SPR | Self-Publishing Review

An Interview with Curt A. Canfield: Author of The Errors of Mankind

Curt A. Canfield grew up in a small town in Pennsylvania, where he acquired most of his beliefs as a Cub Scout, Boy Scout, and a Church Youth Group Leader. After graduating from high school, he enlisted in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam conflict. During his three-year enlistment, he earned two meritorious promotions, traversed most of Southeast Asia, and lost most of those beliefs.

He went to college to understand America’s involvement in Vietnam and graduated summa cum laude with degrees in English and History with Honors. He wrote several poems and short stories that were published before he […]

SPR2025-04-23T09:22:03+02:00April 23rd, 2025|Categories: Interviews|

Darina by Magda Nasadowska

Turning traditional fairy tales on their patriarchal heads, Darina: A Self-Rescuing Princess by Magda Nasadowska is an essential reminder of the importance of self-reliance. Princess Darina is frequently faced with challenges, and there always seems to be a suitor eager to solve her problem in exchange for her hand in marriage. However, Darina demonstrates to each prospective husband that she is a capable, clever, and compassionate leader. Ultimately finding joy in a marriage based on love, not on provision or protection, Darina is a marvelous role model for young girls, while the message of female empowerment also presents critical wisdom […]

SPR2025-03-31T12:03:13+02:00March 31st, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

Replays by Gary Hawthorn

A rollicking ride through New Jersey nostalgia, Replays by Gary Hawthorn is a wise and wise-cracking collection of short stories about growing up in the good old days and coming home in your golden years.

Upon returning to his hometown of Cape May, New Jersey, “Hawth” reconnects with his old friend DP Ski and eagerly flings open the filing cabinets of memory as he works on writing down his life of stories. Ranging from serious discussions to silly riffs and everything in between, this dialogue-driven “memoir” is unique and ruggedly charming. The blurring of fact and fiction makes the reading […]

SPR2025-03-26T12:58:33+02:00March 26th, 2025|Categories: New Releases|Tags: Short Stories Book Reviews|

An Author’s Guide to Handling Sensitive Content With Care

Writing deep and emotionally charged books means creating text that might trigger anxiety or other fears in readers. Whether you write steamy love scenes or cover topics not for the faint of heart, adding content warnings can avoid misunderstandings and protect those who are too young for some content or might experience PTSD due to trauma.

Some things that might be considered sensitive include:

Stories about emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
Mental health issues
Discrimination
Addiction
Violence
Religion
Culture
Erotica

The United States book industry is worth an estimated $28.1 billion and growing. You’ll find an audience for your books […]

SPR2025-03-21T12:35:28+02:00March 21st, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|

How Does Shipping and Distribution Work for a Self-Published Book?

Independent publishing takes focused work. The author — and any team members they hire — is responsible for writing, editing, proofreading, formatting, and designing the book. When all of that work is finalized, you must determine how to get the finished product into the hands of readers.

What Are the Steps to Shipping and Distributing an Indie Title?

According to Publisher’s Weekly, the number of ISBNs assigned to self-published titles grows yearly. Writers released 2.6 million independent titles in 2023 — a 7.2% increase over 2022. Not all authors release print copies of their books, but following a few steps […]

SPR2025-02-19T11:27:26+02:00February 19th, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|Tags: Book Distribution Tips|

Self-Publishing Platforms Compared: Which One Is Right for You?

You’ve written your first book and can’t wait to make it available to the world. Which self-publishing platform can provide the services and features that fit your needs? There are several excellent options, each with some overlap. Compare their pros and cons to determine which is right for you.

1. IngramSpark Publishing

IngramSpark offers hardcover, paperback, and e-book publishing. With its global distribution channels, you can get your book in online stores, libraries, and wholesalers worldwide.

Pricing and Royalties

Each sale gets you 85% of the net revenue, regardless of which retailer makes the sale — a much higher figure […]

SPR2025-01-23T13:58:04+02:00January 23rd, 2025|Categories: Member Blog|Tags: Subsidy Publishing Articles|

Magda Revealed by Ursula Werner

Setting the record straight on the life and legacy of Jesus Christ through the words of his truest companion, Magda Revealed by Ursula Werner is a revelatory work of fiction, which humanizes the Son of God in a way few writers have achieved. Elevating the idea of radical equality as the cornerstone of Christianity, this book assertively challenges the modern conceptions and unexamined dogma of the world’s largest religion, resulting in a refreshing and articulate new perspective on Yeshua and the forgotten foundations of his faith. Wickedly clever, yet respectful in its bold retelling, this is an inventive, immersive, and […]

SPR2025-01-20T15:48:26+02:00January 20th, 2025|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

An Interview with Shireen Anne Jeejeebhoy: Author of The Soul’s Awakening

Shireen Anne Jeejeebhoy is a Toronto-based author, blogger, and photographer who holds a B.Sc. in psychology from the University of Toronto. After sustaining a brain injury, Jeejeebhoy has found that her writing keeps her grounded, her photography lifts her into realms of color and light, and posting on Bluesky creates a social web to support and be supported in her restoration journey.

Jeejeebhoy’s work is an eclectic mix of fiction, biography, nonfiction, and poetry, with the city of Toronto often in a starring role. Her books include the award-winning biography Lifeliner: The Judy Taylor Story; the novel She, […]

SPR2024-12-05T16:00:21+02:00December 5th, 2024|Categories: Interviews|