Audiobook Creation Exchange (ACX) rolled out new features and analytics for account holders, plus I share deeper insights into ACX's new digital voice narration with the cloning capabilities. Kobo Plus expanded into two new regions. National Novel Writing Month shut down; what happened and what can authors do now? And an Australian erotica author has been arrested due to some disturbing allegations. Find out about all that and more in the self-publishing news this week!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Sources:

• Now in Beta: Narrator Voice Replicas on ACX - https://www.acx.com/mp/blog/now-in-beta-narrator-voice-replicas-on-acx
• Getting the most from your ACX reporting and analytics - https://www.acx.com/mp/blog/getting-the-most-from-your-acx-reporting-and-analytics 
• Rakuten Kobo Launches Kobo Plus in Singapore & Malaysia - https://kobowritinglife.com/2025/03/18/rakuten-kobo-launches-kobo-plus-in-singapore-malaysia/
• NaNoWriMo shutting down (covered by The Bottom Line) - https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/ (subscription required)
• The State of NaNoWriMo - A Community Update - March 2025 - https://youtu.be/TR6NnjgeIIY?si=Yr8eQ3F7fgYyukWd
• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com
• Sydney author Lauren Tesolin-Mastrosa arrested over ‘pedophilia’ book - https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/crime/sydney-author-lauren-tesolinmastrosa-arrested-over-pedophilia-book/news-story/5babb82438d7adc5ca699c877b07641a 
• CoverRater - https://coverrater.com - use coupon code DALEROCKS for 20% off (good till Sept. 30, 2025)
• PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link)
• PublishDrive presents: Building Your Author Platform with Evan Gow of StoryOrigin - https://publishdrive.com/building-your-author-platform-with-evan-gow-of-storyorigin.html 
• Keith Wheeler presents: YouTube for Books - https://dalelinks.com/youtubeforbooks (affiliate link)
• Book Career in a Year by Nick Thacker - https://www.bookcareerinayear.com/sp/book/ref/1/ 
• Books that Make You presents: Dale L. Roberts on Self-Publishing for New Authors – Your Guide to Indie Success - https://youtu.be/_9CejZROHcU?si=63ji1R6XkK9IAMCi
• Self-Publishing with ALLi presents: Marketing Strategies for Children’s Books That Work - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-marketing-strategies-for-childrens-books/
• The Writing Community Chat Show presents: A Haunted Island. A Spooky Investigation. - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thewccs/a-haunted-island-a-spooky-investigation?ref=project_link
• Teddy AG Smith presents: Dale L. Roberts - Beyond Amazon: The Strategic Approach to Publishing Wide - https://youtu.be/bea3M6zGlqQ?si=AlfTwqLTn9cBPXkw
• ULTIMATE ‪@DaleLRoberts‬ QUIZ | ARE YOU A SELF-PUBLISHING WITH DALE EXPERT? - https://youtu.be/o2n7Kw6q6l0?si=3IYU8M32GGqS8qaI 

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

AI is changing the publishing industry! Learn how authors can use AI for marketing, ads, and book optimization, which AI tools actually help you sell more books, and what ethical AI usage looks like for indie authors. Stay ahead of the game with these AI-powered strategies!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)

Mentioned Tools & Affiliate Links: 

• ChatGPT - https://chatgpt.com/
• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• ProseWrite - https://DaleLinks.com/ProseWrite (affiliate link)
• Spoken.Press - https://Spoken.press
• Leonardo.AI - https://leonardo.ai
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Big changes are happening in self-publishing! Bookvault expands to Canada, Libro.fm reports massive audiobook subscriber growth, and Dibbly Create launches new support features. Plus, Creativindie’s Derek Murphy just relaunched a free 3D book cover mockup tool and a universal book link service. Stay tuned for everything you need to know about these industry updates and how they impact indie authors.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Sources:

• Bookvault Canada - https://help.bookvault.app/bookvault-canada
• Libro.fm Reports a Surge in Subscribers - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/bookselling/article/97261-libro-fm-reports-a-surge-in-subscribers.html 
• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• CreativIndie w/ Derek Murphy - https://www.youtube.com/@DerekMurphycreativindie
• 3D Book - https://3dbook.xyz/
• 1Link - https://1link.st/
• Authortunities w/ Angela Yuriko Smith - https://authortunities-hub.mn.co/
• The Bookfest - https://www.thebookfest.com/ 
• Struggling to Edit? This Tool Makes It Easy! - https://www.youtube.com/live/N2NBTaEqzOs?si=oKuTxNU6ljV3geag
• Spoken.Press - https://spoken.press 

Credit:

• Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/ 

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Selling your books outside of Amazon? Learn how direct sales for authors can increase profits, build reader relationships, and grow your brand. Discover the best platforms for selling books direct, how to set up your own storefront, and whether selling direct is right for you.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)

Mentioned resources & affiliate links:

• Gumroad - https://gumroad.com
• Payhip - https://DaleLinks.com/Payhip (affiliate link)
• Shopify - https://shopify.com
• BookFunnel - https://bookfunnel.com/
• Laterpress - https://laterpress.com/
• StoryOrigin - https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin (affiliate link)
• Stripe - https://stripe.com/
• PayPal - https://www.paypal.com/

• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.\

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Amazon KDP is quietly removing two critical tools for formatting your books. The Association of American Publishers notes a 6.5% increase in book profits in 2024. Bookvault is expanding into Australia and now has print on demand Down Under. And, Apple Books for Authors announced new category rollouts from 2024 for your books. All that and more in the self-publishing news for this week.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Sources:

• AAP December 2024 StatShot Report: Overall Publishing Industry Up 6.5% Year-To-Date, and Down 4.3% for Month of December - https://publishers.org/news/aap-december-2024-statshot-report-overall-publishing-industry-up-6-5-year-to-date-and-down-4-3-for-month-of-december/
• Kindle Comic Creator and Kindle Kids’ Book Creator will be unavailable from March 18, 2025 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Kindle-Comic-Creator-and-Kindle-Kids-Book-Creator-will-be-unavailable-from-March-18-2025?language=en_US&forum=KDP%20Forum 
• 6 Tips to Engage your Readers with Author Follow - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/6-Tips-to-Engage-your-Readers-with-Author-Follow?language=en_US&forum=KDP%20Forum
• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com/
• Complete BISAC Subject Headings List (2024 Edition) - https://www.bisg.org/complete-bisac-subject-headings-list 
• Australian Printing is Rolling Out in the Bookvault Portal! - https://bookvault.app/australian-printing-now-live/ 
• ProWritingAid - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingAid (affiliate link)
• Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link)
• Game-Changing Features Coming to Self-Publishing! | Laterpress - https://www.youtube.com/live/aJUTUz7mQ1s?si=H1frWMOLMkj-Untc
• LIVE: Auditing Your Amazon Ads - https://www.youtube.com/live/gs4gXt849f8?si=jfpwTeMbQusKhE8r
• Authortunities Hub presents: Writers Block Party – Special Guest: Dale L. Roberts! - https://authortunities-hub.mn.co/
• The BookFest Adventure - https://www.thebookfest.com/
• Author Nation - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNation (affiliate link)
• AUTHOR INTERVIEW w Special Guest Author DALE L. ROBERTS - https://www.youtube.com/live/HfATv5G3nLI?si=cMfpz5d2ytf-M4sh
• Review of "Wide Publishing for Authors" by Dale L. Roberts - https://www.outstandingcreator.com/reviews/review-of-wide-publishing-for-authors-by-dale-l-roberts
• Wide Publishing for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/WideBook
• Bestseller Book Launch Plan Book Review | & Wide Publishing For Authors - https://youtu.be/bjrIDiZ5MWU?si=Atw_i19IvCyOToZd
• Bestseller Book Launch Plan - https://DaleLinks.com/BestsellerBook 

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Keywords and categories make or break your book’s discoverability. Learn how to find the right keywords, choose profitable categories, and boost your book’s ranking on online stores. Whether you're on Amazon, Kobo, or selling wide, these SEO strategies for authors will help you sell more books effortlessly.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)

Mentioned products (affiliate links):

• KIP Scout - https://DaleLinks.com/Scout 
• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate
• Publisher Rocket - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket
• BKLNK: Tools for Authors - https://www.bklnk.com/categories_2022.php
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com 
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Amazon officially closed down Kindle Vella this past week. Smashwords is running their annual Read an Ebook Week, find out how this is an incredible promotional opportunity. The Kindlepreneur Dave Chesson just rolled out updates for his Book Description Generator. Barnes & Noble Press shared details about their partnership with the audiobook platform Author's Republic. ProWritingAid rolled out a new feature called Manuscript Analysis. And so much more for the self-publishing news this week.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships 
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord 
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Sources:

• Smashwords' Read an Ebook Week - https://DaleLinks.com/Smashwords
• Bestseller Book Launch Plan - https://DaleLinks.com/BestsellerBook 
• Kindle Vella Update FAQ - https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GUJHP3574Z3DLPZD 
• Kindlepreneur's Book Description Generator - https://DaleLinks.com/HTML (affiliate link)
• ProWritingAid's Manuscript Analysis - https://help.prowritingaid.com/article/318-what-is-the-manuscript-analysis?afid=6615 (affiliate link)
• Author's Republic + Barnes & Noble Press - https://crm.authorsrepublic.com/bnpress
• March Authortunities Newsletter by Angela Yuriko Smith - https://authortunities.substack.com/p/5-legacy-mags-acquired-by-1-paragraph
• Streetlib on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@streetlib-us \

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Are you wasting time on things that don’t move the needle? Discover the 80/20 rule for book marketing, how to focus only on what works, and cut out time-wasting tasks that don’t lead to sales. If you want smarter strategies that save time and bring results, don’t miss this!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships 
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

Amazon is removing the ability to download and backup Kindle ebooks. And on the same day they roll out that change, Amazon will be closing down Kindle Vella. IngramSpark has a few marketing opportunities this month, as well as a giveaway for five free books. Findaway Voices by Spotify announced an agreement to distribute digitally-narrated audiobooks by Elevenlabs. And so much more in the self-publishing news this week!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro  (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com 
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships 
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee 

Sources:

• Amazon’s killing a feature that let you download and backup Kindle books - https://www.theverge.com/news/612898/amazon-removing-kindle-book-download-transfer-usb
• Kindle Vella Announcement - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Kindle-Vella-Announcement?language=en_US
• Amazon: We are winding down Kindle Vella - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/a/faq
• Spotify Welcomes Digital Voice Narrated Audiobooks from ElevenLabs via Findaway Voices - https://blog.findawayvoices.com/spotify-welcomes-elevenlabs-audiobooks/
• Amazon Ads - https://advertising.amazon.com
• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com
• IngramSpark: Nominate Your Book Today - https://www.ingramspark.com/editorial-calendar
• IngramSpark: Mastering Metadata: Are Your a Book Marketing Pro? - https://ingramcontent.jotform.com/250495414855160
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com
• ProWritingAid: Manuscript Analysis - https://DaleLinks.com/Analysis (affiliate link)
• PublishDrive: Audiobooks - technical requirements, easy fixes and FAQs - https://streamyard.com/watch/HNgSJGxZHf44
• Why Cheap Promo is No Bargain: One Unusually Prolific Example - https://writerbeware.blog/2025/02/21/why-cheap-promo-is-no-bargain-one-unusually-prolific-example/
• The Power of Reviews: What Every Author Needs to Know - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/power-reviews-what-every-author-needs-know-ross-brand-ho7ne
• Get More Book Reviews—Faster & Easier! (Book Bounty interview) - https://www.youtube.com/live/WFyyMPjJDXk?si=kwmWznhD8vrKz34T
• Join my ARC Team - https://DaleLinks.com/ARCTeam 

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts

No budget? No problem! You don’t need a big advertising spend to market your book effectively. Learn free and low-cost book marketing strategies that actually work, how to sell more books with minimal effort, and where to focus your time for maximum impact. If you’re an indie author on a budget, this episode is a must!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)

Mentioned Sites & Services:

• MailerLite (email marketing) - https://DaleLinks.com/MailerLite
• Kit (email marketing) - https://kit.com
• Author Letter - https://authorletter.com
• My List of Book Promotion Site Lists - https://DaleLinks.com/BookPromo
• PodcastGuests - https://PodcastGuests.com
• StoryOrigin (book marketing resource) - https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin (affiliate link)
• BookFunnel (book marketing resource) - https://BookFunnel.com 
• eBookFairs (book marketing resource) - https://DaleLinks.com/eBookFairs (affiliate link)
• GetCovers (pro cover design service) - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers (affiliate link)
• Hidden Gems Books (ARC service) - https://HiddenGemsBooks.com 
• NetGalley Co-Op (ARC service) - https://DaleLinks.com/NetGalleyCoOp (affiliate link)
• BookSirens (ARC service) - https://BookSirens.com
• Pubby - https://Pubby.co
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com 
• Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (affiliate link) 
• Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link)
• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp 
• Join Channel Memberships - https://DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• Join Me on Discord - https://DaleLinks.com/Discord
• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee 

Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!

- Dale L. Roberts