Indie Author Blueprint
Michelle Rayburn, author/publisher, editor, and book designer, shares valuable insights tailored for writers who have a base knowledge of publishing. Practical tips for indie publishing success and managing your writing business like a pro.
- Update frequency
- every 6 days
- Average duration
- 16 minutes
- Episodes
- 47
- Years Active
- 2024 - 2025
“Buy My Book” Isn’t Enough for a Call to Action
Tired of listening to podcasts where the only call to action is "Buy my book"? Perhaps you've been taught that "Buy my book" ought to be your main CTA, and now you're wondering why you're losing foll…
Why Your Ebook Images Need Alt Text
Alt text may sound technical, but it’s really just storytelling for readers who can’t see your images. I…
Escape the Vanity Trap and Avoid Predatory Publishers
In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, host Michelle Rayburn unpacks the key differences between vanity presses, legitimate hybrid publishers, and true indie publishing. She explains the red flag…
The Pros and Cons of Using a Pen Name
Pen names sound mysterious and freeing—but for indie authors, they can raise tough questions about visib…
The Craft of Publishing
In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, host Michelle Rayburn dives deep into the art and craft of pu…
Selling More Books Using Amazon Ads
In this episode, we dive into the often-surprising reality of indie publishing: after your book is publi…
How the New KDP Royalty Rules Affect Indie Authors
Starting June 10, 2025, KDP reduced the royalty rate from 6 percent to 50 percent for paperback and hard…
Productivity and Organization Hacks for Indie Authors: Part 3
Struggling to stay productive as an indie author when life gets chaotic? In this episode, Michelle Raybu…
Productivity and Organization Hacks for Indie Authors: Part 2
If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to balance writing, publishing, and everything else that comes wi…
Productivity and Organization Hacks for Indie Authors: Part 1
In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, Michelle Rayburn explores the essential habits and systems ev…
Launch Your Indie Author Process—It's Time!
Are you thinking about publishing your own book but feel overwhelmed by where to start? In this episode …
Why Traditional Publishing Is Becoming Less Viable (and Why Indie Is Rising)
Curious about why more writers are choosing the indie author path over traditional publishing? In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, Michelle Rayburn unpacks the current landscape of publishing,…
3 Big Lessons I Learned from Kristin Hannah
In this episode of Indie Author Blueprint, host Michelle Rayburn shares inspiration drawn from bestselling author Kristin Hannah’s writing journey, highlighted in a recent interview on Open Book with…
AI in Book Marketing: Helpful Assistant or Hard Pass? You Decide.
Curious about using AI in your book marketing? In this episode, Michelle Rayburn explores practical, low-pressure ways indie authors can leverage AI for post-publishing tasks—like crafting blurbs, bi…
Why Indie Authors Can’t Skip Footnotes
If you’re writing nonfiction, footnotes aren’t optional—they’re essential. In this episode, we cover why…
First-Time Author? Here's Why KDP Should Be Your First Step
Are you getting ready to publish your first book and feeling overwhelmed by all the publishing options? In this episode, Michelle Rayburn explains why Amazon KDP is the best place for new indie autho…
Why Every Indie Author Needs a Sell Sheet
You’ve written the book, published it, and now you’re ready to get it into more hands, but have you crea…
Pricing Your Book
For indie authors, setting the right price for your book can seem like a daunting task filled with unend…
Choosing Keywords for KDP Publishing
Master the art of selecting the perfect keywords for your KDP publishing journey. Discover why keywords …
The Art of Choosing KDP Book Categories
Learn how to navigate KDP categories with confidence! Discover effective strategies for choosing the rig…