The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast

Think book awards are just about luck or deep pockets? Think again. In this interview, I sit down with Steven Seril, indie author and founder of the Outstanding Creator Awards, to talk about how authors can actually win book awards—without wasting time or money. We cover the biggest do's and don'ts of submitting to contests, what judges really look for, and how to use awards to build your author b...

In today's indie author news update, we're diving into the latest feature rollouts from IngramSpark, an exciting new marketing tool from Barnes & Noble Press, and a handful of cutting-edge book promotion services you'll want to check out. We're also covering updates from Apple Books, a powerful book structure fix from Fictionary, and wrapping up with a huge giveaway opportunity you don't want to m...

What if you had to start from scratch? In this episode, I'll share the exact roadmap for indie authors, how to build a brand from nothing, and what actually works for long-term success. Whether you're a new author or a seasoned pro, this is your playbook for more book sales. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)  Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelf...

Amazon KDP just announced a major change to print royalties, and the publishing world is buzzing. In this week's self-publishing news, we cover the updated royalty rates, what it means for paperback authors, and how it may or may not tie into the rise of low-content and AI-generated books. We also look at a major court ruling that could finally open the door for easier mobile eBook sales, plus a n...

Want to publish an audiobook but can't afford a narrator? Discover AI narration vs. professional narration, where to distribute audiobooks, and how to market them effectively. Audiobooks are growing FAST—don't miss out on this huge revenue opportunity! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro  (affiliate link) Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com Subsc...

Scams are getting smarter—and authors are the new target. In this week's publishing news, we cover what to avoid, what to watch for, and the latest tools helping indie authors succeed. Plus, the U.S. Copyright Office just made your publishing life a lot easier. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.c...

Scared of losing money on ads? Learn how to start small, scale up, and make your ads profitable without overspending. Whether you're using Amazon Ads, Facebook Ads, or BookBub, these ad strategies will help you turn clicks into sales. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Advertising for Books - https://DaleLinks.com/AdsBook Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - htt...

Something big is happening in the audiobook world—Spotify just changed how indie authors distribute their audiobooks, and it could impact your publishing future. In this week's Self-Publishing News, I'll break down what's happening with Findaway Voices and the brand-new company INAudio. Plus, updates from Laterpress, PublishDrive, and a new feature inside Dibbly Create that could change how you wr...

What if your books could sell themselves? Discover how to automate book marketing, set up sales funnels, and use email sequences to generate consistent book sales on autopilot. Work smarter, not harder, and free up more time to write! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com Subscribe to my email ne...

Major updates are shaking up the self-publishing world this week! A popular author tool just expanded its reach, a new feature could help you earn more from your book sales, and indie authors now have a surprising new way to boost their global discoverability. Plus, one important deadline is coming fast—you don't want to miss it. Let's dive in! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (...

Think you need expensive ads or a huge following to sell books? Think again! This episode busts common book marketing myths, exposes money-wasting tactics, and reveals what actually gets results. Stop making these mistakes and start selling more books today! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Promotional Strategies for Books - https://DaleLinks.com/PromoBook My Li...

Scammers are targeting authors, a major audiobook platform is expanding into new countries, and a new tool promises to simplify website building for indie writers. Plus, I uncovered a lesser-known audiobook distribution option you'll want to keep your eye on. All that and more in this week's self-publishing news roundup—don't miss it. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate...

Amazon is rolling out multiple AI-powered features, from recap generators on Kindle to Rufus, their new conversational shopping tool. Plus, they've launched a generative AI tool for sellers and announced a new reading sample update for eBook pre-orders. Meanwhile, copyright lawsuits against OpenAI and Microsoft are heating up, and Spotify is now accepting audiobook submissions. Get the latest on h...

Print books aren't dead! Discover how to price your print books for profit, which print-on-demand platforms work best, and how to sell more paperbacks without breaking the bank. If you're looking to maximize your earnings, this episode is for you! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Sources: Print Book Sales Saw a Small Sales Increase in 2024 - https://www.publishe...

Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) rolled out new features and analytics for account holders, plus I share deeper insights into ACX's new digital voice narration with the cloning capabilities. Kobo Plus expanded into two new regions. National Novel Writing Month shut down; what happened and what can authors do now? And an Australian erotica author has been arrested due to some disturbing allegation...

AI is changing the publishing industry! Learn how authors can use AI for marketing, ads, and book optimization, which AI tools actually help you sell more books, and what ethical AI usage looks like for indie authors. Stay ahead of the game with these AI-powered strategies! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Mentioned Tools & Affiliate Links:  ChatGPT - https://ch...

Big changes are happening in self-publishing! Bookvault expands to Canada, Libro.fm reports massive audiobook subscriber growth, and Dibbly Create launches new support features. Plus, Creativindie's Derek Murphy just relaunched a free 3D book cover mockup tool and a universal book link service. Stay tuned for everything you need to know about these industry updates and how they impact indie author...

Selling your books outside of Amazon? Learn how direct sales for authors can increase profits, build reader relationships, and grow your brand. Discover the best platforms for selling books direct, how to set up your own storefront, and whether selling direct is right for you. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Mentioned resources & affiliate links: Gumroad - http...

Amazon KDP is quietly removing two critical tools for formatting your books. The Association of American Publishers notes a 6.5% increase in book profits in 2024. Bookvault is expanding into Australia and now has print on demand Down Under. And, Apple Books for Authors announced new category rollouts from 2024 for your books. All that and more in the self-publishing news for this week. Book Award...

Keywords and categories make or break your book's discoverability. Learn how to find the right keywords, choose profitable categories, and boost your book's ranking on online stores. Whether you're on Amazon, Kobo, or selling wide, these SEO strategies for authors will help you sell more books effortlessly. Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Mentioned products (af...

Amazon officially closed down Kindle Vella this past week. Smashwords is running their annual Read an Ebook Week, find out how this is an incredible promotional opportunity. The Kindlepreneur Dave Chesson just rolled out updates for his Book Description Generator. Barnes & Noble Press shared details about their partnership with the audiobook platform Author's Republic. ProWritingAid rolled out a n...

Are you wasting time on things that don't move the needle? Discover the 80/20 rule for book marketing, how to focus only on what works, and cut out time-wasting tasks that don't lead to sales. If you want smarter strategies that save time and bring results, don't miss this! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPu...

Amazon is removing the ability to download and backup Kindle ebooks. And on the same day they roll out that change, Amazon will be closing down Kindle Vella. IngramSpark has a few marketing opportunities this month, as well as a giveaway for five free books. Findaway Voices by Spotify announced an agreement to distribute digitally-narrated audiobooks by Elevenlabs. And so much more in the self-pub...

No budget? No problem! You don't need a big advertising spend to market your book effectively. Learn free and low-cost book marketing strategies that actually work, how to sell more books with minimal effort, and where to focus your time for maximum impact. If you're an indie author on a budget, this episode is a must! Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link) Mentioned...

Bookvault made a major announcement about box sets and slip cases for authors. The self-publishing company PublishDrive will be down for scheduled maintenance. Smashwords is having their annual Read an Ebook Week in March. The Kindlepreneur Dave Chesson updated his article about direct sales for authors and the stats are pretty surprising (in a good way)! Laterpress leaked some insider info you wi...