Issue 48: The Direct Sales Shift—And What It Means for You
Selling your books isn’t what it used to be—and that’s a good thing.
In this month’s issue of Indie Author Magazine, we’re diving headfirst into the world of direct sales—why it matters more than ever, how to get started, and the tech, tools, and tactics that actually work for indie authors.
Our featured author, Zac Diamanti, reminds us that the indie journey doesn’t have to be fast to be successful. His story is a powerful look at what happens when you build a writing life around joy, purpose, and presence—not just word counts.
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Inside this issue:
From Battlefield to Bestseller: How Zac Diamanti’s Military Career Inspired His Fantasy Series
Dark green built-in bookshelves brim with colorful tomes and set the moody, fantastical atmosphere as Zac “Z.S.” Diamanti settles in for our interview. His published and printed titles are displayed, covers out, in front of the neatly shelved books behind him, and he’s eager to point them out.
Audrey Hughey
Direct Mail Marketing for Indie Authors: How to Leverage Snail Mail to Boost Reader Engagement and Book Sales
In an age of e-commerce and digital marketing, where the speed and accessibility of email blasts and social media posts reign supreme, the allure of a handwritten letter or a beautifully crafted package has become somewhat lost. However, that’s not the only thing you can send in the post,
Angela Archer
Why SMS Marketing Could Be Your Most Powerful Tool for Reader Engagement
Dana Claire
Chelle Honiker
Direct Book Sales Strategies for Indie Authors: How to Grow Your Audience and Maximize Profits
Selling directly to readers is a rapidly evolving strategy that more authors are embracing as they seek greater control over their businesses. According to Kindlepreneur, 31 percent of authors jumping into direct sales have done so only within the last year, with another 29 percent starting in the previous one
David Viergutz
ALLi Exclusive: Direct Sales Pave a Path to Greater Control, Revenue
In the evolving landscape of independent publishing, direct sales have become essential for authors seeking greater control, increased revenue, and direct relationships with their readership. While in-person direct sales have their place, this discussion focuses specifically on harnessing online avenues. Why Direct Sales Matter for Indie Authors Traditional online retailers
The Alliance of Independent Authors
Sales Tax Simplified: What Indie Authors Must Know When Selling Books Direct
Direct sales—selling books or other products and services from your own website instead of relying on retailers—is one of the fastest growing strategies for diversifying author income today. However, it can also be complex, and among other elements of the process, understanding sales taxes for a small online
Kevin McLaughlin
Scrivener Unlocked: 10 Hidden Features to Simplify Your Writing Life
Literature & Latte’s acclaimed writing software, Scrivener, is considered a powerful asset by countless authors. Packed with a variety of features—many concealed like delightful Easter eggs—Scrivener offers extensive ways to enhance any author’s writing process and style. While Scrivener’s core functionalities are known, numerous tips might remain unnoticed,
Kasia Lasinska
Stay Focused, Keep Writing: How StimuWrite Helps Neurodivergent Authors Beat Distraction
Writing often feels like a tug-of-war with distractions, be it the constant ping of notifications, the pull of social media, or the endless temptation to tweak and fiddle with previous sentences instead of writing new words. Plenty of word processors offer features meant to combat this. Scrivener’s Composition Mode
Wendy Van Camp
Can Indie Authors Survive the AI Revolution? Why Authentic Creativity Still Defines Your Success
Dear Indie Annie, Technology seems to get a lot of attention these days. Does an old-time creative novel writer, grinding out a daily output, still have a place in a world of competitive AI? (Because I really don’t want some algorithm selecting my words!) Outpaced by AI Dear Outpaced
Indie Annie
Your Author Tagline Matters: 4 Steps to Clarify Your Brand and Connect with Readers
Plenty of authors use taglines for their books and series, summing up in just a few well-crafted words the key themes, tropes, and story elements that readers can expect to find among the pages. But The Author Wheel co-founder Megan Haskell suggests authors should take it a step further and
Megan Haskell
Unlock Indie Author Success: Conquering Creative Blocks with ‘The War of Art’
Book Club Summary: ‘The War of Art’ by Steven Pressfield Every indie author faces an invisible force holding them back from reaching their full potential. Whether it’s procrastination, self-doubt, or fear of failure, Steven Pressfield’s The War of Art provides a powerful roadmap for identifying and overcoming these creative
Karen Guyler
Unlocking Neurodivergent Creativity: How Indie Authors Can Optimize Their Writing Routines
Neurodiversity is part of the beautiful experience of being human. If we all thought alike, our books might quickly become monotonous. It is precisely because our brains function differently that we experience the world through unique perspectives. A diverse collection of stories broadens our understanding, but neurodiversity shouldn’t just live
Heather Clement Davis
The Devil’s Still in the Details—Now They Just Include Your Author Business
Since our inaugural issue, Indie Author Magazine’s slogan, “When Writing Means Business,” has shaped our coverage. We’ve highlighted tech tools, platforms, and strategies to help you expand your earnings and reach new readers, and we’ve explored every stage of the publishing process to help you grow in
Nicole Schroeder
If you’ve ever felt like you're doing all the things but still can’t move the needle—this issue is your reset. Let’s build something sustainable, profitable, and yours.
