Bookvault made a major announcement about box sets and slip cases for authors. The self-publishing company PublishDrive will be down for scheduled maintenance. Smashwords is having their annual Read an Ebook Week in March. The Kindlepreneur Dave Chesson updated his article about direct sales for authors and the stats are pretty surprising (in a good way)! Laterpress leaked some insider info you will want to know. And, hear about other relevant news in the world of self-publishing.

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Sources:

• Bookvault: Introducing Box Sets and Slipcases: Available now! - https://bookvault.app/introducing-box-sets-and-slipcases-available-now/
• Use code BVDALE to waive your first three upload fees.
• PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link)
• Smashwords: Read an Ebook Week 2025 - https://www.smashwords.com/dashboard/sitewidePromos 
• Selling Books Direct: Insights from 500+ Authors [2025 Update] - https://kindlepreneur.com/the-truth-on-selling-books-direct-insights-from-authors/ 
• Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com
• 120 Author Opportunities + Some Hope (I hope...) - https://authortunities.substack.com/p/over-100-author-opportunities-some 
• Getting started with MailerLite - https://mailerlite.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_RV0gFn6CQw-pE4vxT39bAw#/registration 
• MailerLite - https://DaleLinks.com/MailerLite (affiliate link)
• Authors Meet Author Assistants: Streamline Your Publishing Journey at Our Virtual Hiring Event - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/F1qcpvnDSuGrzc68puegXg#/registration 
• Master Amazon Ads: Live Ad Audits for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/a0snbVjJEPw?si=0MyTn_iQxYQL69yV 

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

Struggling with low book sales? Discover the common mistakes that could be killing your book’s visibility and how to fix them fast. Learn how to analyze your sales data, improve your marketing strategy, and get your book in front of the right readers. If you're tired of hearing crickets, this is the episode for you!

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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 

Writer Beware discovered a new company that is so supposed to protect authors from scams, but some things are not quite right. Amazon is offering refunds on unused Kindle Vella tokens in March. KDP upgraded their virtual voice software. And, the US Copyright Office released the second part of a report on registering a copyright of a publication created by AI. All that and more in the self-publishing news!

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• Check out my main YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks

Source:

• The Ultimate Guide to 2025 Book Awards for Independent Publishers and Authors - https://publishdrive.com/the-ultimate-guide-to-2025-book-awards-for-independent-publishers-and-authors.html
• Writer Beware - Book Guard: “Anti-Scam Protection” That’s Anything But - https://writerbeware.blog/2024/11/22/book-guard-anti-scam-protection-thats-anything-but/
• Invite-Only KDP Beta for Audiobooks - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Invite-Only-KDP-Beta-for-Audiobooks?language=en_US
• We are winding down Kindle Vella - https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/a/faq
• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com/
• U.S. Copyright Office Releases Part 2 of AI Report: What Authors Should Know - https://authorsguild.org/news/us-copyright-office-ai-report-part-2-what-authors-should-know/
• Miblart (Cover Design) - https://DaleLinks.com/Miblart - code LOVECOVER14 good till Feb. 14, 2025 on romance-themed covers (Affiliate link)
• GetCovers (Cover Design) - https://DaleLinks.com/GetCovers - code ROMANCE20 good till Feb.14, 2025 on romance-themed covers (Affiliate link) 
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com
• Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty (Affiliate link)
• The Virtues of Wide Distribution with Mark Coker - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/events/member-qa-the-virtues-of-wide-distribution-with-mark-coker (ALLi membership required)
• Authors Guild: AI Rights Licensing 101 with Created by Humans - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_SLdFX6VoS3OYgJSK_Gn43w#/registration 
• Written Word Media: Written Word Media Speaker Series with Ferol Vernon - https://streamyard.com/watch/3mry2CB5wsuU 
• Master Amazon Ads: Live Ad Audits for Authors - https://www.youtube.com/live/a0snbVjJEPw?si=OCn5IUJ7XgHwxem1
• Get your Amazon Ads audited - https://DaleLinks.com/AuditMyAds
• No Writing Required: Turn Your Podcast Into a Book in 90 Days - https://www.youtube.com/live/VFNtF9K6MJ0?si=MCw9kkwKE9_6Tb8c
• 6 Authors vs 1 Impostor: Who Will Fool the Rest? - https://youtu.be/WzztnGi-Oj4?si=9Sf9JkKGkmqbNDDv
• Apply for 6 Versus 1 - https://DaleLinks.com/6v1 

Credit:

• Authors Guild - https://authorsguild.org/ 

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

Email is still one of the best ways to sell books. Discover how to grow an email list, engage your readers, and create emails that actually convert into book sales. Perfect for authors ready to build a loyal fanbase.

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• MailChimp - https://DaleLinks.com/MailChimp (referral link)
• Convertkit - https://kit.com
• Author Letter - https://authorletter.com/
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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

IngramSpark announced changes in print book pricing and an increase in their market access fee. Circana Bookscan shared stats on book sales in 2024 and it's looking things are improving. And, Overdrive announced that 2024 was a record-breaking year for digital lending. All that and more in the self-publishing news for Feb. 3, 2025.

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• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks 

Source:

• USA Pen Press: The Ghostwriting Scam of a Thousand Websites - https://writerbeware.blog/2025/01/24/us-pen-press-the-ghostwriting-scam-of-a-thousand-websites/
• IngramSpark: Service Alert - https://www.ingramspark.com/2025-price-change
• Circana Bookscan: “Book Sales 2024 Results: A Year of Fantasy, Thriller, and Romance. Data and Highlights” (Top Selling Books 2024) - https://www.infodocket.com/2025/01/22/circana-bookscan-book-sales-2024-results-a-year-of-fantasy-thriller-and-romance-data-and-highlights-top-selling-books-2024
• Overdrive: Libraries Break Digital Lending Records in 2024 with Over 739 million Checkouts - https://company.overdrive.com/2025/01/27/libraries-break-digital-lending-records-in-2024-with-over-739-million-checkouts/
• KDP: Kindle Vella Wind Down - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/Kindle-Vella-Announcement?language=en_US
• Kindle Vella Update FAQ - https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GUJHP3574Z3DLPZD 
• Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com
• Miblart: 5-Day Writing Journey - https://miblart.com/join-writing-challenge/?ref=daleroberts5
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://getauthenticbookreviews.com 
• Publisher Rocket + Mastering Keywords & Categories Course (expires Feb. 9, 2025) - https://rocket.thrivecart.com/publisher-rocket-course/?affiliate=selfpubwithdale
• Book Brush: Platinum Academy: Set Your Intentions for 2025 & Plan to Level Up with Renee Rose and Lee Savino - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/qL1JT8PzSrykRBsDJas5ZQ#/registration
• 6 Versus 1 Project - https://DaleLinks.com/6v1
• The Power of LinkedIn for Book Promotion: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Dale L. Roberts - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-linkedin-for-book-promotion/
• Dale L. Roberts joins The Author’s Lounge to talk branding, book marketing, awards and much more! - https://youtu.be/6WGKS032We4?si=ehD9ZmOQpy3ocCbl
• Wide Publishing for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/WideBook
• The Self-Publishing with Dale Book Series - https://dalelinks.com/selfpubwithdale 

Credit:

• The Hot Sheet - https://hotsheetpub.com 

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

Struggling to get reviews? We’ll reveal effective strategies for getting real, honest reviews quickly and consistently. Learn how to boost your credibility and social proof, making your book more appealing to new readers.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
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• The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages - https://dalelinks.com/yellowpages (Amazon)
• Sites & services mentioned: https://DaleLinks.com/Reviews
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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

The Kindlepreneur Dave Chesson is on a roll lately, as he's updated his deep dive article about choosing the right categories for your book on Amazon. IngramSpark dropped an email this past week with a trifecta of opportunities. And, three people have been indicted in an alleged $44 million scam targeting elderly authors. Find out what you need to know and what you should do to prevent scams like this from happening ever again. All that and more in the self-publishing news.

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• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks

Sources:

• Amazon Book Categories: My Secret Method to Choose Clear Winners - https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-the-best-kindle-ebook-kdp-category/
• MOBI Support for eBooks Frequently Asked Questions - https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/GULSQMHU5MNH4EZM
• Spoken Beta V0.7.5: Project Mastering And Email Account Creation. - https://www.spoken.press/the-spoken-chronicle/spoken-beta-v075-project-mastering-and-email-account-creation
• PROMOTE MY BOOK- INGRAMSPARK AUTHOR COMMUNITY - https://www.facebook.com/groups/402138132921961/
• IngramSpark: Showcase Your Books - https://www.ingramspark.com/ala-2025
• IngramSpark: Nominate Your Book Today! - https://www.ingramspark.com/editorial-calendar 
• Three Indicted and Internet Domain Seized in $44 Million Nationwide Book Publishing Scam Targeting Elderly Authors - https://www.justice.gov/usao-sdca/pr/three-indicted-and-internet-domain-seized-44-million-nationwide-book-publishing-scam
• Inkers Con: Author mistakes to avoid on Goodreads - https://inkerscon.com
• Resources for the Goodreads Author Program - https://www.goodreads.com/author/how_to 
• Publishing Industry AI Insights Survey - https://www.surveyol.com/r/AIInsightsSurvey
• Your Book Deserves Better Profits—Here’s How! - https://www.youtube.com/live/_0qo1t6kBB0?si=j6PldLBTVNLMyokw
• Wide Publishing for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/WideBook 

Credit:

• Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com

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

Book marketing is evolving, and outdated tactics won’t cut it. Stay on top of the latest trends, from TikTok to influencer marketing, and learn how to market your book in a way that’s modern, effective, and sustainable.

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Marketing & Promotion for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/PromoBook
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Review Tools & Services mentioned (affiliate links):

• NetGalley Co-Op - https://DaleLinks.com/NetGalleyCoOp
• Booksprout - https://DaleLinks.com/Booksprout
• StoryOrigin - https://DaleLinks.com/StoryOrigin
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://GetAuthenticBookReviews.com
• Book Bounty - https://DaleLinks.com/BookBounty
• Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy
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• 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 

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

Created by Humans is a new service for AI right licensing that has partnered with Author's Guild. Simon & Schuster launched a new audio imprint for indie authors. And, Substack launched a new live streaming feature. All that and more in the self-publishing news.

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• My Books - https://DaleLinks.com/MyBooks 

Sources: 

• The Hidden Value of Regional Book Awards: Why Indie Authors Should Think Local - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/regional-book-awards/
• Created by Humans AI Rights Platform Launches for Authors - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/digital/content-and-e-books/article/96846-created-by-humans-launches-ai-rights-platform-for-authors.html
• Created by Humans - https://www.createdbyhumans.ai/
• S&S Launches Audio Imprint Simon Maverick, Helmed by Jason Pinter - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/96813-s-s-launches-audio-imprint-simon-maverick-helmed-by-jason-pinter.html
• GetCovers: 2025 Self-publishing Trends To Be Aware Of - https://getcovers.com/blog/self-publishing-trends-in-2025/
• Miblart: 72 Content Ideas for Authors for an Entire Year - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ub-4uC-ZxzbGbqKtJdW7hVCbpMxaiCGa/view 
• Substack Opens Access to Livestreaming - https://rossbrand.substack.com/p/substack-opens-access-to-livestreaming
• Authentic Book Reviews - https://getauthenticbookreviews.com/
• What’s in store for ALLi in 2025? - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/events/whats-in-store-for-alli-in-2025
• Self-Publishing Success: From Manuscript to Marketing | Dibbly Create Webinar - https://www.youtube.com/live/kk4kVt73KmY?si=ycL95W3xoNc5oYt5 

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 can make or break your book’s visibility. Discover the latest strategies for finding and using keywords that actually help your book get discovered by the right readers. Get seen and sell more books!

• Book Award Pro - https://DaleLinks.com/BookAwardPro (affiliate link)
• Keywords for Books - https://DaleLinks.com/KeywordsBook
• KIP Scout - https://DaleLinks.com/Scout (affiliate link)
• Publisher Rocker - https://DaleLinks.com/Rocket (affiliate link)

Sources:

• Kindlepreneur: 7 Kindle Keywords: Use All 50 Characters or Not? - https://dalelinks.com/7kindlekeywords (affiliate link)
• Kindlepreneur: How to Choose Your Amazon Kindle & Book Keywords - https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-kindle-keywords/
• KDP: Make Your Book More Discoverable with Keywords - https://kdp.amazon.com/en_US/help/topic/G201298500 

• Subscribe to The Self-Publishing Hub - https://TheSelfPublishingHub.com 
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
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• 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 

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