Why Most Author Newsletters Fail in the First 90 Days (and How to Fix Them in 2026)
The first 90 days of an indie author’s newsletter journey are fraught with hidden pitfalls.
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Amazon KDP in The Publishing Times
Kindle Direct Publishing, Amazon's self-publishing platform for Kindle eBooks, paperbacks and hardcovers. Official site: kdp.amazon.com
Why an Author Email List Stops Growing in 2026
The single most common mistake indie authors make is asking readers to join a newsletter for the sake of updates.
9 Ways to Grow Your Author Email List Without Spending on Ads in 2026
Creating a high-value freebie is the cornerstone of any organic email growth strategy.
5 Reasons ARC Readers Don't Leave Reviews, and How Authors Can Fix It in 2026
When an ARC reader receives a raw EPUB or MOBI file via email, the technical friction alone can kill their motivation to read your book.
Publishing's Gatekeepers Now Share the Gate: What the Output and Revenue Data Show
For generations, an author's path into print ran through a small number of decision-makers: agents, acquiring editors and the publishers that employed them.
Can Independent Authors Make a Living? What the Income Surveys Show
Can an author build a lasting income outside traditional publishing? The question grows more pressing each year, because the number of authors making the attempt has risen sharply.
Should a Food Business Publish a Book? What the 2025 Cookbook Data Show
Food businesses such as breweries, bakeries and cooking schools sometimes weigh the idea of publishing a book of their own: a collection of recipes, a history of the house, or a guide sold at the counter.
Print-on-Demand for Small and Specialist Runs: The Documented Economics
Print-on-demand (POD) is usually discussed as a tool for individual self-publishers.
How to Create a Reader Magnet That Converts Browsers Into Loyal Subscribers in 2026
To successfully capture email addresses in the modern publishing ecosystem, an indie author must understand consumer behavior on platforms like Amazon KDP, Appl…
When Print-on-Demand Expands Beyond Books
KDP allows low-content books such as notebooks and journals without an ISBN. An editorial on what that volume means for discoverability, and what authors can do.
Print's Place in a Modern Book Launch: What the Data Show
Book launches today often lean on digital tools: retailer pages, online advertising, social media posts and email campaigns.
Hardcover Print-on-Demand Costs in 2026: Running the Numbers for Indie Publishers
Hardcovers carry prestige, and in some parts of the market they are selling well. For independent publishers who rely on print-on-demand, they also come with a cost structure that can make or break a list price.
How to Choose the Right KDP Categories to Rank as a Bestseller in 2026
Navigating the architecture of Amazon's store requires understanding how the retail giant indexes books. When publishing through Amazon KDP
How to Run an ARC Campaign That Gets Reviews on Launch Day in 2026
The modern book marketplace relies heavily on algorithmic momentum. When an indie author publishes a new title on Amazon KDP
How to Scale a Winning Amazon Ads Campaign Without Overspending in 2026
When indie authors launch their first KDP campaigns, the primary goal is validation.
How KDP Print Formats Are Changing
KDP print offers paperbacks and hardcovers in several trim sizes and interior types. A look at how independent authors can use those formats.
Newsletters vs. Social Media: What Author and Reader Surveys Suggest
Authors are routinely advised to be everywhere at once: on social platforms, in video, on podcasts and in readers' inboxes. Time and money are finite, however, and the practical question is which of those channels actually sell books.
The Paper Trail of Progress: Print-First AI Self-Publishing on Amazon KDP
Generative AI tools are now able to draft text, design covers and narrate audio.
Niche KDP Printing: What the Data Show About Specialized Categories, and What They Don't
Much of the discussion about self-publishing focuses on fiction, and on romance in particular. The data on what self-publishers actually release, however, describe a wider picture.
Author Compensation: The Shifting Sands of Publishing Income
The question of how authors are paid now sits near the center of the publishing conversation. Traditional contracts continue to depend on advances and royalty percentages, which are negotiated separately for each title.
The Future of KDP: Niche Markets, Not Just Mass Appeal
Self-publishing growth is concentrated in a handful of categories. What the output data and Amazon's own rules show about niche publishing on KDP.
The Nonfiction Revolution: Authors Seize Control
Nonfiction is often sold on a proposal before it is written. The data now also show an enormous expansion in self-published nonfiction.
10 KDP Keyword Mistakes That Cost Authors Sales in 2026
Many indie authors make the critical error of overlooking long-tail keywords, opting instead for broad, highly competitive terms.
7 Amazon Ads Targeting Strategies Every Indie Author Should Know in 2026
Amazon Ads, formerly known as Amazon Marketing Services (AMS), provides a powerful platform for indie authors to promote their books directly to Amazon's vast c…
How to Get a Book Into Libraries With OverDrive and Hoopla in 2026: The Indie Author's Guide
In 2026, the digital library landscape represents an increasingly vital channel for indie authors to reach new readers and expand their income streams.
AI's Double-Edged Sword: Reshaping Book Discoverability
AI is reshaping book discovery, from fake books under real names to fake reviews and new legitimate tools. Documented cases and responses.
KDP and POD in 2026: The New Professional Standard
KDP now comes with hardcover printing, title limits and AI disclosure rules. What the 2026 professional standard for print authors looks like.
The POD Revolution: KDP's Unstoppable March
Print-on-demand changed the cost of keeping a book in print. KDP's royalty terms, hardcover option, payment timing and the limits authors should know.
Copyright's Crucible: AI's Challenge to Publishing's Foundation
An editorial on AI and copyright: the publishers' lawsuit against Meta, the Copyright Office's position on human authorship, and the Authors Guild's call for consent and compensation.
The Algorithm's Muse: AI in Authorship and Publishing
Courts, the US Copyright Office, retailers and authors' groups have each answered part of the AI authorship question. The answers side by side.
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