In this Self-Publishing with ALLi episode, Nonfiction Adviser Anna Featherstone and Outreach Manager Michael La Ronn discuss why ISBNs matter for indie authors. Michael shares practical tips on buying, managing, and using ISBNs across book formats, with a focus on how this choice impacts professionalism, distribution, and control over your work.

I love following Word of the Year winners. But this year, I definitely feel old. Collins Dictionary has declared its Word of the Year is “brat.” This refers to the in-your-face confidence, independence, and hedonism reflected in the attitude and behavior of figures like Charli XCX, whose album of the same name coined this meaning for the word.

The special edition is becoming the next big thing in indie publishing. Once reserved for major publishers, these unique, collectible versions of books are now within reach for independent authors. With options like foil accents, custom artwork, and sprayed edges, special editions allow authors to offer readers something truly special. Crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter are driving this trend, letting authors test demand and build excitement for premium versions of their work.