Marketing & Discoverability
IngramSpark Study: Better Book Metadata Increases Sales by Up to 22 Percent
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
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Blog · Publishing Intelligence
Publishing Intelligence & Guides
In-depth articles, how-to guides, and industry analysis for self-published authors.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — May 2, 2026
Stay informed on the latest in self-publishing with The Publishing Times' weekly digest for May 2, 2026. Expert insights, top stories, and emerging trends for indie authors. This Week in Self-Publish
Audiobooks
ACX Is Removing Royalty Share Plus — What Audiobook Authors Need to Know Before June
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
industry
How the Big Five Publishing Houses Are Losing Authors to Self-Publishing
The author exodus from traditional publishing is not a trend — it is a structural shift.
Industry News
Amazon Is Paying KDP Authors for Page Reads — But the Math Has Changed
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
industry
The History of American Publishing Houses: From Harper to Penguin Random House
The American publishing industry is, at its core, a story of family businesses that became cultural institutions, then corporate assets.
industry
The History of Global Publishing: From Gutenberg to the Digital Age
The history of publishing is the history of information control — who could produce it, who could distribute it, and who could profit from it.
industry
The Big Five in Crisis: How AI and the New Economy Are Reshaping Traditional Publishing
The five conglomerates that control approximately 80% of the traditional publishing market — Penguin Random House, HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Hachette Boo…
kdp-strategy
How to Self-Publish a Non-Fiction Book in 90 Days: The Complete 2026 Roadmap
Ninety days is enough time to take a non-fiction book from blank page to live Amazon listing — if you have a clear system.
book-marketing
How to Write a Book Blurb That Sells: The Self-Publisher's 2026 Framework
Learn the exact framework for writing a book blurb that converts browsers into buyers on Amazon. Includes templates, examples, and the 5-sentence formula used by bestselling indie authors.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — April 11, 2026
Your essential weekly guide to self-publishing news, trends, and insights. Stay ahead in 2026 with expert analysis and actionable advice.
cover-design
Three Weeks In: What CoverCrushing's First Users Are Discovering About Their Book Covers
Early adopters of CoverCrushing.com share their initial findings and insights after three weeks of A/B testing their book covers.
publishing-tools
Reedsy vs Fiverr for Hiring a Book Editor: Which Platform Delivers Better Results?
Reedsy vs Fiverr for book editing — a detailed 2026 comparison of cost, quality, vetting, and turnaround for self-published authors hiring developmental, copy, and line editors.
book-marketing
How to Get Your Book Reviewed on NetGalley: A Self-Publisher's 2026 Guide
Learn exactly how self-published authors can list on NetGalley, attract qualified reviewers, and build pre-launch buzz without a traditional publisher. Step-by-step 2026 guide.
industry
The Hachette AI Scandal That Nobody in Publishing Wants to Talk About
When a Big Five publisher releases a book that scores 78% AI-generated, who is responsible — the author, the editor, or the executives who greenlit it?
print-publishing
Self-Publishing a Children's Book in 2026: The Complete Step-by-Step Guide
Self-publishing a children's book is one of the most rewarding — and most technically demanding — publishing projects an indie author can undertake. Unlike adul.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — April 4, 2026
This week, indie authors redefine genres, embrace unique narratives, and leverage AI. Discover the latest trends and award-winning titles.
publishing-platforms
Kindle Vella vs Serial Box 2026: Which Platform Pays More for Serialized Fiction?
Serialized fiction is having a renaissance. Platforms like Kindle Vella and Serial Box have made episodic storytelling a viable revenue stream for indie authors.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — March 30, 2026
This Week in Self-Publishing — March 30, 2026 *Stay ahead in self-publishing. This week: AI's ethical tightrope, indie authors dominating awards, and the power …
book-marketing
Why We Recommend Bookshop.org to Every Self-Published Author
The Publishing Times explains why we recommend Bookshop.org to indie authors — covering the 10% affiliate commission, author shop setup, indie bookstore support…
kdp-strategy
How to Price Your Ebook for Maximum Royalties in 2026
Ebook pricing is one of the highest-leverage decisions an indie author makes, yet most authors set a price once and never revisit it. The difference between a $.
amazon-kdp
Amazon Author Central 2026: The Complete Setup Guide for Indie Authors
Amazon Author Central is the free tool that transforms your Amazon presence from a bare product listing into a professional author brand — yet a surprising numb.
author-resources
Finding Your Author Voice: How MyAuthorVoice.com Helps Struggling Writers Discover What to Write
Every writer has asked the same question at some point: What do I write about? MyAuthorVoice.
distribution
How to Get Your Book into Libraries in 2026: The Complete Guide
Getting your self-published book into libraries is one of the most underutilized distribution channels in indie publishing. Libraries collectively spend over $1.
cover-design
Is Crushing on a Cover the New Way to Get Better Book Covers?
We live in a swipe-left/swipe-right world, and book covers are no exception. This article explores how dating app mechanics can revolutionize book cover testing…
about
Why We Built This: One Writer's Frustration With a Fragmented Industry
There was a morning when I tried to do something simple: catch up on publishing industry news in one place.
kdp-strategy
Amazon KDP 2026: The Complete Guide to Royalties, Prices and Pay
Since July 7, 2026, KDP's 70% ebook rate covers $2.99 to $12.99. Paperbacks under $9.99 earn 50%, not 60%. Current print costs, KDP Select, categories, keywords and pay dates, from KDP's help pages.
book-marketing
Amazon Ads for Authors 2026: The Complete Beginner-to-Advanced Guide
Master Amazon Ads for books in 2026. Covers Sponsored Products, Sponsored Brands, keyword targeting, ACoS, bid strategy, and campaign optimisation for indie aut…
book-marketing
BookFunnel Review 2026: The Definitive Guide for Self-Published Authors
A complete review of BookFunnel for indie authors in 2026. Covers book delivery, reader magnets, group promotions, audiobook distribution, and pricing plans.
book-marketing
NetGalley Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Indie Authors?
A complete review of NetGalley for indie authors in 2026. Covers pricing, co-op options, what NetGalley does well, its limitations, and how it compares to Story…
book-marketing
StoryOrigin Review 2026: The Complete Guide for Indie Authors
A comprehensive review of StoryOrigin for indie authors in 2026. Covers ARC distribution, newsletter swaps, beta readers, mailing list building, and pricing.
book-marketing
CraveBooks Review 2026: Is It Worth It for Indie Authors?
An honest review of CraveBooks for indie authors in 2026. Learn how this reader discovery platform works, what it costs, and whether it delivers real results.
kdp-strategy
KDP Hardcover vs Paperback 2026: Which Should You Publish First?
KDP hardcover vs paperback is no longer a simple question. Since Amazon quietly expanded KDP hardcover availability to all authors in 2022, indie publishers hav.
industry
The Indie Press Revolution: How Small Publishers Are Fighting Back
Independent publishers are growing faster than the Big Five. Here's how small presses are carving out profitable niches, signing authors the majors ignore, and …
book-marketing
How to Write a Book Description That Sells: The 7-Step Framework Every Indie Author Needs
Your book description is your most important sales tool. This 3,800-word guide walks through the exact 7-step framework used by bestselling indie authors to wri…
book-marketing
ARC Platform Comparison 2026: NetGalley vs. Edelweiss+ vs. StoryOrigin vs. BookFunnel vs. Prolific Works
A definitive, table-heavy comparison of every major ARC and reader magnet platform available to indie authors in 2026.
book-marketing
Prolific Works (Formerly Instafreebie): The Complete Guide for Authors in 2026
Prolific Works — formerly known as Instafreebie — is one of the most underused reader magnet and ARC distribution tools in the indie author toolkit.
wide-publishing
Draft2Digital vs Smashwords 2026: Best Wide Distribution Platform?
Draft2Digital vs Smashwords is the central question for any indie author going wide — meaning publishing their ebooks on retailers beyond Amazon. Both platforms.
writing-tools
Scrivener vs Word for Novel Writing 2026: Which Wins?
Scrivener vs Word for novel writing is one of the most debated questions in self-publishing communities — and for good reason. Both tools can produce a finished.
book-marketing
How to Get a BookBub Featured Deal: The Complete 2026 Guide
How to get a BookBub Featured Deal in 2026 — acceptance rates, submission strategy, pricing requirements, review count benchmarks, and what to do after you get …
publishing-tools
Vellum vs Atticus 2026: Which Book Formatting Software Should You Use?
Vellum vs Atticus compared for indie authors in 2026 — price, platform compatibility, ebook and print output quality, templates, and which formatter is worth th…
print-publishing
IngramSpark vs Lulu 2026: Which Print-on-Demand Platform Is Right for You?
IngramSpark vs Lulu compared for indie authors in 2026 — print quality, distribution reach, setup costs, hardcover options, and which platform pays more per boo…
audiobooks
ACX vs Findaway Voices 2026: Which Audiobook Platform Pays More?
ACX vs Findaway Voices compared for indie authors in 2026 — royalty rates, distribution reach, narrator options, and which platform pays more.
industry
Self-Publishing Income Report: What Indie Authors Actually Earn
Discover the truth about self-publishing income. This comprehensive report breaks down what indie authors actually earn, factors influencing success, and practi…
book-marketing
Edelweiss+ for Authors: The Professional ARC Platform That Most Indie Authors Overlook
Edelweiss+ is the publishing industry's trade-facing ARC and catalog platform, used by over 135,000 librarians, booksellers, and book buyers worldwide.
industry
How Penguin Random House Became the World's Largest Publisher
The story of how two publishing giants merged to form a $3.7 billion empire — and what it means for authors, agents, and the future of traditional publishing.
writing-craft
How to Write a Series That Keeps Readers Coming Back (And Buying More Books)
Master the art of writing captivating book series that hook readers and keep them returning for more.
weekly-digest
This Week in Self-Publishing — March 16, 2026
META: Your essential weekly guide to self-publishing success. Stay ahead with expert analysis, trend reports, and actionable advice from The Publishing Times.
book-marketing
10 Book Marketing Strategies Every Indie Author Needs in 2026
Master 10 essential book marketing strategies for indie authors in 2026. Boost sales, build your author brand, and thrive in the competitive publishing landscap…
kdp-strategy
How to Price Your Self-Published Book in 2026: A Strategic Guide for Indie Authors
Master self-published book pricing in 2026! Learn strategies for KDP, ebook, paperback, and audiobook pricing to maximize royalties and sales.
book-fairs
The Best Book Fairs for Indie Authors in 2026: How to Attend, What to Expect, and How to Make Every Event Count
Discover the best book fairs for indie authors in 2026. Learn how to prepare, network effectively, and maximize your ROI at top industry events.
industry
The Rise and Fall of Borders Books: Lessons for the Publishing Industry
How Borders went from America's most innovative bookstore chain to bankruptcy in 2011 — and what indie authors and publishers can learn from its collapse.
author-resources
How to Choose the Right Book Cover Designer in 2026: A Genre-by-Genre Guide for Indie Authors
Your book cover is your most important marketing asset. This 3,400-word guide covers how to find genre-appropriate cover designers, what to pay, what to ask for…