When Writing Means Business

The trade publication for indie authors — news, strategy, and craft for every publishing path: self-published, hybrid, small press, and trad.

The Latest Issue

Issue #58 - Building Your Author Business Your Own Way

Read the issue →

‘My Business Is Like a Breathing Organism’: Katie Cross on Following Her Readers

Sara Rosett Shares How She’s Built a Cozy Career in Indie Publishing

Writing the Next Chapter: Theresa Goodrich on the 'Gut-Punch’ Diagnosis that Gave Her Permission to Stop Waiting

From Screenplays to Storefronts: How Deborah Wilde Turned Snark into a Sustainable Author Brand

The Quiet Empire: How Annabel Chase Made Her Brand, Not Herself, the Face of Her Business

How Adam Beswick Turned Six Figures into More than a Fantasy

Marketing, craft, publishing tech, and the business of books

Transmedia (Audio, Merch, Special Editions + Alternate Income Streams)

28 articles

Letters from the Creative Director

6 articles

CEO Series

1 article

The Latest in
Indie Publishing

Meet our author Meet our authors Meet our top authors

Phil Marshall and the Work Behind AI Audiobooks

Spoken’s co-founder wants to put a full voice cast within independent authors’ reach. His own novel shows it’s possible—and that, even with AI, a finished performance still includes a human touch.

Ask a Book Coach: How Do I Make Readers Care About My Characters?

Readers don’t have to like your book’s main character, but they do need to care about them. Book coach Rona Gofstein explores the difference between the two and offers advice on keeping your readers invested.

‘My Business Is Like a Breathing Organism’: Katie Cross on Following Her Readers

How Self-Publishing Led Katie Cross from Pediatric Charge Nurse to Her Forever Career

Last Chance to Tune in for the Wide for the Win Summit: Publishing News This Week

There’s still time to sign up before today's Indie Author Training summit starts! Plus, a look at next month’s summit, IAM articles you may have missed, and events happening around the industry.

Author Inklings: When the Launch Confetti Settles, What Comes Next?

Your book is out in the world. It’s time to start the next story—but that may be easier said than done. Columnist Susan Odev offers tips for finding your writing rhythm again with book 2.

Narrator Shares Eight Tips for Selling More Audiobooks Without Stress

After noticing authors struggle to sell audiobooks—and burning themselves out in the process—award-winning narrator Christa Lewis wrote a marketing guide to make it easier.

StorytellerOS Updates Social, Sales Studios: Publishing News This Week

StorytellerOS releases updates, Draft2Digital announces Smashwords Store preorders, and a look at what Meta One means for authors. Plus, check out IAM articles and webinars you may have missed.

Three Keys to Running a Successful Writing Business

Successful authors share the secrets to growing and managing their creative businesses while keeping up with their writing.

ALLi Exclusive: ALLi’s Indie Author Bookstore Serves More than Just Indies

The online database, designed for readers, gives authors new perspectives on the book market and underscores the power indie authors have in publishing today.

Q&A: Three Authors Explore How They Build Their Writing Careers Alongside Other Professions

Although some dream of writing full time, most indie authors start their book businesses without quitting their day job. Three authors share how they juggle publishing with another profession and their advice for others.

Author Inklings: The Basics of Paid Book Advertising

Paid advertising can launch an author’s career to new heights, but successful strategies can take years to master. Columnist Susan Odev explores what authors should consider before they start.

Give your next book a week of social posts

Prepare platform-specific captions and media from the book you actually wrote.

Let your brand guide make room for different kinds of posts

I want to recognize a brand without being able to predict its next sentence. That distinction has been on my mind while working on our publishing workflows. A useful voice guide should help an article, an email and a social post feel as though they belong to the same publication....

Susan Odev on taking a new pen name from draft to launch

Join Susan and Karen on September 23 for a working author’s view of the process.

Susan Odev on taking a new pen name from draft to launch

Join Susan and Karen on September 23 for a working author’s view of the process.