What if you could make more money selling audiobooks direct than on Amazon and Audible combined? In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP556), USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner returns for a third time to break down exactly how she's doing it — and how indie authors can market audiobooks wide, build a direct store that converts, and stop relying on a single retailer.

Rebecca walks us through the Facebook ad strategies, Pinterest funnels, newsletter excerpt formula, and bundle pricing that now drive the majority of her author revenue from her own Shopify and Payhip stores. We also dig into the rapidly changing audiobook landscape — Spotify, YouTube audiobooks, Kobo Plus, and why repackaging your existing catalog into box sets is one of the smartest moves you can make right now. Whether you're brand new to direct selling or already running a wide audiobook strategy, this episode is packed with practical, no-fluff advice from someone testing it all in real time.

👤 ABOUT REBECCA HEFNER:

USA Today bestselling author Rebecca Hefner grew up in Western NC and now calls the Hudson River of NYC home. In her youth, she would sneak into her mother's bedroom and read the romance novels stashed on the bookshelf, cementing her love of HEAs. A huge Buffy and Star Wars fan, she loves an epic fantasy and a surprise twist (Luke, he IS your father).

Before becoming an author, Rebecca had a successful sales career. After launching her own indie publishing company, she is now a full-time author who also helps coach authors especially on publishing Wide strategies and direct selling.

Rebecca's author website is rebeccahefner.com and visit https://indieauthorvault.com for a free listing of curated resources for authors.

She is also the admin of the Marketing Audiobooks Wide group on FB (https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingaudiobookswide) and Buy Direct From Authors (https://buydirectfromauthors.com/) which we highly recommend you join.

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Indie Author Vault (Rebecca's resource hub): https://indieauthorvault.com

• Buy Direct From Authors: https://buydirectfromauthors.com

• Indie Audiobook Deals: https://indieaudiobookdeals.com

• Marketing Audiobooks Wide FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/marketingaudiobookswide

• Rebecca's Wide & Direct Author Substack (linked from Indie Author Vault)

• BookFunnel — audiobook & ebook delivery

• Payhip, Shopify, Fourthwall — direct store platforms

• Book Vault — print-on-demand for signed bookplate orders

• Stuff Your Earbuds — audiobook promo event

• Bink Cummings — Facebook traffic ad advice on Threads

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!

⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

We loved our first chat with Elana so much that we kept the mics running! In this follow-up episode to #553, Elana dives into the business side of her prolific career — the release strategies she swears by, the advertising that actually moves the needle, and the mindset it took to reach her first $100K month. True to form, she's just as honest about the mistakes as the wins. If EP553 was about how she writes, this one's about how she earns. #SelfPublishing #WritingProductivity #IndieAuthor About Elana Johnson

USA Today Bestselling Author, Top 10 Kindle Unlimited All-Star Author, and #1 Bestselling Author on Nook and Apple Books, Author Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance, usually set on the beach or within the vicinity of the beach.

Unfortunately, she lives in a landlocked state and must travel to the beach to get her fix, which her husband gladly accompanies her to do a few times each year.

She also writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance as Liz Isaacson and sweet romantic women's fiction as Jessie Newton, and all of her books are part of the Feel-Good Fiction Books brand.

🔗 authorelanajohnson.com

🔗 Indie Inspiration Facebook Group

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!

⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

The indie author realities no-one talks about (much). Bestselling romance author Elizabeth O'Roark joins us this week for one of the most refreshingly honest conversations we've had on the show — covering everything from her Random House deal to the indie strategies she's quietly walked away from.

In this episode we chat about:

• Going from medical writer to indie romance author in 2013
• The Devil series breakout and working with publicist Nina Grinstead at Valentine PR
• Pantser writing, rewriting every book 30 times, and writing scenes out of order
• The honest truth about special editions, direct sales and Amazon ads for romance authors
• Landing a two-book Random House deal — how it happened and what surprised her
• Why KU is "like doing heroin" and the realities of going wide as a romance author
• Cover changes, branding decisions, and learning to take feedback from other authors
• The biggest challenge after 23 books: staying inspired
• Voice dictation as a game-changer for writing faster

ABOUT ELIZABETH O'ROARK

Elizabeth O'Roark has a bunch of degrees she does not use and gave up working as a medical writer to craft grumpy, alpha heroes and the flawed women who love them.

When not writing, she likes to spend time with her three kids, who are now teenagers and wish she'd find a different way to spend time. She can be found on Facebook feverishly debating whether or not "Die Hard" is a Christmas movie and telling people to read "The Hating Game", which she did not write but wishes she had.

Website: https://www.elizabethoroark.com

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Elizabeth's website: https://www.elizabethoroark.com
• Nina Grinstead / Valentine PR: https://valentine-pr.com
• Natural Readers (text-to-speech for self-editing): https://www.naturalreaders.com
• Romance Author Mastermind (RAM)
• Entangled Publishing (Devil series print deal)
• Whitney G — author who gave the cover feedback Elizabeth credits
• CliftonStrengths / Gallup Strengths assessment
• Book Lovers by Emily Henry (mentioned re: trad publishing process)

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

#SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #RomancePodcast

Watch the recording on You Tube

How do you go from almost quitting writing to producing over 130 books and hitting a six-figure month? Elana Johnson sits down with the SPA Girls to share everything about her productivity system — and it's not what you'd expect.

In this Classic Replay (originally recorded 2020), we chat about:

• Elana's journey from traditional publishing "dark years" to indie success

• Writing 84,000 words in 10 days — the three factors that made it possible

• Her daily routine: treadmill at 8am, ads at 9am, 8,000 words by 2:45pm

• The "intense project / light project" system for always writing two books at once

• The legendary steering wheel desk (yes, it's $15 on Amazon)

• How to write productively in 15-minute blocks

• Her outlining process: Romancing the Beat, spreadsheet series bibles, and leaving yourself notes 4–5 chapters ahead

• Why tracking your writing patterns for 30–60 days is the best productivity investment

• Giving yourself permission to work your own way — even if that means writing at night, in front of the TV, or in a car park

• Why Thursdays are zero-writing days and Fridays are her best

• Using puzzles (not social media) to recharge between writing sessions

USA Today Bestselling Author, Top 10 Kindle Unlimited All-Star Author, and #1 Bestselling Author on Nook and Apple Books, Author Elana Johnson writes clean and wholesome contemporary romance, usually set on the beach or within the vicinity of the beach.

Unfortunately, she lives in a landlocked state and must travel to the beach to get her fix, which her husband gladly accompanies her to do a few times each year.

She also writes contemporary Christian cowboy romance as Liz Isaacson and sweet romantic women's fiction as Jessie Newton, and all of her books are part of the Feel-Good Fiction Books brand.

Website: authorelanajohnson.com

Facebook Group: Indie Inspiration with Elana Johnson

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes (outlining method)

• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jamie Davenport (beat sheet)

• Vellum (book formatting tool)

• BookBub (book promotion)

• Steering wheel desk (search on Amazon" — Elana's secret weapon!)

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!

⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

Ever wanted to create an audiobook but been scared off by the price tag? Phil Marshall, founder of Spoken.Press, built a platform specifically for indie authors who want professional-quality audio without the professional-level costs — and he's done it ethically, using consenting voice actors who are credited and compensated.

In this episode we chat about what "ethical digital narration" actually means, the difference between text-to-speech and speech-to-speech technology, how Spoken analyses your manuscript to match voices to your characters, creating multi-voice and full-cast audiobooks on a self-publishing budget, and where you can distribute digitally narrated audiobooks right now.

Whether you've been putting off audio or you're just curious about what's possible, this one's a must-listen.

🔗 Spoken.Press: https://www.spoken.press/ 🔗

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Spoken.Press: https://www.spoken.press/

• Spoken Ethical AI page: https://www.spoken.press/ethicalai

• Voices by InAudio (distribution): https://www.voicesinaudio.com/

• BookFunnel (direct audiobook sales): https://bookfunnel.com/

• Author Republic (distribution): https://www.authorrepublic.com/

• Taming the Perilous Skies by Phil Marshall (debut novel, June 2026)

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

This is a classic replay of a fascinating interview we recorded a few years ago with author Danielle Annett (aka Daniela Romero) , who as switched genres from Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance, with amazing results.

She talks us through the decision to change genres, and what she did to make it a success, including some of the big decisions she had to make, such as whether to create a new pen name, how to market it, and what kind of social media/website and newsletter presence she wanted to have with the new genre/name. Danielle is a savvy businessperson, and you'll definitely pick up some excellent tips from this discussion...

Danielle is also an organisational superstar, and we talk a little bit about how she organises all the various segments in her life so successfully! We loved chatting to her, and we're sure you're going to enjoy listening to this episode again! About Daniela Daniela Romero is a Snarky AF, Latinx Author, who happens to also be a Mom of 3. Born and raised in sunny California, she now makes her home in the Pacific Northwest and is happy to enjoy all four seasons even if the snow can sometimes be a bit much. She hates cheese—of all kinds—and yes that means she orders cheeseless pizza. Daniela is an ENTJ all the way which means she loves to talk (a lot) and is probably as extroverted as they come so feel free to shoot her a message, send a raven, throw up smoke signals. Whatever it may be. She love's chatting with readers so feel free to stalk her. Find her at: https://daniela-romero.com/ Danielle's bookbox business: https://baddiesbookshop.com/

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

#authortube #SelfPublishing #IndieAuthor #romancewriter

#SelfPublishing #romancewriter #writingpodcast #writingcommunity

What if formatting your book could take minutes instead of hours?

In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP550), we sit down with Brad Andalman, co-founder of Vellum, the book formatting software (Mac-only) that's transformed self-publishing for indie authors. Brad shares the surprising Pixar origin story behind Vellum, walks us through exactly how the software works, and reveals some of the newer features — including double-page chapter spreads — that most authors don't even know exist.

Whether you're a brand-new self-publisher about to format your first book or a Vellum veteran who suspects you're not using it to its full potential, this episode covers everything from the basics (importing your manuscript, choosing styles, exporting for Kindle and print) through to the advanced design tricks that make your books look professionally typeset. Brad also explains why so many authors have started writing inside Vellum itself, and shares how the platform has evolved over the past decade-plus. All the SPA Girls are avid Vellum users (even Shar, who's a Windows girl but bought a cheap Mac just to use it years ago!). If you'd like to try Vellum before you buy, hop over to Vellum.Pub (full disclosure, this is an affiliate link that supports our podcast. If you'd prefer to not use it, just google Vellum Pub)

👤 ABOUT BRAD ANDALMAN: Brad Andalman is the co-founder of Vellum, the leading book formatting software for indie authors. Before Vellum, Brad spent years at Pixar working on animated films, where he and co-founder Brad West built professional-level software alongside their design work. Together, the "two Brads" launched Vellum to put beautiful book design into authors' hands.

🔗 https://vellum.pub

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• Vellum: https://vellum.pub
• Vellum tutorials on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@VellumApp

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS: 🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SPAGirlsPodcast

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!

⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Feeling buried under your author business? Juggling deadlines, launch plans, newsletter, ads, admin, social media, and somehow you have to also get the actual writing done? Trust us, you are not alone!

In this episode, we sat down with USA Today bestselling author, certified life coach, and podcaster Corinne O'Flynn to talk about how authors can organise their businesses, prevent burnout, and stay sane when the to-do list never ends.

Corinne has lived it. After years of writing-to-market, chasing the algorithms, and running on a rapid-release treadmill, she hit deep burnout — the kind that doesn't lift after a weekend off. What she discovered on the way out became the foundation of The Calm Entrepreneur: a back-to-basics approach to the admin, systems, and daily rhythms that make or break an indie author career.

We dig into why so many of us end up stressed and overwhelmed, how to spot the early warning signs before full burnout hits, and the practical fundamentals you can put in place so your author business works for you instead of running you into the ground.

If you've ever thought "I love writing, so why does this feel so awful?" — this one's for you.

In this episode we chat about:

• How writing-to-market and rapid release can quietly lead to burnout
• Why recovery isn't just about rest — it's about rebuilding your foundations
• The admin and systems most authors avoid (and what happens when you do)
• Getting back in touch with the things you've put on auto-pilot
• How to build a sustainable author business that still leaves room for a life
• Why organising is a skill, not a personality trait — and anyone can learn it

Corinne's words say it best:

"Before this burnout experience, I was not someone who operated from a place of stress. I loved my work and somehow got lost in the mire. Getting back to the place where I work in ease has been transformative for me, and it's something I think I need to share with the world. I believe it's possible to thrive in your business and live your full life without losing your mind in the process."

🔁 Classic Replay — This episode was originally recorded in 2022 and the advice is just as relevant today, maybe more so.

About Corinne O'Flynn

Corinne O'Flynn is a USA Today bestselling fiction author, certified life coach, certified Quantum Human Design™ specialist, podcaster, nonprofit executive director, and multi-passionate entrepreneur with over twenty years of experience being self-employed. She's on a mission to change the way we talk about work and life, productivity and success — helping authors, solopreneurs, and small business owners simplify their businesses, reconnect with their passion, and get it all done without the overwhelm.

🔗 Connect with Corinne: www.corinneoflynn.com

💗 The SPA Girls podcast is sponsored by everyone who supports us on Patreon. Thank you so much, we love our listeners and our patrons!

⭐ Join us at the $10 tier, and you'll be invited to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group for authors, where we discuss all things self-publishing, marketing and writing PLUS answer all your burning questions.

All the info is at http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

✍️ Visit http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com for our FREE self-publishing resources, podcast episodes and info

😊Watch our weekly show on YouTube @‌spagirlspodcast

Make sure to subscribe wherever you listen, so you don't miss an episode!

Got a backlist gathering dust but few sales?

In this episode of the SPA Girls Podcast (EP# 548), we dig into how to breathe new life into your older books and get them earning again. Most indie authors pour all their energy into the next release and forget that their backlist is the engine that funds everything — so we're walking through exactly what to refresh, what to promote, and how to bundle older titles so they keep working for you.

Whether you've got three books or thirty out, this episode gives you a practical checklist to get them moving again. We cover cover refreshes, blurb fixes, metadata clean-ups, bonus content for newsletter growth, ad strategies, and the bundling tricks that turn old books into new income.

#SelfPublishing #BacklistMarketing #IndieAuthor

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED:

• The Best Book Promotion Sites in 2026: [URL]
• BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com
• BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Listen on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community!

⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

Subscribe so you never miss an episode!

#WritingCommunity #WritingPodcast

Romance writers gather 'round - Kait Nolan, bestselling author of smart, sassy, small town Southern romance is in the SPA! This is a classic replay of an awesome episode we recorded with Kait a couple of years ago, and well worth a relisten. These days Kait not just writes small town romance, but also romantic suspense (as Harper Jackson), and her writing and marketing advice is spot on! About Kait Nolan

Kait Nolan is a USA Today best selling, RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off. You can check out her darker alter ego Harper Jackson for romantic suspense. Find her at : kaitnolan.com

🔗 CONNECT WITH THE SPA GIRLS:

🌐 Website & free self-publishing resources: http://www.SelfPublishingAuthorsPodcast.com

🎧 Subscribe to our weekly episodes on your favourite podcast app — search "SPA Girls Podcast"

💗 This podcast is supported by our amazing Patreon community! ⭐ Join at the $10 tier for access to our private Self-Publishing Mastermind group where we discuss marketing, writing, and answer your burning questions: http://www.patreon.com/spagirlspodcast

#author #WritingPodcast #selfpublishing