Although this newsletter is largely focused on updates from IAM, this week, we’re kicking things off with an update from Indie Author Training.
Last month, IAM publisher and Author Automations founder Chelle Honiker hosted “AI for Your Author Business,” a two-day virtual summit with Indie Author Training. Fourteen sessions covered how AI could assist with project management, generating marketing copy, scheduling social media posts, and more—all with a focus on offloading administrative tasks to give you more time to write.
In all, more than nine hundred authors registered—but there’s no need for FOMO if you missed out on the live event. Authors who are interested in watching recordings of the summit's sessions can sign up for the replay tickets at https://aisummit.indieauthortraining.com. The basic replay package costs $97 and includes access to all fourteen sessions, plus a StorytellerOS template and limited-time access to a private Author Automations Discord server. The VIP package, which includes the same features as the basic package, unlimited access to the Author Automations Discord server, and additional support and perks, costs $297.
Want to learn even more about automating your author business? A follow-up session hosted by Honiker, "Claude Cowork for Ads Management,” will take place May 19. Learn more and register here: https://webinars.indieauthortraining.com/talks/claude-cowork-for-ads-management.
Note: Indie Author Magazine, Indie Author Training, and our other sister sites maintain a neutral stance on artificial intelligence. In our coverage, we seek to provide an objective, informative take on the technology, and we encourage authors to make decisions about whether to use AI platforms based on their personal values and what’s best for their business.
This Week's Indie Author Magazine Articles
More and more authors are exploring anthologies as part of their author business, and it’s easy to understand why. They offer a chance for collaboration, community, and shared rewards once they’re published. However, the projects can also pose challenges unique to what authors face publishing alone. “It’s probably a combination of all of the moving parts that a book would typically experience, but amplified,” says Sarah Franklin, Lulu’s public relations manager.
The three anthology organizers in this week’s Monday Close-Up helped bring their first projects to life in a variety of ways—one via a Substack community, one through Kickstarter, and one through the collective effort of a writers’ group. Their shared efforts with contributors, however, paid off in just as many—and just as varied—shared successes down the road.
Wendy Van Camp
Listen up, authors! As audiobooks increase in popularity and podcasts attract more listeners, the publishing world seems to be tuning into the trend. A number of well-known industry leaders and organizations now host weekly podcasts to discuss publishing news, strategies, and topics important to indie authors. Of course, IAM readers may know about The Indie Author Magazine Podcast. This week, we’re sharing eight publishing podcasts from author organizations, creators, or spokespeople to add to your playlist as well.
Nicole Schroeder
Teachings from Indie Author Training
Webinar: “Simplify and get control of your author life"
Note: StorytellerOS was created by Chelle Honiker, CEO and publisher of Indie Author Magazine.
Indie authors have never had more tools—or less time. If you’re tab-hopping instead of writing, it’s time to simplify. Meet Storyteller OS: the all‑in‑one command center for your author business. In one dashboard, you can:
- Build your story bible, plot arcs, and character profiles.
- Plan, draft, and schedule social posts to stay consistently visible.
- Design and send newsletters and ad creatives with full email capabilities.
- Track sales, spot trends, and optimize revenue in real time.
- Sell direct with your own Direct2Readers storefront.
- Tap the Indie Author Training knowledge base and insights from Indie Author Magazine.
View the replay of this webinar to see how Storyteller OS replaces a stack of subscriptions, streamlines your workflow from idea to income, and gives you back the hours you need to write. Live demo + Q&A included.
Watch the webinar here: https://webinars.indieauthortraining.com/talks/simplify-and-get-control-of-your-author-life/.
More Indie Publishing News
Here’s a look beyond our pages at the latest headlines and happenings in the publishing world.
- Author Nation 2026, which will take place November 10–13 at Horseshoe Las Vegas, revealed its speaker lineup in a webinar earlier this week. The final lineup includes ninety sessions, four workshops, and seven panel discussions, as well as keynote addresses by Phil Hansen and Andy Weir. This was the first year in which community members had the opportunity to vote on speakers to help choose the final lineup; more than 58,000 votes were cast, according to conference organizers. Watch the full webinar at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rY8A7hgJG2M.
- A big shift is coming to Audible’s royalty structure at the end of this year. In an announcement published April 28, the company shared it is moving away from a traditional royalty structure to a subscription-based model. Authors must enroll titles in the new system before the end of the year or discontinue distribution through ACX. Kevin J. Duncan, of Kindlepreneur, shared an in-depth look at the change and what it means for authors earlier this week. Read it here: https://kindlepreneur.com/audible-royalty-changes.
- The clock is ticking to sign up for Inkers Con 2026, a ten-day digital conference for independent fiction authors. The event runs May 30 to June 12 and includes twenty-four presentations on topics including marketing, business, craft, and advertising; live Q&As, roundtables, and networking opportunities; and access to replays for up to six years. Tickets cost $249, but IAM readers can get $50 off with the code INDIE26. (Note: Indie Author Magazine may make a small commission from your purchase, at no extra cost to you.) Learn more about the event, view this year’s speaker’s lineup, and get your tickets at https://inkerscon.com/2026-digital-conference.
Anything we’ve missed that you think we should cover? Any topics or questions you’d like our team to explore? Let us know at feedback@indieauthormagazine.com. Your suggestion may just make it into an upcoming article.
