Podcasts about self publishing

How do you know God is actually calling you to write this book? Not "would it be nice." Not "people keep telling me I should." How do you know it is Him?Most of us are waiting for something unmistakable, and while we wait, we walk right past the ways He has been confirming it for years.In this episode CJ and Shelley walk through five signs you can actually look at. The idea that will not leave you. The material you have already been collecting without calling it that. The story that lines up with the message. The people who keep saying the same thing without ever having met each other. And the fifth one, the sign almost nobody counts, which is usually the clearest confirmation of all.No seminary degree required. No platform required.Have a thought on this episode? Share your comments on YouTube here.

Spotify for Authors is rolling out free AI audiobook creation for self-published authors using ElevenLabs, while Canada changes its ISBN rules around AI-generated books and the U.S. Justice Department enters OpenAI's copyright fight with The New York Times. We also revisit the controversial library e-book study after new questions about its methodology, plus several updates from Tertulia for Authors. Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link) AP News: Trump administration backs OpenAI in New York Times' copyright case over training of chatbots - https://apnews.com/article/justice-department-new-york-times-openai-copyright-dbb22e8e02c660ee5a8644915dec39a4 Tania's Writing Realm: ATTENTION CANADIAN AUTHORS / Changes with ISBNs - https://youtu.be/0ijU_tXSgwA?si=q7z_aHe95I7NL84D Government of Canada: About ISBNs - https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/services/publishers/isbn/about.html Spotify for Authors: Turn Your Book Into an Audiobook in Minutes with Spotify for Authors - https://authors.spotify.com/blog/creationtools Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line (subscription required) - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/ Publishers Weekly: Study Says Library E-book Lending Hurts Industry Sales - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/101167-study-says-library-e-book-lending-hurts-industry-sales.html Words & Money: Publishing Industry 'Study' Says Digital Library Lending Is Cannibalizing Retail Sales—Librarians Say It Reveals Something Else - https://www.wordsandmoney.com/publishing-industry-study-suggests-digital-library-lending-is-cannibalizing-retail-sales-librarians-say-it-reveals-something-else/ Readers First: Significant flaw in new library eBook study - https://www.readersfirst.org/news/2026/9/3/significant-flaw-in-new-library-ebook-study Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/TertuliaForAuthors (affiliate link) Tertulia for Authors on Substack - https://tertuliaforauthors.substack.com/ Build a Professional Author Website Easily | Tertulia for Authors - https://youtu.be/F6q_ZvluXLE?si=aI1ziRarimpesKZl Rapid-Fire Newsflash GetCovers - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers (affiliate link) Kindlepreneur: 25+ Best Podcasts for Writers & Self Publishers in 2026 - https://kindlepreneur.com/best-podcasts-for-writers-and-self-publishers Kickstarter: A Book In Hand: Optimizing Print Book Sales - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/markleslie/a-book-in-hand-optimizing-print-book-sales Spoken - https://Spoken.press Authors Guild: Copyright & AI: Best Practices for Authors & Narrators - https://authorsguild.org/event/copyright-ai-best-practices-for-authors-narrators/ Indie Author Training: From First Draft to Launch Day - https://webinars.indieauthortraining.com/talks/from-first-draft-to-launch-day/ The Alliance of Independent Authors: The Future of Self-Publishing: What's Working Now & What's Next - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/selfpubcon2026/ Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Wie eine Agentur Autor:innen bei PR, Booking und Honoraren unterstützt, verraten uns Gisela Thomas und Paula Döring. Sie erklären, wie Presse und Veranstaltungen zusammenspielen und welche Medien und Formate für Bücher und Schreibende sinnvoll sind.Gisela und Paula haben sich als 'die Kulturagentur' zusammengeschlossen und bieten Unterstützung von klassischer Pressearbeit über Lesungs-Booking bis hin zu Management und langfristiger strategischer Betreuung an. Dazu gehört auch, Anfragen zu bündeln und gemeinsam zu entscheiden, wann ein Auftrag sinnvoll ist und wann nicht. Auftraggebende sind oft Verlage, zumal der klassische Buchhandelsmarkt stark darauf ausgerichtet ist. Doch Vera und Tamara wollten natürlich auch wissen, wie es denn mit Angeboten für Selfpublisher aussieht.Neben Einblicken in die Zusammenarbeit zwischen Agentur, Schreibenden und Medien sowie Lese-Locations geben Gisela und Paula im Gespräch auch sehr konkrete Einschätzungen zu Honoraren für Lesungen. © Foto Gisela, Paula: Maya ClaussenLINKS:Unsere Gäste:https://die-kulturagentur.de/ https://www.instagram.com/die.kulturagentur/ https://www.instagram.com/paula.liestPaulas Buchtipp: 'Schön, dass du da warst' von Eva Sichelschmidt https://www.amazon.de/Sch%C3%B6n-dass-warst-hochgradig-tiefmenschliches/dp/3498007572Möchtest du, dass wir dein Buch in unserem Podcast vorstellen? Kein Problem! Sende uns ein kurzes E-Mail an alle@zweivondertalkstelle.de und wir senden dir die Details. Vielleicht erzählen wir unseren Hörerinnen und Hörern schon in der nächsten Episode von deinem Buch.Teile uns deine Wünsche und Anregungen mit unter https://forms.gle/thQ7NcCRqDy8gDDZ7Vielen Dank, dass du unsere Show hörst. Hast du sie schon abonniert? Bitte gib uns auch eine Bewertung, wo immer du uns hörst.Abonniere unseren Buchbubble-Bulletin unter http://eepurl.com/hoJYfDFolge uns: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dzvdt Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dzvdt/

Send us Fan MailWhat if the fastest route to success begins with hearing “no” more often?Andrea Waltz, co-creator of the bestselling Go for No! philosophy, joins Joey Pinz to explain why rejection is not a verdict—it is information. Andrea shares how a district manager's unexpected advice to her husband, Richard Fenton, inspired a book that took ten years to reach number one and eventually sold more than 500,000 copies.The conversation explores why people are biologically wired to fear rejection, how past experiences shape our response to it, and the opportunities we lose when we avoid asking. Andrea also distinguishes courageous persistence from aggressive behavior: “No” is a perfectly acceptable answer, but curiosity and respectful communication can reveal whether it means “not now,” “not this way,” or “never.”Andrea recounts how a last-minute rejection from a major publisher forced her and Richard to become better marketers, improve their book, and build a more successful publishing business. She also explains why failure should produce learning, how AI has changed the balance between outreach quantity and quality, and why action cannot depend on mood.

"It's fine to stay where you're at now, but if you really don't feel aligned and there's something inside you that's like, I need to change, start figuring out what that change needs to be and start, like, making those little micro goals to get to where you wanna be." This week's "At her Career Crossroads" insight comes from Lynn Smargis. Here are 3 reasons why you should listen to this episode: You'll hear how Lynn rebuilt her career more than once, including what she did when the pandemic wiped out 90% of her clients in just seven days and later when AI disrupted her business again. If you're successful but no longer feel aligned with the work you're doing, you'll get a practical exercise to help you start figuring out what you want next—without having to leave your current career before you're ready. You'll hear why self-belief, trusted people around you, and staying open to unexpected opportunities can make a difference when doubt creeps in and you start wondering whether you should go back to what feels safe. Lynn Smargis is the CEO and founder of Write for You Self Publishing, a six-time author, and host of the Self Publishing for Thought Leaders podcast who helps professionals, thought leaders, executives, and consultants turn their expertise into nonfiction books. Connect with Lynn at: Self Publishing for Leaders community on Skool https://www.skool.com/publishing-for-professionals-9809/about Self Publishing for Thought Leaders podcast https://pod.link/1801306827   Would you prefer to watch or listen to the podcast on YouTube?Head on over to https://www.youtube.com/@leadershippurposepodcast   Want to connect? Connect with Dr. Robin on  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robinlowensphd/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/robinlowensphd Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/robinlowensphd/ Email: Robin@LeadershipPurposePodcast.com Thank you for listening! Rate, review, & follow on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast player. Talk to you soon! This episode was produced by Lynda, Podcast Manager for Business Owners at https://www.ljscreativeservices.co.nz

Most writing advice is really time management advice. Find the hour, protect the block, guard the calendar. But you can have the time and still have nothing left to give it.In this short episode from the Hitz Blitz archive, Shelley talks about energy management and why it matters as much as the clock does for writers.

Pellerin Books founders Laura Palmer and Jessie Sullivan on how readers discover books now, where to put your marketing money, and why the quality of the book still decides everything.You'll learnThe rule that quietly decides which authors get a publisher's time, budget and attention.Why the first question about marketing a book is never “how?”How to research your readers and your market without paying for a single tool.The metric that makes an ad campaign look like it is working when nothing is.What a cover and a developmental edit should cost, and the one place never to skimp.Why raising your ad budget too fast makes it perform worse, not better.How subscription reading changed what a sagging middle chapter costs a writer.Whether a publisher actually cares how many followers you have.Three books on writing that between them cover almost everything, and the two-word rule that keeps readers turning pages.Why you cannot keyword your way into a reader's life in the age of AI search.Resources & Links

You finished your first draft. And ever since, you have been telling yourself the same thing. I need to find an editor.Months go by. You Google Christian book editor, scroll through websites, bookmark a few, and never reach out.Editors are not hard to find. There are plenty of them. What nobody has taught you is what kind of help you actually need, and who you can trust with the message God gave you.In this episode I walk you through three steps: name the stage of editing you are at, know that affordable and trusted editors exist, and reach out with your word count and a request for a sample edit.One of our members, Pam, said it plainly. "Through the final draft stage, I was able to self-edit the book more thoroughly and figure out how to hire a professional editor." Notice the order. The self-editing came first.Once you know what you are asking for, and you are choosing from people who have already been vetted, finding an editor stops being a permanent stall and becomes a doable task.If you are already a member, pull up the recommended editor list inside Christian Book Academy and pick one editor to contact this week. If you are not yet a member, you can join us at Christian Book Academy.Have a thought on this episode? Share your comments on YouTube here.

Beschreibung: Melissa Schumacher veröffentlicht seit über zehn Jahren Bücher im Self-Publishing. Mit Indojunkie hat sie den größten Reiseblog über Indonesien aufgebaut und inzwischen zehn Bücher im Eigenverlag herausgebracht. In dieser Episode erzählt sie, wie alles begann: mit einer Doku-Reise durch Sulawesi, einer Crowdfunding-Kampagne und einem ersten Buch, bei dem sie ziemlich schnell lernen musste, dass Gestaltung, Gewicht und Versand sehr viel miteinander zu tun haben. Wir sprechen darüber, was es wirklich bedeutet, ein Buch ohne Verlag zu veröffentlichen, wie Melissa die richtigen Menschen für ihre Projekte gefunden hat und warum ihre Bücher nie im Alleingang entstanden sind. Es geht um das Buch, in das sie rund 30.000 Euro investierte und das nach fünf Monaten break-even war. Und um die Rolle, die ihre Community dabei gespielt hat. Wir gehen aber auch zurück zu dem Punkt, an dem Melissas ganze Geschichte ihren Anfang nahm: zu einer Skoliose-Diagnose mit 19, einem Jahr in Asien vor ihrer Operation und einer Reise, die sie schließlich nach Indonesien führte. Und wir sprechen über den Shift, der gerade passiert: von Indojunkie, wo bewusst die Marke und das Team im Vordergrund standen, zu Melissa Schumacher als Autorin unter ihrem eigenen Namen. Ihr neuer Bali-Roman „Auch Kokosnüsse brauchen Regen" ist inzwischen Amazon-Bestseller. Infos zu Melissa Schumacher: Melissas Instagram Account Ihr neues Buch: Auch Kokosnüsse brauchen Regen Let's stay connected: Instagram: sabine.spallek Mehr über meine Arbeit: beuntamed.de

So bringst du dein Buch in die Presse: Patricia Keßler ist Presseleiterin bei Droemer Knaur und erklärt, wie Redaktionen Bücher auswählen und wie du als Autor:in in die Medien kommst.Wie geht gute PR-Arbeit fürs Buch? Diese Folge gibt Insiderwissen direkt aus der Praxis eines großen Publikumsverlags.Patricia weiß dank 25 Jahren Erfahrung genau, nach welchen Kriterien sie Medien für ein Buch auswählt und wie Redaktionen angesprochen werden müssen. Sie verrät, wie Pressearbeit auf Buchmessen abläuft und welche Rolle Spezialthemen, Anlässe und regionale Bezüge für eine erfolgreiche Medienplatzierung spielen.Die Zwei von der Talkstelle haben genau nachgefragt: Wie wichtig ist das Personenmarketing? Wie geht man mit einem Shitstorm um? Wie wird sich Pressearbeit in Zukunft verändern? Und: wie kommt Vera endlich in die NDR-Talkshow?Copyrighht Foto Patricia: Markus RoelekeLINKS & INFOS:Unser Gast https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricia-ke%C3%9Fler-245b9293/Patricias Buchtipps 'Die Ballade von Ronan McCoy' von Colin Morgan, übersetzt von Frauke Czwikla: https://www.amazon.de/Ballade-Ronan-McCoy-Coming-Age-Geschichte/dp/3426566419'Die Passantin' von Nina George: https://www.amazon.de/Die-Passantin-SPIEGEL-Bestseller-Autorin-Nina-George/dp/3036950737/Abstimmung Vera in der App: https://vera-nentwich.de/app?open Ohne App: https://vera-nentwich.de/umfrage?openTamaras Stand auf der FBM 2026: Halle 4.0, J94 Workshop im Raum Concorde: Messedonnerstag und -freitag, jeweils 14 und 16 Uhr (90 Minuten)Möchtest du, dass wir dein Buch in unserem Podcast vorstellen? Kein Problem! Sende uns ein kurzes E-Mail an alle@zweivondertalkstelle.de und wir senden dir die Details. Vielleicht erzählen wir unseren Hörerinnen und Hörern schon in der nächsten Episode von deinem Buch.Teile uns deine Wünsche und Anregungen mit unter https://forms.gle/thQ7NcCRqDy8gDDZ7Vielen Dank, dass du unsere Show hörst. Hast du sie schon abonniert? Bitte gib uns auch eine Bewertung, wo immer du uns hörst.Abonniere unseren Buchbubble-Bulletin unter http://eepurl.com/hoJYfDFolge uns: Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dzvdt Instagram https://www.instagram.com/dzvdt/

Amazon KDP now lets authors schedule Kindle eBook pre-orders up to 18 months ahead, along with more flexibility for postponements and cancellations. We're also looking at new disputes around the Anthropic copyright settlement, two years of results from Get Authentic Book Reviews, and Tertulia for Authors' State of Book Marketing 2026 Survey. Catch up on the latest self-publishing news for September 9, 2026. Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link) My Storefront - https://selfpubwithdale.com/collection/the-self-publishing-with-dale-series-ebook - use code DALE50 to take 50% off through September 11 KDP: Set up pre-orders up to 18 months in advance - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Set-up-pre-orders-up-to-18-months-in-advance?language=en_US&forum=KDP%20Forum Writer Beware: Anthropic Copyright Settlement: Publishers Are Making Incorrect Claims on Authors' Payouts - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/09/04/anthropic-copyright-settlement-publishers-are-making-incorrect-claims-on-authors-payouts/ Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com Tertulia for Authors: The Ultimate Book Marketing & Promotion Survey - https://link.tertulia.com/authorsurvey2026 How to Build an Author Website With No Tech Skills | Tertulia for Authors Demo - https://youtube.com/live/ofmFpEP6tnA  Rapid-Fire Newsflash  ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link) PublishDrive: Foundations for Publishing Success - https://publishdrive.com/foundations-for-publishing-success.html GetCovers - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers (affiliate link) - use code READ20 for 20% off till September 10 Spoken: AI vs. Human Audiobook Narration: A Blinded Survey of 1,000 Listeners - https://ssrs.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_DNM9OEhaTqSfjWjrtNDViQ#/registration The Authors Guild: Defamation in Fiction vs. Nonfiction - https://authorsguild.org/event/defamation-in-fiction-vs-nonfiction/   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

In this episode, Rachel visits with editor Nancy Casey about self publishing. This is an absolute insider look into writing, editing, and publishing. This episode is brought to you by the generous support of Adam Rose at Iliff Custom Cabinetry. Find him at www.iliffcustomcabinetry.com or on The Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/icucab/. If you see Adam, please let him know you heard about him here.Check our our cows on the Anywhere Cam site at https://anywhere.cam/. Scroll down to the Hereford cows and tada!Find Nancy Casey at https://planetnancy.net/. I have a copy of her memoir. Send me a text at 970-768-0024 if you would like it. I'll mail it to you as soon as I read it!

Writing a book is about more than becoming a published author.What if your book could become the positioning piece that helps people understand your message, discover your work, join your community, and eventually enter the larger business or ministry you're building?In this episode of The Peaceful CEO Podcast, Angelica Stanley breaks down a different approach to writing and self-publishing a book—one that starts with your message and reader before publishing mechanics.You'll learn why publishing isn't the finish line, how a book can support your personal brand or business, and why the question isn't simply, “How do I get my book on Amazon?”The better question is:What am I building around the message God has entrusted to me?Angelica also introduces the four-part Prep to Published framework:MESSAGE → MANUSCRIPT → PUBLISH → POSITIONMessage: Clarify what you're saying, who you're writing for, and the transformation your reader needs.Manuscript: Give your message structure, create the chapter path, and turn scattered notes, stories, teachings, or testimony into a cohesive book.Publish: Prepare the practical pieces of self-publishing, including formatting, cover, description, pricing, and publishing.Position: Build beyond the book. Determine how your book connects to your brand, content, email list, community, workshops, speaking, services, courses, or future offers.Because your goal doesn't have to be simply:“I published a book.”Your book can become the first tangible resource that says:This is what I carry. This is who I serve. And this is how I can help.✍

In this episode, host Bidemi Ologunde speaks with Natalie Saar, a content expert, narrative strategist, author, and creator of The Indie Authors, about storytelling, self-publishing, personal growth, and preserving an authentic human voice in an increasingly AI-driven world. Saar, who has published nine books, argues that AI can be a powerful research and optimization tool while human creativity should remain at the center of the writing itself. What happens to authorship when machines can generate competent prose at scale? Can writers embrace AI without surrendering the voice that makes their work distinctive? And how can the principle of becoming just 1% better help creators overcome perfectionism, self-doubt, and the pressure to constantly achieve? Bidemi and Natalie also explore the changing economics of independent publishing, discoverability in an algorithm-driven marketplace, and why telling more human stories may become even more important as synthetic content proliferates.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Holly Cotton. Evolution from nurse and cancer survivor to author, wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Through her personal story, she shares lessons about resilience, purpose, entrepreneurship, emotional wellness, and the importance of choosing peace over revenge. The discussion also highlights her latest book, The Hard Choice: When the High Road Feels Like Losing, Revenge or Peace. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Introduce and discuss Holly Cotton's new book, The Hard Choice. Share her journey as a cancer survivor and how it reshaped her life and career. Encourage listeners to discover their purpose and pursue meaningful work. Provide practical advice on personal branding, entrepreneurship, and self-publishing. Explore the emotional and psychological benefits of choosing peace over revenge when faced with conflict. Key Takeaways 1. Adversity Can Lead to Purpose Holly's cancer diagnosis at age 36 became a turning point in her life. Facing her own mortality forced her to reflect on her legacy, priorities, and impact on others. That experience ultimately led her to writing, speaking, and advocacy work. Lesson: Difficult experiences can become catalysts for personal growth and purpose. 2. Many People Are Already Living Their Purpose Holly believes people often spend years searching for purpose without realizing they are already operating within it. Lesson: Purpose is often found in the work, talents, and passions that consistently show up throughout your life. 3. Think Beyond Employment Although she was a highly respected nurse, Holly realized her mission extended beyond working as an employee. She built a personal brand around wellness, education, mental health, and empowerment. Lesson: Transforming expertise into a business and brand can create greater impact and opportunities. 4. Failure Is Feedback Holly does not view setbacks as failures. Instead, she sees them as opportunities to learn, adjust, and try a different approach. Lesson: Successful people adapt rather than quit when things don't go as planned. 5. Protect Your Positive Mindset As someone who works with and motivates people daily, Holly believes positivity is intentional and necessary. She starts each day with a positive outlook because she knows challenges and negativity will inevitably arise. Lesson: Mental wellness requires consistent effort and self-awareness. 6. Businesses and Books Must Solve Problems One of Holly's strongest business principles is that people are interested in solutions, not simply someone else's story. Lesson: Whether writing a book or building a business, focus on addressing a real need or challenge for your audience. 7. Peace Is Often the Harder Choice The central theme of The Hard Choice is that taking the high road can feel like losing because it does not provide immediate satisfaction. People often seek revenge, public validation, or instant emotional relief. Holly argues that choosing peace ultimately leads to better outcomes, even though it can be difficult in the moment. Lesson: Long-term peace is often worth more than short-term emotional satisfaction. 8. Emotional Triggers Should Not Drive Decisions Holly encourages people to pause before reacting when they feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. Most emotionally charged decisions are made in moments of pain and are later regretted. Lesson: Emotional regulation is a critical life skill. Memorable Quotes On Purpose "Sometimes people, when they're trying to find a purpose, they don't realize that they're living in the purpose." On Her Mission "My purpose is to not just go and give shots and give medication. My purpose is to sort of address the holistic aspect of taking care of people." On Cancer's Impact "After I make it past this, it'll never be me again." On Failure "I have zero failures in my life." On Building a Brand "Once you start being intentional and you see it as a business model, everything falls into place." On Writing Books "Nobody cares about your life story. What problem are you solving?" On Relatability "We all have things in life that almost killed us, but we're here today to tell the story." On Choosing Peace "The hard choice is choosing to take the high road." On Triggers "A trigger means that I cared about something, and now something is making me remember how I felt." On Emotional Control "Pause. See what you feel like in 24 hours." Executive Summary Holly Cotton's conversation with Rushion McDonald is ultimately about transformation. After surviving cancer, she redefined her purpose and built a platform centered on wellness, empowerment, mental health, and personal growth. Her message is that success comes from living intentionally, building meaningful relationships, creating value for others, and maintaining emotional discipline. Through The Hard Choice, she challenges readers to choose peace over revenge, even when taking the high road feels difficult or unfair. The interview offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, authors, professionals, and anyone navigating personal or professional challenges. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Holly Cotton. Evolution from nurse and cancer survivor to author, wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Through her personal story, she shares lessons about resilience, purpose, entrepreneurship, emotional wellness, and the importance of choosing peace over revenge. The discussion also highlights her latest book, The Hard Choice: When the High Road Feels Like Losing, Revenge or Peace. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Introduce and discuss Holly Cotton's new book, The Hard Choice. Share her journey as a cancer survivor and how it reshaped her life and career. Encourage listeners to discover their purpose and pursue meaningful work. Provide practical advice on personal branding, entrepreneurship, and self-publishing. Explore the emotional and psychological benefits of choosing peace over revenge when faced with conflict. Key Takeaways 1. Adversity Can Lead to Purpose Holly's cancer diagnosis at age 36 became a turning point in her life. Facing her own mortality forced her to reflect on her legacy, priorities, and impact on others. That experience ultimately led her to writing, speaking, and advocacy work. Lesson: Difficult experiences can become catalysts for personal growth and purpose. 2. Many People Are Already Living Their Purpose Holly believes people often spend years searching for purpose without realizing they are already operating within it. Lesson: Purpose is often found in the work, talents, and passions that consistently show up throughout your life. 3. Think Beyond Employment Although she was a highly respected nurse, Holly realized her mission extended beyond working as an employee. She built a personal brand around wellness, education, mental health, and empowerment. Lesson: Transforming expertise into a business and brand can create greater impact and opportunities. 4. Failure Is Feedback Holly does not view setbacks as failures. Instead, she sees them as opportunities to learn, adjust, and try a different approach. Lesson: Successful people adapt rather than quit when things don't go as planned. 5. Protect Your Positive Mindset As someone who works with and motivates people daily, Holly believes positivity is intentional and necessary. She starts each day with a positive outlook because she knows challenges and negativity will inevitably arise. Lesson: Mental wellness requires consistent effort and self-awareness. 6. Businesses and Books Must Solve Problems One of Holly's strongest business principles is that people are interested in solutions, not simply someone else's story. Lesson: Whether writing a book or building a business, focus on addressing a real need or challenge for your audience. 7. Peace Is Often the Harder Choice The central theme of The Hard Choice is that taking the high road can feel like losing because it does not provide immediate satisfaction. People often seek revenge, public validation, or instant emotional relief. Holly argues that choosing peace ultimately leads to better outcomes, even though it can be difficult in the moment. Lesson: Long-term peace is often worth more than short-term emotional satisfaction. 8. Emotional Triggers Should Not Drive Decisions Holly encourages people to pause before reacting when they feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. Most emotionally charged decisions are made in moments of pain and are later regretted. Lesson: Emotional regulation is a critical life skill. Memorable Quotes On Purpose "Sometimes people, when they're trying to find a purpose, they don't realize that they're living in the purpose." On Her Mission "My purpose is to not just go and give shots and give medication. My purpose is to sort of address the holistic aspect of taking care of people." On Cancer's Impact "After I make it past this, it'll never be me again." On Failure "I have zero failures in my life." On Building a Brand "Once you start being intentional and you see it as a business model, everything falls into place." On Writing Books "Nobody cares about your life story. What problem are you solving?" On Relatability "We all have things in life that almost killed us, but we're here today to tell the story." On Choosing Peace "The hard choice is choosing to take the high road." On Triggers "A trigger means that I cared about something, and now something is making me remember how I felt." On Emotional Control "Pause. See what you feel like in 24 hours." Executive Summary Holly Cotton's conversation with Rushion McDonald is ultimately about transformation. After surviving cancer, she redefined her purpose and built a platform centered on wellness, empowerment, mental health, and personal growth. Her message is that success comes from living intentionally, building meaningful relationships, creating value for others, and maintaining emotional discipline. Through The Hard Choice, she challenges readers to choose peace over revenge, even when taking the high road feels difficult or unfair. The interview offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, authors, professionals, and anyone navigating personal or professional challenges. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily. I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur. Keep winning! Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Holly Cotton. Evolution from nurse and cancer survivor to author, wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and mental health advocate. Through her personal story, she shares lessons about resilience, purpose, entrepreneurship, emotional wellness, and the importance of choosing peace over revenge. The discussion also highlights her latest book, The Hard Choice: When the High Road Feels Like Losing, Revenge or Peace. Purpose of the Interview The interview was designed to: Introduce and discuss Holly Cotton's new book, The Hard Choice. Share her journey as a cancer survivor and how it reshaped her life and career. Encourage listeners to discover their purpose and pursue meaningful work. Provide practical advice on personal branding, entrepreneurship, and self-publishing. Explore the emotional and psychological benefits of choosing peace over revenge when faced with conflict. Key Takeaways 1. Adversity Can Lead to Purpose Holly's cancer diagnosis at age 36 became a turning point in her life. Facing her own mortality forced her to reflect on her legacy, priorities, and impact on others. That experience ultimately led her to writing, speaking, and advocacy work. Lesson: Difficult experiences can become catalysts for personal growth and purpose. 2. Many People Are Already Living Their Purpose Holly believes people often spend years searching for purpose without realizing they are already operating within it. Lesson: Purpose is often found in the work, talents, and passions that consistently show up throughout your life. 3. Think Beyond Employment Although she was a highly respected nurse, Holly realized her mission extended beyond working as an employee. She built a personal brand around wellness, education, mental health, and empowerment. Lesson: Transforming expertise into a business and brand can create greater impact and opportunities. 4. Failure Is Feedback Holly does not view setbacks as failures. Instead, she sees them as opportunities to learn, adjust, and try a different approach. Lesson: Successful people adapt rather than quit when things don't go as planned. 5. Protect Your Positive Mindset As someone who works with and motivates people daily, Holly believes positivity is intentional and necessary. She starts each day with a positive outlook because she knows challenges and negativity will inevitably arise. Lesson: Mental wellness requires consistent effort and self-awareness. 6. Businesses and Books Must Solve Problems One of Holly's strongest business principles is that people are interested in solutions, not simply someone else's story. Lesson: Whether writing a book or building a business, focus on addressing a real need or challenge for your audience. 7. Peace Is Often the Harder Choice The central theme of The Hard Choice is that taking the high road can feel like losing because it does not provide immediate satisfaction. People often seek revenge, public validation, or instant emotional relief. Holly argues that choosing peace ultimately leads to better outcomes, even though it can be difficult in the moment. Lesson: Long-term peace is often worth more than short-term emotional satisfaction. 8. Emotional Triggers Should Not Drive Decisions Holly encourages people to pause before reacting when they feel hurt, angry, or betrayed. Most emotionally charged decisions are made in moments of pain and are later regretted. Lesson: Emotional regulation is a critical life skill. Memorable Quotes On Purpose "Sometimes people, when they're trying to find a purpose, they don't realize that they're living in the purpose." On Her Mission "My purpose is to not just go and give shots and give medication. My purpose is to sort of address the holistic aspect of taking care of people." On Cancer's Impact "After I make it past this, it'll never be me again." On Failure "I have zero failures in my life." On Building a Brand "Once you start being intentional and you see it as a business model, everything falls into place." On Writing Books "Nobody cares about your life story. What problem are you solving?" On Relatability "We all have things in life that almost killed us, but we're here today to tell the story." On Choosing Peace "The hard choice is choosing to take the high road." On Triggers "A trigger means that I cared about something, and now something is making me remember how I felt." On Emotional Control "Pause. See what you feel like in 24 hours." Executive Summary Holly Cotton's conversation with Rushion McDonald is ultimately about transformation. After surviving cancer, she redefined her purpose and built a platform centered on wellness, empowerment, mental health, and personal growth. Her message is that success comes from living intentionally, building meaningful relationships, creating value for others, and maintaining emotional discipline. Through The Hard Choice, she challenges readers to choose peace over revenge, even when taking the high road feels difficult or unfair. The interview offers practical insights for entrepreneurs, authors, professionals, and anyone navigating personal or professional challenges. #BEST #STRAW #SHMS Money Making Conversations Master Class with Rushion McDonald is America's premier entrepreneurship, business leadership, financial literacy, and wealth-building podcast featuring successful entrepreneurs, executives, founders, celebrities, and industry experts sharing actionable insights for professional and financial success. Business Podcast Entrepreneurship Small Business Business Growth Financial Literacy Wealth Building Black Entrepreneurs Minority Business Leadership Executive Leadership Business Funding Marketing Strategies Personal Development Startup Advice Sales Training CEO Interviews Founder Stories Professional Development Economic Empowerment Business Success Networking Brand Building Innovation How to start a business Small business funding Entrepreneur success stories Business leadership podcast Wealth building strategies Black entrepreneur podcast Minority business development Marketing for small businesses Business growth strategies Startup funding opportunities Executive leadership training Financial literacy education Success mindset podcastSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The FTC and 22 states are suing Amazon over allegations that the company manipulated its ad auctions and may have pulled more than $20 billion from advertisers. We're also covering Google's new Expert Intelligence feature for purchased ebooks, a study linking library ebook lending with lower retail sales, Libro.fm adding ebooks, and the 2026 State of Author Marketing survey. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for September 3, 2026.  Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link)  Ars Technica: FTC alleges Amazon illegally made $20 billion by rigging billions of ad auctions - https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/09/ftc-alleges-amazon-illegally-made-20-billion-by-rigging-billions-of-ad-auctions/ Google: Expert Intelligence: a new way for you to engage with trusted content - https://blog.google/innovation-and-ai/products/gemini-notebook/expert-intelligence-leading-sources/ Publishers Weekly: Google Launches AI Tool to Add Interactivity to E-books - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/101136-google-launches-expert-intelligence-adding-interactivity-to-e-books.html Publishers Weekly: Study Says Library E-book Lending Hurts Industry Sales - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/101167-study-says-library-e-book-lending-hurts-industry-sales.html Libro.fm Blog: Ebooks Are Coming to Libro! - https://blog.libro.fm/ebooks-coming-librofm/ The State of Author Marketing: 2026 Annual Marketing Survey for Nonfiction and Memoir Authors - https://authorgrowthandimpact.org/the-state-of-author-marketing/?ref=369 (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link) Lulu: The Easiest Way to Sell Direct-to-Reader - https://www.lulu.com/sell/sell-on-your-site/buy-button GetCovers: How to Make Your Book Cover Typography Stand Out: 6 Practical Tips - https://getcovers.com/blog/6-typography-tips/ Booksprout - https://DaleLinks.com/BookSprout (affiliate link) PublishDrive: Foundations for Publishing Success - https://publishdrive.com/foundations-for-publishing-success.html The Book Marketing Lab: Book Marketing on a Budget: What to Do with $25, $50, or $100 - https://www.thebookmarketinglab.com/Book-Marketing-Budget1 Indie Author Day - https://indieauthorday.com/ Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships  Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord  Check out my main YouTube channel  - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts  

Courtney Peppernell on Pillow Thoughts, Self-Publishing, and Her Debut Novel The Last Poem Writes4Women host Pamela Cook chats with internationally bestselling author Courtney Peppernell, about her path from early “lightning writing” and a supportive family to self-publishing novels and then poetry, and now her debut novel. Courtney describes self-publishing, and creating Pillow Thoughts from blog-style reflections, her poems going viral and landing a deal with a traditional publisher. Her latest release is The Last Poem, a multi-POV small-town Colorado story about grief, friendship and love. An inspiring episode for writers at all stages of their career. 00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro 02:07 Early Writing Spark 03:54 Family Support and Creativity 05:41 Self Publishing Beginnings 08:05 Pillow Thoughts Goes Viral 13:25 Signing with a US Publisher 15:57 Series Strategy and Branding 21:15 Life Changing Success and Tours 25:26 Setting Up Poem Readings 26:18 Reading From Thinking Of You 26:58 Writing Poetry As Characters 29:17 Modern Versus Traditional Poetry 30:50 Why Online Poetry Boomed 31:58 Algorithm Changes And Reach 33:35 Turning To The Last Poem 35:27 Plot And Grief Group Setup 36:34 Crafting Multiple Viewpoints 40:37 Favorite Characters And Libraries 43:58 Why Wren Is A Poet 45:49 Traditional Publishing And Events 48:57 Upcoming Books And Music SHOWNOTES: Writes4Women www.writes4women.com Facebook @writes4women Twitter / Instagram @w4wpodcast W4W Substack Click here Courtney Peppernell Website: click here Instagram: click here Pamela Cook www.pamelacook.com.au Facebook @amelacookauthor Twitter @PamelaCookAU This episode produced by Pamela Cook for Writes4Women and recorded on unceded Dharawal land. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/writes4women?fan_landing=trueSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New 90-day sprint to finish your book starts September 10, 2026. Details at: https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprintFor a few years, Hitz Blitz was a private podcast. Short episodes recorded on the way to somewhere else, most of them under ten minutes. A blitz is defined in the dictionary as "a sudden, energetic, and concerted effort, typically on a specific task," and that's what these were meant to be. A quick burst of encouragement for your writing, not a full training.Now we're opening the archive up here on the Kingdom Writers Podcast.In this episode, Shelley explains what the Hitz Blitz was, why she's sharing it now, and what to expect. These land on Tuesdays, though not every Tuesday. They show up when there's one to give. Your regular Kingdom Writers episode still arrives on Thursday, same as always.Some of these run five minutes. Some run two. They'll feel different from what you're used to hearing here, and that's the point. Don't forget to join us for the next 90-day sprint to finish your book here: https://www.trainingauthors.com/sprint Use coupon code INNERCIRCLE25 for 25% off through September 12, 2026.

Your Podcast Platform Can Get You Into Rooms Your Resume Can't Authority isn't built by accident. It's a result of strategic moves, confidence in your expertise, and truly supporting your audience. In this episode of Influential Voices of Authority, Erik K. Johnson sits down with Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis, author, ghostwriter, and self-publishing strategist. Together they uncover what it really takes to transform a podcast into a bestselling book, avoid fatal publishing mistakes, and skyrocket your industry influence.   Important Links: Join Lynn Smargis' Skool Community, Self Publishing for Leaders. It is an author support community for new and returning authors. https://www.skool.com/publishing-for-professionals-9809 Or www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/publishing   Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis' website: https://www.writeforyou.me Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/lynnSmargis/ Lynn' s Linktree https://linktr.ee/writeforyoughostwriter Lynn's LI Company Page https://www.linkedin.com/company/write-for-you-me Lynn on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/publishingforprofessionals Lynn on Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/writeforyoughost.bsky.social Lynn's Skool Community https://www.skool.com/publishing-for-professionals-9809 Lynn on Substack https://publishingforprofessionals.substack.com Lynn on Twitter https://twitter.com/LynnSmargis Lynn on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@selfpublishingforleaders   Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apple Spotify: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/spotify Website: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/podcasts   Episode Segments: 01:31 "The Journey from Celiac Diagnosis to Podcasting" 03:03 "Podcasting and Publishing: A Common Challenge" 04:43 "Editing Mistakes That Cost Thousands" 06:25 "Why You Must Learn the Publishing Process" 08:28 "Book Coach vs Ghostwriter: The Key Differences" 10:13 "High-Level Writing Habits and Flow" 11:20 "How Podcasting Unlocks Big Opportunities" 13:19 "Breaking Through a Saturated Market" 15:24 "Standing Out through High-Touch Support" 16:31 "Building Platform and Attracting Clients" 18:01 "Converting 500+ Podcast Episodes into a Book" 19:07 "Author Community for Personal Support" 20:13 "Events, Masterclasses, and Collaboration" 21:50 "What's Ahead for Lynn: Books, Grants, Collaboration"   Key Takeaways: - Secrets to Turning Podcast Episodes into a Book: Lynn breaks down why simply copying transcripts isn't enough. Start by mapping out your book's purpose, building a strategic table of contents, and curating the best podcast content to fit each chapter. Supplement gaps with new recordings or targeted interviews. - Self-Publishing Myths that Sabotage Success: Most first-time authors make avoidable errors, such as skipping developmental editing, hiring the wrong editor, or formatting too soon. Lynn shares hard lessons from real client stories and how her "no-fluff, no-BS" approach saves clients time and thousands of dollars. - Ghostwriter or Book Coach: Which Do You Need? Discover the clear differences between a book coach (guiding you through writing) and a ghostwriter (writing for you based on your ideas or podcast archives). Lynn's flexible, high-touch support meets authors wherever they are in their journey. - Community and Collaboration Fuel Success: From regular "write with me" sessions to expert masterclasses, Lynn's Skool community, Self-Publishing for Leaders, provides hands-on support. Whether you're just starting or scaling your impact with multiple books, there's a space here to grow. - Authority that Opens Industry Doors: Podcasting isn't just about content; it's a powerful networking tool. Lynn reveals how her show connected her with mentors and industry influencers she'd never otherwise meet. Authority multiplies when leveraged well. - Real Productivity for Real Results: Lynn's method for writing up to 10,000 words daily (without relying on AI) and building flow can transform even the busiest podcaster into a prolific author.   Episode Highlights: How to avoid losing thousands through poor publishing decisions Steps to craft a book purposefully from your existing podcast library Building long-term relationships with clients for impactful books Navigating a crowded publishing space and standing out with hands-on care The power of supportive author communities for accountability and growth Upcoming collaborative books and grant-writing guides for creators   Connect with Lynn "Elikqitie" Smargis: Join Lynn Smargis' Skool Community, Self Publishing for Leaders. It is an author support community for new and returning authors. https://www.skool.com/publishing-for-professionals-9809 Or www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/publishing   Ready to strategically grow your podcast authority? Want guidance tailored for your niche? Apply for a coaching chat and podcast audit with Erik at https://podcasttalentcoach.com/coaching

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we sit down with Kyle Kolber, a talented author who has turned his struggles with dyslexia into a powerful narrative of resilience and creativity. Kyle shares his journey from a young boy battling self-doubt and imposter syndrome to a published author of multiple books. He emphasizes that our greatest limitations can often become our greatest strengths.Kyle recounts his early experiences with dyslexia, explaining how it affected his reading and writing abilities until a dedicated teacher helped him unlock his potential. He reflects on the challenges he faced while writing his first book during the COVID lockdown and how that creative outlet became a saving grace. Throughout the conversation, Kyle offers valuable insights into:- The impact of dyslexia on his life and writing journey- Overcoming imposter syndrome and finding confidence in his craft- The importance of accessibility in literature and writing for diverse audiences- His upcoming projects, including the final books in his Universe series and a new tale about the Connecticut melon heads.Join us for an uplifting discussion that encourages listeners to pursue their creative dreams, regardless of the obstacles they may face. For more information about Kyle and his work, visit his website or follow him on social media.Support the show

Everybody seems to be telling entrepreneurs to write a book.Write it in a weekend. Use AI. Upload it to Amazon. Become a bestselling author. Watch the clients roll in.Except…that's not quite how it works.This week on Casa De Confidence, Julie sits down with publishing expert Ally Machate, founder of The Writer's Ally, to pull back the curtain on what it actually takes to write and publish a book that supports your business, serves your reader, and creates lasting impact.With experience that includes working at Simon & Schuster and helping authors navigate the publishing process, Ally challenges one of the biggest assumptions in entrepreneurship: just because you can write a book doesn't necessarily mean you should—or that the book you're planning is the right one.Ally explains why the first question shouldn't be “What should I write?” but rather “What do I want this book to do?”Do you want it to attract clients? Generate speaking opportunities? Grow your email list? Establish thought leadership? Change the way people think about an issue?That answer changes everything.Julie also gets personal about her own publishing experience, including what she would do differently, the emotional reality of receiving developmental edits, and why publishing her book ultimately opened doors far beyond book sales.In This EpisodeWhat You'll HearWhy not every entrepreneur needs to write a bookThe difference between publishing a book and publishing a book people actually want to readWhy identifying your reader comes before writingHow a book can support your larger business strategyWhy your book is a product—not your babyWhat developmental editing actually doesWhy copyediting alone isn't enoughWhere AI can help authors—and where it still falls shortHow to create a transformational journey for your readerThe “macrocosm and microcosm” approach to structuring nonfictionTraditional publishing vs. hybrid publishing vs. DIY self-publishingWhat Ally calls supported indie publishingWhy distribution, ISBNs, Amazon KDP, and IngramSpark matterWhy giving books away can sometimes be smarter than selling themHow books create opportunities for coaching, consulting, speaking, and visibilityWhy becoming a bestseller isn't the only—or even necessarily the best—definition of publishing successOne of Ally's most important reminders?“If you're talking to everyone, you're connecting with no one.”Before investing months—or years—writing your book, get clear about the person you're writing for and what you want the book to accomplish.Because the goal isn't merely to become a published author.It's to write the right book.

Amazon is buying and scanning physical books for AI training, while its anti-bot systems are mistakenly flagging real customers. Ingram is also making moves around AI sales and expanding Share & Sell, plus there are fresh updates from StreetLib, StoryOrigin, and more. Catch the biggest self-publishing stories you need to know this week. Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link) Inc.com: Amazon Is Buying Up Older Books and Destroying Them After Scanning. The Orders Go Back to 2024 - https://www.inc.com/georgia-fearn/amazon-buying-up-older-books-destroying-after-scanning-back-to-2024/91392000  Fast Company: Amazon limits access to customer reviews for some users because it thinks they're AI - https://www.fastcompany.com/91581391/amazon-limits-access-to-customer-reviews-for-some-users-because-it-thinks-theyre-ai Wide for the Win - https://wideforthewin.com/ Sell More Books Show: Battling the Amazon Bots - The Sell More Book Show 645 - https://youtu.be/Q5KvA_Ujq0o?si=lb7Fzde_pEnXBUMo  Ingram Content Group: Opt Out of Physical Sales to AI Companies - https://www.ingramcontent.com/page/ai-opt-out IngramSpark Newsletter (August 2026) - https://www.ingramspark.com/newsletter-august-2026 IngramSpark: Nominate Your Book Today - https://www.ingramspark.com/editorial-calendar Streetlib - https://Streetlib.com StoryOrigin - https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin (affiliate link) AuthorLetter - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorLetter (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Spoken - https://Spoken.press Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/Tertulia (affiliate link) Hidden Gems Books - https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/author-services/ Authors Guild: Writing for IP: What Authors Should Know - https://authorsguild.org/event/writing-for-ip-what-authors-should-know/ Book Brush: Publishing with Purpose: Douglas Pratt & Nicholas Harvey - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/6EnWyHndSoizbKWBl9ia2Q#/registration Written Word Media Podcast: Amazon A+ Content Explained: A Step-by-Step Guide for Every Indie Author - https://youtu.be/kZcwaZtUo_c?si=41C7jjviGn-MFjGI   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord  Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

In this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA), PTP Press Publisher Joylynn Ross explains why one of the most important conversations an independent publisher can have with their team and their authors should happen before the publishing process even begins. By aligning with your team's and the author's visions for the book, defining clear goals, and creating a shared strategy for success, publishers can build stronger partnerships and set realistic expectations from day one. You'll also discover why a book's success depends on more than the publisher's efforts alone. Joylynn discusses how authors play a critical role in marketing and audience building—and how having these conversations early can lead to better collaboration, stronger results, and more successful books for everyone involved. GUEST BIO National Essence Magazine Best-Selling Author and award-winning publisher of PTP Press, Joylynn M. Ross, has written over 40 books and publications in multiple genres under various pen names and works with and for major and indie publishers in the capacity of content creator, ghostwriter, editor, creative, copy and business writer, and literary and publishing consultant. Not only has Joylynn sold over one-million copies of her own books, but in her roles as acquisitions editor and literary agent, Joylynn has single-handedly pitched and secured millions of dollars in sales and rights to enterprises such as Walmart and Kensington Publishing Corp. As a business subject matter and storytelling expert, Joylynn's brands, Path To Connections and Path To Publishing, are the B.O.S.S. of the literary world, publishing industry, and small business ecosystem when it comes to the business of strategic storytelling. And over the past three decades they've helped other business owners and organizations become the B.O.S.S. of theirs.HOST BIO 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. LINKS Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/ Follow IBPA on: Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/independent-book-publishers-association To learn more about Joylynn's brands, visit www.pathtoconnections.com,  www.joylynnMross.com, www.PathToPublishing.com, and www.ptppress.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JoylynnRoss IG: https://www.instagram.com/blessedselling_author_enjoy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/enjoywrites Twitter/X: https://www.twitter.com/enjoywrites Substack: https://joylynnmross.substack.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ActLikeanAuthorThinkLikeaBusiness TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@confrontationalspeaker This episode is presented by World of Books. Learn how to enter their Sustainable Story Award here: worldofbooks.com/pages/sustainable-story-award.

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!I have been quietly fangirling over Allison Buehner's editing tips on Instagram for months. I have so many of them saved that at this point she deserves her own folder. So I finally asked her to come on the show, and then discovered we had already sort of met years ago, when she emailed me to suggest I talk to another editor she admired. No pitch. Nothing in her it for herself. In twenty years of doing this, nobody had ever done that, and I've thought highly of her ever since.Allison runs Golden Editorial out of Colorado and works mostly with indie and self-publishing authors. She started out in nonfiction and memoir before following her heart into fantasy, contemporary fiction, and, lately, a truly impressive amount of cowboy romance.We got into the things first-time authors usually find out the expensive way:Why "I'll just hire a proofreader" is the priciest shortcut in self-publishing, and what has to happen before your manuscript ever reaches an editorThe real difference between an alpha reader, a critique partner, and a beta reader, plus why handing the book to your best friend is a terrible planWhat a developmental edit actually looks like, and why it can feel like you paid a lot of money for a document that says "go do more work"What good editors will and won't do, because fixing it for you crosses into co-authoringBreaking craft rules on purpose versus breaking them because you never learned them, and roughly how many you can get away with in one bookThe want-versus-need conflict Allison has been recommending to nearly every fiction author lately, and why it makes characters feel like people instead of plot delivery devicesHow to know you're genuinely ready to hand your manuscript to a professional

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com 

In this special episode we go behind the scenes with memoirist Deepa Paul, essayist, cookbook author Gina Beach, and novelist Daisy Buchanan and talk about the two things that keep them going: the passion behind the work, and the practice that makes the work possible. From an essay that no editor wanted to a Women's Prize-longlisted memoir, a personal research rabbit hole that became a four-year book project, and the journey from idea to novel, this is a personal conversation with three writers about about why they write the things they write — and what kept them going. You'll learn Why an essay no editor wanted a decade ago turned out not to be an essay at all. How to break a book into tasks small enough to finish inside a single hour. The case for treating your own interior life as seriously as any grand subject. How a rabbit hole of personal research turned into a four-year book project. Why the hardest part of self-publishing has nothing to do with production. When procrastination is doing useful work, and when it's just filling the gaps. What changes in your writing once you stop trying to get it right. A reason to stop measuring a writing session by its word count. How sitting alongside other writers quietly rearranges your sense of your own work. The tidal metaphor that makes a bad writing day easier to let go of. Resources & Links Writers' Hour Ask Me: A Memoir of Daring to Love Differently by Deepa Paul Deepa Paul 'The power of an hour' — Deepa Paul interviewed by the Women's Prize Nurture: Oil-Free, Plant-Based Cooking for Health by Regina Beach Regina Beach All Grown Up: A hilarious and heartwarming new novel inspired by Little Women by Daisy Buchanan Daisy Buchanan — Creative Confidence Clinic About the Guests Deepa Paul is a Filipina-Indian author living in Amsterdam. Her writing explores the balance between being a mother, wife, girlfriend, daughter, adventurer, and herself – all at the same time. Her debut, Ask Me: A Memoir of Daring to Love Differently, was longlisted for the Women's Prize. Regina Beach is a disabled poet and essayist. Originally from the American midwest, she now calls the Welsh Valleys home. Her writing has appeared in Global Poemic, Boldly Mental, The Rail, Haiku by You, Five Minutes, Visual Verse, The Horror Tree, and Disoriented among others. She is the founder of the literary magazine Lesions | Art + Words, which features the work of people living with chronic health conditions. Her book is Nurture: Oil-Free, Plant-Based Cooking for Health. Daisy Buchanan is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster and author of Insatiable (longlisted for the CWIP prize), Careering (as heard on BBC Sounds), Limelight and Pity Party, and the non-fiction titles How to Be A Grown Up, The Sisterhood and Read Yourself Happy. She writes for major newspapers and magazines from the Guardian to Grazia, and is host of the chart-topping podcast You're Booked. Her latest book is All Grown Up: A hilarious and heartwarming new novel inspired by Little Women. For show notes, transcripts and to attend our live podcasts visit: podcast.londonwriterssalon.com.For free writing sessions, join free Writers' Hours: writershour.com.*FOLLOW LONDON WRITERS' SALONTwitter: twitter.com/​​WritersSalonInstagram: instagram.com/londonwriterssalonFacebook: facebook.com/LondonWritersSalonIf you're enjoying this show, please rate and review this show!

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether it's acceptable and safe for an author to use AI in place of a $2,000 line edit, and where to draw the line between supplementing a human editor and replacing one. Other questions include: What platforms are available for book reviews, and should you submit a digital or hard copy? Should you allow returns on IngramSpark, and how costly are they really? Is it sensible to price the same book a dollar higher on Ingram than on Kindle? What marketing steps should an author take to promote a general fiction novel before launch? What can you do when your audiobooks aren't selling but your e-books and paperbacks are? Do books in a linked series need consistent covers, and what happens when you have to switch designers? And more! Show Notes Alliance of Independent Authors AI Policy Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-Publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.

On this week's Self-Publishing News podcast, ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway reports on the collapse of Self-Publishing Partnership, a UK-based service provider that ceased trading at the end of June, leaving authors waiting on royalties and raising questions about why no administrators were brought in. The Society of Authors has launched a campaign to help affected members recover what they're owed. Then Dan turns to Anthropic's announcement that it will watermark all text generated by Claude — a move driven in part by the EU's AI Act, and one that could eventually help platforms like Amazon identify AI-generated books. Show Notes How Claude's text watermark works Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

Season 6, Episode 776: The Art of Spicy Narratives: A Chat with Erotic Storyteller Nemo Omnis, plus excerpt from '"Hello Beautiful", written by Nemo Omnis and narrated by Ruan Willow. Topics of Discussion: Erotic Storytelling, Spicy Romance, Human Condition, Intimacy Exploration, Self-Publishing, Writing Process, Erotic Fiction, Literary Freedom, Creative Collaboration, Author Journey, Character Development, Reader Engagement, Publishing Challenges, Erotic Themes, Genre Definitions, Writing Community, Literary Voice, Emotional Storytelling, Romance Literature, Kink Exploration Guest Bio: Nemo Omnis is an erotic storyteller of various persuasions, currently historical and spooky. Nemo believes in the exploration of the human condition through the lens of the erotic. By embracing the playful nature of intimacy, their works focus on freedom, beauty, truth, and above all things, love. Nemo is owned by two cats who grudgingly permit them to eat, work, and sleep. They can be found at www.NemoOmnis.me. Links: https://nemoomnis.me and https://eroticneutral.substack.com From the Podcast Host Ruan Willow: Ruan's books and audiobooks (affiliate links are in this post): http://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/ Shameless Summit for Women to explore their sexuality and sensuality, Season 3: Reserve your spot in the FREE Shameless Summit, taking place August 24-28, 2026 Featured books: Neighborhood Secrets: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/neighborhoodsecretssfwcover Wicked & Spicy Tales: Four short stories of erotic paranormal magic and erotic horror, eerie Twilight Zone-ish... not your typical Ruan Willow book as these stories are mystical, devious, and explore the darker side. These stories are not HEA, but instead are wicked and spicy. Audiobook: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/wickedandspicytalesaudiobook in Ebook and paperback: https://books.ruanwillowauthor.com/wickedandspicytales Podcast Merch! Wear Oh F*ck Yeah! Get Oh F*ck Yeah Podcast Merch T-shirts, tank tops, long sleeve shirts, mugs! Wear it sassy and hot! Support the show Join for $3 to get exclusive content Newsletters https://subscribepage.io/ruanwillow https://linktr.ee/RuanWillow

Chandler shares his journey from a 19-year-old college dropout selling paint jobs to scaling Self-Publishing.com into an $80M business. The conversation covers early guerilla marketing tactics, overcoming massive partner disputes, and the raw grit needed to outlast competitors.

The publishing industry is getting serious about AI authorship, and one major publishing CEO has some surprising thoughts on AI detectors and proving who actually wrote a book. Lulu is rolling out a dead-simple new direct-sales tool, while Dibbly Create finally adds manuscript imports. Plus, Get Authentic Book Reviews and Book Bounty launch new features for authors, along with more updates in the Rapid-Fire Newsflash. Catch up on the latest Self-Publishing News for August 20, 2026.  Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/PublisherRocket (affiliate link)  Publishers Weekly: Brian Murray Addresses AI Authorship Issues - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/copyright/article/101002-brian-murray-calls-for-industrywide-solutions-to-issues-around-ai-authorship.html Jane Friedman: After Editing Two AI-Assisted Manuscripts, I Rewrote My Client Agreement - https://janefriedman.com/after-editing-two-ai-assisted-manuscripts-i-rewrote-my-client-agreement/ Lulu: Single-Click Selling Option Waitlist - https://lulu-press.myklpages.com/l/Yvt5xc Lulu Publishing: How to Set Up a Lulu Buy Button for Direct Sales | Complete Tutorial - https://youtu.be/OslwjE5oUSg?si=BIMoMmd2ZAoqT1C- Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link)  Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Voice by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/ Spoken Multi-Cast™ Deep Dive Webinar - https://www.spoken.press/magicmodewebinar Dale L. Roberts: How to Build an Author Website With No Tech Skills | Tertulia for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/ofmFpEP6tnA?si=PprfosdkMKV2ZVqv ProWritingAid: Creative Nudge - https://prowritingaid.com/features/creative-nudges?afid=6615 (affiliate link) ProWritingAid: Is Your Manuscript Really Ready to Publish? - https://prowritingaid.com/ready-to-publish/sign-up Women in Publishing Summit: The Marketing Power of Book Covers: From Market Research to Promotion - https://womeninpublishingsummit.com/event/marketing-power-book-covers-miblart/ The Indy Author Podcast: What Draft2Digital's New Fees Mean for Indie Authors with Kris Austin - #349 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzutAVKlYxc&list=PLDnpWFQZeQuYxOVgBG8u9DUO-aIjphmG_&index=2 Draft2Digital: YouTube for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/T71o5yHGKhY?si=g_QuOp3_hLnn9iVH   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Bestselling authors William Bernhardt (The Superman Wars) and Lara Bernhardt discuss the latest news from the book world, offer writing tips, and interview Lauren Smith, the USA Today-bestselling author of many books, some romance, some romantasy, and some involving Sherlock Holmes. She has published over 90 books that have been translated into at least 6 languages. She was a Semi-Finalist award for the Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley Award and a 2018 RITA ® Finalist in the Romance Writers of America Contest.0:00 Opening ThoughtsOf course, all we can think of is WriterCon, our annual writers conference in Oklahoma City over Labor Day weekend, Sept 4-7—barely two weeks away! It is not too late to register! Come join us and take your writing career to the next level! www.writercon.com4:05 News1) Amazon Sponsors Pop-Up Library for Indie Authors2) Atlantic Report Reveals 20% of Self-Pub Books Use AI14:32 Craft CornerLeticia Gomez talks about how to make the perfect pitch18:08 Interview with Lauren Smith47:16 Parting WordsCome to WriterCon! It's all we can think about! This will be the biggest and best conference yet and you need to be a part of it. Join us! Until next time, keep writing, and remember: You cannot fail, if you refuse to quit.William Bernhardt www.williambernhardt.comwww.writercon.com

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Joe Solari warns authors that a big crowdfunding win isn't the same as a payday. He breaks down the three cash traps that sink successful author businesses — the lag trap, frozen cash, and the shrinking slice — and shows how to dodge them with a few practical habits: tracking committed versus paid money, knowing your inventory value, and setting margin floors before you launch. Sponsor The Publishing for Profit podcast is proudly sponsored by Tertulia for Authors. Build a beautiful author storefront in minutes, showcase your books, send newsletters, and sell direct. Get started at tertulia.com/alli. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Joe Solari assists authors in developing successful businesses as the managing partner of Author Ventures LLC. In his role as a business manager, he supports his private clients, who collectively achieved gross royalties of twenty-two million in 2023, with an average pre-tax profit of 44%. This remarkable success results from implementing disciplined business strategies and maintaining an unwavering dedication to enhancing the customer experience.

Today on the Community podcast, Kristina is joined by bestselling author, book coach, and publishing expert Jake Kelfer to talk about how writing a book can help you build authority, create opportunities, and grow your business.Jake shares how writing his first book changed the direction of his career and why entrepreneurs don't need a huge audience, decades of experience, or a perfectly polished story to become an author.Tune in to hear:Why you don't need to be the world's leading expert to write a great book.How to move through imposter syndrome and confidently share your perspective.Why writing a book can be a powerful tool for business growth beyond book sales.Jake's ROI trifecta of purpose, platform, and profit.How a book can generate clients, speaking opportunities, visibility, and authority.The three things Jake believes every successful book needs.If you've ever thought about writing a book but questioned whether you're ready, this episode will give you the encouragement and practical advice to start.Tune in now and discover how writing a book can become a powerful asset for your brand and business growth!Connect with Jake:WebsiteFollow Jake on InstagramRead Big Idea To BestsellerMentioned in this Episode:Ready to make your marketing work harder? Partner with Merit Media to scale your growth with strategic paid ads at  https://www.meritmedia.com/Send me a text!PodMatchPodMatch Automatically Matches Ideal Podcast Guests and Hosts For InterviewsSupport the showFor Your Information:• Host your podcast on Buzzsprout!•Join The High Vibe Women Online Community!• Join our favourite scheduling platform Later• FLODESK Affiliate Code | 25% off your first year!• Connect with Kristina  Don't forget to come say hi to us on Instagram @thesocialsnippet, join the Weekly Snippet or follow us on any social media platform! Website . Instagram . Facebook . Linkedin

✍️ Want to start writing online? Download this free Ultimate Guide to get started: https://yt.startwritingonline.com 

AI transparency is getting more complicated for authors as new European regulations begin affecting Claude users worldwide, a new study challenges assumptions about AI-generated writing, and a record number of Pulitzer winners and finalists disclose AI use. Plus, Publishers Weekly shares fresh publishing industry data, a first-time self-published memoirist sells more than 1,000 copies in five months, Instagram rolls out a new book-focused feature, and YouTube announces much tougher monetization requirements coming in 2027. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for August 13, 2026.  Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Publishers Weekly: Publishing Sales Hit $33.4 Billion in 2025 - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/financial-reporting/article/101020-estimated-industry-sales-hit-32-5-billion-in-2025.html  European Commission: Guidelines on transparency obligations for providers and deployers of certain AI systems - https://digital-strategy.ec.europa.eu/en/policies/guidelines-ai-transparency-obligations  Claude Support: How Claude marks AI-generated content - https://support.claude.com/en/articles/16266773-how-claude-marks-ai-generated-content  Text AI watermarks will always be trivial to remove - https://www.seangoedecke.com/text-ai-watermarks/  The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/  BBC: AI stories preferred to human-written ones - study - https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0kmpd6lr80o  Nieman Lab: A record-breaking eight Pulitzer awardees disclosed AI use this year - https://www.niemanlab.org/2026/08/a-record-breaking-eight-pulitzer-awardees-disclosed-ai-use-this-year  The Independent: Instagram's new book feature totally misses the point of reading - https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/books/features/instagram-book-fiction-b3028780.html  Jane Friedman: How I Sold 1,000 Copies of My Self-Published Memoir in Five Months - https://janefriedman.com/how-i-sold-1000-copies-of-my-self-published-memoir-in-five-months/  YouTube Blog: New opportunities to earn and changes to the YouTube Partner Program - https://blog.youtube/news-and-events/youtube-partner-program-updates-2027-new-opportunities-earn/  Draft2Digital: YouTube for Authors (LIVE) - https://www.youtube.com/live/T71o5yHGKhY?si=QNHRmImFR58rUgRV  YouTube for Authors by Dale L. Roberts - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeBook  Rapid-Fire Newsflash  Kindlepreneur: Writer's Conferences: Where and How to Get the Most out of Them - https://kindlepreneur.com/writers-conferences/ The Indy Author Podcast: Laying the Groundwork for Book Rights Deals with Jane Friedman - #348 - https://youtu.be/1n1LCFvgDZA?si=u15aJRpqK-A7MlTi  Booklinker: Ask Us Anything: Live Book Marketing Advice from Two Experienced Marketers - https://www.thebookmarketinglab.com/Ask-Us-Anything-Book-Marketing Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link) LAST CALL: Use coupon code DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026)   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Howard Lovy talks to novelist, poet, and educator Elizabeth Gauffreau about beta readers — what they actually do, how they differ from developmental editors, and why their real job is reader response, not critique. Drawing on decades of giving and receiving feedback as a writer and teacher, Gauffreau explains how authors can set clear expectations, choose the right readers, sort through conflicting feedback, and know when a reader's gut reaction matters more than being factually right. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest Liz Gauffreau writes fiction and poetry with a strong connection to family and place. She holds a BA in English/writing from Old Dominion University and an MA in English/fiction writing from the University of New Hampshire. She has been widely published in literary magazines and several themed anthologies. Her short story "Henrietta's Saving Grace" was awarded the 2022 Ben Nyberg Prize for Fiction by Choeofpleirn Press. Liz has published two novels: The Weight of Snow and Regret, based on the closing of the last poor farm in Vermont in 1968, and Telling Sonny: The Story of a Girl Who Loved the Vaudeville Show. She has also published two collections of photopoetry, Grief Songs: Poems of Love & Remembrance and Simple Pleasures: Haiku from the Place Just Right. Liz's professional background is in nontraditional higher education, including academic advising, classroom and online teaching, curriculum development, and program administration. She received the Granite State College Distinguished Faculty Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2018. Liz lives in Nottingham, New Hampshire, with her husband. Find her online at linktr.ee/egauff.

On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway covers a turbulent week for AI and publishing: the Association of American Literary Agents updating their Canon of Ethics to allow closer work with indie authors; a seven-figure publishing deal shelved within hours of an AI allegation; and a peer-reviewed study of 14,419 self-published Amazon titles finding that AI-generated books are commercially viable but outsold by human authors — while the number of titles grows twice as fast as revenue. Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

Patreon backers have access to an exclusive ComicLab Churn Rate spreadsheet — it does the math for you! Is your Patreon actually growing—or are new members disguising a retention problem? Brad walks Dave through the process of calculating churn rate and shows how one number can unlock a much clearer understanding of a membership business. They discuss subscriber retention, lifetime value, onboarding, well-timed interventions, and how to determine whether advertising or convention appearances are truly worth the investment. Then, Dave asks whether publishing a children's book page by page on his existing webcomic could finally help him finish it. Topics include: Skunk Watch 2026 What churn rate means for a Patreon creator Why total membership and revenue can give you an incomplete picture Finding the necessary numbers in Patreon Insights Two methods for calculating churn rate What constitutes a healthy churn rate Why one month of data isn't enough Calculating your average churn rate over time Calculating your retention rate Estimating average subscriber lifetime Calculating average monthly revenue per member Determining the lifetime value of a Patreon backer Why retaining a current member is cheaper than acquiring a new one Using Patreon Autopilot to reduce cancellations Evaluating the quality and value of your Patreon rewards Improving the onboarding experience for new members Welcome messages, digital gifts, and personalized Bonjoro videos Brad's one-week Patreon check-in Helping new backers navigate a complicated archive Using average subscriber lifetime to schedule a retention intervention Brad's 18-month check-in and longtime-backer gift Repackaging older work into valuable digital rewards Rewarding and recognizing your longest-serving supporters Exclusive livestreams, previews, and “inner circle” benefits Calculating an acceptable customer-acquisition cost Evaluating paid advertising with lifetime-value data Tracking whether a comic convention was financially worthwhile Why free webcomics may still be the best customer-acquisition strategy Dave's productivity tip: drawing to Brazilian Carnival music Using a webcomic schedule to force yourself to complete a children's book Why serialized children's-book pages may not satisfy online readers Publishing complete thematic sections instead of individual pages Building a new project into an established comic's schedule The difficulty of building an audience for an independent children's book When a traditional children's-book publisher may be helpful Creative control, editorial notes, and refusing unwanted revisions Breaking publishing rules and trusting your own experience Releasing a finished independent book before seeking wider distribution Why experienced cartoonists may resist redrawing or revising completed work ComicLab LIVE at the National Cartoonists Society Reuben Awards   You get great rewards when you join the ComicLab Community on Patreon$2 — Early access to episodes$5 — Submit a question for possible use on the show AND get the exclusive ProTips podcast. Plus $2-tier rewards.If you'd like a one-on-one consultation about your comic, book it now!Brad Guigar is the creator of Evil Inc and the author of The Webcomics Handbook. He is available for personal consultations. Dave Kellett is the creator of Sheldon and Drive. He is the co-director of the comics documentary, Stripped.

Barnes & Noble is tightening how stores handle local author events, and showing up with a book may no longer be enough. We also cover free local publicity, platform updates from Apple Books, Lulu, and Voices by INAudio, and ProWritingAid's new ProWritingMethod. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for August 6, 2026.  Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)  Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line (subscription required) - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/  Referenced newsletter: August 5, 2026  Reddit: No more author events? - https://www.reddit.com/r/Barnesandnoble/comments/1uvyzj5/no_more_author_events/  Sell Your Book at B&N - https://dalelinks.com/bnbookstore  Jane Friedman: Why You Should Focus on Local Book Publicity First - https://janefriedman.com/why-you-should-focus-on-local-book-publicity-first/  Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com  Lulu Membership Agreement and Terms of Use - https://www.lulu.com/terms-and-conditions  Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/  ProWritingAid's ProWritingMethod - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingMethod (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/Tertulia (affiliate link)  Tertulia's post in Wide for the Win - https://wideforthewin.com/campus/space/tertuliaforauthors/post/tertulia-updates-new-features  Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) - take $20 off through this link  No codes needed, but for more details: https://DaleLinks.com/GetNovelReport ($20 off does NOT apply through this link)  Booklinker - https://booklinker.com/  The Authors Guild: Agent Talks: How Digital Platforms Reshape Book Launches - https://authorsguild.org/event/agent-talks-how-digital-platforms-reshape-book-launches/  All my relevant links:  Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp  Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships  Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord  Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts  My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.  Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Click Here to ask your book writing and publishing questions!Eli McCann never planned to write a novel. He wrote one chapter kind of, maybe, to prove to himself he couldn't. But when he handed it to his husband, who both laughed and cried reading it, his curiosity and determination grew.That chapter became Stitched, his debut novel about competitive quilting, unlikely friendships, and found family. The story of how it got published is required listening for any first-time author who's ever been told to change their book to make it more marketable.We talk about the year Eli spent building a storytelling following before he had a book to sell, the agent who warned him publishing has a bias problem against older women (and how unfortunately correct she turned out to be), why he refused to rewrite his book into something it wasn't just to land a deal, and what it was actually like to narrate his own audiobook, complete with dialogue-heavy scenes from multiple distinct voices.

Send us Fan MailSend us Fan MailIn this inspiring episode of Living the Dream with Curveball, we are joined by the remarkable Beth Brookhart, who proves that it's never too late to pursue your dreams. At the age of 67, Beth published her first book, drawing from her experiences on the board of a local historical museum and her extensive career as an agricultural journalist. With her unique perspective on volunteerism and community engagement, Beth shares her journey of writing and the importance of resilience in achieving one's goals.Beth discusses her creative process, revealing how she lets her characters simmer in her mind before bringing them to life on the page. She reflects on the challenges of the publishing industry and her decision to go with a small publisher that champions the voices of women over 50. Listeners will be captivated by her insights on humor in writing, the significance of volunteerism in her narratives, and her upcoming novel, *A Field of Dreams for Women*, which promises to blend magical realism with heartfelt storytelling.What You'll Learn in This Episode:- The journey of publishing a book later in life- Insights into Beth's writing process and character development- The role of humor and volunteerism in her work- Challenges and opportunities in the current publishing landscape- Details about her upcoming novel and its inspiring themesJoin us for a conversation that encourages listeners to embrace their passions, regardless of age, and to take bold steps towards their dreams. For more about Beth and her work, visit bethbrookhart.comSupport the show

On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway reports that the Anthropic settlement has received its final legal approval, with nearly half a million titles eligible for a payout of around $3,000 — and legal fees cut to just over $100 million. He covers Simon and Schuster's second new imprint for indie authors, Simon Stream, offering 50 percent net ebook royalties, alongside the previously reported Pocket Books relaunch. And he closes with Canadian survey data showing readers are already paying an average of US$8.74 for ebooks — neatly vindicating KDP's recent royalty cap rise to $12.99. Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

Dan sits down with Carissa Broadbent, the #1 New York Times and USAToday bestselling author behind the wildly popular "Crowns of Nyaxia"series, to talk about her new book, *The Lion and the Deathless Dark*.Carissa shares how she went from marketing to indie publishing, whyromantasy is having such a huge moment, and the real-world habits thathelped her finally finish books instead of obsessing over chapter oneforever. She gets candid about productivity, burnout, and writingwhile eight months pregnant. Expect smart tips and tons of inspo forcreators and entrepreneurs alike. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Substack rolled out a new AI detection tool, and the backlash from writers has been swift. I also cover a proposed Copyright Office fee increase, IngramSpark's new path into Turkey, what librarians actually want from indie books, and a major Anthropic settlement update. Plus, I've got a rapid-fire roundup with author resources, audiobook opportunities, and a couple of last-call promos. As per usual, all relevant links are in the show notes. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate  (affiliate link) The Substack Post: Against Claudefishing - https://post.substack.com/p/against-claudefishing?mc_cid=22d3ab64d9&mc_eid=433332c881 US Copyright Office: Proposed Schedule and Analysis of Copyright Fees to Go Into Effect in Fall 2026 - https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/feestudy2026/proposed-fee-schedule.pdf  IngramSpark: General Turkish Book Marketing Information - https://marketing.ingramcontent.com/mrkng/2026/797-27073/797-27073GCTurkeyMarketFAQ.pdf IngramSpark - https://IngramSpark.com Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/ (subscription required) Writer Beware: Anthropic Settlement Update: Final Settlement Approved - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/07/23/anthropic-settlement-update-final-settlement-approved/ Rapid-Fire Newsflash Future Fiction Academy: AI & Authorship Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctsA4vT3E3dj0FZ3_4R2KzEeWsf-ziqonzbFkwR7RZyzPCDw/viewform  The Indy Author Podcast - https://youtu.be/P7wdCYA2VCo?si=mdg-P1btfkwwdpWs  Twin Flames Studios: How to Fully Leverage Your Audiobook - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AYzV78kfTRayVweXp7TXEQ#/registration  Spoken: What Listeners Want: The Edison Results Roundtable (replay) - https://www.spoken.press/spokenroundtable  Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link). Use code DALESUMMER50 for 50% off till August 20, 2026. The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos  Other Links The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712  Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks  Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

Send us Fan MailHelp BookWorthy make plans and know how to serve your best by filling out the 2026 Listener survey. Click the link, answer 10 questions. I can't wait to hear what you have to say. Full Transcripts available at http://www.valeriefentress.com/blogIn this episode of Book Worthy, Valerie interviews children's author Theresa Marie Villarreal, who discusses her Adventures in Oculus series, a middle-grade portal fantasy with Christian undertones. They explore the inspiration behind the series, the importance of storytelling, and the need to inspire young readers. Theresa also shares insights about her podcast, The Storytellers Shelf, which aims to demystify the publishing process for both traditional and self-published authors. The conversation touches on the challenges of self-publishing, favorite books, and exciting future projects. Meet Author Theresa Maria VillarrealJoin BookWorthy's Summer Reading Challenge TakeawaysTheresa's writing journey began after the birth of her first child.The Adventures in Oculus series blends imagination with Christian themes.Theresa aims for her books to grow with the reader.The importance of seeking truth and courage in storytelling.The Storytellers Shelf podcast focuses on inspiring literacy in children.Self-publishing authors face unique challenges in the industry.Quality should be prioritized over quantity in writing.Theresa's favorite book is Anne of Green Gables, which inspires her writing.The Storytellers Shelf is expanding into a publishing house.Theresa is working on new projects, including picture books and chapter books.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Theresa Marie and Her Journey07:15 The Adventures in Oculus: A Portal Fantasy12:58 Themes of Truth and Friendship in Writing14:19 The Storytellers Shelf Podcast: Inspiring Young Readers18:49 Demystifying Self-Publishing22:23 Favorite Books and Inspirations23:45 Future Projects and Exciting DevelopmentsListener Survey invitationLet's discover great books together!Follow for more:FB: @bookworthypodcastInstagram: @bookworthy_podcastYouTube:  BookWorthy Podcast - YouTubetiktok: @valeriefentress

A major traditional publisher is making a surprising move toward indie authors. We also cover a KDP payment change, new details about Audible's royalty model, and fresh opportunities for book promotion and AI discoverability. Plus, the Rapid-Fire Newsflash features author resources, timely discounts, and more publishing updates. Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) KDP Community: EUR Check Payments Changing in August 2026 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/EUR-Check-Payments-Changing-in-August-2026?language=en_US ACX: Suggested Price - https://help.acx.com/s/article/suggested-price PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link) Draft2Digital: The Draft2Digital Promotions Team - https://draft2digital.com/blog/the-draft2digital-promotions-team/ Publishers Weekly: Pocket Books Relaunched as Home for Self-Published Authors - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/100756-pocket-books-relaunched-as-home-for-self-published-authors.html ALLi: How to Make Your Books Discoverable by AI, with Orna Ross and Rob Prime - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-how-to-make-your-books-discoverable-by-ai/ ALLi's Community Hub: SelfPubConnect - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/ The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link) Rapid-Fire Newsflash IngramSpark: A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026-2027 - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/2025-book-awards-contests-for-indie-authors Authors Guild: Do Authors Need an LLC or S-Corporation? - https://authorsguild.org/resource/do-authors-need-an-llc-or-s-corporation/  Gemsy (the book review exchange platform) - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link) Use DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026) The Indy Author Podcast: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - Ep. 345 - https://youtu.be/tb7U7_15jzk?si=oBYwzp3hgpqw3WAG  The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712   Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@dalelroberts My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee. Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding! - Dale L. Roberts

#937 Today's guest has built and scaled a business up to eight figures before he even started an Instagram account. But now, this anti-personal-brand guy is changing his mind and putting himself out there. The question is, why now? What's changed, and what is the risk of running a faceless company in 2026? Listen in on this interview with Chandler Bolt of selfpublishing.com to find out! In this session, Chandler shares his journey from bestselling author to massively successful entrepreneur who helps thousands of writers publish their books. As you'll hear, Chandler's all about delivering results at scale. And that's where building a personal brand comes in, as he's now supercharging his business with the kind of main character energy that stands out in the age of AI. We also discuss the importance of finding business partnerships, the three traits that help you create deep connections, publishing books to build authority, and building a team around your vision! Show note and more at SmartPassiveIncome.com/session937.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.