The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast

Amazon's latest algorithm changes are giving authors more proof that they need to bring their own traffic, while KDP print quality concerns keep pushing some authors to look at other options. In this self-publishing news update, I cover new insights from Written Word Media, a trust-shaking Grammarly lawsuit, LaterPress AI tools, Voices by INaudio, Draft2Digital features, and more. You'll also hear quick updates on Spoken, Booklinker, Twin Flames Studios, and rising self-publishing stats. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for March 27, 2026. PRF Law: Class Action Alleges That Grammarly Misappropriated the Names of Journalists and Authors Through its "Expert Review" That Lets Users Get Feedback on Writing From Experts - https://prf-law.com/current-cases/class-action-alleges-that-grammarly-misappropriated-the-names-of-journalists-and-authors-through-its-expert-review Written Word Podcast: The Amazon A10 Update: 3 Things Every Indie Author Needs to Know - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/the-amazon-a10-update-3-things-every-indie-author-needs-to-know/ Vervanté - https://vervante.com/ Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com Laterpress: An Introduction to Laterpress AI | Special 2-hour Launch Stream https://www.youtube.com/live/E-h-WZR4mx8?si=4DUeL18jZiokE92t Voices by INAudio: Welcome to the Voices Newsletter - https://voicesbyinaudio-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/welcome-to-the-voices-newsletter-8bc7af69628f447c Draft2Digital - https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) Rapid-Fire News Flash Spoken x Author Nation: Choose the Winner in "Your Story" Audiobook Contest - https://www.spoken.press/yourstory Spoken: Spring Sprint - https://www.spoken.press/sprint Twin Flames Studios: Launch Strategies That Fit You (webinar) - https://twinflamesstudios.com/launchstrategies/?partnerid=r1397 BookLinker: Getting Started with BookBub Ads (webinar) - https://booklinker.mykajabi.com/Bookbub-Ads-Authors 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

Amazon's latest updates are raising concerns for self-published authors, as hundreds of new KDP categories may actually be hurting book discoverability instead of helping it. In this Self-Publishing News update, we break down the growing issue of ghost categories, along with what authors can do to stay visible. We also cover Amazon's push into AI-powered ads, new metadata guidance from Barnes & Noble Press, and a cover design case study from CraveBooks with surprising results. Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket (affiliate link) Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) Use code GETMYREPORT for $20 off - Amazon Advertising - https://advertising.amazon.com Barnes & Noble Press: 7 Steps to Spring Clean Your Book Metadata! - https://press.barnesandnoble.com/bnpress-blog/spring-clean-your-book-metadata/ CraveBooks - https://DaleLinks.com/CraveBooks (affiliate link) CraveBooks Marketing Hub (on Discord) - https://discord.gg/AYYbKKWGDJ The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link) ALLi: The Indie Author Bookstore - https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/ My ALLi Author Page - https://bookstore.allianceindependentauthors.org/author/dale-l-roberts Rapid Fire News Flash Writer Beware: Deadline Approaching to File a Claim in the Anthropic Settlement - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/03/13/deadline-approaching-to-file-a-claim-in-the-anthropic-settlement/ Authors Guild: From Manuscript to Marketplace: WE DESERVE TO HEAL - https://authorsguild.org/event/from-manuscript-to-marketplace-we-deserve-to-heal/ Book Brush - https://BookBrush.com Platinum members: Contact Book Brush about the Level Up Your Author Business webinar with Seth Norris & Mel Jolly Reader Views Book Awards - https://readerviews.com/literaryawards/winners/sponsored/ Outstanding Creator Awards 2025 Clash of Champions - https://www.outstandingcreator.com/winners--2025-clash-of-champions.html 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

Draft2Digital is finally explaining why dozens of nonfiction categories were blocked last year, and the answer points to a growing issue with AI flooding parts of the nonfiction marketplace. We also look at fresh market insights from PublishDrive, issues surfacing around the BookBounty review exchange platform, and several updates authors should keep on their radar across distribution, tools, and publishing platforms. Author Nation After Party (digital replay) - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNationReplay (affiliate link) PublishDrive's Market Intelligence Report 2026 - https://publishdrive.com/publishdrives-market-intelligence-report-2026 PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link) Bookshop.org and Draft2Digital Partner - https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/bookshop-org-and-draft2digital-partner-enabling-independent-bookstores-to-profit-from-self-published-ebooks/ D2D and Bookshop Team Up: Your Ebooks Reach 4 Million New Readers (video) - https://youtu.be/DR5ixdGItWE?si=KqZgeuEoSgolvL5p Draft2Digital - https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (affiliate link) Indie Author Magazine: Draft2Digital CEO Details How AI Is Actually Affecting the Industry - https://indieauthormagazine.com/draft2digital-ceo-kris-austin-details-how-ai-is-actually-affecting-the-industry/ Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link) Rapid Fire News Flash Amazon Ads - https://ads.amazon.com Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/ Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) IngramSpark: Book Marketing for the Self-Published Author - https://ingramspark.learnworlds.com/course/book-marketing Barnes & Noble Press: Bank Beneficiary Address - https://help-press.barnesandnoble.com/hc/en-us/articles/45981327203483-Bank-Beneficiary-Address ProWritingAid presents: Novel Beginnings - https://prowritingaid.com/novel-beginnings?afid=6615 (affiliate link) 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

Draft2Digital and Bookshop just opened a new path for indie authors to reach bookstore-first readers, with Bookshop serving around four million customers. We talk through what this partnership changes, how ebooks show up on Bookshop, how local bookstores benefit, what authors earn through the normal retail split, and how Bookshop affiliates can add extra upside. We also cover expectations, discoverability signals that reward recent sales, and why clean metadata plus DRM-free choices can help readers shop and read on the devices they prefer. (Feb. 4, 2026) Draft2Digital x Bookshop Press Release - https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/bookshop-org-and-draft2digital-partner-enabling-independent-bookstores-to-profit-from-self-published-ebooks/ Draft2Digital - https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) 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

This week's self-publishing news covers why some authors get paid while others do not, including how rights reversion can affect payouts tied to AI settlements and future legal actions. We also touch on important updates and conversations involving Writer Beware, the Authors Guild, Apple Books, Spoken, ProWritingAid, Twin Flames Studios, and a new discussion on networking for authors. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for January 13, 2026. Author Nation After Party (digital replay) - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNationReplay (affiliate link) - Writer Beware: Reversion Redux - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/01/09/reversion-redux/ Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com Spoken - https://spoken.press ProWebWriter - https://prowebwriter.com/ Miblart: 10 Book Cover Design Trends that Await Us in 2026 - https://miblart.com/blog/book-cover-trends-this-year/ Author Marketing Experts: 10 Book Marketing Campaigns That Drive Real Results - https://amarketingexpert.com/2025/12/23/10-proven-book-marketing-campaigns-that-actually-work/ ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link) Twin Flames Studios: The State of Publishing in 2026 - https://twinflamesstudios.com/publishing-2026?partnerid=r1397 Authors Guild: Money Isn't the Worst! Personal Finance 101 for Creatives - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_YjXJv97PSLi2xy7bmADKjA#/registration The Novel Marketing Podcast: Networking for Authors - https://youtu.be/BRXpvf1Np_4?si=YJCNrjjWHH3UYN57 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 podcast 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

Draft2Digital has confirmed a print cost increase starting February 1, 2026, following similar changes across the print industry. IngramSpark confirms free revisions are coming, while platform risk, Amazon KDP, audio growth, and new author opportunities round out the first Self-Publishing News of the year. Here is what authors need to know. Author Nation After Party (digital replay) - https://AuthorNation.live/AfterParty Authors Guild Raises Concerns About Kindle's New "Ask This Book" AI Feature - https://authorsguild.org/news/statement-on-amazon-kindle-ask-this-book-ai-feature/ Draft2Digital (D2D) - https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) D2D Print Price Calculator - https://draft2digital.com/podcalc IngramSpark - https://IngramSpark.com - use FIXIT to waive revision fees through January 2026 - https://www.ingramspark.com/free-revisions-fixit IngramSpark: A Letter from the Director - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/a-letter-from-the-director-1 PublishDrive 2025: The Year We Turned AI Promises Into Publishing Reality - https://publishdrive.com/publishdrive-2025-the-year-we-turned-ai-promises-into-publishing-reality.html PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link) - 25% off all annual plans until January 7, 2026 GetCovers: Is Amazon KDP Worth It In 2026? - https://getcovers.com/blog/is-amazon-kdp-worth-it-in-2026 Spoken: "Your Story" Competition - https://www.spoken.press/yourstory Booklinker: The Strategic Author - https://booklinker.mykajabi.com/Strategic-Author Booklinker: From Book Cover to Brand Story: Building an Author Identity That Sells - https://booklinker.mykajabi.com/Build-author-identity 2025 Digital Book Today Literary Awards - https://digitalbooktoday.com/?s=Dale YouTube for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeBook 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

Kindle Direct Publishing announced two major updates that authors need to understand. Changes to digital rights management are raising questions, while a new ebook pre-order feature could reward authors who are prepared. We also cover AI entering the reading experience, audiobook discovery tied to BookTok, platform updates, and opportunities authors should watch heading into 2026. YouTube Channel Memberships – https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships KDP: New eBook Download Options for Readers Coming in 2026 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/New-eBook-Download-Options-for-Readers-Coming-in-2026?language=en_US TechCrunch: Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct's self-published e-books - https://techcrunch.com/2025/12/10/amazon-changes-how-copyright-protection-is-applied-to-kindle-directs-self-published-ebooks/ KDP: eBook pre-orders will soon show a reading sample on Amazon – Update - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/eBook-pre-orders-will-soon-show-a-reading-sample-on-Amazon-Update DigitalTrends: Google Play Books may soon let you ask Gemini questions while you read - https://www.digitaltrends.com/phones/google-play-books-may-soon-let-you-ask-gemini-questions-while-you-read/ Amazon's New Kindle Feature Raises Concerns | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 16, 2025) - https://youtu.be/ozboaJlwhiw Bookvault – https://bookvault.app – Use coupon code BVDALE to waive three upload fees PublishDrive – Save 25% off all annual distribution plans - https://publishdrive.com/save-25-on-publishdrive-annual-plans-forever?fpr=dale10 (affiliate link) – Offer ends December 31, 2025 Audible and TikTok Bring Best of #BookTok Sensations Direct to Listeners - https://www.audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-and-tiktok-bring-best-of-booktok-sensations-direct-to-listeners Get Authentic Book Reviews – https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com Spoken – https://Spoken.press Payhip: Ecommerce Payment Gateways for Digital Products - https://payhip.com/payment-gateways?fp_ref=lym89 (affiliate link) Authorbase – https://DaleLInks.com/Authorbase (affiliate link) Written Word Media: Author Branding for Self-Published Authors: How to Build a Brand Readers Love (Without Feeling Icky About It) - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/author-branding-for-self-published-authors Outstanding Creator Awards: 2025 Clash of Champions Contest (results) – https://www.outstandingcreator.com/winners--2025-clash-of-champions.html Reader Views Awards: "Email Marketing for Authors" by Dale L. Roberts - https://readerviews.com/reviews/email-marketing-for-authors-roberts/ Self-Publishing with Dale (book series) – https://DaleLinks.com/SelfPubWithDale 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

Amazon quietly rolled out a new Kindle feature that places AI directly inside books, raising questions authors should understand. This week's Self-Publishing News also covers major audiobook platform updates, new distribution and monetization options, and review compliance shifts tied to Amazon enforcement. These changes affect how authors publish, promote, and protect their work moving into the new year. YouTube Channel Memberships (podcast) – https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Channel Memberships Members-only Video Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOl9CjdZQtzufqgYx0CidSbA IngramSpark Changes Every Author Must See | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 9, 2025) - https://youtu.be/tvyINUd0JIU?si=mMpMLgYl1B0Te6t9 Now in Beta: Narrator Voice Replicas on ACX - https://www.acx.com/mp/blog/now-in-beta-narrator-voice-replicas-on-acx Writer Beware: Kindle's New Gen AI-Powered "Ask This Book" Feature Raises Rights Concerns - https://writerbeware.blog/2025/12/12/kindles-new-gen-ai-powered-ask-this-book-feature-raises-rights-concerns/ Spotify for Authors - https://authors.spotify.com • Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/ Google Play Books Partner Center: Character detection in auto-narrated audiobooks - https://support.google.com/books/partner/answer/14183080 Spoken – https://spoken.press Book Bounty – https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link) The Bottom Line (subscription required) - https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/ YouTube for Authors – https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeBook Dibbly Create – https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) - Use coupon code DIBBLYHOLIDAY25 for 25% off yearly plans, and DIBBLYHOLIDAY30 for 30% off addon tokens. (ends January 1) Dibbly – https://DaleLinks.com/Dibbly - Use code TUWHOLIDAY7 for 7% off all services. (ends January 1) StoryOrigin – https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin Keith Wheeler Books presents: Short Reads Domination Course - https://shortreaddomination.com/ Matty Dalrymple presents: From Expertise to Authority: Building Your Professional Presence for a Sideline or Second Act - https://www.theindyauthor.com/entrepreneurship 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

IngramSpark announced new pricing and a higher market access fee that affects every author using their platform. Draft2Digital revealed a major shift in Smashwords royalties, especially for lower priced ebooks. Written Word Media released new survey data showing what separates hobbyists from the authors earning real money. All that and more in the self-publishing news this week. YouTube Channel Memberships (podcast) – https://DaleLinks.com/Membership YouTube Channel Memberships (main channel) – https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships IngramSpark - https://IngramSpark.com IngramSpark Rate Card 2026 - https://www.ingramspark.com/hubfs/Rate%20Card_IngramSpark_2026.pdf IngramSpark December 2025 Newsletter - https://www.ingramspark.com/newsletter-december2025 Draft2Digital - https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) Draft2Digital Royalty Rates - https://www.draft2digital.com/blog/royalty-rates/ Smashwords End of Year Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos Written Word Media: 2025 Indie Author Survey Results - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/2025-indie-author-survey-results-insights-into-self-publishing-for-authors/ Authors Guild: What Authors Need to Know About the Baker & Taylor Closure and How It Affects Library Access to Your Book - https://authorsguild.org/news/what-authors-need-to-know-about-the-baker-and-taylor-closure/ Booklinker - https://Booklinker.com Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Twin Flames Studios: The Ghostwriting of Christmas Past, Present, and Future - https://twinflamesstudios.com/ghostwriting/ 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

Holiday cutoffs, platform updates, and a major distribution move are shaping the publishing world this week. One company picked up a key piece of a system that almost shut down, and this change could affect how your books reach readers. A few author services also shared new updates, warnings, and opportunities worth exploring. Catch everything you need to know in today's self-publishing news. My Channel Memberships (podcast) - https://DaleLinks.com/Membership My Channel Memberships (main channel) - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships Publishers Weekly: Lakeside Book Company Buys B&T Distribution Arm - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/99162-lakeside-book-company-buys-b-t-distribution-arm.html Bookvault – https://Bookvault.app (use code BVDALE to waive your first 3 upload fees) Draft2Digital – https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) Draft2Digital Now Hiring - https://draft2digital.com/careers/ Booksprout – https://DaleLinks.com/Booksprout (affiliate link) Booksprout Now Hiring, Contact: [email protected] IngramSpark: Understanding IngramSpark Title Processing - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/understanding-ingramspark-title-processing Google Play Books Partner Center (GPBPC) – https://play.google.com/books/publish/ GPBPC: Publisher Program Policies - https://support.google.com/books/partner/answer/166501 CraveBooks – https://DaleLinks.com/CraveBooks (affiliate link) Written Word Media: Author Beware: How Scammers Target Indie Authors (and How to Avoid Today's Most Common Publishing Scams) - https://www.writtenwordmedia.com/avoid-author-scams/ Twin Flames Studios: 7 Smart Ways to Sell More Books During the Holidays (Without Losing Your Mind) - https://twinflamesstudios.com/7-smart-ways-to-sell-more-books-during-the-holidays-without-losing-your-mind/ Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) Dibbly Create Handbook - https://dalelinks.com/dibblycreatehandbook Spoken: Digitally-Narrated Audiobooks with Spoken – Bring Your Backlist to Life in 2026 - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hlp1wQBYR-ebipBiVUuc7g#/registration Booklinker: Facebook/Meta Ads Insights with Melissa Storm - https://booklinker.mykajabi.com/Facebook-Ads 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

Black Friday brings the biggest savings of the year for authors, and I rounded up the deals you will not want to miss. From writing tools to book promotion to web hosting, these offers help you grow your author business without breaking the bank. Check the show notes for all the links and deadlines. Grab what fits your goals before the sales end. Full disclosure: Most of these links are part of affiliate programs where I get compensated for any sales made through them. This is at no extra cost to you and greatly helps support this podcast. Thanks for your understanding and support. Links: YouTube for Authors (paperback) - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeForAuthors - 25% off through Dec. 1, 2025 YouTube for Authors (hardcover) - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeHardcover - 34% off through Dec. 1, 2025 Lulu: 2025 Holiday Gift Guide - https://dalelinks.com/giftguide2025 Lulu - https://Lulu.com - Use WRITE30 for 30% off all print products Miblart - https://DaleLinks.com/MiblartDesign - Coupon Code: BLACK20 for 20% off Book Covers - valid till December 3 Getcovers - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers - Coupon Code: BLACK25 for 25% off all services - valid till December 3 ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid - 50% off yearly and lifetime plans - ends December 3 Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate - Get 30% off three months of the Pro Plan with BLACKFRIDAY30, and get 40% off Add-on Tokens for Create with BLACKFRIDAY40 - Offer expires Dec. 2, 2025 Dibbly - https://DaleLinks.com/Dibbly - Get 12% off all services with BLACKFRIDAYTUW12 - Offer expires Dec. 2 Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket - $30 off, plus access to Mastering Keywords & Categories Course (normally $49.99) - Offer ends on Dec. 3, 2025 Cravebooks - https://DaleLinks.com/Cravebooks - 5-Day Black Friday Countdown Sale - 50% off on November 28, 2025, then the discount goes down by 10% everyday AppSumo - https://DaleLinks.com/AppSumo - Black Friday Sale over on Dec. 2, 2025 AppSumo Deal: DepositPhotos - https://DaleLinks.com/DepositPhotos - Black Friday Sale over on Dec. 2, 2025 MailerLite - https://DaleLinks.com/MailerLite - 25% off annual plans - Good till December 16, 2025 Kit - https://DaleLinks.com/Kit - Get 60% off 3 months of the Creator Plan - Good till December 2, 2025 Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com - Promotion available for a limited time Gemsy- https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy - Get 50% off the yearly plan with promo code DALEBF50 - good through Dec. 5, 2025 SiteGround - https://DaleLinks.com/SiteGround - 85% off Premium Web Hosting, plus 3 months FREE Site Scanner & Premium Backup - Sale ends Dec. 2, 2025 ContentStudio - https://dalelinks.com/contentstudiodeal - 40% off annual plan - Offer ends on Nov. 30, 2025 Riverside - https://DaleLinks.com/Riverside - 35% off annual plans for new users with code BF2025 -Offer ends Dec. 1, 2025 AuthorAI - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorsAI - 25% off with code BFDEAL - Good through Dec. 1, 2025 Other relevant links: Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp Join Channel Memberships - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKv8xcrFntOERL7NUXgkypg/join Join my Discord community - http://dalelinks.com/discord Check out my podcast channel - https://www.youtube.com/@selfpubwithdale 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

Draft2Digital made another move this week, and it has authors talking. Also, find out about the latest shift in their distribution landscape along with industry updates from Spotify, Bookvault, ALLi, and more. We also revisit the Share and Sell spotlight from IngramSpark and update authors on several new opportunities heading into the holiday season. YouTube for Authors (paperback) – https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeForAuthors Authors Guild: Predatory Opt-Out Scheme ClaimsHero Targets Anthropic Settlement Participants: What Authors Need to Know - https://authorsguild.org/news/claimshero-and-anthropic-settlement-what-authors-need-to-know/ Draft2Digital – https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) Draft2Digital: The Indie Advantage (Nov. 2025) - https://authoremail.com/email/campaigns/jl895x7j8m0c9/web-version/lg0604x35fb97 Draft2Digital: Smashwords 2025 End of Year Sale - https://draft2digital.com/smashwords-sale/ Bookvault: WooCommerce Integration Upgrade - https://bookvault.app/woocommerce-integration-upgrade/ Spotify for Authors: Spotify Expands Audiobook Access for Premium Subscribers in Five More European Countries - https://newsroom.spotify.com/2025-11-18/audiobooks-in-premium-sweden-denmark-finland-iceland-monaco/ ALLi: Inside the Judges' Minds: What Award Panels Really Look For - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/award-panels/ Spoken: Digitally-Narrated Audiobooks with Spoken – Bring Your Backlist to Life in 2026 - https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Hlp1wQBYR-ebipBiVUuc7g#/registration Kerrie Flanagan presents The Book Business Collective - https://geni.us/DaleTBBC IngramSpark: Share & Sell Giveaway - https://www.ingramspark.com/create-your-link-and-be-entered-to-win IngramSpark: Share & Sell Users Feedback - https://www.ingramspark.com/sell-my-book-feedback YouTube for Authors (hardcover) – https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubeHardcover 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

Amazon rolled out a new KDP feature that could change how authors reach global readers. This roundup walks through what happened and why it matters without spoiling anything. If you publish through KDP or go wide, you need to know what just launched. Stay sharp and stay informed. KDP: Introducing Kindle Translate in Beta - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Introducing-Kindle-Translate-in-Beta-Translate-eBooks-into-multiple-languages?language=en_US KDP: Kindle Translate FAQs - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/question/0D5at00000VrSMkCAN/kindle-translate-faqs?language=en_US&topicId=0TOat0000001UnFGAU&count=3 Amazon: Simple tips to spot impersonation scams - https://www.amazon.com/b?node=206290002011&ref_=pe_158999060_1300845330 Draft2Digital – https://DaleLinks.com/D2D (referral link) Draft2Digital: Clean Up Your D2D Account with Merge Tools - https://authoremail.com/email/campaigns/mt7177wad57c8/ Draft2Digital Content Guidelines - https://draft2digital.com/content-guidelines/ IngramSpark – https://IngramSpark.com IngramSpark's Share & Sell Giveaway - https://www.ingramspark.com/share-sell-giveaway Bookvault – https://Bookvault.app Apple Books for Authors – https://authors.apple.com Spotify for Authors: Introducing Audiobook Recaps - https://authors.spotify.com/blog/recaps The Bottom Line (subscription required): A Deep Divide Emerges between AI Users and Nonusers – https://DaleLinks.com/TheBottomLine Spoken.Press – https://spoken.press Twin Flames Studios: The State of AI Audiobooks in 2025 - https://twinflamesstudios.com/the-state-of-ai-audiobooks-in-2025 Dibbly Create – https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) Dibbly Create: Book Layout Studio Webinar - https://dibbly.com/join-free-webinar/ Dibbly – https://DaleLinks.com/Dibbly (affiliate link) ProWritingAid: Novel November – https://DaleLinks.com/NovNov (affiliate link) ProWritingAid Black Friday Deal – https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link) Book Award Pro – https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Get Authentic Book Reviews – https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com DropCap Marketplace - https://dropcapmarketplace.com/pricing Behind the Scenes at Author Nation 2025 - https://www.buzzsprout.com/2121723/episodes/18169217 Author Nation 2025: My Honest Review - https://youtu.be/AmmElopRJJY?si=xG915vwoZ1hf_q-q Amazon Ads Insights with Dale L. Roberts - https://booklinker.mykajabi.com/AmazonAdsDale The First 2 YEARS Sucked! Self-Publishing Secrets with Dale L. Roberts - https://youtu.be/K8iSpCkV4C0?si=Yk1q8Z9MDpTeh5r5 Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.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

Big changes are hitting the publishing world. Amazon's new algorithm is shaking up book rankings, libraries are adjusting after Baker & Taylor's collapse, and Spotify's audiobook listeners just jumped 36%. I'll also cover new scams every author should know about, a wild mayo-scented book promotion, and how you can shape the future of indie publishing through this year's Written Word Media survey. Tune in for all the latest updates. LAST CALL: The Final 3 Kickstarter - https://DaleLinks.com/Kickstarter Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/ The Hidden Rules of Amazon: A Smart Guide for Self-Publishing Authors - https://wiki.authornation.live/The-Hidden-Rules-of-Amazon-A-Smart-Guide-for-Self-Publishing-Authors-217762f8793a806b9109d5858e911e36 Massive Amazon Algorithm Changes - https://www.authormedia.com/massive-amazon-algorithm-changes/ Libraries Look to Fill the Gap Left by Baker & Taylor - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/libraries/article/98808-libraries-look-to-fill-the-gap-left-by-baker-taylor.html Spotify's Audiobook Listeners Grew 36% in Second Year of Service - https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-10-14/spotify-s-audiobook-listeners-grew-36-in-second-year-of-service Writer Beware: Army of Bots: Deeper Into the Vortex of Nigerian Marketing Scams - https://writerbeware.blog/2025/10/20/army-of-bots-deeper-into-the-vortex-of-nigerian-marketing-scams/ Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com The Guardian: A book is being marketed with mayo-scented ink. Jealous? Me? - https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/oct/10/books-marketing-tiktok-publishing Written Word Media: 2025 Author Survey - https://writtenwordmedia.typeform.com/authorsurvey25 Apple Books for Authors: Holiday season delivery schedule. - https://authors.apple.com CraveBooks - https://DaleLinks.com/CraveBooks (affiliate link) Kindlepreneur: Authorpreneur Academy - https://academy.kindlepreneur.com/ StoryOrigin: Mastering Self-Publishing: From Novice to Pro (register for the replay) - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mCWvXho_QwGFXcvN6PVe9A#/registration Miblart: Book Marketing Trends 2026 | What Every Indie Author Should Know - https://www.youtube.com/live/QGTfiBW0DfM?si=Ym2nn7NGrJiOVeJh Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.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

My YouTube podcast channel was deleted without warning, leaving me searching for answers. Meanwhile, Baker & Taylor faces closure, PublishDrive partners with ElevenReader for AI audiobooks, and Bookvault unveils new Spot UV and foil upgrades. BookBaby highlights proven ad strategies that drive real sales, and Spoken earns ALLi's highest rating for author trust. It's a week packed with big shifts, bold moves, and major updates for indie authors in this week's Self-Publishing News. Self-Publishing News October 13, 2025 - The Final 3 Kickstarter Campaign - https://DaleLinks.com/Kickstarter LIVE: Game-Changing Author Strategies Revealed - https://youtube.com/live/C122wCbad-U My YouTube Podcast Channel - https://DaleLinks.com/YouTubePodcast Baker & Taylor Prepares Plan to Shut Down - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/98777-baker-taylor-prepares-plan-to-shut-down.html PublishDrive Partners with ElevenReader for Instant Audiobook Creation - https://publishdrive.com/publishdrive-partners-with-elevenreader-for-instant-audiobook-creation.html PublishDrive: Book Marketing that Works Insights from Dale L Roberts - https://youtu.be/wos5AoL5jpk?si=_8KM8622A4fPkETF Bookvault Bespoke - https://bookvault.app/bookvaultbespoke-product-examples/ Booklinker - https://booklinker.com BookBaby: Examples of Book Advertising That Drive Sales - https://blog.bookbaby.com/how-to-promote-your-book/book-promotion/book-advertising-examples Spoken: V1.04 Release Notes: New Upgrades! - https://spoken.press - ALLi Watchdog List - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi ALLi: SelfPubCon 2025 - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/conference-2025/ StoryOrigin: Mastering Self-Publishing: From Novice to Pro - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/mCWvXho_QwGFXcvN6PVe9A#/registration Michell Buck Books: Building an Author Platform with Dale L. Roberts - https://open.substack.com/live-stream/66104?utm_source=live-stream-scheduled-upsell Miblart: Book Marketing Strategies 2026 - https://miblart.com/book-marketing-webinars/ Author Nation - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNation (affiliate link) Author Nation: MEET UPS AND OUTSIDE EVENTS - https://www.authornation.live/2025-meetups Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.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