Issue 4 •  July 24 2025

Promote your self-published book by landing podcast interviews. Follow these steps to find the right shows, pitch effectively, and grow your audience.

Cameron Sutter joins us to talk about Storysnap, a tool he designed to help authors create story bibles and streamline their creative process.

But, picking a cover designer can be hard, because there are many who have that 'Bestselling cover designs' claim. And legitimately. That's why I also try to write helpful articles about cover design and process. You can learn useful stuff just from that without even hiring me first. These will help you make a more educated decision when looking at designers and designs.

In an age of increasing global conflict, a new generation of displaced writers emerges, carrying their stories across borders and creating literature from the margins of society. These refugee authors navigate not only personal trauma but also complex publishing landscapes, often finding solidarity and opportunity in digital spaces.

We recently learned about DropCap Marketplace, a cutting-edge platform that makes foreign rights licensing simple and accessible for indie authors, created by DropCap. We knew right away that this was a game-changer and were so excited to partner with the team at DropCap to further our mission to empower authors and creators. But to fully realize how awesome DropCap is, and why we think this is an incredible platform for self-published authors, it’s important to understand what it means to license your book rights. 

What if there were a way to make your title known to every potential buyer for free? There is, and it’s called word-of-mouth advertising — people talking to people. It is the most inexpensive and productive way to spread the word about your self-published book. Fortunately, there are ways you can stimulate word-of-mouth communication that will build your sales, reduce your costs, and increase your profits.

As a writer in the age of capitalism, it can feel like your art, and your calling, become commodities—and that other books are your competition. But most readers don’t buy just one book. So authors with similar books are not your competition—they’re your colleagues! And after almost fifteen years in publishing, I truly believe in the saying, “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Engaging with authors whose books are similar to yours is a valuable opportunity for inspiration and collaboration. Here are a few ways to find, and lean into, your book community.