Your Guide to Self-Publish Like a Pro

As we reach the end of 2025, it's worth taking a look back at the year in book publishing. The industry continues to undergo massive disruption. New technologies, shifts in format adoption, alternative routes to publication, and legal cases all create new challenges and new opportunities for self-published authors. So let's dive into the headlines and our key takeaways from book publishing in 2025!

As of Feb. 1, 2026, IngramSpark is increasing its pricing again. The company's market access fee or global distribution fee will increase from 1.5 percent to 1.875 percent. This fee applies to every book enabled for distribution. For example, the fee for a book with a list price of $10 will increase from 15 cents to 18.75 cents.

The 2025 holiday countdown has begun, and for self-published authors this presents a unique opportunity for creative marketing and last-minute book sales. Did you know that 16% to 20% of Americans leave the bulk of their holiday shopping until December? That's right, nearly 70 million shoppers are still scrambling for meaningful, personal, and memorable gifts—and indie books check all those boxes. Below are four creative, practical, and surprisingly simple marketing ideas to help you make the most of these final holiday shopping days.

Thanksgiving is next week, which means the holiday season is officially upon us. It's a busy time of year, and many writers get sidetracked. We get it. But when writing goals are missed and deadlines still loom, the holidays can become stressful. It doesn't have to be that way. 

There's a moment in every self-publishing journey when something shifts. At first, it's all about the content—the characters, plot twists, and thrills for novelists; the facts, true stories, and wisdom for nonfiction writers. No matter the genre, in the beginning, most authors just want to finish their first draft. This goal typically dominates the first phase of a self-publisher's journey.

Once you've finished all levels of editing, sent your manuscript off to layout, and received the first version of your interior book file back as a PDF (called a digital proof), you enter an important new phase of your publishing journey. Add your front cover to the top of that file, and you now have a key asset to share—an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC). For authors, ARCs are one of the most effective tools for building prelaunch buzz, gathering early reviews, and creating a strong foundation for a successful book launch and optimal sales.

Fall is publishing’s biggest season—and smart authors know that early buzz can make or break a book launch.

One of the most common questions we are asked here at Bublish is, "If I'm launching my book in six months, what should I be doing now?"

If you’re an indie author using social media to connect with readers, you’ve probably heard the phrase “link in bio.” This refers to the link you can add to your various social profiles. Most social media platforms allow only one link. While it may seem like a small detail in today’s digital book marketplace, this link is prime real estate and an effective way to connect the dots for readers.

On June 10, 2025, Amazon/KDP will be updating its royalty rates and printing costs for certain print books. Here’s a quick overview of what’s changing and what you may need to do.