“Self-publishing is for those with entrepreneurial spirit.”

Jane Friedman has 25 years of experience in the media and publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. She’s the co-founder and editor of The Hot Sheet, a paid newsletter about the book publishing industry, and has previously worked for Writer’s Digest and the Virginia Quarterly Review. In 2023, Jane was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.

Top Tip:
“You’re ready to go indie if you understand that it’s like embarking on a new business venture.”

“The self in self-publishing is actually misleading, as the indie publishing community is the most vibrant and helpful in the industry.”

Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market and a regular presenter at several prestigious writers’ conferences: NINC, RWA Australia, and The Self Publishing Show Live, among others.

Ricardo's top tip:
“Get the basics right. Nothing is as important as your book, your cover, and your book description. Any effort or spend before all these are as good as they can be will be wasted.”

“There’s so much to learn with self-publishing, and it’s a process that is naturally empowering”

Karen Inglis is the author of The Secret Lake (8-11yrs), Eeek! The Runaway Alien (7-10 yrs), Henry Haynes and the Great Escape (6-8 yrs) and Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep (3-5 yrs). Ferdinand Fox’s Big Sleep is also available as an interactive book app and an enhanced eBook. Since first self-publishing in 2011 Karen has sold around 8,000 books – around a half in print. Her titles are stocked in independent bookshops and branches of Waterstones in southwest London. She regularly visits schools and has appeared as a speaker at a number of self-publishing events.

“There has never been a better time for artists to prosper from their art. Self-publishing and its evolving technologies allow writers to make the move from author to entrepreneur. But with that move comes the responsibility to produce professional work using sound business practices.”

Kathryn Goldman is an intellectual property attorney who focuses her practice on the protection and enforcement of copyright and trademark rights for businesses and individuals. She represents creative professionals, writers, artists, photographers, and innovative entrepreneurs. Leaving 30 years in litigation behind her, Kathryn now focuses her work on keeping creatives out of court so they can create more work.

Kathryn runs the Creative Law Center where she teaches creatives and entrepreneurs how to protect their work so they can profit from it. The resources found at the Creative Law Center are concentrated on copyright and content protection, trademark and branding, and business building including the establishment of multiple income streams through licensing.

Kathryn's top tip:
“The rights in your creative work are like rabbits. You get a couple and you learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. (hat tip to John Steinbeck)”

“Awards and story marketing amplify the voices of indie authors everywhere.”

Hannah Jacobson is the founder of Book Award Pro, the company that helps authors get validation for their books. Every year, authors spanning 6 continents win thousands of new awards using Book Award Pro.

As the company's founder, Hannah's expertise has been recognized as the leading voice in book awards and author advocacy.

Top Tip:

“Embrace awards and the value they provide your book. Remember that every step of the journey counts. Story marketing is an authentic way to share that journey with your readers.”

“Independent publishing lets you control your own fate instead of leaving it in other people's hands.”

Russell Nohelty is a USA Today bestselling fantasy author who has written dozens of novels and graphic novels including The Godsverse Chronicles, The Obsidian Spindle Saga, and Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter. He is the publisher of Wannabe Press, founder of The Author Stack, cocreator of the Author Ecosystem archetype system, and cofounder of The Future of Publishing Mastermind. He has helped authors raise over $1.5 million through crowdfunding, and raised nearly $500,000 for his own publishing projects.

Top Tip:

“Crowdfunding book projects is a great way to recoup your production costs, perfect your messaging, and build a nest egg for marketing and advertising before your book even hits retailers.”

“I take pride in being a strategic and futuristic thinker who actualizes positive outcomes for my clients.”

Maggie Marr is a USA Today Best Selling Author of over 20 books, including the beloved and best selling Hollywood Girls Club Series.

She is a former ICM motion picture literary agent; while at ICM she worked on such projects as Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Underworld, Last First Kiss, Bourne Identity, Bridget Jone's Diary, Game of Thrones, and a host of other books to film and TV projects.

Maggie is a founding member of the Womens Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). She founded Maggie Marr Legal, a boutique intellectual property law practice dedicated to the sales, representation, and legal needs of creatives.

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Top Tip:

“Always find an entertainment attorney to review any and all deals for your IP before signing.”

“Being an indie author is so much more than writing and publishing books. It's about making real human connections and an impact that'll echo for generations to come.”

Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority.

Top Tip:
“Video is one of the best ways to market your author brand and boost visibility. Use whatever limited resources and time you have to create videos that promote you and your books.”

“Want to feel truly alive, exposed, empowered, and energised? You’ll get all that and more when you write, publish and market non-fiction.”

Anna Featherstone loves helping authors make an impact. She is the author of five non-fiction books, spanning memoir to how-to. Her words have appeared in The Guardian and other media and she’s a judge of the Australian Business Book Awards. Her title Look-It’s Your Book!: Write, Publish and Promote Your Non-Fiction Book is on the Australian Society of Author’s recommended reading list and she's currently working on a new title: Built-In Book Marketing which offers authors an innovative, proactive, creative approach to book promotion.

Anna is an active global member of ALLi and the founder of Bold Authors, an online course hub empowering traditionally published and indie authors through the sharing of knowledge and nous. She consults individually to authors on their book projects and marketing plans and regularly presents workshops at writers’ festivals and for writing organisations on topics including author marketing, non-fiction writing, indie publishing and global strategy.

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Top Tip:

“If you care enough to write a book, be ready to care enough to market and leverage it too.”

“I’m in the business because I love books.”

The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency was established in 1984 by Ethan Ellenberg, after completing jobs at Berkley Books and Bantam. Since its inception the agency has represented a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. Its clients include bestselling authors, career novelists, and professional writers. In addition to new and published authors, the agency also represents rights on behalf of Indie Authors, Small and Medium sized publishers and literary estates. The agency is an independent full-service agency with robust sales in subsidiary rights and partnering agents all over the world.

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Top Tip:

“No matter what you’ve heard, this business is open to new talent.”