Guides & Resources

A complete guide to ACX for indie authors: how to list your book, find a narrator, choose royalty share or per-finished-hour, and distribute through Audible and Amazon.

ACX vs. Findaway Voices compared: distribution reach, royalty rates, exclusivity, narrator marketplace, production cost options, and which platform fits your audiobook strategy.

How to plan and distribute advance review copies (ARCs), including who should get one, how early to send them, which platforms to use, and how to follow up without being pushy.

A practical guide for indie authors on using AI tools responsibly: where AI can help in writing and publishing, disclosure expectations on major platforms, copyright considerations, and where human judgment matters most.

How to use Amazon A+ Content to add image modules, comparison charts, and enhanced descriptions to your book's Amazon listing, and whether it's worth the effort for indie authors.

How to run Amazon Sponsored Product ads for your books: campaign types, keyword targeting, bidding basics, budgeting, and how to read your ad reports.

Complete guide to Amazon Author Central: setting up your author page, adding a bio, linking books, editorial reviews, and using it to improve book visibility.

A realistic look at what indie authors actually earn on Apple Books: royalty rates, which genres and readerships perform best, and how it fits into a wide-distribution income strategy.

How indie authors can publish on Apple Books through Apple Books for Authors or Draft2Digital: account requirements, formatting tips, royalties, promotional tools, and how Apple Books fits into a wide distribution strategy.

How to run an ARC (advance review copy) program as an indie author: how to find ARC readers, distribute copies, and get reviews before your launch day.

The difference between beta readers and ARC readers: what each group does, when to bring them in, how to find them, and how to manage both without burning people out.

What Atticus does well for ebook formatting, where it falls short (including content restrictions for adult and explicit material), and when to consider alternatives.

How indie authors produce and distribute audiobooks through ACX and Findaway Voices, including royalty structures, narrator hiring, production costs, AI narration options, and how audiobooks fit into a wide publishing strategy.

How to write an author bio that works across platforms: the short version, the long version, the third-person convention, what to include depending on context, and how to update it as your career grows.

How to request, secure, and use author blurbs and endorsements, including who to ask, how to write the request, realistic timelines, and how blurbs differ from reader and editorial reviews.

A practical guide to choosing the right business structure as an indie author, comparing sole proprietorship, LLC, and S-Corp: what each means, what it costs, and when to upgrade.

How indie authors build long-term visibility through content: blogs, newsletters, SEO, social media, and when to hire help to keep publishing between books.

How to use your author newsletter as a sales tool: what to send between books, how to announce new releases, how to run promotions to your list, and how to measure what's working.

What every author website needs, from the essential pages and what goes on each to how to structure navigation, plus the mistakes that drive readers away before they even see your books.

What pages every indie author's website needs: the essential pages, what to put on each, and how to connect your site to your email list and book sales.

A data-driven look at average book dimensions across fiction, nonfiction, and specialty genres, and what those numbers mean for your own formatting decisions.

How to write back cover copy for print and an Amazon description for digital: why they're different, what each one needs to do, and how to adapt the same blurb for both.

A realistic look at what indie authors actually earn on Barnes & Noble Press: Nook ebook royalties, print-on-demand economics, and how B&N fits into a realistic wide-distribution income mix.

A complete guide to Barnes & Noble Press for indie authors: how to publish ebooks and print books on B&N, royalty rates, Nook features, differences from Amazon KDP, and how B&N fits into a wide distribution strategy.

A side-by-side look at the most popular book formatting tools for self-published authors in 2026: pricing, platform support, design control, and what each tool does best.

A guide to book awards open to self-published authors, covering which ones carry genuine prestige, which are pay-to-play vanity contests, and how to decide which to enter.

A complete guide to self-publishing a book box set: how to format a multi-book bundle, price it effectively, publish it on KDP and other platforms, and use it to drive series sales.

The design principles behind effective book covers, from hierarchy and typography to genre signaling, color, and composition, explained so authors can brief designers confidently and spot a weak cover early.

How book format sizes work across print, ebook, and audiobook: what dimensions mean in each medium, why print size doesn't carry over to digital, and how to plan across formats.

A practical guide to print book interior design for self-published authors: choosing a trim size, setting margins and gutters, picking typography, and the small details that separate professional-looking books from amateur ones.

A complete book launch checklist for self-published authors, covering what to do eight weeks out, two weeks out, launch week itself, and the two weeks after to keep sales momentum going.

A practical guide to building a book launch team: what one is, how to recruit members, what to ask them to do, and how to coordinate a successful launch campaign.

A practical guide to book margin sizes for KDP and IngramSpark paperbacks: gutter width, top and bottom margins, header and footer zones, and bleed settings.

Practical, sustainable book marketing strategies for introverted authors who don't want to livestream, network constantly, or perform online: what to focus on instead and why it works.

How indie authors can use PR to build visibility: what book PR services offer, what they cost, how to pitch media yourself, and when to hire professional help.

How to design a visually consistent cover series: shared design elements, typography, spine branding, color palettes, and working with cover designers for a cohesive look.

A practical guide to building and running a book street team: what it actually does, how to recruit members, what to ask of them, and how to keep them engaged across launches.

A complete reference for book trim sizes: standard dimensions for fiction, nonfiction, and children's books, how to choose the right size, and how size affects printing cost.

How to use BookBub as an author, from submitting for Featured Deals and running BookBub Ads to optimizing your profile and building a follow list that drives new-release sales.

A complete guide to BookBub for indie authors: how to apply for Featured Deals, run BookBub Ads, use BookBub Partners, and maximize each program's results.

How indie authors use BookFunnel to deliver ebooks, run reader magnet campaigns, manage ARC distribution, and grow their email list with group promotions.

A direct comparison of BookFunnel and StoryOrigin on features, pricing, group promotions, and ARC delivery, and which platform fits authors at different stages of their career.

How indie authors can use Bookstagram and Instagram to market their books: content types, hashtag strategy, Reels vs. feed posts, and building a reader community.

A practical guide to BookTok: how the platform works for book discovery, what kind of content performs, how to get started without dancing, and how to convert views into sales.

How indie authors can use BookTok and TikTok to reach readers: what content works, how the algorithm helps discoverability, and realistic expectations for results.

A practical guide for indie authors on building an author platform before and during publication: email lists, social media strategy, author websites, and how to start building an audience from zero.

A practical guide for new authors to building an email list from zero: choosing a service, what to offer subscribers, what to send, and how a list supports every future book launch.

A complete guide to assembling a self-publishing team: every professional role an indie author might hire, what each costs, and where to find the right people.

A practical guide to hiring a ghostwriter for your business book: how to evaluate candidates, structure the engagement, manage the process, and get to publication.

How to design chapter headings, part dividers, and scene breaks that read as professionally produced: numbering conventions, placement, white space, and consistency across print and ebook.

How to format children's books for self-publishing: picture book layout, chapter book specifications, trim sizes, image handling, color printing, and platform requirements.

How to design children's book pages: spread layout, text placement relative to illustration, page turns as a storytelling tool, and the technical specs self-publishing platforms expect.

How to evaluate book cover designers before you hire one: what to look for in a portfolio, questions to ask, pricing signals, and the red flags that predict a bad experience.

How to choose fonts for your book's interior, cover, and ebook: serif vs sans-serif body text, font pairing, licensing for embedding, and how font choices signal genre and quality to readers.

A practical guide to color vs. B&W interior printing for self-published books: cost per page, platform options, when color is worth it, and how it affects retail pricing.

A complete guide to formatting a self-published cookbook: recipe layout conventions, image handling, trim size choices, color printing decisions, and export for KDP and IngramSpark.

What self-published authors need to know about copyright: how it works, what you own, when you need permission, how to register, what's in the public domain, and how to protect your work.

Step-by-step guide to registering a book's copyright with the US Copyright Office: why to do it, what it costs, how the process works, and what protection it provides.

A realistic look at what indie authors actually earn distributing through Draft2Digital: royalty math across retailers, what drives real earnings, and how it compares to direct publishing.

How to use drop caps, fleurons, ornamental scene breaks, and decorative typography in your book interior: when they work, when to avoid them, and how to implement them.

How to make your EPUB ebook more accessible: alt text for images, logical reading order, heading structure, language metadata, and why accessibility benefits everyone.

How to track ebook sales when you're published on multiple platforms: what each dashboard shows, how to consolidate the data, and how to spot trends across retailers.

A practical guide to building well-structured EPUB files for self-published books: semantic markup, CSS and font embedding, images, accessibility, and how fiction and nonfiction EPUBs differ.

A guide to EPUB metadata for indie authors: which fields matter, how to set them correctly, how they affect store catalogs and discovery, and what to do when metadata is wrong.

How to run Facebook ads for books, covering campaign setup, audience targeting, ad creative that works for fiction and nonfiction, budget management, and measuring results.

A practical guide to Meta (Facebook and Instagram) advertising for indie authors: campaign types, targeting, creative, budgets, and what to realistically expect.

A clear breakdown of FindAway Voices pricing, including narrator costs, royalty share options, distribution fees, and how to work out the full cost of producing and distributing an audiobook.

How indie authors use Findaway Voices to produce and distribute audiobooks wide: narrator marketplace, pricing, distribution reach, and how it compares to ACX.

A complete guide to formatting a poetry collection: line spacing, stanza breaks, long lines, section dividers, front matter, and exporting to print PDF and EPUB.

A practical guide to formatting dialogue, internal thoughts, letters and texts within a story, foreign words, and special characters in your manuscript, with conventions that read as professionally typeset in print and ebook.

A clear-eyed review of free book formatting options: what's genuinely free, what's really a free trial, and what these tools can and can't produce for self-published authors.

A realistic guide to freelance book cover design rates in 2026: what different designer tiers charge, what affects pricing, what's typically included, and how to budget for your cover.

A complete guide to front matter and back matter for self-published books: which elements are required, which are optional, how they differ for ebooks vs print, and genre-specific conventions for fiction and nonfiction.

How to get genuine reviews for your self-published book, from organic strategies and ARC programs to review services, what Amazon actually allows, and building a review base before and after launch.

A data-informed comparison of KDP Select exclusivity vs wide distribution for indie authors: what each strategy offers, who benefits from each, and how to decide which is right for your books.

How to use Goodreads as a self-published author: setting up your profile, managing your book pages, running giveaways, and engaging with reader communities without spamming them.

A complete guide to Goodreads for indie authors: claiming your author profile, adding books, using giveaways, and building a reader following that drives discovery.

Everything self-published authors need to know about hardcover books: platform options across KDP, IngramSpark, and Lulu, cost per copy, pricing strategy, and when a hardcover edition is worth the effort.

A practical guide to hiring a proofreader for a self-published book: what proofreaders do, what they charge, how to find a good one, and when to skip straight to proofreading.

A practical guide to finding beta readers as an indie author: where to look, how to run a beta read, what feedback to ask for, and when to use them.

A complete guide to hiring a book cover designer: where to find designers, what cover design costs, how to brief them, and what files to request for print and ebook.

A guide to hiring a book editor as an indie author: the four editing types explained, what each costs, where to find editors, and how to prepare your manuscript first.

Everything you need to know about hiring a book ghostwriter: how the process works, what ghostwriters cost, what to look for, and how to protect yourself legally.

A complete guide to hiring an audiobook narrator: where to find narrators, how auditions work, what narrators charge, and how to evaluate a voice for your book.

A practical guide for indie authors on the different types of editing, when each is worth the investment, how to find and evaluate editors, what to expect from the process, and when self-editing is sufficient.

A step-by-step book launch plan for indie authors: pre-launch timeline, ARC distribution, launch week tactics, pricing strategy, first-week goals, and what to do after launch to sustain momentum.

Everything indie authors need to know about Draft2Digital: how it works, how to upload and distribute, royalty rates on each platform, D2D's free ISBN and formatting tools, and how to maximize earnings going wide.

A complete guide to self-publishing romance: sub-genres and heat levels, reader expectations, KDP categories and keywords, cover conventions, series strategy, and Kindle Unlimited fit.

A complete walkthrough of publishing your book on Amazon KDP, from setting up an account to uploading files, setting prices, and reaching Kindle and paperback readers.

Learn how to write a compelling book blurb for fiction and nonfiction: the structure, hook, stakes, and common mistakes that keep readers from clicking Buy.

Learn how to write a compelling book description for Amazon KDP and other platforms: structure, hooks, HTML formatting tips, and common mistakes to avoid.

A complete guide to independent book editors: the different types of editing, what each one costs, where to find freelance editors, and how to vet them before you hire.

A complete beginner's guide to self-publishing your book independently: the stages of the process, the platforms involved, key decisions, what to expect, and how to get started.

A complete guide to IngramSpark for self-published authors: how it works, setup costs, pricing and discount settings, bookstore distribution, library access, how it compares to KDP Print, and when to use both.

A complete comparison of IngramSpark and KDP across print, ebook, distribution, royalties, setup costs, and bookstore reach, so you can decide which to use, or whether to use both.

A detailed comparison of IngramSpark and KDP Print: distribution reach, royalties, setup costs, quality, hardcover options, and which is right for your book.

Everything self-published authors need to know about ISBNs: when you need one, when you don't, how to get one, what free ISBNs from distributors actually mean, and how many you need per book.

Learn how to add A+ Content to your Amazon book listing: what it is, who qualifies, how to design effective modules, and whether it's worth the effort.

A practical guide to KDP book pricing strategy: the 70% royalty sweet spot, genre norms, launch pricing, Countdown Deals, print pricing, and how to test what works.

A practical guide to selecting Amazon KDP categories and keywords that improve your book's discoverability and sales rank, including how to research, request extras, and avoid common mistakes.

Step-by-step guide to Kindle Countdown Deals: eligibility rules, how to set one up, pricing tiers, royalty treatment, and strategies to maximize results.

The complete Amazon KDP cover specifications for ebook and print covers, including dimensions, file formats, resolution, spine width calculation, bleed requirements, and color mode.

Everything you need to know about KDP expanded distribution: which channels it covers, royalty rates, how it compares to IngramSpark, and when to opt in.

The complete technical requirements for formatting a book for Amazon KDP, covering ebook file specs, print trim sizes, margins, bleeds, cover dimensions, and common rejection reasons.

How to use KDP Select free promotion days: how many you get, how to set them up, when to use them, and how to promote a free book effectively.

A complete guide to front matter and back matter for KDP ebooks and print books: what to include, what's required, how to structure each element, and how to use back matter strategically.

Step-by-step guide to publishing a hardcover book on Amazon KDP: setup, specifications, pricing, distribution, and how it compares to paperback.

A complete guide to setting up a pre-order on Amazon KDP: ebook and print pre-orders, how they affect rank, best practices, and common mistakes to avoid.

How print and ebook formatting differ for Amazon KDP: file types, layout, typography, images, tables, table of contents, and how to handle both from one manuscript.

A complete guide to the most common Amazon KDP rejection reasons for interior files, cover files, and content policy, with specific fixes for each issue before you resubmit.

A plain-English guide to reading your KDP sales reports: what each report shows, how royalties are calculated, and how to use the data to make better decisions.

A complete walkthrough of the KDP Reports dashboard: what each report shows, how to read royalty data, track KENP reads, and export sales history for taxes and analysis.

A complete breakdown of Amazon KDP's royalty structure for ebooks and print, including the 35% vs 70% plans, delivery costs, Kindle Unlimited page reads, international markets, and payment schedules.

A complete guide to setting up a book series on Amazon KDP: Series Manager, naming conventions, book order, series page metadata, and category and keyword strategies for series discoverability.

KDP vs. Draft2Digital compared for ebook distribution: store reach, royalty rates, KDP Select compatibility, formatting tools, print options, and how to use both together.

Everything indie authors need to know about crowdfunding a book on Kickstarter: how to set up a campaign, what to offer, funding goals, and how to fulfill rewards.

A practical guide to Kindle promotions: how KDP Free Days and Countdown Deals work, eligibility requirements, how to plan and measure them, and when each one makes sense.

Everything indie authors need to know about Kindle Unlimited page reads: how KENP is calculated, what the rate is, how to track earnings, and whether KU is worth it.

A complete guide to Kobo Writing Life for indie authors: how to set up your account, upload ebooks, pricing strategy, promotional tools, and how Kobo differs from Amazon in key international markets.

A complete guide to landscape book formats: when they make sense, which dimensions KDP and IngramSpark support, and how to format a landscape interior correctly.

How to format a large print book for self-publishing: font size requirements, trim size choices, line spacing, margins, and how to distribute large print editions.

Affinity Publisher and Adobe InDesign offer professional, general-purpose page layout control. Here's how they compare to LiberScript's guided, book-specific design mode.

A side-by-side comparison of LiberScript and Atticus for self-published authors: pricing models, formatting features, editing and critique tools, export formats, and which one fits your workflow.

Draft2Digital bundles free ebook formatting with wide distribution and a sales commission. LiberScript focuses on critique, design, and export for a fixed-price pass. Here's how they compare.

Kindle Create is Amazon's free KDP-only formatting tool. LiberScript formats for KDP and every other platform. Here's how they compare for indie authors.

LiberScript vs. Lulu compared: what each does, formatting quality, distribution approach, pricing models, platform lock-in, and which fits your self-publishing workflow.

How LiberScript compares to the free Reedsy Book Editor for formatting, critique, design, and export, and which is the better fit for your self-publishing workflow.

Scrivener is a long-form writing and organization tool. LiberScript focuses on critique, design, and export. Here's how they compare and how authors use both together.

How LiberScript compares to Vellum for ebook and print formatting: platform support, pricing model, design features, and which is the better fit for your workflow.

A complete guide to library ebook and print distribution for self-published authors: OverDrive, Bibliotheca, Hoopla, IngramSpark library access, how libraries acquire indie books, and what to realistically expect.

The best alternatives to Lulu Press for self-published print books, comparing KDP, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Blurb, and others on cost, quality, and distribution reach.

A realistic, scenario-based look at what authors actually earn on Amazon KDP, what separates hobbyist income from full-time income, and the levers that matter most.

A concrete, realistic roadmap for reaching your first $1000 in Kindle royalties — pre-launch prep, launch week, and the weeks after, with honest timelines and no guarantees.

How to format your manuscript once and produce print and ebook files that work cleanly across Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, IngramSpark, and Kobo Writing Life, without maintaining separate versions for each platform.

A complete guide to NetGalley for self-published authors: how to list your book, costs, how to attract reviewers, and what results to realistically expect.

How to write a nonfiction subtitle that clarifies your book's promise, improves Amazon search visibility, and gets browsers to click, with structure, examples, and common mistakes to avoid.

A practical guide to paperback book sizes, covering mass market, trade paperback, and digest formats: dimensions, platform support, and which size fits your genre.

How authors use Patreon to earn recurring income from readers: how to structure tiers, what to offer, what to realistically earn, and how to grow your patron base.

A complete guide to using a pen name as an indie author: why authors use them, how to set one up legally, manage accounts, and maintain a separate brand.

A practical comparison of print-on-demand and offset printing for self-published authors: cost, quality, minimum orders, lead times, and when each model is worth it.

How to format poems for print: line spacing, indentation, stanza breaks, run-on lines, page turns, and how to handle long lines that exceed the page width.

How to organize a poetry collection: how many sections to use, how to sequence poems for emotional arc, how to open and close it, and how to write section titles.

How indie authors use free, permafree, and promotional pricing strategically: when discounting helps, how it affects royalties and series sales, and how to run a price promotion effectively.

A complete guide to print-on-demand (POD) for indie authors: how it works, the major providers (KDP Print, IngramSpark, Lulu, Draft2Digital), what it costs, royalty calculations, and how to use it for bookstore distribution.

A complete checklist for proofing your print book before publishing: what to check in your cover, interior, and front/back matter, how to order and review a physical proof, and what to do if you find an issue.

A complete guide to designing a print-ready book cover for self-published authors: cover anatomy, trim size and spine calculations, file specifications, design principles, and tools for DIY or hired cover design.

An in-depth look at PublishDrive as an ebook and print distribution platform: how it works, its pricing model, store reach, and how it compares to Draft2Digital.

A clear breakdown of PublishDrive's pricing model, including subscription tiers, commission-based options, what each plan includes, and how to work out which is cheaper for your book count and sales volume.

Learn how to create a publishing imprint for your self-published books: what an imprint is, how to register it, costs involved, and whether you need one.

A grounded look at self-published author income: what the data shows about typical earnings, what separates hobbyist income from full-time income, and the factors that matter most to your own numbers.

How to set up running headers, footers, and page numbers in your book interior: conventions for fiction and nonfiction, what goes where, and common layout mistakes.

A structured self-editing checklist for indie authors covering big-picture structure, scene-level pacing, prose style, consistency, and common errors to catch before sending to an editor or publishing.

A realistic breakdown of what it costs to self-publish a book: editing, cover design, formatting, ISBNs, marketing, and the minimum viable budget for different publishing goals.

What indie authors need to know about taxes on royalty income: 1099s, self-employment tax, quarterly payments, deductions, and international withholding.

A clear-eyed comparison of self-publishing and traditional publishing: royalties, advances, creative control, timelines, rights, marketing support, and how to choose your path.

How to sell books directly to readers on platforms like Payhip, Gumroad, Shopify, and WooCommerce: how to deliver digital and print files, margins compared to Amazon, and who benefits most from selling direct.

When a small book format is the right choice for novellas, poetry collections, and short nonfiction: dimensions, platform support, costs, and design considerations.

A platform-by-platform breakdown of standard book printing sizes: which trim sizes each service supports, where they overlap, and which to choose for your distribution goals.

Everything self-published authors need to know about standard book sizes: what 'standard' actually means across platforms, which sizes cover most genres, and how to choose with confidence.

How to build a table of contents for self-published books that functions correctly in both print and ebook editions, including what to include, how ebook navigation works, and common mistakes to avoid.

How to hire a ghostwriter for thought leadership content: articles, op-eds, LinkedIn posts, and books that build your authority and reach without writing yourself.

How self-published authors can license translation rights, work with translators, and distribute foreign-language editions, including costs, contracts, and platform options.

What widows, orphans, rags, rivers, and bad line breaks actually are in typesetting, and how to spot and fix them in your book interior before it goes to print.

Why generic freelance marketplaces like Upwork and Fiverr often underserve authors, and where to find vetted book-publishing professionals instead — including LiberScript’s own hire-a-pro option.

A clear explanation of what BookBub is, how it works for readers and authors, the difference between Featured Deals and BookBub Ads, and what authors actually get from the platform.

Expected word counts for fiction and nonfiction by genre: what agents, publishers, and readers expect, why these ranges exist, and what to do if your manuscript is significantly shorter or longer.

What to expect when working with a book editor: how to prepare your manuscript, what the revision process looks like, how to give and receive feedback, and how to know when you're done.