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Welcome to Self-Published Author Academy

Your Daily Guide to Writing, Publishing & Promoting Your Book in 2026

If you’re an indie author (or aspiring to become one), this is your new home.

The Self-Published Author Academy is a free, daily publishing education hub designed to help you navigate the entire self-publishing journey — with clarity, confidence, and zero overwhelm.

Every day, you’ll find a new, practical lesson covering writing craft, publishing steps, Amazon visibility, book marketing, and author business essentials.

Plus, each week, we highlight one independent author in our Indie Author Spotlight series.

This page will help you navigate the Academy and get the most out of your experience.

Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Amazon KDP Categories Explained (2026 Update): How to Choose the Best Categories to Boost Your Book Sales
Choosing the right Amazon KDP categories is one of the most important steps you can take as an indie author. Whether you’re launching your first book or optimizing a long-standing title, your categories determine: Where your book appears in Amazon’s...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Branding Basics for Authors (Colors • Fonts • Style)
If you're an indie author in 2026, your brand is no longer optional — it’s a powerful tool that helps readers recognize you instantly and feel emotionally connected to your work. Branding isn’t just a logo or a color palette. It’s the experience you...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
How to Build Your First 500 Followers as a New Author (2026 Edition)
Self-Published Author Academy Growing your first audience can feel like the hardest part of becoming an author. Once you cross that initial 500-follower mark, everything gets easier: engagement improves, algorithms begin to notice you, and your book...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
How to Build Your Author Social Media Presence (2026 Edition)
The no-burnout, no-dancing-on-video, no-24/7-posting approach for indie authors. Social media in 2026 is noisier than ever — but it’s also one of the fastest ways for new authors to build visibility, credibility, and loyal readers. The catch? Most ...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
How to Write Your Author Bio (Examples for Fiction & Nonfiction)
How to Write Your Author Bio (Examples for Fiction & Nonfiction) Your author bio is one of the most powerful trust-building tools you have — and most authors get it wrong. Here’s how to write one that sells your books. Your author bio is more th...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
How to Set Up Your Author Central Page (2026 Tutorial)
Your complete, beginner-friendly guide to claiming, optimizing, and professionalizing your Amazon author presence. Your Amazon Author Central page is one of the most powerful (and overlooked) tools available to indie authors in 2026. It’s where read...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Pen Name or Real Name? How to Choose Your Author Identity in 2026
Choosing whether to publish under your legal name or a pen name is one of the earliest—and most surprisingly important—decisions you’ll make as an indie author. And in 2026, with the rise of personal branding, SEO, social media discoverability, and ...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Self-Publishing Costs in 2026: Free, Low-Cost, & Smart Spending
A realistic breakdown for new and experienced indie authors Self-publishing in 2026 is more accessible than ever—but also more confusing. With so many tools, platforms, and freelancers offering every service imaginable, costs can range from complete...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
How to Choose the Best Publishing Platform in 2026
(Beginner-Friendly Guide) Choosing where to publish your book is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as an indie author. The platform you choose affects everything from your royalties to your visibility, distribution reach, and long-term...
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By Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Writing vs Editing vs Formatting: What Order Should You Follow in 2026?
One of the most common questions new authors ask is: “What’s the correct order — formatting, writing, or editing?” The short answer: ➡ Writing → Editing → Formatting But true publishing success requires a bit more nuance. Each stage affects the next...
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By Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Should You Use Amazon KDP in 2026? Pros, Cons & Must-Know Updates
⭐ The Big Question Every New Author Asks If you're starting your publishing journey in 2026, you’ve probably heard this a thousand times: “Should I publish my book on Amazon KDP?” And the honest answer is: 👉 For most indie authors, yes — but with a ...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Self-Publishing: What It Looks Like in 2026
Self-publishing has matured into a powerful, legitimate, profitable publishing path. It’s no longer the “back door” — it’s the smart door for most authors. ✔ The Pros of Self-Publishing 1. Total Creative Freedom You control:TitleCoverContentEditing ...
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Tracy Partridge-Johnson, Founder of Self-Published Author
Self-Publishing in 2026: What’s Changed + What Authors Need to Know
Self-publishing has never been more accessible—or more competitive—than it is heading into 2026. If you’ve been dreaming about writing a book, revising an old manuscript, or finally hitting “publish” after years of thinking about it, this is a power...
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