Amazon KDP's New Groundwood Paper. Lower Costs, Classic Feel, and What It Means for Your Books

Amazon KDP has introduced Groundwood paper as a new beta option for eligible black-and-white paperbacks. In this bonus episode, KB breaks down what Groundwood paper is, how it compares to the existing white and cream options, the cost and environmental benefits, the important limitations authors need to know about, and actionable steps for evaluating whether to switch your titles.

Bonus 05: KDP's Performance Algorithm — What the Data Says About Your 90-Day WindowSpotify Episode Summary

Every self-published author has heard about the "90-day cliff" — but most of what gets repeated is half-truths. In this data-driven bonus episode, Kevin breaks down how Amazon's KDP algorithm actually evaluates your book, what the research says about the 90-day window, and how to use it to your advantage.

Backed by cited sources including Amazon's own documentation, advertising benchmark reports, practitioner case studies, and academic research, this episode covers:

🔍 The Algorithm Decoded — Sales velocity (~40% of ranking weight), conversion rate, CTR, and engagement signals — what actually moves your rank

📈 The 3 Phases — The 30-day New Release boost, the 30-60 day judgment period, and the 60-90 day make-or-break window

🚀 Launch Strategy — A 6-week pre-launch timeline, why 10+ reviews in week 1 matter, and the science behind consistent sales velocity

💰 Promotion Tactics — Free promotions vs. Countdown Deals, the 70% royalty advantage, and evidence-based timing strategy

📝 A+ Content Timing — Why Amazon's data shows up to 8% sales increase and 3-10% conversion lift, and why it should be live before launch day

📉 Rank Recovery — The 5-step playbook for when your book slides, plus the 90-day relaunch cycle

Sources include Amazon KDP documentation, HillTree Press, Ad Badger's 2026 Benchmarks, PublishRank, Sequence Commerce, and more. Full citations in the show notes.

🎯 Whether you're about to launch your first book or trying to revive an older title, this episode gives you the data-backed framework to make smarter publishing decisions.

#KDP #SelfPublishing #AmazonAlgorithm #BookMarketing #IndieAuthor #SelfPubEmpire

Bonus 04: Audible's New Royalty Model — What Every Self-Published Author Needs to Know

Audible just flipped the switch. On May 26th, 2026, ACX officially opened enrollment for a brand new royalty model — and by December 31st, the old system goes away entirely.

In this bonus episode, I break down everything self-published authors need to know:

• The new royalty rates — 50% exclusive (up from 40%) and 30% non-exclusive (up from 25%)

• How the new "Member Value" pooled system works — and why Audible now acts more like a streaming platform

• Earning from Audible Plus listening for the first time

• What critics are saying — including the 30,000-signature petition

• 6 actionable steps you should take right now to protect your audiobook income

Whether you already have audiobooks on Audible or you're thinking about getting started, this episode gives you the full picture so you can make smart decisions before the deadline hits.

🔗 Resources mentioned:

- ACX Dashboard: acx.com

- ACX New Royalty Model FAQ: help.acx.com

#SelfPublishing #Audiobooks #ACX #Audible #IndieAuthor #KDP #SelfPubEmpire