The Ugly Truth About Publishing Nobody Tells Authors
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
Release Date: 08/21/2025
The Best Author Deals of Black Friday 2025
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
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....
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Draft2Digital Drops a Surprise Update | Self-Publishing News (Nov. 24, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
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) – Authors Guild: Predatory Opt-Out Scheme ClaimsHero Targets Anthropic Settlement Participants: What Authors Need to Know - Draft2Digital – (referral link) Draft2Digital: The Indie...
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KDP Drops a Feature NOBODY Expected | Self-Publishing News (Nov. 11, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
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 - KDP: Kindle Translate FAQs - Amazon: Simple tips to spot impersonation scams - Draft2Digital – (referral link) Draft2Digital: Clean Up Your D2D Account with Merge Tools - Draft2Digital Content Guidelines - IngramSpark – ...
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Amazon’s NEW Algorithm Upends Book Rankings | Self-Publishing News (Oct. 21, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
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 - Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - The Hidden Rules of Amazon: A Smart Guide for Self-Publishing...
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My YouTube Channel Was Deleted… | Self-Publishing News (Oct. 14, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
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 -...
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KDP Expands Global Reach and Opens New Ad Options | Self-Publishing News (Oct. 7, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
KDP just expanded its print distribution to new global markets, giving authors more reach than ever before. Meanwhile, Amazon Ads opened up Sponsored Brands access for every author, even if you only have one book. There’s also plenty happening around the publishing world, from major events to author opportunities you won’t want to miss. Tune in for the latest industry updates, insights, and surprises in this week’s Self-Publishing News. The Final 3: Your Publishing Playbook, Rewritten (Kickstarter) - MK Williams - KDP Forum: Distribute your print books in the Republic of Ireland and...
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Spotify Launches BookTok Hub for Audiobooks | Self-Publishing News (Sept. 23, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
Spotify and TikTok are teaming up to change how readers discover audiobooks, but that's just the beginning. In this week's self-publishing news, Draft2Digital responds to the KDP Select library shift, CraveBooks rolls out new perks, and the founder of Book Award Pro shares why niche awards might be more powerful than you think. - The Final 3 | My Kickstarter Campaign - - Draft2Digital - https://www.dalelinks.com/d2d (referral link) - D2D's The Indie Advantage - - D2D Answers: Getting Your Books into Libraries While Enrolled In Kindle Unlimited - - KDP Select Undergoes MASSIVE Change......
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KDP Select Glitch? Page Reads Drop to Zero | Self-Publishing News (Sept. 16, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
Worried about your KDP Select reads dropping to zero? Some authors are reporting strange behavior inside Kindle Unlimited, while a major AI lawsuit involving $1.5 billion hits a possible roadblock. Plus, new tools for library discoverability, podcast interviews that don’t sell books, and surprising updates from the review and marketing world. It’s a packed week of self-publishing news you don’t want to miss. The Final 3 Kickstarter - KDP Community: KENP Reads Dropped to Zero Since Aug 14 — Anyone Else? - Anthropic Lawsuit: Judge Is Unhappy about the Details of $1.5 Billion...
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UPDATE: KDP Quietly Confirms MAJOR Change | Self-Publishing News (Sept. 2, 2025)
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
KDP has quietly confirmed a huge change to the Select program, and we've got the update. Plus, big audiobook news from ElevenLabs, a lifetime discount on Authorbase, and a special report from Jane Friedman on the past decade of publishing. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for September 9, 2025. The Final 3: Your Publishing Playbook, Rewritten - Email Marketing for Books - Sources: KDP: How to enroll in KDP Select - Kindlepreneur: ghost categories. - Publisher Rocket - (affiliate link) Amazon Ads - Writer Beware: If Your Publisher Promised to Register Your...
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KDP’s Hidden Update Just Changed the Game | Self Publishing News Sept 2, 2025
The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast
Self-publishing just took a few sharp turns, and indie authors need to keep up. From changes to distribution programs to new tools and publishing features, the landscape continues to shift. In this week's roundup, we break down the biggest developments and what they could mean for your author business. Whether you're just starting out or deep in the game, you won't want to miss these updates. Sources: My Kickstarter Campaign - The Final 3: Your Publishing Playbook, Rewritten - Email Marketing for Authors - KDP Select Now Allows Library Distribution - KDP Accessibility Guidelines - ...
info_outlineIn this episode, Dale L. Roberts breaks down the complex world of publishing for authors, from distribution systems and accessibility to the differences between hybrid and vanity publishing. Learn how perma-free books can be used as an effective marketing strategy, why returns matter, and what it takes to succeed when going wide. Whether you’re new to publishing or an experienced indie author, this conversation delivers practical insights to help you avoid scams, maximize reach, and make smarter publishing decisions.
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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