection rather than logos, how your mindset can shape your writing career, and how to create a brand that grows with you. The conversation includes practical tips on finding your voice, taking smart risks, and building long-term relationships with your audience. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale's inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. You can find Dale on his website or YouTube. About the Guest J. Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning, bestselling thriller author and seasoned podcaster known as the Voice of Indie Publishing. With a background in film, TV, and radio, he's helped thousands of authors build self-publishing careers while traveling the world with his wife, Kara. His debut novel, The Coelho Medallion, won a 2016 Shelf Notable Indie award, and his passion for history, archaeology, and science fuels both his fiction and his public speaking. Kevin is also the former host of the Wordslinger Podcast and co-host of Writers, Ink, regularly working from coffee shops and hotel lobbies across the globe.

Welcome to the Kobo ReWriting Life Podcast! Alongside your regularly scheduled Kobo Writing Life podcast episode releases, we will also be featuring some highlights from our backlist. This episode features two former Kobo employees, Simon Collinson and Ben Dugas! These two experts share everything authors need to know about EPUBs and eBook files, and offer some great advice to indie authors looking to avoid common formatting and file-making errors. Join Chrissy as she sits down with EPUB experts Simon Collinson and Ben Dugas from Kobo. They teach us everything we need to know about eBook files. They explain the different types of EPUB files, the tools available to authors to make their own EPUBs and common errors to watch out when creating your own file. They also discuss the future of eBooks and accessibility. In this episode: Simon and Ben tell us what the difference between different EPUB formats is. Simon talks about the different ways authors can go about creating their own EPUB files. Ben chats about the common issues he encounters when looking at EPUB files. Ben recommends trying out your EPUB on different devices to make sure it will be readable on all platforms. They talk about accessibility and the future they see for EPUBs. And much more!

James Blatch is a founder of The Self Publishing Show live as well as the course platform Learn Self Publishing, the podcast Indie Writers Club and the book discount mailing list, Hello Books. Somehow, between wearing all those hats, he manages to author cold war military thrillers! He's joining us to talk about The Self Publishing Show Live's annual conference that took place in London and what authors took from the event!//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

BookCovers.com is the premiere marketplace for professionally designed premade book covers. In today's episode, we'll cover everything from how to choose the right cover for your book, to how to work with a professional cover artist, to how much you should expect to pay for your cover art. And if you happen to be a cover artist, or know one, we'll explore how to set up your very own storefront at BookCovers.com. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

K.R.S. McEntire joins C. M. Lockhart on the Written Melanin Podcast to discuss her journey as an indie author, the challenges of writing diverse YA fantasy, the importance of community, and her various projects that amplify diverse voices in speculative fiction.00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:48 K.R.S. McEntire's Writing Journey06:31 The Importance of Community and Collaboration14:03 Navigating Indie Publishing and Marketing22:23 Launching a New Website for YA Indie Books23:43 Building Community and Amplifying Voices27:57 Navigating the Bookish Community38:10 Advice for Aspiring Authors-K.R.S. McEntire

The 17th annual Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale is upon us! This is a chance for authors to get the most bang for their buck while traffic is increased at Smashwords. The D2D team discusses tips and tricks to get the most out of your advertising efforts and maximize results.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Steffanie Holmes, writing as Steff Green, has come a long way, from publishing her first book with a homemade cover, to building a career as a six-figure bestselling author. The author behind https://www.rageagainstthemanuscript.com joins us in today's pre-recorded episode to talk about perseverance and getting to the miracle moment in your career that changes everything.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Advertising on Google, Facebook, Instagram, and various social media sites can be exceptional exposure for your books and possibly lead to more sales, but which platforms are better for garnering sales as compared to visibility, and what types of images and copy work best for each site? Also, how long is the ideal time to run an ad? Ingram Content Group's Senior Manager, Consumer Products & Services Development Erin Cox visits “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to answer these questions and more!PARTICIPANTSErin Cox has almost two decades of marketing and development experience, primarily in the book industry. She previously worked with Simon & Schuster and Macmillan, was the director of development for World Book Night U.S., and has a master's degree in publishing from New York University. When Erin relocated to Nashville a few years ago, she experienced the other end of the marketing process while working at Parnassus Books. Since then, she's joined Ingram Content Group to help launch a consumer marketing services program for publishers.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,900 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Learn more about how to get a discount on Google, Facebook, and Instagram advertising through the Ingram ID IBPA member benefit at https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/ingramidFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

It's been too long since Megan and Mark joined Jim to talk about the work our promotions team does at Draft2Digital. If you have questions about how you can promote your book, and how D2D can help you, be sure to join us live with your questions! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Authors often ask us for our advice about publishing models and whether traditional is better, or worse, than indie/self publishing. So this week, we're bringing you an interview with writer and podcaster, Matty Dalrymple. Matty also happens to be the Campaigns Manager for ALLi (the Alliance of Independent Authors) and she takes us through what she calls the ABCs of the traditional and indie publishing paths. This interview isn't meant to sway you in one director or another. Rather, we want to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each path, and of course, we want let you know that whichever one you choose, ALLi is an invaluable source of information - much of which is free! - V. For access to writing templates and worksheets, and more than 70 hours of training (all for free), subscribe to Valerie's Inner Circle.To learn to read like a writer, visit Melanie's website.Follow Valerie on Instagram and Threads @valerie_francisFollow Melanie on X, Instagram and Facebook @MelanieHillAuthor

Send us a text! We'd love to hear your thoughts on the show.In this heartwarming and insightful episode, I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Matty Dalrymple—thriller author, podcaster, speaker, and indie publishing pro. Matty's not only the writer behind the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, but also a passionate advocate for the power of short fiction—and trust me, she has so much wisdom to share.We kick things off with Matty's love of all things nautical (yes, even boat-watching on vacation!), and quickly dive into how she first began writing short fiction. What started as a way to keep her readers engaged between novels quickly turned into a cornerstone of her writing life. Matty's “snippets” from the Ann Kinnear universe are fan favorites—and she now has a growing collection of suspenseful short reads that offer bite-sized thrills and deep character moments.Matty walks us through the practical side of indie publishing short fiction, sharing tips on affordable cover design, working with beta readers, and even bringing her stories to life through audio narration. Her approach is smart, approachable, and encouraging—perfect for writers who want to do more without burning out or breaking the bank.One of my favorite parts of our conversation? Hearing how short fiction can act as a creative refresh. Whether she's exploring a quirky character like Garak Mazur (Ann's ghostly, curmudgeonly mentor) or experimenting with settings and ideas that don't quite fit a full novel, Matty embraces short stories as a playful way to stay inspired—and sometimes, they even lead to new books she hadn't planned on writing!And if you've ever wondered whether there's a real market for short fiction? Matty's answer is a resounding yes. Her short stories continue to sell (even with minimal promotion!), and they've become an unexpected income stream as well as a way to keep her readers excited and engaged.We wrap up with encouragement for any writer who's curious about short fiction but unsure where to start. Matty's advice? Don't overthink it—just try it out. A short story can be a creative experiment, a reader gift, or even a new path forward in your writing career.Tune in and fall in love with the possibilities of short fiction, all over again

Alessandra Torre is a New York Times bestselling author who has sold more than 2M books and publishes romance under the name Alessandra Torre and domestic suspense under the name AR Torre. She is also the co-founder of Inkers Con, a digital conference for indie authors looking to progress their careers. Alessandra joins us to take her experience as a bestselling author and conference organizer to talk about the 5 things she thinks authors need to know. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Send us a textHannah and Laura are still on Indie Intermission and covering the second half of They Came in the Night by Ravi Novais! This book is a total romp with some great characters and LOTS of spice. Hannah and Laura also chat about some amazing YA books, a very mysterious author, complications in documentaries, and another unique movie double feature.**This episode contains SPOILERS for They Came in the Night by Ravi Novais. Spoiler section begins at: 49 min 10 secs.***CW for the episode: discussions of neurodivergence, developmental disabilities, violence, blood, gore, sex, abusive relationships, vampires, mental illness, sexism, misogyny, nepotism, death, murder**Media Mentions:They Came in the Night by Ravi NovaisStrange Pictures by UketsuPersepolis by Marjane SatrapiMickey17---HBOMaxLove on the Spectrum---NetflixTalk To Me Sis podcastGood Hang podcastRaybearer by Jordan IfuekoRedemptor by Jordan IfuekoThe Maid and the Crocodile by Jordan IfuekoNamina Forna's worksAsunder by Kerstin HallGone Girl by Gillian FlynnGone Girl---AppleTVBridgerton---NetflixSleeping with the Enemy---HuluBe sure to follow OWWR Pod!www.owwrpod.com Twitter (updates only): @OwwrPodBlueSky: @OwwrPodTikTok: @OwwrPodInstagram: @owwrpodThreads: @OwwrPodHive: @owwrpodSend us an email at: owwrpod@gmail.comCheck out OWWR Patreon: patreon.com/owwrpodOr join OWWR Discord! We'd love to chat with you!You can follow Hannah at:Instagram: @brews.and.booksThreads: @brews.and.booksTikTok: @brews.and.booksYou can follow Laura at:Instagram: @goodbooksgreatgoatsBlueSky: @myyypod

You might know Roland Denzel as a health coach, nutritionist, and restorative exercise specialist, but the truth is Roland has always been, at heart, an author first. Roland created The Indestructible Author in to help authors just like you be more productive and write more books, all while staying healthy, happy, and sane. Today, he joins us to talk about how nutrition can give authors an edge, break through blocks, and write more words.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

In season 4, episode 174, we discuss the pulled NEA grants and what this means for indie publishing.Visit our website at https://www.tbrlowdown.com to see our show notes, join our Discord, book club, and subscribe to our Substack newsletters.

We have a Summer Break Flashback this week! This felt important given all the information I've been seeing on how tariffs will affect indie boardgame publishers.Kervin of For Why Games joins Natalie to talk about his experiences advocating for diversity within board game development. He explains the steps and measures he took to create his first game, Allow Me to Mansplain and the ways he intentionally crafted rules and gameplay to foster discussions around the concept of mansplaining. The episode also dives into what is currently taken into consideration when it comes to diversity in game creation and where we need to head next to make sure gaming is a welcoming place for everyone. Natalie and Kervin also share their personal experiences of wanting a safe, diverse community to play games with and what it's like when you're having a hard time finding it or you're not being heard when explaining why the current situation isn't making you feel safe and welcomed.Make sure you have subscribed to us on Patreon! (currently running a free trial on all tiers) It is the only place where you can find our new variety series, The Misogyny Meltdown! There will be comedy, creativity, and a lot of melting down in each episode. January covered the Misogynist of the Year award ceremony, February is all about love.Follow us at @menivetoleratedpod on Instagram! All ways to support the show can be found at https://linktr.ee/menivetoleratedpod. Join the newsletter so you never miss any update we have on Team Tolerator!Find KervinPurchase Allow Me to Mansplain: https://www.forwhygames.com/Follow Kervin on Tiktok: @forwhygames.flan

Understanding reader habits can help independent publishers and author-publishers improve their book marketing strategies, hopefully boosting book sales. With over 550,000 readers on the popular digital review copy platform NetGalley, their team has collected invaluable data about reader's preferences, so NetGalley's Customer Success Manager Katie Versluis and Social Media Manager Hallie Fields join “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss where readers say they discover books, the social media platforms that readers tend to share their book recommendations on the most, tips for how publishers can garner reviews, and much more.PARTICIPANTSKatie Versluis is a customer success manager at NetGalley. She works closely with authors and publishers of all shapes and sizes, helping their books reach the hands of passionate book advocates and industry professionals. She is a graduate of Brock University and Humber College's Creative Book Publishing Program.Hallie Fields is the Social Media Manager at NetGalley, a service that helps publishers and authors promote digital review copies to book advocates and industry professionals. Hallie specializes in fostering community and connecting with NetGalley members, including reviewers, booksellers, librarians, educators, media/journalists, and other book trade professionals. She is a former librarian and a graduate of UNC-Greensboro's Library and Information Science MLIS program.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/Learn more about the IBPA NetGalley Program at https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/netgalleyFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Robert J. Sawyer, lovingly dubbed Canada's Dean of Science Fiction by the Ottawa Citizen, joins us to talk about how the sci fi industry has changed over the years, and how to use themes to craft a story readers will connect with.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Alda Sigmundsdóttir is a journalist, author, and independent publisher who has built a thriving literary life outside the traditional system. From blogging about Iceland to launching her own press, Alda has published over 11 books and grown a loyal global readership—while staying in full control of her creative work.We discuss: Alda's early writing career and transition to self-publishingWhat she learned from being traditionally publishedThe freedom and responsibility of going indieHow she built and nurtured a global readershipHer approach to writing about people, culture, and the pastLessons from promoting across genres and writing memoirMindset shifts and skills that supported her success *ABOUT ALDA SIGMUNDSDÓTTIRAlda Sigmundsdóttir is a writer, speaker, and independent publisher based in Reykjavík, Iceland. She's the author of over 10 books exploring Icelandic culture and society, and the memoir Daughter. She writes two popular Substack newsletters (Letter from Iceland and The Recovery Salon), runs her own publishing house (Little Books Publishing), and teaches a course on going indie.*RESOURCES & LINKS:

Cameron Sutter is a sci-fi/fantasy author and the inventor of Plottr – the popular visual story planning software. Many authors have used Plottr to outline and flesh out their book creation process. Now, Cameron joins us to talk about Storysnap, a tool he designed to help authors create story bibles and streamline their creative process. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Rachel Rener isn't just a writer of modern romantasy books featuring powerful-yet-flawed heroines, unforgettable magic systems, and smoldering romance. She also finds the time to voice Tana the tiefling on the DnD podcast, Of Dice and Friends, or building community with fantasy lovers like herself. Join us as Mark chats with Rachel about finding your superfans and creating a community as an author and creator.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

The D2D Team is back to answer viewer questions, so tune in to hear the questions on the minds of your fellow authors hosted by Jim and Mark, who always have the answers! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Kevin Tumlinson makes his triumphant return to Self Publishing Insiders! Kevin returns to talk to Jim about Author Anchor and his work helping authors get the most out of virtual author assistants. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

The more independent publishers and their authors work together on their book marketing efforts, the better chance they have of selling more books. One of the main focuses of independent publisher Wordeee is figuring out how to leverage the relationships that their authors already have to maximize the reach of their book marketing efforts. Wordeee CEO Marva Allen and COO Patrice Samara join “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share the interesting book marketing tactics they employ with their authors, partnerships they've created for the film and audiobook rights of their books, and more.PARTICIPANTSMARVA ALLEN, CEO WORDEEEMs. Allen was president and co-owner of USI, a multi-million-dollar technology firm that was thrice nominated for the Ernst & Young Entrepreneurship Award. She is the recipient of numerous business awards, including the IBM & Kodak Excellence Awards, and was named a Crain's 40 Under 40 Awardee for significantly achieving in business before her 40th birthday. Allen was a nominee for the Top 100 Most Influential Women in Michigan. She holds a BSN from SGI in England; a B.S in Biology from the University of Michigan; and an M.S. in Health & Business Administration. As a noted book subject matter expert, Allen has been the 'go to‘ person for books for NPR, NBC, and was the on-air book contributor and commentator for Arise TV. She has been featured in the New York Times, NYSE Diversity Magazine (she rang the closing bell for Wall Street), Time Out, and various other magazines and periodicals. She spearheaded the First Literary Festival in Anguilla and hosted major events for Toni Morrison, President Bill Clinton, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and Maya Angelou, among many others. She consults with celebrities and high-profile authors who want out-of-the-box thinking on marketing, promoting, and selling their books.Ms. Allen is also the author of several books, including If I should Die Tonight; Camouflage; Protégée; and The Pianist and Min Jade under the nom de plume, C.C. AvramPATRICE SAMARA, COOA veteran entrepreneur in the communications, media and entertainment industries, Emmy, Parent's Choice, and Cine Golden-Eagle-winner Samara brings global business skills and relationships that play heavily into Wordeee's marketing and growth. An author and publisher, she has keen insight into the day-to-day operations of a myriad of successful public, private, and non-profit organizations in her forty-year career.Ms. Samara has worked in over fifty countries, has twice been an NGO Representative to the United Nations, and was the Senior Media Advisor to the 61st President of the UN General Assembly.A cross-cultural specialist, she is the author of seven Alphabet Kids children's books, a multicultural series celebrating the similarities and applauding the differences in all of us.She is also the co-author with Marva Allen of North Star, North Star, an aspirational children's book fostering community and inspiring children to be the best they can be.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membershipLearn more about Wordeee at https://www.wordeee.com/Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Russell Nohelty is a USA Today bestselling fantasy and non-fiction author, publisher of Wannabe Press, co-host of the Kickstart Your Book Sales & Six Figure Author Experiment podcasts, and cofounder of the Writer MBA conference & The Future of Publishing Mastermind. He also co-created the Author Ecosystem archetype, a system he co-created to help authors embrace their natural tendencies to find success.Russell Nohelty joins us to talk about where craft & commerce meet in your author career and how to find both creative and commercial fulfillment with your writing.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Send us a textToday's guest is Rosie Meleady, Irish author and my first cousin once removed!  Rosie is currently having a fabulous midlife crisis in Italy, running women's writing retreats in Italy twice a year, and hosting women solo travellers and creatives in her Umbrian villa guest house. She writes humorous living memoir and humorous fiction. Through this conversation, you'll better understand Rosie's journey as both an independent and traditionally published author, her process for writing ‘living memoir' (or ‘reality TV in book form', as she calls it), and the advice she has for new authors. You'll also learn why your new favourite creative hobby could be eavesdropping. I'm all about interesting projects with interesting people! Let's Connect on the web or via Instagram. :)

Tawdra Kandle is a USA Today bestselling romance author who loves to plan and run conferences when she's not spinning love stories! Tawdra is joining us to share her insights from her latest column, Smart Marketing for Savvy Authors, where she talks about making the most of your opportunities at events and conferences. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

It's been three years since we shook up the indie publishing industry and merged Draft2Digital and Smashwords into one big player in the indie space. Now that we've had three years and most authors have been migrated into Draft2Digital, Kris Austin and Mark Coker join Jim to look back on the last three years and forward to our plans to come. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Douglas Vigliotti authored "Aristotle for Novelists" with the intention of adapting the timeless principles of Aristotle's Poetics in a way tailored to the needs of novelists. He joins us on this week's Self Publishing Insiders to reflect on how these philosophical lessons can benefit authors looking to improve in their craft.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

In this episode, we are joined by Wendy, Cheryl, and Trudi from the Self-Publishing Authors Podcast! Having been in the self-publishing industry since 2013, these authors know all about the indie author journey and then some. Between Wendy, Cheryl, Trudi, and Shar, they have published over 140 books and sold millions of copies of their titles. It was great to hear from the SPA Girls and get into how the self-publishing industry has evolved over time together. We spoke about the SPA Girls' own self-publishing journeys, learned more about their podcast, heard about the “early days” of self-publishing, got into how their work and the indie publishing industry has changed over the last decade, were given some great marketing advice, and much more! This episode is full of great insights for both beginner and veteran authors alike from a wonderful group of experts. Don't miss out on listening in. Find out more at The Self-Publishing Authors Podcast website.

To set your books and audiobooks up for the best chance at success, you need to make your titles available to purchase in as many retail outlets as possible. Author and book publishing consultant Erin Wright joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share her expertise about the most effective methods to distribute books and audiobooks to as many retail sites as possible, including details about how to best use IngramSpark, Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, Author's Republic, Bookvault, and more for your publishing goals.PARTICIPANTSErin Wright is a full-time contemporary western romance author, but unless you're a fan of sexy cowboys, you've probably heard of her instead because of her work in the Wide for the Win Facebook group. She conned Suzie O'Connell (close writing friend and fellow cowboy romance author) into co-founding the Facebook group back in March of 2019, and has been avoiding writing books by posting in the group ever since. If you're thinking about going Wide, or if you're already Wide and just want to connect with other Widelings, be sure to come join Erin in the largest group on the internet for Wide authors. She'd be thrilled to have you!Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membershipMake sure to connect with Erin for her consulting at work https://erinwright.net/consulting and https://erinwright.net/authors, as well as in the Wide for the Win Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/wideforthewinFollow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/Follow Erin on:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@erinwrightLVFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pg/AuthorErinWrightPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/erinwrightbooksTwitter: https://twitter.com/erinwrightlvBookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/erin-wrightInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorerinwrightGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/erinwright

Draft2Digital has grown a lot over the years, expanding with new tools and services for authors to take advantage of. The D2D team is here to talk through some of our popular and lesser known tools, and answer questions you might have about the services D2D provides.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

You've spent months (or years) writing your book, and now you're ready to publish—but how? Traditional publishing, self-publishing, hybrid publishing... and now indie publishing?Indie publishing is a rising path for authors who want creative control, professional support, and higher royalties—but how does it differ from self-publishing? And is it really the best choice for your book?In this episode, we're breaking down everything you need to know about indie publishing so you can decide if it's the right path for you.BY THE TIME YOU FINISH LISTENING, YOU'LL LEARN:The key differences between indie publishing and self-publishingHow indie authors retain creative control while accessing professional supportThe financial trade-offs of indie publishing vs. traditional publishingThe red flags to watch out for when choosing an indie publisherIf you're considering publishing your book this year, this episode is a must-listen!Stay tuned until the end, where I'll share my top tips for vetting indie publishers and avoiding common mistakes.Submit a Question. Ask a question to be featured on the podcast. Ask HereLiked this episode? Share it and tag us on Instagram @juxtabkLove the show? Leave a review and let us know!CONNECT WITH US: Website | Instagram | Facebook

In this weekly update, Steve discusses his reading journey, the challenges of managing time for reading, and the complexities of various narratives. He shares insights on community engagement through book discussions, his experiences with different genres, and reflections on the works of Cormac McCarthy. The conversation also touches on the evolving landscape of publishing, the impact of AI on literature, and the nostalgia of revisiting classic comics.Send us a messageSupport the showFilm Chewing Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/2235582/followLens Chewing on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@lenschewingSpeculative Speculations: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/speculative-speculationsSupport the podcast: https://www.paypal.com/ncp/payment/7EQ7XWFUP6K9EJoin Riverside.fm: https://riverside.fm/?via=steve-l

Becca Syme (MATL) is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has individually coached more than 5000 authors at all levels. She is the author of the Quitbooks for Writers series and the popular Write Better-Faster course, and the host of the Quitcast for Writers podcast and YouTube channel. She also writes mystery novels and lives on one of the thousand lakes in Minnesota. Becca Syme, founder of The Better-Faster Academy joins us to help you get past whatever's keeping you from writing better faster stories.//Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

In this episode of the SeerNova Podcast, we dive into the world of indie comics, paranormal audio dramas, and self-publishing with Steve Honeycutt, the creator behind Escape to Earth and Ray Can't Sleep. Steve, an LA-based writer, actor, and producer, shares his journey from working with Disney, Universal Studios, and Netflix to launching his sci-fi action comics and fiction podcasts.

In this episode of "Eternally Amy," Amy Liz Harrison reflects on her journey in indie publishing versus traditional publishing, tied deeply with her personal journey through grad school and beyond. Amy dives into her experiences with both self-publishing and traditional publishing, offering listeners an honest and heartfelt exploration of the choices and challenges she encountered along the way.Key Points: Exploring Indie vs. Traditional Publishing: Amy articulates the distinctions between self-publishing and traditional publishing, sharing insights from her personal experiences and grad school learnings. The Journey of Self-Discovery: Delving into her background, Amy talks about her transformation from focusing on motherhood to rediscovering her passion for writing, emphasizing the liberating experience of creative control. Navigating the Publishing Landscape: Discusses attending author conferences and the wealth of information available to those looking to publish their work, emphasizing empowerment through education. Balancing Act: Amy captures the dynamics of maintaining creative authenticity while exploring business-driven aspects of publishing. Personal Growth and ADHD: Touches on how ADHD shapes her creative process and learning journey, advocating for embracing one's unique strengths and interests. The Power of Community: Highlights the significance of connecting with other authors and leveraging shared knowledge to move forward in self-publishing. Making Informed Decisions: Encourages listeners to consider their priorities and goals in publishing, understanding that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Closing Thoughts: Amy concludes with the notion of self-publishing as a form of self-expression and empowerment, urging authors to trust their instincts and adapt along their unique journeys.Hosted by Amy Liz HarrisonBuy Amy's Books:https://amzn.to/3ys8nuvhttp://amylizharrison.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts:https://apple.co/3Lgxy8FSubscribe on Spotify:https://spoti.fi/3vHHHoi#EternallyAmy #IndiePublishing #TraditionalPublishing #AuthorJourney #CreativeControl #PersonalGrowth #ADHD #Community #SelfDiscovery #WritingJourney #Empowerment #BeKindRewind

Missed it live? Now you can watch or listen anytime!Our latest episode of The Writing Community Chat Show is now available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts, and trust us, you don't want to miss this one!We sat down with T.J. (Tim) McKay, author of The Fall of Selvandrea: A Dark Flintlock Fantasy (The Draemeir Chronicle Book 1), editor, and part-time writing professor. We talked about his journey as an indie author, his background in history and theology, and how it all feeds into his writing.What We Covered in the Episode:✅ His journey from pastor to indie author

O'Cyrus is the Founder of Ocyrus Ink Publishing and Host of The Author Lounge podcast. He joins us to talk about how writers can be using their time and talents to build a better author career. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Jelani Memory (of DK Publishing and A Kid's Co) is back to talk about The Workshop Method, how Kid's Co is able to get subject matter experts to write quality kidlit, often in under a day. With over 200 books under their belt that have been created through the Method, it's a proven successful way to get words on pages to help kids learn.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

Lover of fairytales, folklore, and mythology, Ines Johnson spends her days reimagining the stories of old in a modern world. She's recently completed a Kickstarter for Page Turner Pacing, an experience designed to help authors write bingeable books readers can't put down, and she joins us to share some tips on crafting a well-paced story. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career//  Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor worldwide. We'll convert your manuscript, distribute it online, and support you the whole way—and we won't charge you a dime.  We take a small percentage of the royalties for each sale you make through us, so we only make money when you make money. That's the best kind of business plan.  • Get started now: https://draft2digital.com/• Learn the ins, the outs, and the all-arounds of indie publishing from the industry experts on the D2D Blog: https://Draft2Digital.com/blog  • Promote your books with our Universal Book Links from Books2Read: https://books2read.com  Make sure you bookmark https://D2DLive.com for links to live events, and to catch back episodes of the Self Publishing Insiders Podcast.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!If the thought of asking for Amazon reviews makes you break out in hives, you're not alone. But here's the truth: reviews are gold for indie authors. They help boost visibility, credibility, and—most importantly—book sales. The good news? You don't have to beg, bribe, or feel weird about it.In this episode, we're breaking down how indie and self-published authors can ethically and confidently get more Amazon reviews without feeling sleazy or pushy. You'll discover:✔️ Why Amazon reviews matter (and how they impact your book's success)✔️ Creative, no-pressure ways to ask for reviews that actually work✔️ The power of social media, email, and direct outreach in gathering reader feedback✔️ Common mistakes that keep authors stuck (and how to avoid them)✔️ Real-world examples from indie authors who've cracked the code on getting reviewsIf you found this episode helpful, don't forget to follow/subscribe, drop a quick review (see what we did there?), and share it with another writer who's working hard to get their book into the right hands! Awesome Email Templates for AuthorsFrom communicating with your launch team to building relationships with readers, my customizable templates take all the guesswork out of writing emails that turn email subscribers into loyal readers.

Send us a textWhat if everything you've been told about author success is completely wrong?

In this episode of Coaching KidLit, host Sharon Skinner dives into the ins and outs of indie publishing with guest Natalie Wright. Natalie shares her journey from lawyer to successful indie author, discussing her writing process, character development, and the importance of a strong author platform. She offers valuable insights into creating emotionally resonant stories and building an engaged readership. Sharon and Natalie also emphasize the significance of authenticity and deep connection with target readers in both writing and marketing strategies.  

Curious about what it's like to make the switch from writing for TV to writing books? Or maybe you want to learn writing tips from a screenwriter with decades of experience?Either way, you're going to love this episode with Michael Jamin. Michael is a TV writer turned author who just published his collection of personal essays, A Paper Orchestra, in 2023. Since then, his book has won a Reedsy Discovery Editor's Choice Award and has been named one of Vulture's “Best Comedy Books of 2024.”Michael's many credits include writing for King of the Hill, Beavis and Butt-Head, Just Shoot Me, Wilfred, Maron, Rules of Engagement, Out of Practice, Brickleberry, and Tacoma FD. And in this episode, he's sharing what it was like making the switch from writing for TV to writing his first book.In the episode, you'll hear us talk about things like:[03:53] What it was like making the switch from writing for TV to writing his debut memoir—including how Michael's background in TV both helped and hindered his memoir-writing[12:13] The two main reasons Michael's book died on submission—despite having an agent who loved his book (spoiler alert: it came down to not having a platform and his manuscript lacking a throughline)[14:52] Why Michael decided to self-publish, plus what he learned while researching the differences between traditional and indie publishing[18:08] How Michael built his audience on Instagram to almost 200k followers by being authentic and sharing his knowledge[24:17] Michael's two cents on writing comedy, including some of the most common mistakes writers make when trying to write comedyEven if you can't relate to Michael's TV background, you'll still get a ton of value from this episode. He knows what it's like to struggle through your first book—and he's a great example of what happens if you don't give up!

Amazon is still the world's largest bookseller, so naturally, many independent publishers and author publishers want to know how they can succeed on the platform. IBPA is always working to help indie publishers take their businesses to the next level, so we invited Firebrand Technologies' Director of Sales and Education Joshua Tallent as a guest on “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share his expertise. He discusses how the Amazon search algorithms work to garner more exposure for your books, how Amazon sales ranks are calculated, smart strategies for Amazon advertising, and more.PARTICIPANTSJoshua Tallent is the Director of Sales and Education at Firebrand Technologies, where his focus is on helping publishers of all sizes find solutions to their workflow and metadata problems. Joshua's background is deeply rooted in ebook development, metadata, and other publishing technologies, and he is an acclaimed teacher and guide on the role of data in publishing. He serves as the Chair of the BISG Board of Directors and is the host of the BookSmarts Podcast, which features practical discussions and interviews about publishing data and technologies. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys teaching Bible studies, playing complex board games, and fiddling with his home automation system.Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He's also passionate about indie publishing, because he's an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.LINKSLearn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membershipMake sure to check out Firebrand Technologies at:https://firebrandtech.comAlso, check out the BookSmarts Podcast at: https://booksmartspodcast.com/Follow IBPA on:Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonlineX – https://twitter.com/ibpaInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

To indie publish or traditionally publish? That is the question.For years, indie publishing was seen as a fallback for authors who couldn't land a traditional contract. But times have changed. Many indie authors now outsell and out-earn their traditionally published counterparts.And yet, while many traditionally published authors are switching to indie, it's far less common to see a successful indie author sign with a major publisher.What would make an indie author turn down a traditional publishing deal?I spoke with Scott LaPierre, an author and conference speaker, to find out.In this week's episode, we discuss:The biggest myths about traditional publishingHow signing a contract affected book salesTraditional publishing's take on pricing and marketingThe cost of getting your rights back and why it mattersScott gives a first-hand account of working as a traditional and indie author and where he landed after experiencing both routes.If you've ever wondered which path is right for you and your book, listen in or read the blog version of our conversation.Support the show

Editing is an essential process to writing a book. Contrary to what a lot of authors think, there might be several rounds of edits before a book hits the shelves. Today I'm talking with Stacy Juba to get more information about that as well as editing tips for authors, both indie and traditionally published. You can find Stacy Juba's Book Editing Blueprint here: https://katcaldwell.com/blueprintFind her editing masterclass here: https://katcaldwell.com/editing-masterclassFind her line editing magic freebie here: https://katcaldwell.com/line-editingYou can find all of Stacy's courses at https://www.shortcutsforwriters.com/Like Substack? Find me at Lessons In Story. https://lessonsinstory.substack.comSign up for my writers' newsletter to learn more about the craft of writing, know when my workshops are and be the first to get exclusive information on my writing retreats. https://katcaldwell.com/writers-newsletterWant more information on my books, author swaps, short stories and what I'm reading? Sign up for my readers' newsletter. https://storylectory.katcaldwell.com/signup You can always ask me writing questions on instagram @katcaldwell_writing