Why Going Wide Beats KDP Select for Most Indie Authors in 2026
KDP Select's exclusivity requirement locks your ebook into Amazon — but the publishing landscape has shifted dramatically.
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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
How to Write a Book Description That Converts Browsers Into Buyers
Your book description is the single most important piece of marketing copy you will write.
How to Use Publisher Rocket for KDP Keyword Research in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide
Publisher Rocket is the most powerful keyword research tool available to indie authors on Amazon KDP.
The Decline of the Midlist Author: Why Traditional Publishing Is Abandoning Mid-Tier Books
The midlist — once the backbone of traditional publishing — is disappearing. Major publishers are concentrating advances on celebrity memoirs and proven bestsel…
This Week in Self-Publishing — May 30, 2026
Stay ahead in self-publishing with our May 30, 2026 digest. Expert analysis on KDP printing, book awards, and the evolving landscape for indie authors.
Amazon Is Tracking How You Read — And Using It to Decide If Your Review Counts
Amazon uses Kindle reading data — page reads, reading speed, time spent — to determine if a reviewer actually read the book before posting. Here is how it works and what it means for authors and reviewers.
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.
The Biggest Publishing Deals of 2026: Advances, Auctions, and What They Mean for Authors
Seven-figure advances, competitive auctions, and international co-publishing deals are shaping the 2026 publishing landscape.
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.
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.
BookBounty, Get Authentic Book Reviews, and Gemsy: Are Review Exchange Platforms Safe in 2026?
Are review exchange platforms safe to use in 2026? A detailed comparison of BookBounty, Get Authentic Book Reviews, and Gemsy — including real review counts, costs, and Amazon compliance analysis.
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.
The Rise of Hybrid Publishing: Between Indie and Traditional
Hybrid publishing occupies the contested middle ground between traditional and self-publishing — and it is one of the most misunderstood models in the industry.
Amazon Prime Day Is Moving to June — Here Is What KDP Authors Should Do Now
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
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.
Amazon Is Paying KDP Authors for Page Reads — But the Math Has Changed
By The Publishing Times Editorial Team
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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 $.
KDP Select vs. Going Wide in 2026: The Definitive Guide for Indie Authors
Should you go exclusive with Amazon KDP Select or distribute your ebooks wide? This 4,500-word guide breaks down every factor — royalties, KENP, Kobo Plus, D2D,…
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.
KDP Select vs. Wide: The Ultimate Guide for Self-Published Authors
KDP Select vs. Wide: Discover the pros and cons for self-published authors. Learn if exclusivity on Amazon is right for your book, or if going wide offers bette…
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.
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 Amazon 2026: The Complete Guide to Kindle Direct Publishing
Everything indie authors need to know about Amazon KDP in 2026. Covers ebook and print publishing, royalties, Kindle Unlimited, categories, keywords, and the la…
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