Author Update Author Update Has A New Home!
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Dec 6, 2025 The hosts unveil their new channel and explore rising print costs from IngramSpark. They discuss Smashwords' simplified royalty structure and when to choose IngramSpark over KDP Print. The conversation shifts to AI's role in publishing, highlighting how it's reshaping jobs and boosting profits. They analyze the rapid adoption of ChatGPT and the impact of specialized AIs. A humorous take on a Patreon AI tier adds levity, while a Kinder-focused PR crisis showcases the importance of strategic communication.
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Act On IngramSpark Price Change
- If you use IngramSpark, order author copies before Feb 1, 2026 to avoid higher print costs.
- Only add IngramSpark after you consistently sell thousands on KDP Print and need retail/library distribution.
Rethink Loss-Leader Pricing With Smashwords Shift
- Reassess Smashwords/Draft2Digital if you use free/low-price loss-leader e-books because royalty changes cut payouts.
- Consider distributing directly to stores if volumes justify the added work.
AI Licensing Drives High-Margin Publisher Gains
- Wiley grew profits despite lower sales by licensing content to AI firms, showing AI revenue is high-margin.
- Embracing AI can financially outpace resisting it during industry disruption.