Many authors would prefer to just write books and leave the marketing to someone else, but if a book is going to be successful, it is imperative that authors take an active role in marketing their books. Since a lot of authors feel uncomfortable with this, it’s helpful if independent publishers work with their authors as partners on this issue. On this episode of “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA),” founder of independent publisher Motina Books Diane Windsor shares tips about how indie publishers can guide their authors to market their books successfully.

Want to learn how to get the most out of IngramSpark (Ingram Content Group’s publish-on-demand platform)? IBPA invited IngramSpark’s Business Development Manager Josh Floyd to “Inside Independent Publishing (with IBPA)” to answer some of the most common questions publishers have about the popular platform, such as: When posting books onto the platform, should publishers make their books returnable or non-returnable? How does IngramSpark give publishers access to bookstores and libraries? Get answers to these questions and much more on this podcast episode!

A lot of independent publishers and author publishers focus a great deal of time and energy trying to get their books sold in bookstores, but there are a lot of other places you can sell your books that could be a perfect fit for your target readers. Angela Engel, who is the Publisher and Founder of The Collective Book Studio, has had great success in getting her authors’ books into the retail market, so she shares all her secrets on this episode!

What encourages people to buy a book? How do people discover books? Knowing book consumer buying habits can be a huge help in creating successful book marketing campaigns, so IBPA co-sponsored a research project to get an advantageous look at the answers to these questions and more! Portland State University Director of Publishing Dr. Rachel Noorda co-authored the report, so she visits the podcast to give independent publishers and author publishers all the details.

Marketing books is one of the most important (and difficult!) tasks for independent publishers and author publishers, so IBPA invited book publicity expert FSB Associates Founder and President Fauzia Burke on the podcast to share expert advice about how to land media opportunities to sell books, including television interviews, podcast interviews, and print/online articles!

There is a lot of buzz about how booming the audiobook market is, so should independent publishers make audiobooks an essential part of their business model? What types of books have a better chance succeeding as audiobooks? What are helpful tips to market audiobooks? Audiobook industry expert, Michele Cobb (Partner at Forté Business Consulting and Executive Director for the Audio Publishers Association) gives advantageous insight to answer these questions and more!

Landing traditional distribution can be one of the most difficult things for independent publishers and author publishers to achieve, so Independent Publishers Group’s Vice President of Publisher Development Richard T. Williams shares invaluable advice about how indie publishers can increase their chances of being accepted, explains reasons why they would be rejected, and much more. If you’re interested in landing traditional distribution, you don’t want to miss this episode!

SCBWI’s Chief Equity & Inclusion Officer April Powers joins host Christopher Locke for a candid conversation about actions independent publishers can take to bring about real change for marginalized communities, and actions that are unhelpful. Plus, what does April have to say about people who complain that companies shouldn’t get “political” by supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and antiracism? Also, what can independent publishers learn from the “American Dirt” controversy?

What are some of the ethical conundrums that hybrid publishers fall victim to, and how can they overcome them? Why do some publishers think it’s controversial for hybrid publishers to be considered publishers? Hybrid publisher Wonderwell CEO Maggie Langrick shares her expert insight on these issues; why she loves hybrid publishing, and more.