Amazon is still the world’s largest bookseller, so naturally, many independent publishers and author publishers want to know how they can succeed on the platform. IBPA is always working to help indie publishers take their businesses to the next level, so we invited Firebrand Technologies’ Director of Sales and Education Joshua Tallent as a guest on “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share his expertise. He discusses how the Amazon search algorithms work to garner more exposure for your books, how Amazon sales ranks are calculated, smart strategies for Amazon advertising, and more.

PARTICIPANTS

Joshua Tallent is the Director of Sales and Education at Firebrand Technologies, where his focus is on helping publishers of all sizes find solutions to their workflow and metadata problems. Joshua’s background is deeply rooted in ebook development, metadata, and other publishing technologies, and he is an acclaimed teacher and guide on the role of data in publishing. He serves as the Chair of the BISG Board of Directors and is the host of the BookSmarts Podcast, which features practical discussions and interviews about publishing data and technologies. In his spare time, Joshua enjoys teaching Bible studies, playing complex board games, and fiddling with his home automation system.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS
Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Make sure to check out Firebrand Technologies at:https://firebrandtech.com
Also, check out the BookSmarts Podcast at: https://booksmartspodcast.com/

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Publishing books is the main focus and source of revenue for independent publishers, but there are many alternative revenue streams that can be lucrative. President and Publisher for Gibbs Smith Books & Gift Suzanne Taylor joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share tips about the sidelines they create, including how they decide what products to make, which are the most popular, where they sell them, how they’re manufactured, and much more.

PARTICIPANTS

Suzanne Gibbs Taylor brings more than 35 years of publishing and retail experience to her role as President and Publisher for Gibbs Smith Book & Gift, where she leads all business development from idea to fulfillment. She has created, acquired, and developed multiple million-dollar brands, including the New York Times best-selling 101 Things® cookbook series (more than 15 million LTD revenue) and BabyLit® children’s series (more than 13 million LTD revenue), which was featured on the front page of the Sunday print edition of The New York Times. Her leadership on the company’s management team and board of directors contributed to transitioning to employee ownership and B Corp status. She currently volunteers on the PubWest Design Awards Committee and is a member of B Lab, the Independent Publishers Guild, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and Print Production Professionals. She holds a BA in Journalism, English, and Secondary Education.  

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Make sure to check out the Gibbs Smith Book & Gift sidelines at:  https://www.gibbssmithcovers.com/gift/index.html 

Also, check out their Spring 2025 catalog at: https://www.gibbssmithcovers.com/GS-Spring-Catalog.pdf

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Follow Gibbs Smith Book & Gift on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@GibbsSmithBooks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gibbssmithbooks/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@gibbssmithbooks

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/gibbs-smith

To garner as much attention for your books as possible, it’s important for independent publishers and author publishers to connect with audiences outside their network.  Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share expert advice about how to land interviews on podcasts, blog sites, and with reviewers, including whether to pitch yourself or hire a publicist, how to best craft your pitch, how to promote the interview to get the most out of it, and much more!

PARTICIPANTS

Matty Dalrymple is the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with ROCK PAPER SCISSORS; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with THE SENSE OF DEATH; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including CLOSE THESE EYES. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

Matty also podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She has written books on the business of short fiction, podcasting for authors, and how to succeed as an author speaker, and her articles have appeared in Writer’s Digest magazine. She serves as the Campaigns Manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi).

She lives with her husband, Wade Walton, and their dogs in Chester County, Pennsylvania, and enjoys vacationing on Mount Desert Island, Maine, and in Sedona, Arizona, and these locations serve as the settings for her novels.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Make sure to check out Matty’s books at https://www.mattydalrymple.com/about

You'll find more information on her non-fiction platform at https://www.theindyauthor.com/

Also, check out ALLi at:

https://selfpublishingadvice.org/author-awards-contests-rated-reviewed/

https://selfpublishingadvice.org/best-self-publishing-services/

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Ambika Sambasivan and Suhani Parikh each had their own successful independent publishing company, Yali Books and Modern Marigold Books, but when they met in 2022, they realized that their companies had similar missions and that they could be even more successful if they combined their businesses.

Ambika and Suhani join “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about the challenges and positive experiences that they ran into during the process of merging to create their new publishing company Sambasivan & Parikh. They discuss the legal issues that had to be decided; how they updated their distribution systems; how they combined their different backend systems; and much more.

PARTICIPANTS

Ambika Sambasivan and Suhani Parikh are co-publishers at Sambasivan & Parikh, a community-centered children’s press working to foster a more equitable and just future through the power of storytelling. They bring together their independently founded presses, Yali Books and Modern Marigold Books, to create a platform for underrepresented voices in children’s literature, built on empathy and respect.
 

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Make sure to check out the Sambasivan & Parikh website at https://www.sambasivanandparikh.com/

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

One of the most important relationships independent publishers have is with their authors, so how can publishers ensure that it's a productive working relationship?  American Academy of Pediatrics Senior Editor Kathryn Sparks joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share advice about how publishers can successfully work with their authors based on her two decades in the industry.

She’ll share tips about setting reasonable deadlines and how to stick to them; the best ways to work with an author through the writing and editing process; and more. She’ll also share insights into how the independent publishing industry is doing at the moment, and what improvements could be made.

PARTICIPANTS

Kathryn Sparks is senior editor for the parent consumer line at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Prior to the AAP, she worked as the assistant to the publisher at Sourcebooks, Inc. Past industry experience also includes part-time literary assistant at the Chicago-based Tina Purcell Agency, and part-time assistant to best-selling author Claudia Gray. Her MG Novel, Reality Natalie, was published by Firedrake Books, Inc. She has served on the IBPA Editorial Advisory Committee, IBPA Advocacy Committee, and is currently on the IBPA Executive Committee and is co-chair of the IBPA Membership Committee.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Make sure to check out the American Academy of Pediatrics’ books at https://www.aap.org/en/shopaap/shop-by-product/parenting-resources/

Also, check out https://www.healthychildren.org/English/Pages/default.aspx

Follow IBPA on:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline

X – https://twitter.com/ibpa

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

One of the most effective methods for independent publishers and author publishers to sell books is through direct-to-consumer sales. Motina Books Publishing Owner Diane Windsor joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share tactics that have worked best for her, including selling books directly through her publisher website, in-person events, and more.

PARTICIPANTS

Diane Windsor is the owner of Motina Books Publishing, which focuses on helping mothers and women bring their work to the world. She's passionate about helping her authors brainstorm creative marketing efforts for their books.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA) here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Learn more about Motina Books here: www.MotinaBooks.com

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Follow Motina Books on:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/motinabooks
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/motina_books/

One of the most consequential topics among independent publishers is how they can get their books into libraries. IBPA is always looking for ways to set indie publishers up for success, so we invited Becky Spratford on the podcast who has been working with the library market in multiple capacities for over two decades. Becky shares expert tips about how to collaborate with your local libraries to interest them in your books, how librarians make buying decisions, the best ways to approach a library about carrying your books, and more.

PARTICIPANTS

Becky Spratford [MLIS] is a Readers' Advisor in Illinois specializing in serving patrons ages 13 and up. She trains library staff all over the world on how to match books with readers through the local public library. She runs the critically acclaimed RA training blog RA for All. She is under contract to provide content for EBSCO’s NoveList database and writes reviews for Booklist and a horror review column for Library Journal. Becky is a 23-year locally elected Library Trustee [still serving], a former Board member for the Reaching Across Illinois Library System, and currently on the Executive Board of the Illinois Library Association. Known for her work with horror readers, Becky is the author of The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Horror, Third Edition [ALA Editions, 2021] and the forthcoming Why I Love Horror and You Should Too [Saga Press, Sept 2025]. She is on the Shirley Jackson Award Advisory Board and is a proud member of the Horror Writers Association, currently serving as the Association’s Secretary and Co-Chair of their Library Committee.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Learn more about the RA for All training blog here: http://raforall.blogspot.com
 

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Follow Becky Spratford on:

X: @RAforAll
Bluesky: @raforall.bsky.social

Bookselling profit margins can be tight for independent publishers, but with some ingenuity, publishers can create additional revenue streams. Agate Publishing President Doug Seibold has had great success with his publishing company, as well as various endeavors related to publishing, so he joins “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to discuss package trade publishing and his newest venture, Agate Publishing Academy. Doug also shares invaluable advice about how to successfully run a publishing business based on his decades of experience, including fostering a line of credit with your bank, improving your backlist revenue, and more!

PARTICIPANTS

Doug Seibold has been a writer, editor, and publisher for 40 years. In 2002 he founded Agate Publishing, based in Evanston, Illinois, which today comprises four trade imprints, an educational content development division, and a career development and training program for publishing launched in late 2023.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Learn more about Agate Publishing at https://www.agatepublishing.com/

Learn more about Agate Publishing Academy at https://agatepublishingacademy.com/

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

In a saturated book market where the Big 5 publishers carry a lot of weight, independent publishers have come up with some clever tactics to garner attention for their books. One such publisher is Muse Incorporated. Founder and CEO Leah Hernandez joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to share details about how she’s created strategic partnerships to grow book sales; how she’s gotten her books into the education market; helpful ways she’s raised funds for her publishing endeavors; and more.

PARTICIPANTS

Leah Hernandez is the Founder and CEO of Muse Inc., an award-winning publishing company known for its commitment to promoting diverse voices in adult fiction and nonfiction. Muse Inc. encompasses various imprints, including the esteemed Young Authors Publishing, which serves as the flagship imprint under the Muse brand.

Leah's journey began with a degree in Business Administration with a Marketing concentration from Clark Atlanta University, providing her with the foundation for her entrepreneurial pursuits. Her leadership and contributions to the industry were recognized in 2021 when she was named one of Publisher's Weekly "Star Watch Nominees."

Beyond her role at Muse Inc., Leah actively engages in initiatives aimed at fostering diversity and inclusion within the publishing world. She sits on the board of PubWest, an association of small to mid-sized publishers, as well as Portland State University's Masters Publishing Program to create more opportunities for people of color in the field. Under Leah's guidance, Muse Inc. has published over 40 books across all its imprints, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities and expanding the literary landscape. 

Additionally, Muse Inc. proudly distributes works from two black-owned publishers, Through Us Books and POPOUT zine, furthering its commitment to supporting underrepresented voices in the industry. With a steadfast dedication to impacting the lives of others by providing a platform for storytelling, Leah continues to drive Muse Inc. towards its mission of inclusivity and empowerment in publishing.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Learn more about Muse Incorporated here: https://www.museinc.net/

Check out these new titles: 

Kinfolk Meditations - https://www.museinc.net/product/kinfolk-meditation-deck

Not Too Anything - https://www.museinc.net/product/not-too-anything

Tempted To Taste It - https://www.museinc.net/product/tempted-to-taste-it

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Follow Muse Incorporated on:

Facebook● Instagram ●Twitter● Vimeo

Distribution continues to be one of the most consequential pain points for independent publishers, and with fewer and fewer distributors from which publishers can choose, it seems like major changes need to occur to fix the system. Microcosm Publishing’s Founder and CEO Joe Biel joins "Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to chat about ideas for how distribution can be improved for indie publishers; the repercussions of the recent closure of Small Press Distribution; why so many independent distributors have shut down; and much more.

PARTICIPANTS

Joe Biel is a self-made autistic publisher and filmmaker who draws origins, inspiration, and methods from punk rock. Biel is the founder and CEO of Microcosm Publishing, Publishers Weekly's #1 fastest-growing publisher of 2022 and #3 in 2023. Biel has been featured in Time Magazine, Esquire, Art of Autism, Reading Glasses, Bulletproof Radio, Spectator (Japan), G33K (Korea), and Maximum Rocknroll, as well as on NPR and PBS. Biel is the author of A People's Guide to Publishing: Building a Successful, Sustainable, Meaningful Book Business, Good Trouble: Building a Successful Life & Business with Autism, and dozens more. Biel is the director of five feature films and hundreds of short films, including Aftermass: Bicycling in a Post-Critical Mass Portland, $100 & a T-Shirt, and the Groundswell film series. Biel lives in Portland, OR.

Independent Book Publishers Association is the largest trade association for independent publishers in the United States. As the IBPA Director of Membership & Member Services, Christopher Locke assists the 3,600 members as they travel along their publishing journeys. Major projects include managing the member benefits to curate the most advantageous services for independent publishers and author publishers; managing the Innovative Voices Program that supports publishers from marginalized communities; and hosting the IBPA podcast, “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA).” He’s also passionate about indie publishing, because he’s an author publisher himself, having published two novels so far in his YA trilogy, The Enlightenment Adventures.

LINKS

Learn more about the many benefits of becoming a member of Independent Book Publishers Association here: https://www.ibpa-online.org/page/membership

Learn more about Microcosm and Joe Biel here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/joe-biel

Check out Biel’s A People's Guide to Publishing book and podcast! 

Follow IBPA on:
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/IBPAonline
X – https://twitter.com/ibpa
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ibpalovesindies/

Follow Microcosm on most platforms at: microcosm_pub