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)
• IngramSpark: Why Children's Book Authors Need More Than Just a Great Story to Reach Schools & Libraries - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/why-childrens-book-authors-need-more-than-just-a-great-story-to-reach-schools-and-libraries
• IngramSpark's AI Strategy: What It Means for Authors and Publishers - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/ingramsparks-ai-strategy-what-it-means-for-authors-and-publishers
• IngramSpark: Publishing Fraud Alert - https://www.ingramspark.com/fraudalert
• Writer Beware: The First Clue to an Email Scam May Be the Address - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/06/30/the-first-clue-to-an-email-scam-may-be-the-address
• Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos
• Self-Publishing with Dale series on Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712
• Keywords for Books by Dale L. Roberts - https://DaleLinks.com/KeywordsBook
• Marketing and Promotion for Authors by Dale L. Roberts - https://DaleLinks.com/PromoBook
• Reviews for Books by Dale L. Roberts - https://DaleLinks.com/ReviewsBook
• Kindlepreneur: How to Find Keywords That Sell Books: Broad vs Niche Keywords - https://kindlepreneur.com/broad-vs-niche-keywords/
• Written Word Media: What 600 Indie Authors Just Told Us About 2026 (Mid-Year Survey) - https://youtu.be/-twI11KNYWI?si=GF1ynSrMWPuGmm33
• CraveBooks - https://DaleLinks.com/CraveBooks (affiliate link)

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Spotify for Authors: - https://authors.spotify.com/
• Hidden Gems Books: Turn Your Book Into a Trophy with a Special Edition - https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/turn-book-into-trophy-with-special-edition/
• Miblart: How to Choose the Right Cover Design Style for Your Genre - https://miblart.com/blog/how-to-choose-cover-design-style/
• Spoken - https://Spoken.press

• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• 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
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

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

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 (affiliate link)

• KDP Community: The 70% eBook Royalty Option price band has expanded to $2.99–$12.99 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/The-70-eBook-Royalty-Option-price-band-has-expanded-to-2-99-12-99?language=en_US&forum=KDP%20Forum
• Kindlepreneur: How to Fill in Your 7 KDP Keyword Boxes (My Secret Tactic) - https://kindlepreneur.com/7-kindle-keywords/
• Kindlepreneur: How to Find Amazon Book Categories Most Authors Miss - https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-choose-the-best-kindle-ebook-kdp-category/
• The Authors Guild: Publishing Scam Alerts - https://authorsguild.org/resource/publishing-scam-alerts/
• Laterpress: Collaborative Writing with the Enhanced Laterpress Assistant - https://www.youtube.com/live/K5LyKUtU850?si=XGRsF-697QiqJQM5
• Voices by INAudio: Audiobook marketing tips you haven't already heard a million times - https://voicesbyinaudio-newsletter.beehiiv.com/p/audiobook-marketing-tips-you-haven-t-already-heard-a-million-times
• Miblart: Miblart Is Turning 10! - https://miblart.com/mibl-anniversary/?ref=daleroberts5 (affiliate link)
  • Use coupon code MIBLBDAY20 for 20% off. Offer good through July 13.

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Booklinker: Getting More from StoryOrigin: Tips from Its Creator - https://www.thebookmarketinglab.com/StoryOrigin_Webinar
• The Authors Guild: Narrating Your Own Audiobook - https://authorsguild.org/event/narrating-your-own-audiobook/
• Bryan Cohen presents: Booked for Life (Kickstarter) - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/bestpageforward/booked-for-life
• Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos/1
• Self-Publishing with Dale Series (Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712

• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• 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
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

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

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 Payments Changing in August 2026 - https://www.kdpcommunity.com/s/article/EUR-Check-Payments-Changing-in-August-2026?language=en_US
• ACX: Suggested Price - https://help.acx.com/s/article/suggested-price
• PublishDrive - https://DaleLinks.com/PublishDrive (affiliate link)
• Draft2Digital: The Draft2Digital Promotions Team - https://draft2digital.com/blog/the-draft2digital-promotions-team/
• Publishers Weekly: Pocket Books Relaunched as Home for Self-Published Authors - https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/100756-pocket-books-relaunched-as-home-for-self-published-authors.html
• ALLi: How to Make Your Books Discoverable by AI, with Orna Ross and Rob Prime - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-how-to-make-your-books-discoverable-by-ai/
  • ALLi's Community Hub: SelfPubConnect - https://selfpubconnect.mn.co/
  • The Alliance of Independent Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/ALLi (affiliate link)

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• IngramSpark: A Definitive List of Writing Contests and Book Awards for 2026-2027 - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/2025-book-awards-contests-for-indie-authors
• Authors Guild: Do Authors Need an LLC or S-Corporation? - https://authorsguild.org/resource/do-authors-need-an-llc-or-s-corporation/
• Gemsy (the book review exchange platform) - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link)
  • Use DALESUMMER50 for 50% off the annual plan (good till August 20, 2026)
• The Indy Author Podcast: Book Marketing on a Budget with Kevin Hall - Ep. 345 - https://youtu.be/tb7U7_15jzk?si=oBYwzp3hgpqw3WAG
• The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos
• The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712

• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• 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
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

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

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 show notes.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• The Substack Post: Against Claudefishing - https://post.substack.com/p/against-claudefishing?mc_cid=22d3ab64d9&mc_eid=433332c881
• US Copyright Office: Proposed Schedule and Analysis of Copyright Fees to Go Into Effect in Fall 2026 - https://www.copyright.gov/rulemaking/feestudy2026/proposed-fee-schedule.pdf
• IngramSpark: General Turkish Book Marketing Information - https://marketing.ingramcontent.com/mrkng/2026/797-27073/797-27073GCTurkeyMarketFAQ.pdf
  • IngramSpark - https://IngramSpark.com
• Jane Friedman's The Bottom Line - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/ (subscription required)
• Writer Beware: Anthropic Settlement Update: Final Settlement Approved - https://writerbeware.blog/2026/07/23/anthropic-settlement-update-final-settlement-approved/

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Future Fiction Academy: AI & Authorship Survey - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSctsA4vT3E3dj0FZ3_4R2KzEeWsf-ziqonzbFkwR7RZyzPCDw/viewform
• The Indy Author Podcast - https://youtu.be/P7wdCYA2VCo?si=mdg-P1btfkwwdpWs
• Twin Flames Studios: How to Fully Leverage Your Audiobook - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/AYzV78kfTRayVweXp7TXEQ#/registration
• Spoken: What Listeners Want: The Edison Results Roundtable (replay) - https://www.spoken.press/spokenroundtable
• Gemsy - https://DaleLinks.com/Gemsy (affiliate link). Use code DALESUMMER50 for 50% off till August 20, 2026.
• The Smashwords Summer/Winter Sale - https://www.smashwords.com/shelves/promos

Other Links

• The Self-Publishing with Dale Series (on Smashwords) - https://www.smashwords.com/books/byseries/113712
• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• 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
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

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

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 The Bottom Line (subscription required) - https://janefriedman.com/subscribe-paid-newsletter/
  • Referenced newsletter: August 5, 2026
  • Reddit: No more author events? - https://www.reddit.com/r/Barnesandnoble/comments/1uvyzj5/no_more_author_events/
  • Sell Your Book at B&N - https://dalelinks.com/bnbookstore
• Jane Friedman: Why You Should Focus on Local Book Publicity First - https://janefriedman.com/why-you-should-focus-on-local-book-publicity-first/
• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com
• Lulu Membership Agreement and Terms of Use - https://www.lulu.com/terms-and-conditions
• Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/
• ProWritingAid's ProWritingMethod - https://DaleLinks.com/ProWritingMethod (affiliate link)

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Tertulia for Authors - https://DaleLinks.com/Tertulia (affiliate link)
  • Tertulia's post in Wide for the Win - https://wideforthewin.com/campus/space/tertuliaforauthors/post/tertulia-updates-new-features
• Novel Report - https://DaleLinks.com/NovelReport (affiliate link) - take $20 off through this link
  • No codes needed, but for more details: https://DaleLinks.com/GetNovelReport ($20 off does NOT apply through this link)
• Booklinker - https://booklinker.com/
• The Authors Guild: Agent Talks: How Digital Platforms Reshape Book Launches - https://authorsguild.org/event/agent-talks-how-digital-platforms-reshape-book-launches/

All my relevant links:

• Subscribe to my email newsletter - https://DaleLinks.com/SignUp
• 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
• Wanna tip me? Visit https://dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.

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