Self-Publishing Archives | Jennifer Lancaster

April 16, 2026

Why use IngramSpark Print on Demand?

If you’re a self-publisher, searching for a Print on Demand platform that helps your book get a wide reach (e.g. to libraries in Australia), then IngramSpark Print on Demand (POD) could be of interest. IngramSpark is a self-publishing option offered by Lightning Source International. They will make your titles available through Ingram Book Group, a leader in print and electronic wholesale distribution. They serve over 39,000 retailers, libraries, schools, e-commerce companies and other partners — including Amazon, Wheelers, and book wholesalers. I believe IngramSpark is suited to business-minded self-publishers, as an ABN is needed. It is also more viable to use InDesign to design your book – since making an exchangeable PDF (PDFX1-2001) is a real nightmare from Word and involves use of Acrobat Pro. They also provide a cover template for the cover art to sit on and also…

July 16, 2025

Self-Publishing

Xlibris Investigation and POD Comparisons

I recently spoke with yet another indie author who believed Xlibris (Hybrid Publishers) would help them publish books and turn a decent profit—after all, they’re paying good money for the services. But what’s the real story? Here’s what I uncovered using information on the websites concerned and some of my own knowledge. Be aware that XLibris is owned by Author Solutions Inc, who have 5 brands and who have been in court and out of favour with customers in the United States. If you Google ‘hybrid publishers’, do not click on the top four Sponsored results, okay? Xlibris Royalty Practices Xlibris does pay royalties on book sales, but feedback from authors has been mixed. Some have raised concerns about payment accuracy, transparency, and delays. If you’re considering signing up, read your publishing contract carefully and keep an eye on your…

October 29, 2025

Self-Publishing

Feel Less Fear with Audiobook Narration

Less than 5% of books are released as audiobooks, and it’s not for the lack of demand: audiobook use has been growing year on year. Narrating an audiobook recording is not easy to do! You not only must read clearly and modulate your voice to add interest, but also edit the recording to get rid of fumbles. Not even mentioning the feeling of creeping doubt that anyone will want to hear it! So, how can self-publishing authors narrate their own audiobook? And now, over to an expert in audio recording, Dave Stokes from author2audio. ____ I too admire those authors who choose to narrate their own books. But how did they make this decision? There are a number of factors in play… ‘I’m worried I won’t sound good or professional enough’ You may have a tendency to believe – if…

May 14, 2025

Self-Publishing

I Wrote a Whole Book on Book Publishing for Profit

Move over Sophie Howard, step aside Dale L Roberts, I have just written a book on how to set up your own small publishing business. You are reading an Australian self-publishing blog, so prices are in Australian dollars except where marked. Set Up as a Micro Publisher supports the aims of more than one type of person. First, it helps novice self-publishers understand the hurdles ahead. Second, there are many tips on foundations and tools so that a small Co-operative Publisher or Hybrid Book Publishing team can get a shortcut to learning. Third, for those speed writing, a chapter covers my Writing Hacks — proven methods to help you write books faster. With the major problem I encountered of gaining natural reviews, I also include vetted book review sites, including pre- and post-review subscription sites that are from US$10 per…

April 17, 2025

Self-Publishing, Selling eBooks and Media

Why ISBNs Are Killer for Your Book Sales

The Overlooked Superpower in Book Marketing Self-publishing is full of decisions: cover design, editing, distribution. Whether or not you use a hybrid publisher usually comes down to fear. What if I don’t know how to fill out an ISBN? What if I get stuck as there is no guidance for uploading to Ingram and KDP? (See our Self-Publishing course and Q&As if so!) That’s why you might think it too difficult to take control of your own ISBNs. This article explores how ISBNs can boost your credibility, visibility, and long-term sales. I cover Why ISBNs are good for indie authors. What’s an ISBN and Why Should You Care? An ISBN—short for International Standard Book Number—is a 13-digit code that uniquely identifies your book in the global publishing ecosystem. Think of it as your book’s fingerprint. Every format of your book…

April 7, 2025

Self-Publishing

Top 16 Up-and-Coming Indie Authors

Those of us around long enough to know Beetlejuice movie #1 will realise that Indie Authors become their own micro publisher – they don’t pay some other company to publish. If you want to do this also, my new book on Micro Publishing is coming soon. This list includes (to my knowledge) authors who have made their personal brand into a publishing imprint – at least in the beginning – and have had success. I think it’s important to look beyond the obvious authors who have had a leg up. Most are emerging indie authors from Australia but a few are based elsewhere and some parlayed their success in indie publishing into traditional publishing deals. You’ll notice most actively publish multiple books. This is because we always get better when we do a process again, revising what didn’t work and…