Brought to you from the indie author experts at Draft2Digital! Each week, Self Publishing Insiders features an interview with a new guest, covering self-publishing topics from writing and craft to marketing and promoting your books, and anything that can help you build and grow your author career. Learn about new tools, new software, new markets—and of course, all the inside information that D2D can provide! This show features interviews taken from our live D2D Spotlight, available on YouTub ...
…
continue reading
Mark Dawson is a best selling self-published author on multiple platforms including Amazon and Kobo. He is the author of the John Milton thriller series and its spin-off Beatrix Rose. In addition, he’s written several ‘Soho Noir' novels. Mark’s breakthrough came when he developed a marketing strategy for promoting and selling his books. His swift success enabled him to quit his 9 to 5 job and he has generated gross revenues of more than a million dollars in less than five years. Mark has bec ...
…
continue reading
The Authorpreneur Podcast™️ is hosted by Mystery Author Amelia D. Hay. Every second Thursday, Amelia will teach you how to develop a story idea, create compelling characters and outline your novel. In each season of the podcast, you will learn how to write your first draft, revise your story, self-publish, establish your author platform, and reach readers. Season one of the podcast is on Plot and Story Structure, and season two documents her writing adventures during her first year after sel ...
…
continue reading
The Writing Podcast was founded in late 2014 in the wake of The Self Publishing Roundtable’s final host stepping down from the show. Adam and Lindsay (the newest hosts of SPRT at the time) decided it would be best to branch off into a new show rather than continue with one in which all original hosts and owners were no longer involved. So what are the similarities and differences between this podcast and the old? I am glad you asked, convenient narrator. Like Adam and Lindsay’s prior show, t ...
…
continue reading
No one ever said indie publishing is easy! There's the writing, the publishing, the distribution. If that wasn't hard enough, there's the marketing. Indie authors have to worry about their websites, newsletter subscriptions, beta readers, book reviews, and more. Wouldn't it be cool if there was one site to help ease the marketing burden? That's the…
…
continue reading
Among the myriad things that indie authors have to grapple with is how to fund a successful book launch without going in the red. To help us tackle this subject, we're joined by Jamie Davis, a prolific author of sci-fi and fantasy. As a nurse, retired paramedic and nationally recognized medical educator, Jamie knows a thing or two about service and…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Touching Base with D2D - Ask Us Anything!
48:02
48:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:02
Once a month we host an "Ask Us Anything" episode. Usually these episode are tied to a specific topic, like the Smashwords to D2D merger, or D2D Print, or how to work with our promotions team. This time we'd like to keep free flowing, so if you've got a burning question you're dying to asks, now's the time! //Draft2Digital is where you start your I…
…
continue reading
Indie authors are told that in order to be successful, "you've got to find your tribe" and "build your community." But how exactly do you do that? Where do you start? And once you gain some traction, how do you nurture your community to help it grow and thrive? Enter Amanda Traylor (also writing under June Patrick), an award-winning author of more …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS- 432: The Final Cut with James Blatch, Joe Solari from Author Nation, and Darren Hardy from Amazon KDP.
1:16:58
1:16:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:58
James talks to Joe Solari, the man responsible for the world’s largest gathering of indie authors and Darren Hardy, from Amazon KDP, who is the most listened to guest we’ve ever had on the show.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Eleven months Draft2Digital announced the acquisition of SelfPubBookCovers.com (SPBC), a decade-old pioneering marketplace for premade book covers. We've been hard at work rebuilding a site that's committed to helping authors find the perfect cover, and helping professional cover designers build their businesses. Today our own Nick Thacker will pro…
…
continue reading
Smashwords store sales keep getting bigger and better. More authors, more books, more first-time customers and more book sales! In this episode, we'll talk about how authors position their books for success in Smashwords' 16th Annual Summer/Winter Sale. It's a month-long celebration of indie authors and the readers who love them. //Draft2Digital is…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Translation Rights Management to Expand Your Global Reach
48:33
48:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:33
Navigating foreign language rights and finding great translators is tricky business, even for the most experienced indie authors. That's why we're super excited to welcome Lindsay Jones, a co-founder and the CEO of DropCap, a global rights marketplace for indie authors that’s revolutionizing the way agents and editors discover exceptional books. //…
…
continue reading
Draft2Digital is known for its innovative publishing and distribution tools for indie authors. But do you know about all the cool things we're doing to promote your books to retailers and libraries? Or the free tools we offer to help you get more visibility for your titles? We're guessing you may not. Tune in so we can fix that! //Draft2Digital is …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Empowering Authorpreneurs with Indie Author Magazine
53:29
53:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:29
Indie Author Magazine (IAM) is on a mission to inform, educate, and inspire authors at every stage of their careers. Flip through the pages of any issue and you'll see thoroughly researched, unbiased content dedicated to helping authors build their businesses. But there's more to IAM than the magazine. Join us as publisher Chelle Honiker takes us o…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-431: Support for Self Publishing with Draft2Digital
31:10
31:10
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
31:10
Nick Thacker VP of Author Success at Draft2Digital joins James to dive into what's new and what D2D can offer the self publishing world.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Master Review Campaigns to Increase Book Sales
48:36
48:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:36
If you're reading this, you already know that best practices are what separates the publishing amateurs from the pros. But did you know there are a multitude of best practices when it comes to getting, and leveraging, book reviews to boost sales? Join us as Booksprout's Virginie Carmichael and Rossana Corniel walk us through an optimized book revie…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-430: The New Content Creation Place with Marco Moutinho from Dibbly
35:47
35:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:47
James talks to Marco Moutinho from Dibbly, a content creation platform, which can help you with freelance services. Dibbly also offers an AI tool ‘Kip’ that has some fantastic features to offer the indie author.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Better. Stronger. Faster. It's what many of us strive for in our author careers. But how do we move the needle forward when life has other plans? Enter Becca Syme. Becca is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and has been coaching success alignment for more than a decade. Join us as we analyze a Strengths test in real time and discuss how success al…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-429: How do you strategise and what is the best way to invest in editing?
43:38
43:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:38
This week James talks to bestseller Suzy K Quinn and editor Adam Strange from Kevin Anderson & Associates, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on editing to the show.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Smashwords to D2D Migration - Ask Us Anything!
50:26
50:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:26
When D2D announced the acquisition of Smashwords in March 2022, we knew the integration of the two companies would be a huge, long-haul effort. But totally worth it!! We're now in the final phase of our multi-phase integration project, which now involves moving Smashwords author accounts onto D2D. Join us to learn about progress made, what's coming…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-428: The BookBub new release - Rocket boost
24:20
24:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
24:20
Join James and Carlyn Robertson from BookBub talking about what's new at BookBub and what BookBub can offer.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Prepare to be a Success with Book Launchers
50:12
50:12
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:12
Julie Broad is a four-time author and the Founder of Book Launchers, a professional self-publishing services company that helps non-fiction authors write, publish, and promote non-fiction books. Today we'll talk about how to set your book up for success before you even begin to write. We'll discuss typical author misconceptions, we'll chat about ho…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-427: Direct Selling FTW with Alex Smith from Bookvault
25:05
25:05
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:05
A fast emerging aspect of indie marketing is direct selling. Bookvault have risen quickly to the top of many authors go-to suppliers for print-on-demand, especially for those special editions that can be extremely good for your bottom line. This week’s show features a chat with Bookvault’s Alex Smith.…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Introducing Fable! D2D's newest retail partner!
52:07
52:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:07
D2D just announced a new retail partnership with Fable, the popular online bookstore and social reading app that powers 25,000+ online book clubs. Joining us today is Kim Marsh Allee, Head of Operations & Community at Fable, as we discuss what this partnership means to you, your books, and your readers! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-426: Format your book in style with Vellum
33:20
33:20
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:20
Vellum is the gold standard for editing your book ready for publication. Listen as James Blatch talks to Brad West about tips for preparing your bookBy Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
John Chrastka is the executive director of EveryLibrary, the first nationwide political action committee for libraries, and the EveryLibrary Institute, a nonprofit research and training organization focused on the future of library funding. In this episode we'll discuss book bans and censorship, free speech and the First Amendment, political action…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-425: Which Book Promo is Right For Me? with Mike Hourigan
33:16
33:16
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
33:16
Listen as James talks to Mike Hourigan who is the Vice President of Marketing at Written Word Media, where he brings more than 15 years of digital marketing expertise to the table.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Inspiration and Writing Conferences from Toronto Indie Authors Conference
53:09
53:09
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
53:09
If you know Draft2Digital, you know we're huge fans of writers conferences. Where else can you form lasting author friendships, establish key partnerships, and gain essential knowledge to help guide you along your author career? The Toronto Indie Author Conference (TIAC) is one such event, focused deeply on indie authors and Canadian indie authors …
…
continue reading
DeAnna Hart, also known as D.F. Hart, writes crime thrillers and contemporary romance. She also has an MBA and over two decades of hands-on experience in accounting, and she co-wrote Accounting for Authors with Mark Lefebrve as a means to help indie authors better understand the nuances of running their businesses. If you want to learn general acco…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
TAP047, What is a Story Beat? | How to Write Great Scenes
32:02
32:02
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
32:02
Send us a Text Message. As I wrote the outline and script for the show on value shifts, I realised that there is a smaller unit of story that I need to discuss that's integral to understanding value shifts or how a scene turns. So, I considered adding it to that episode but soon discovered that the final version of the episode would be too long. Th…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-424: What’s the big deal about Romantasy? With Alex Newton
41:37
41:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:37
Join James and the numbers man, Alex Newton from K-lytics who digs beneath the Romantasy data and explains current trendsBy Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Our followers are in charge for this week's "Ask Us Anything" (AUA) edition of Self Publishing Insiders. All topics were welcome! Be sure to join us live next time we do an AUA! //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Author Career// Looking for your path to self-publishing success? Draft2Digital is the leading ebook publisher and distributor…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-423: Create a Killer Author Website – with Stuart Grant from Digital Authors Toolkit
34:38
34:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:38
Join James Blatch and Stuart Grant from Digital Authors Toolkit and also the highest rated web designer on Reedsy, as they discuss the future of Author websites, direct selling, and how you can make your website stand out.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Today we celebrate humor and creativity with accomplished author and cartoonist, Leigh Rubin. An author of more than 20 books, 2024 marks the 40th anniversary of Leigh's internationally syndicated cartoon, Rubes®, which is distributed by Creators Syndicate to hundreds of newspapers and media outlets worldwide. His work has been featured in film, te…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-422: The Audio Explosion with James Blatch and Victoria Gerken from Podium Audio.
54:58
54:58
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:58
Join James and Victoria Gerken from Podium Audio as they discuss how audio is exploding the world of publishing and providing authors with another income streamBy Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
An award-winning writer and former newspaper reporter, Elizabeth Andre currently writes cozy paranormal mystery, science fiction, young adult and lesbian romance. Elizabeth began publishing lesbian fiction in 2014 and joins us today to discuss why self-publishing is such a great option for the genre. //Draft2Digital is where you start your Indie Au…
…
continue reading
Publishing and distributing your self-published books is the easy part. Reaching readers is still the challenge. Today we speak with Stephanie Chandler, the founder and CEO of the Nonfiction Authors Association. Stephanie began building her email newsletter list and experimenting with self-publishing before D2D or even Smashwords existed! If you're…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Publish with Confidence with ProWritingAid
45:47
45:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:47
Have you ever watched a master at work? The best carpenters, musicians, chefs--and even authors--just seem to have a different way using their tools than the rest of us mere mortals. Fortunately for authors, ProWritingAid is a battle-tested writing tool that's helped some of today's bestselling authors smooth the rough edges of their works-in-progr…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-421: Who’s coming to SPS LIVE 2024? With James Blatch and Chris Banks from Prowritingaid
46:37
46:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:37
Join James Blatch and Chris Banks as James reveals the speakers and sponsors attending the Self Publishing Show Live in London 2024 and Chris talks about what's new at ProWritingAid and AI, but making sure you add the human touch.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
TAP046, End Your Scenes with Cliffhangers | How to Write Great Scenes
25:26
25:26
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
25:26
Send us a Text Message. So you've probably read the title of this episode and thought, what do cliffhangers have to do with outlining? I'm so glad you asked. Let me explain. If you're the kind of writer who needs to outline every scene, then you need to be aware of the types of cliffhangers and how to effectively use them to create a page-turning e…
…
continue reading
Conferences are vital for author careers. The good ones not only provide stellar learning opportunities from the industry's best and brightest minds, they also provide a sense of community and belonging. In today's episode we'll catch up with D2D's own Mark Leslie Lefebvre and Nick Thacker as they attend the renowned Superstars Writing Seminars eve…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
BTS057, A Year in Review and Self Publishing Products I Loved in 2023
52:37
52:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:37
Send us a Text Message. I'm back again. And yes, it's been sixteen weeks since I released an episode of the podcast. Between now and November, I took December and January off because it's a busy time of year and I tend to travel during these periods. When I got back from vacation at the end of January, I had caught the flu from a family function. G…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-420: AI: Fear, Loathing and Acceptance
34:15
34:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
34:15
Join James Blatch as he takes on a hot topic of the moment, AI, and how it impacts authors and creators. Should you be afraid or accepting of this new wave of technology?By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Bestselling books have well-structured plots, compelling characters, and engaging settings that tell a great story. The other element bestselling books have in common is masterful editing. Today we welcome Kristina Stanley back to the show. An award-winning author and fiction editor, Kristina is also the founder and CEO of Fictionary, an innovative…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
From Traditional to Indie Publishing with Jeaniene Frost
48:36
48:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:36
Jeaniene Frost is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of fantasy romance. She's known for the Night Huntress series, the Night Prince series, the Night Rebel series, and the Broken Destiny series. Today we'll talk about Jeaniene's latest work, Both Feet in the Grave, and her decision to self-publish after over a dozen years as a tradi…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
USA Today's Best-Selling Booklist is Back!
45:44
45:44
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:44
If you're curious about how the revamped USA Today Best-Seller Booklist works, or why it went on hiatus, or why the renewed focus on indie bookstores, this is the episode for you. Erik Bursch, the SVP of Consumer Product and Engineering at Gannett/USA Today, joins us live to give the inside scoop and answer your questions. //Draft2Digital is where …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
Networking With Creatives Through Scribble
46:52
46:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:52
Have you ever wished you could connect with other like-minded, creative people to share your ideas or ask questions without fear of judgement or humiliation? Enter Torrey C. Butler of Scribble. An award-winning author, Torrey launched the Scribble app as a safe space where authors can express their ideas, understand where to start, and ultimately w…
…
continue reading
Wulf Moon has been called the guru of aspiring writers. His award-winning Super Secrets of Writing have helped countless writers launch careers, become #1 bestsellers in top fiction categories, and win coveted international awards. Now, all of these transformational secrets have been captured in his latest nonfiction book, How to Write a Howling Go…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-419: Targeting Trad Readers (with Michael R. Miller)
41:32
41:32
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
41:32
Tune into this week’s episode of the Self Publishing Show to hear more from Michael, including whether selling direct would be preferrable to selling on Amazon, why he chooses to publish his audiobooks exclusively on ACX, and why consistency in magic and worldbuilding rules is key for any kind of Fantasy story.…
…
continue reading
David Sherrer is the marketing director and the "husband half" of the remarkable wife-and-husband publishing team at Chenoweth Press. David's wife Lydia is a USA Today bestselling author of urban fantasy. David manages the marketing and fulfillment of physical sales as well as sales at various conventions. David is also a game designer and created …
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-418: Setting Goals and Building Habits – with Marc Reklau
36:38
36:38
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
36:38
Marc Reklau went from struggling writer to earning seven-figures, all by applying the same self-help advice he writes about in his books.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
Did you know the Smashwords store pays indie authors the industry's highest royalties? Did you the Smashwords store is about to celebrate its 7th consecutive year of sales growth? And did you know the 7th Annual Smashwords End of Year Sale was another record breaking Smashwords Sale? Join us as Mark Coker and Mark Lefebvre explain how YOU can use S…
…
continue reading
![Artwork](/static/images/128pixel.png)
1
SPS-417: Automating Amazon Ads with Merch Jar (with Cameron Scott)
26:29
26:29
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
26:29
Tired of tweaking your Amazon Ad keywords? Let Merch Jar automate the process for you.By Learn Self Publishing
…
continue reading
We've assembled a dream team of industry luminaries to unravel the key trends and issues that will shape publishing in 2024 and likely impact your author business. Join us as we welcome Mark Coker, chief strategy officer, D2D; Jane Friedman, founder & editor of publishing newsletter The Hot Sheet; Joanna Penn of The Creative Penn Podcast; Dale Robe…
…
continue reading