publishing news Archives

Double-Digit Audiobook Growth Returns; Dark Genres Rise; Publishers Embrace Direct Sales: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports a return to double-digit audiobook growth in the U.S., with revenue up 13 percent and over half of Americans now having listened to an audiobook. He also breaks down new data showing a shift in reader tastes toward darker genres—especially psychological thrillers and dark romance—and reflects on how traditional publishers are just now catching on to the power of direct sales and loyal fan bases, something indie authors have long embraced.

AI Fakes Book List in Major Newspaper; Spotify Sees iOS Boost; Authors Push Back on Copyright: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers an incident in which the Chicago Sun-Times recommended AI-invented books by real authors, and a troubling test in which Anthropic’s AI, Claude 4.0, threatened a user with blackmail. He also reports that Spotify has seen a rise in iOS subscriptions following the Apple ruling on in-app purchases, and shares the latest from ongoing AI copyright debates in the UK and EU, where authors and creators continue pushing back against efforts to weaken protections.

Authors Guild Petitions to Reinstate U.S. Copyright Chief; European Creators Demand AI Transparency: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

It is a week of petitions in the books world. With thanks to Porter Anderson over at Publishing Perspectives for drawing attention to this. Both of them touch on copyright. They may or may not also be connected around a common axis of copyright and technology.

Apple Ruling Opens iOS to Direct Book Sales; AAP Calls for AI Cooperation; Audiobook Growth Continues: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explains how a major legal ruling against Apple is changing the landscape for in-app purchases, with Kindle, Patreon, and Spotify now enabling direct book sales on iOS. He also covers a call for cooperation between publishers and tech companies from the Association of American Publishers, and reports strong Q1 growth in audiobook subscriptions from Nordic platform Storytel.

Storytel Reports Growth; AAP Warns of AI Threat to Copyright: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

There was a time when it seemed I reported regularly on “Nordic audiobook streaming services.” These days, it seems that has been replaced largely by just Spotify. So it’s nice this week to see some love being given to Storytel, the OG of the Nordic audio phenomenon.

Oscars Open to AI-Assisted Films; Reading Habits Hold Steady; Linktree Adds eBook Sales: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that the Oscars will allow AI-assisted films starting next year. He also discusses new surveys showing that reading habits remain stable despite headlines, and highlights Linktree’s new feature allowing authors to sell eBooks directly from their bio pages.

Surveys Show Reading Habits Shifting in the UK and New Zealand: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

If you are ever inclined to think the cultural landscape is spiraling out of control into uncharted territory, it can be a grounding experience to stop and actually look at the headlines. And realize that some things really don’t change. Such as pundits pontificating that the novel is dead, or that people’s reading habits aren’t what they used to be “back in my day.”

Spotify Recognized for Audiobook Innovation: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Spotify receiving the BISG Industry Innovator Award for its audiobook efforts, including new tools for indie authors. He also highlights Patreon’s launch of unlimited in-platform livestreaming, a move that supports creators building subscription-based communities. Finally, Dan explores a growing trend in book subscription services: curating and now publishing original content tailored to their audiences.

NaNoWriMo Shuts Down, AI Lawsuits Consolidated, and Amazon Adds Kindle Recaps: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, has announced it will not officially take place this November, citing financial and reputational concerns. He also covers the latest in AI and copyright, including the consolidation of major lawsuits against tech companies, protests outside Meta’s London offices, and new research suggesting copyrighted materials have been used to train AI models. Finally, he discusses Amazon’s new AI-powered Kindle Recap feature and questions around whether authors have consented to its use.

Writing: A Self-Published Author’s Report on the First London Author Fair

Self-published British author Katharine D'Souza's report about the inaugural London Author Fair includes issues relevant to writers all over the…