Author Notes: What I've learned so far in 2026

Welcome to the first episode of Author Notes, a new solo series where I’m pulling back the curtain on my writing life and sharing what I’m learning in real time as an indie author. As I work on my second novel, I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to navigate the publishing world. It’s not just about writing the book. It’s also about distribution, strategy, visibility, and building real connections with readers. In this episode, I talk about what I’ve learned from publishing my debut, Undercurrents of Love, and how I’m thinking differently about platforms like Amazon, Kobo, and going wide. We’ll dive into why building your own newsletter is crucial (because Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page and platforms don’t give you reader data), how I approach series bingeability, and the importance of developing strong character voice guides. I also share what I’m learning about audiobook production and rights management because that’s a whole other layer of decision-making as an indie author. I’m also exploring in-person events and direct sales, because visibility matters but so does sustainability. Indie publishing is a balancing act, and I’m figuring it out one decision at a time. If you’re an indie author, an aspiring writer, or a reader curious about what happens behind the scenes, this episode is honest, practical, and meant to help you think strategically about your own author journey. Sound Bites "Building your own newsletter is crucial." "Kindle Unlimited pays pennies per page." "Series bingeability keeps readers hooked." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Author Notes 05:48 The Challenges of Indie Publishing 11:56 Writing Process and Discovery Drafting 17:55 Audiobook Production and Rights Management Resources: Book Funnel https://bookfunnel.com/ Draft2Digital https://draft2digital.com/ Libby by Overdrive https://www.overdrive.com/apps/libby Kobo Writing Life https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/p/writinglife Amazon KDP https://kdp.amazon.com Bookshop.org https://bookshop.org/ Buy my eBook or paperback book: https://www.colleenheidecker.com/