The Self-Publishing with Dale Podcast

The publishing industry is getting serious about AI authorship, and one major publishing CEO has some surprising thoughts on AI detectors and proving who actually wrote a book. Lulu is rolling out a dead-simple new direct-sales tool, while Dibbly Create finally adds manuscript imports. Plus, Get Authentic Book Reviews and Book Bounty launch new features for authors, along with more updates in the Rapid-Fire Newsflash. Catch up on t...

AI transparency is getting more complicated for authors as new European regulations begin affecting Claude users worldwide, a new study challenges assumptions about AI-generated writing, and a record number of Pulitzer winners and finalists disclose AI use. Plus, Publishers Weekly shares fresh publishing industry data, a first-time self-published memoirist sells more than 1,000 copies in five months, Instagram rolls out a new book-...

Barnes & Noble is tightening how stores handle local author events, and showing up with a book may no longer be enough. We also cover free local publicity, platform updates from Apple Books, Lulu, and Voices by INAudio, and ProWritingAid's new ProWritingMethod. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News for August 6, 2026. 

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link) 
• Jane Friedman's Th...

Substack rolled out a new AI detection tool, and the backlash from writers has been swift. I also cover a proposed Copyright Office fee increase, IngramSpark's new path into Turkey, what librarians actually want from indie books, and a major Anthropic settlement update. Plus, I've got a rapid-fire roundup with author resources, audiobook opportunities, and a couple of last-call promos. As per usual, all relevant links are in the sh...

A major traditional publisher is making a surprising move toward indie authors. We also cover a KDP payment change, new details about Audible's royalty model, and fresh opportunities for book promotion and AI discoverability. Plus, the Rapid-Fire Newsflash features author resources, timely discounts, and more publishing updates.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• KDP Community: EUR Check Paymen...

Spoken commissioned Edison Research at SSRS to compare how fiction audiobook listeners responded to AI and human narration. The results raise some major questions about what listeners value and where audiobook production may be heading. Kindlepreneur also uncovered a growing issue with Amazon categories, while Miblart, GetCovers, Book Brush, ProWritingAid, and more shared new tools and opportunities for authors.

• Dibbly Create ...

KDP expanded the 70% ebook royalty pricing range, giving authors more room above the old $9.99 limit. Kindlepreneur updated two solid refreshers on KDP keywords and categories, Authors Guild shared another scam warning, Laterpress upgraded its Assistant feature, Voices by INAudio shared audiobook marketing tips, and Miblart is celebrating 10 years with a limited-time discount.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate...

Fake IngramSpark websites are targeting authors, and one case hit close to home in my own Discord community. IngramSpark also shared updates on AI, metadata, schools, libraries, and publishing fraud. We'll also cover the Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale, Kindlepreneur's latest keyword advice, new indie author survey data from Written Word Media, and so much more.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
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Audible is rolling out a new ACX royalty model, and indie authors need to understand what's changing. We'll cover the new audiobook royalty rates, concerns around pooled payouts, Spotify for Authors distribution terms, IngramSpark metadata research, AI audiobook tools, and author scams. Stay informed before you make your next publishing move.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• Audible's New Roy...

The FTC just hit Publishing.com and the Mikkelsen Twins with a $1.5 million settlement, and that is only part of this week's self-publishing news. I also cover impersonation scammers targeting authors, Spotify expanding deeper into audiobooks and print discovery with Bookshop.org, a helpful new KDP Select calculator from Kindlepreneur, and more rapid-fire updates authors need to know. If you care about self-publishing news, author ...

Draft2Digital just rolled out new fees, Barnes & Noble Press tightened its print book rules, and more self-publishing platforms are making changes that authors need to watch closely. In this Self-Publishing News update, we cover the latest Draft2Digital changes, Barnes & Noble Press policy updates, Bookvault shipping increases, Apple Books updates, and more. If you are a self-published author, this is the kind of industry n...

Amazon KDP quietly rolled out a few new updates, and authors should take notice. I cover the new dashboard changes, the updated Rights and Pricing page, and the new ability to download your latest manuscript or cover file. Plus, I break down The New York Times expanding audio best-seller lists, a scam warning from Writer Beware, cautionary notes from Book Bounty, and a rapid-fire newsflash featuring ProWritingAid, Miblart, and Book...

Amazon's latest algorithm changes are giving authors more proof that they need to bring their own traffic, while KDP print quality concerns keep pushing some authors to look at other options. In this self-publishing news update, I cover new insights from Written Word Media, a trust-shaking Grammarly lawsuit, LaterPress AI tools, Voices by INaudio, Draft2Digital features, and more. You'll also hear quick updates on Spoken, Booklinke...

Amazon's latest updates are raising concerns for self-published authors, as hundreds of new KDP categories may actually be hurting book discoverability instead of helping it. In this Self-Publishing News update, we break down the growing issue of ghost categories, along with what authors can do to stay visible. We also cover Amazon's push into AI-powered ads, new metadata guidance from Barnes & Noble Press, and a cover design c...

Draft2Digital is finally explaining why dozens of nonfiction categories were blocked last year, and the answer points to a growing issue with AI flooding parts of the nonfiction marketplace. We also look at fresh market insights from PublishDrive, issues surfacing around the BookBounty review exchange platform, and several updates authors should keep on their radar across distribution, tools, and publishing platforms.

• Author N...

Draft2Digital and Bookshop just opened a new path for indie authors to reach bookstore-first readers, with Bookshop serving around four million customers. We talk through what this partnership changes, how ebooks show up on Bookshop, how local bookstores benefit, what authors earn through the normal retail split, and how Bookshop affiliates can add extra upside. We also cover expectations, discoverability signals that reward recent...

This week's self-publishing news covers why some authors get paid while others do not, including how rights reversion can affect payouts tied to AI settlements and future legal actions. We also touch on important updates and conversations involving Writer Beware, the Authors Guild, Apple Books, Spoken, ProWritingAid, Twin Flames Studios, and a new discussion on networking for authors. All that and more in the Self-Publishing News f...

Draft2Digital has confirmed a print cost increase starting February 1, 2026, following similar changes across the print industry. IngramSpark confirms free revisions are coming, while platform risk, Amazon KDP, audio growth, and new author opportunities round out the first Self-Publishing News of the year. Here is what authors need to know.

• Author Nation After Party (digital replay) - https://AuthorNation.live/AfterParty 
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Kindle Direct Publishing announced two major updates that authors need to understand. Changes to digital rights management are raising questions, while a new ebook pre-order feature could reward authors who are prepared. We also cover AI entering the reading experience, audiobook discovery tied to BookTok, platform updates, and opportunities authors should watch heading into 2026.

• YouTube Channel Memberships – https://Da...