Indie Publishing 101

"Self-publishing platforms removed the barrier of needing to buy ISBNs just to publish a book." International Standard Book Number or ISBN is still very much used, but for self-publishers it is no longer always required. The big change is: Platforms like Amazon KDP made it possible to publish without buying your own ISBN. So ISBNs matter differently today than they did 20 years ago. What an ISBN Actually Does An ISBN is basically a product identifier for a specific book editi

Evidence shows that Indie authors generally become better writers as they write more books. How come? Writing is a skill that strengthens with consistent practice. By producing a larger backlist, authors often find they can think of words quicker, solve plot problems more easily, and build richer story worlds. However, improvement is not guaranteed solely by high volume, numerous books in a series or lots of single releases. It requires a conscious effort and a strong desire

For indie authors, AI is a bit of a double-edged sword—it can either become a competitive advantage or something that makes the market harder. The difference comes down to how you use it. Where AI is a REAL Risk for Indie Authors 1. Market Flooding Indie publishing already has low barriers to entry. AI lowers them even more. What happens: More books get published faster Some authors push out large volumes of low-quality work Discoverability becomes harder This is a legitimate

Writing independently offers freedom but also brings challenges. Finding reliable sources of inspiration and practical advice can make a huge difference in an indie writer’s journey. Blogs dedicated to supporting indie authors provide insights, motivation, and tools that help writers improve their craft, navigate publishing, and build their audience. This post highlights some of the most empowering blogs every indie writer should explore to fuel creativity and growth. A cozy

The old image of publishing—a manuscript slipping into a padded envelope, months of silence, and finally a life-changing acceptance letter—still holds a certain romantic pull. But for many modern authors, that story is more myth than reality. Today, self-publishing isn’t a fallback option or a last resort; it’s a strategic, empowering choice that often offers advantages traditional publishing simply can’t match. At its core, self-publishing shifts control back to the author.

Ratings and reviews are author gold! Vital nuggets of gold, especially for Indie authors. Ratings and reviews are social proof for other potential readers to take the plunge. But they also help the author to gauge whether their books are being read, what readers think of their work, if there are any plot holes, grammar issues or typos. Overall global ratings out of 5 stars help authors know how their books are trending. Amazon provides great insight on any book it sells. Wh

According to selfpublishing.com the chances of getting a book publishing deal are between 1% and 2%. If you become one of the 1% or 2%...

Have you noticed the recent trend of established and even new authors doing a kickstarter? Have you ever wondered why? In this blog I...

If you plan to go down the traditional publishing path here are 13 questions you should consider before making the jump: #1 What sales...

Extra, Extra Read all About it. Authors are Selling Direct. Have you noticed that more and more authors are selling directly to their...

My wife and I have been involved in the creation process of books for several years. My wife, an International best seller, has published...

New authors mistakenly think the hardest part of writing a book is the creation and completion of the manuscript. The manuscript is only...