industry
Full Review of the Amazon Kindle 2026 e-reader
The 2026 Amazon Kindle enhances reading experiences for authors and readers alike with faster performance. But are missing features a concern?
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Publishing Intelligence & Guides
In-depth articles, how-to guides, and industry analysis for self-published authors.
Filtering by tag: #Book Marketing · 35 articles · All articles
industry
Should Amazon Kindle e-readers have a USB Cable?
Amazon's Kindle e-readers are now missing a USB-C charging cable. Discover how this affects indie authors and the user experience for e-book readers.
Strategy
The 2027 Planner Rush: Why Indies Must Plan Early Q4 Content Now
Forget waiting for the tinsel to drop. Smart indie publishers are capitalising on the 2027 planner rush right now to secure early Q4 dominance.
Industry Analysis
The Ear Conquers All: Audiobooks, AI, and the New Discovery Funnel
Audiobooks are no longer just an alternative format; they are the ultimate discovery engine for modern publishing, supercharged by the rise of AI narration.
publishing-news
Fourth Wing Is TikTok's First European #BookTok Bestseller of the Year
TikTok and Media Control named Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing Europe's top #BookTok book of 2026. Chloe Walsh is the top author, with two titles in the top five.
book-marketing
Goodreads for Authors: The Author Program and Giveaways, Explained
The Goodreads Author Program is free; Giveaways are paid, with Standard listed at $119 and Premium at $599. Who qualifies, how to apply, Kindle vs print giveaways and what Goodreads does not promise.
publishing-news
Goodreads Adds Half- and Quarter-Star Ratings
Goodreads readers can now rate books in quarter-star steps from 0.25 to 5.0. Book pages still show five histogram bars, and averages may shift over time.
industry
Will you buy any of the new Kindle 2026 e-readers?
Amazon’s 2026 Kindle release reshapes the e-reader scene, offering AI-driven features that indie authors must leverage for reader engagement.
industry
Honor S3 is a Tiny e-reader to compete against Xteink
The Honor Life S3 is a new ultra-compact e-reader catering to reader's desire for portability. What does this mean for indie authors?
book-marketing
BooksGoSocial and Dale L. Roberts Open a Holiday Book Makeover Challenge
One author will get a free marketing overhaul and a managed campaign, documented as a public case study. Applications close October 1.
industry
How to Create an Author Brand Style Guide in 5 Easy Steps
Discover how to create an author brand style guide that ensures consistency and builds reader connections across all platforms.
book-marketing
BookBub Will Resend Featured Deals to Readers Who Miss the First Email
BookBub now sends a Featured Deal again the next day to some subscribers who didn't open the first email. BookBub says to keep the price low for at least two days after the deal date.
Publishing Strategy
Leveraging the Fourth Quarter: Why Indie Authors Must Master the Holiday Product Timeline Now
The final quarter makes or breaks the annual balance sheet. Here is how independent publishers can weaponize the holiday product timeline for maximum sales.
Industry Analysis
Navigating Niche KDP Markets: Why Specialty Print Guides Outperform General Fiction
General fiction on KDP is a bloodbath of vanity and low margins. Smart publishers are pivoting to specialty print guides for high-intent buyers.
Industry Analysis
The Death of Broad Appeal and the Rise of Niche KDP Print Markets in 2026
Generalist publishing is gasping for air. In 2026, the real fortunes are built by authors dominating hyper-specific KDP print niches.
Industry Analysis
The Death of the Middleman: Why Direct-to-Consumer Print Marketing is the Future
Indie publishers and savvy authors are finally bypassing legacy gatekeepers by mastering direct-to-consumer print marketing.
Industry Analysis
The Great Digital Mirage: Evaluating the Real ROI of Author Newsletters Versus Social Media Marketing
Stop dancing on TikTok for pennies. We examine why author newsletters still reign supreme for actual book sales while social media remains an expensive vanity trap.
Industry Analysis
The Death of Legacy Gatekeeping: What Obama’s New Venture Means for Book Marketing
Barack Obama’s upcoming Audible series signals a seismic shift in how books are anointed, bypassing traditional publishing gatekeepers entirely.
Marketing
The Enduring Allure and Treacherous Traps of Celebrity Endorsements in Book Marketing
Celebrity endorsements remain a potent force in book marketing, capable of catapulting titles to bestseller lists and generating significant buzz. Yet, their power is matched only by their potential for peril, demanding careful consideration from publishers and authors alike.
kdp
How to Sell Books on Amazon Self-Publishing: 2026 Guide
This 2026 guide for indie authors outlines the essential steps for selling books on Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), covering everything from setting up your KDP account and understanding ISBNs to strategic pricing for optimal royalties and leveraging author copies for direct sales. Success
book-awards
The rise of the ‘hot literati’: how reading became sexy
Reading is becoming a 'sexy' cultural trend, with celebrities and luxury brands embracing literature. This shift offers indie authors new opportunities for visibility and engagement with a broader, fashion-conscious audience.
kdp
Book Launch Press Release: How to Write One in 2026
In 2026, a well-crafted book launch press release is essential for indie authors to gain media attention and professional visibility. It's a free marketing tool that, when focused on a newsworthy angle and structured professionally, can attract journalists, bloggers, and reviewers.
industry
Advice from IR Approved Author Hane Selmani: “Don’t rush to submit your book for reviews or awards until it’s truly ready.”
Hane Selmani advises indie authors to fully polish their books before seeking reviews or awards. Prioritizing thorough editing, proofreading, and professional presentation is crucial for success and a strong author brand.
book-awards
13 bookstores, one weekend and a $325 grand prize: L.A.'s first book crawl is here
Los Angeles is launching its first book crawl featuring 13 indie bookstores. This event offers a prime opportunity for indie authors to connect with the local literary community and expand their book's reach.
Strategy
Why Building an Email List Is Now the Most Important Thing an Indie Author Can Do
Amazon's changing review policies have made one thing clear: authors who own their reader relationships are insulated from platform changes. Here is why building an email list is now the foundation of every review strategy.
Marketing
The Review Velocity Trap: Why Pushing for Fast Reviews Is Now Hurting Authors
Amazon now treats sudden review spikes the same way it treats sales spikes — as a potential manipulation signal. Here is why the launch week review blitz is now a liability and what to do instead.
Industry News
Amazon Is Deleting Legitimate Book Reviews in 2026 — Here Is Why It Is Happening
Amazon's automated review bots are removing legitimate reviews at an unprecedented rate in 2026. Here is what changed, why real readers are getting caught, and what authors need to know.
Marketing
Kirkus Reviews vs. Readers' Favorite: What Editorial Reviews Actually Do for Indie Authors
Editorial reviews are not the same as Amazon customer reviews. Here is what Kirkus, Readers' Favorite, and Amazon Author Central actually do for indie authors — and the cold-pitch scam you need to know about.
Marketing
BookFunnel vs. StoryOrigin for ARC Delivery: Which Tool Should Indie Authors Use in 2026?
BookFunnel and StoryOrigin both handle ARC file delivery — but they work differently and cost differently. Here is which one makes sense for your publishing setup in 2026, and why Google Drive is not the answer.
Marketing
The Simple Link That Doubles Your Amazon Review Rate — And Most Authors Don't Know About It
A review redirect link takes readers directly to Amazon's Write a Review page, bypassing the product page. Here is how to create one and why it dramatically increases your review conversion rate.
Marketing
How to Get Amazon Book Reviews Without Violating the Terms of Service in 2026
Getting Amazon book reviews in 2026 is harder than it has ever been — and more important than ever. Here is the complete TOS-compliant strategy indie authors are using to build review counts without risking their accounts.
cover-design
The 5 Book Cover Mistakes CoverCrushing Data Reveals Indie Authors Keep Making
Uncover the top 5 book cover design mistakes indie authors are making, backed by CoverCrushing's data.
Tools & Technology
Why Most Self-Published Authors Lose Money on Amazon Ads — and How BookAds AI Fixes That
Fewer than 30% of indie authors who run Amazon ads consider them profitable. BookAds AI is a new platform built exclusively for KDP authors that automates campaign creation, AI keyword targeting, and royalty-aware ACOS reporting.
Marketing & Discoverability
Amazon Prime Day Is Moving to June — Here Is What KDP Authors Should Do Now
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
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.