SPR | Self-Publishing Review

An Interview with Iain Ralston: Author of Relic Reborn

Iain Ralston is a Scottish author of adult epic dark fantasy and creator of the world of Azangrail. After a serious car crash three years ago, he revisited his passion for writing. His debut novel, Relic Reborn, begins The Prophecy Series, an expansive fantasy saga of prophecy, power, loyalty and the consequences of difficult choices.

Published through House Gloomborne Ltd, an independent imprint, Iain writes character-driven fantasy on an epic scale, combining political intrigue, dark humour, brutal conflict and morally grey and complicated characters.

When not writing the next journey into Azangrail, he can usually be found discovering […]

SPR2026-08-26T14:00:00+02:00August 26th, 2026|Categories: Interviews|

An Interview with Heath Hamrick: Author of Play Like He Would

Heath Hamrick is a Texas educator, curriculum developer, author, and lifelong storyteller. Raised in a third-generation coaching family, he grew up on football fields across the state and later became known online as Heath the History Guy. He is the co-author of Worse Than You Think: The Mostly True Story of Two Teachers Running for Congress Deep in the Heart of Texas. His latest book, Play Like He Would, tells the true story of a small-town football team, a devastating loss, and the coach who helped his players find a way forward.

Tell us about your book.

Play […]

SPR2026-08-21T10:58:11+02:00August 21st, 2026|Categories: Interviews|

Fixing a Bad Book Blurb (with Before-and-After Examples)

It’s no secret that writing a book description is difficult. Compressing an entire novel into a few paragraphs of sales copy requires more than simply summarizing the plot. A blurb needs to establish a book’s unique premise, create a strong sense of tension, and give readers a reason to buy.

In this article, we’ll take a deliberately weak crime thriller blurb, identify the problems holding it back, and then rebuild it. The before-and-after examples demonstrate several common blurb-writing mistakes and how authors can address them in their own work.

Thriller blurbs make good case studies because they depend so heavily […]

SPR2026-08-19T13:01:56+02:00August 19th, 2026|Categories: Member Blog|

Do Self-Published Authors Really Need an Email Newsletter?

Self-published authors compete with traditional publishing houses, ghostwriters, and each other for attention. While social media can help them reach readers, algorithms and platform changes often limit consistent access to followers. This raises an important question for those managing their own marketing. Is an email newsletter worth the effort, or is it just another time-consuming task on an already-full plate?

Top Benefits of an Author Newsletter

Email newsletters give authors a reliable way to communicate with their audience without depending on algorithms. By directly connecting with engaged fans, publishers can collect valuable feedback, enabling them to fine-tune their campaign […]

SPR2026-08-11T12:36:57+02:00August 11th, 2026|Categories: Member Blog|

Day Dreaming by Carrie Thorne

A charming and emotional addition to her cozy mountain romance series, Day Dreaming by Carrie Thorne explores our capacity to gracefully grow and embrace second chances. When Reed brings his two kids to Foothills for a summer of outdoor adventures, he never expects to fall for a hunky new neighbor, nor for that curious desire to be returned so wholeheartedly. Expanding on the Foothills series, Thorne’s novel centers on LGBT love in all its complexity and depth, without tokenizing the relationship or falling back on superficial stereotypes. Balanced tidily between dreamy and steamy, the story begins as a summer fling, […]

SPR2026-08-07T12:22:04+02:00August 7th, 2026|Categories: Editorial Reviews|

An Interview with Larrian Gillespie: Author of Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice

From childhood actress to urologic surgeon, Larrian Gillespie, MD has completed her 10th book and her first in the true crime investigation/biography/memoir genre- Houdini: The Man Who Died Twice. It seems she has a knack for investigating and has uncovered never-before-recognized documents and interviews with people who contributed to the death of the famed escapist and magician, Harry Houdini.

She is a sailor, professional chef, teacher of The Pharmacology of Flavor, drug developer, and was the first woman to captain the UCLA women’s fencing team, winning a bronze medal in her sport. She lives in Los Angeles and Northern California, […]

SPR2026-07-28T17:21:18+02:00July 28th, 2026|Categories: Interviews|

How to Make the Most of Book Conventions as a Self-Published Author

Book conventions offer more than the chance to sell books during the event. You can meet readers, fellow authors, and other industry professionals who may help expand your reach after the convention ends. Every conversation gives you the opportunity to introduce your work and build connections that could lead to future sales or collaborations.

Approaching a convention with a long-term strategy builds visibility for your books and attracts readers who may continue supporting your work for years. Preparing thoughtfully and making meaningful connections can turn a single event into an investment in your long-term success as a self-published author.

Set

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SPR2026-07-20T11:05:58+02:00July 20th, 2026|Categories: Member Blog|

An Interview with Kevin Dias: Author of The Problem-First Method

Kevin Dias is the founder and CEO of Ambiki, a healthcare technology company serving pediatric therapy organizations. A self-taught software developer and former CTO, he has spent more than a decade building products, leading teams, and helping organizations improve complex clinical and financial workflows. His unconventional career has taken him from investment banking to teaching English in Japan to founding a U.S.-focused software company from rural Tochigi. He is the author of The Problem-First Method: A Framework for Innovative Product Builders.