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

AI tools are showing up across more self-publishing platforms, and authors need to know what is changing. In this Self-Publishing News update, we cover new AI tools from IngramSpark, Laterpress, and Spoken, along with audiobook updates from Audible and Voices by INAudio. We also look at Bookvault pricing changes, author events, and a quick mid-year survey from Written Word Media.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• ACX: Audible's New Royalty Model - https://help.acx.com/s/article/audible-s-new-royalty-model
• IngramSpark Assist FAQs (Metadata Assistant) - https://help.ingramspark.com/hc/en-us/articles/41627826665997-IngramSpark-Assist-FAQs-Metadata-Assistant
• Bookvault - https://bookvault.app
  • Use BVDALE to waive three upload fees
• Bookvault: Quote Tool - https://quote.bookvault.app/
• Laterpress - https://Laterpress.com
• Voices by INAudio - https://www.voicesbyinaudio.com/
• Spoken: Spoken Studio V2 — Magic Mode & Turnkey Full-Cast Audiobook Creation - https://www.spoken.press/the-spoken-chronicle/spoken-studio-v2-magic-mode-amp-turnkey-full-cast-audiobook-creation

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com
• AppSumo: DepositPhotos Deal - https://DaleLinks.com/DepositPhotos (affiliate link)
• Cooling Tiger Media Podcast w/ W.A. Blinko - https://open.spotify.com/show/4HNUrH8YLI8VpMiof0c4zY?si=0c4dffce16e34f6e&nd=1&dlsi=ac35936844ea4d3d
  • Contact Wayne at info@wayneblinko.com
• Self-Publishing Made Simple w/ April Cox: The 5 Biggest Mistakes First-Time Authors Make (And How to Avoid Them) - https://selfpubmadesimple.com/why-authors-dont-publish
• Twin Flames Studios: Pitching Your Book for Film & TV - https://twinflamesstudios.com/pitching-book-film-tv?partnerid=r1249 (affiliate link)
• Written Word Media Podcast: How Authors Are Winning On YouTube Right Now - https://youtu.be/qJu6uK-Dy2A?si=mKsbjapgX9y0KJfe
• Written Word Media Mid-Year Survey - https://writtenwordmedia.typeform.com/to/CCvrkXxE

• 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

Audible is rolling out a new ACX royalty model, and indie authors need to understand what's changing. We'll cover the new audiobook royalty rates, concerns around pooled payouts, Spotify for Authors distribution terms, IngramSpark metadata research, AI audiobook tools, and author scams. Stay informed before you make your next publishing move.

• Dibbly Create - https://DaleLinks.com/DibblyCreate (affiliate link)
• Audible's New Royalty Model Screws Authors - https://open.substack.com/pub/selfpub/p/audiblegate2?r=1nx44v&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true
• ACX: Audible's New Royalty Model - https://help.acx.com/s/article/audible-s-new-royalty-model
• Spotify for Authors Opt-In Audiobook Distribution Terms - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/spotify-for-authors-opt-in-distribution-terms/
• IngramSpark: Study Finds Improved Metadata Could Boost Sales by Up to 9%* - https://www.ingramspark.com/blog/study-finds-improved-metadata-could-boost-sales-by-up-to-9-percent

Rapid-Fire Newsflash

• Apple Books for Authors - https://authors.apple.com
• Spoken - https://spoken.press
• Spoken: Become a Producer - https://www.spoken.press/producers
• GeniusLink - https://DaleLinks.com/Genius (affiliate link)
• StoryVox (beta) - https://storyvox.app/
• D2D's Self-Publishing Insiders: Scammers are Coming for You! - https://www.youtube.com/live/2EPOnKdNNDY?si=VLm5hPmpPA1httTl
• This Scam Could Cost Authors Real Money - https://youtu.be/pEbnC9PRGgw?si=RUNcHKkoekTMvgf-
• Electric Lit: Author AI Scams Bingo - https://electricliterature.com/author-ai-scams-bingo/

• 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