Author Resources Directory
When you start out on the journey of becoming an independent author, you are always looking for helpful author resources. These could be sites where you can publish your books, review sites, marketing sites, publishing assistance, author assistance, and much more.
To help make your journey a little easier, we’re going to list some author resources that we have found helpful for authors.
If you’re a Canadian author about to self-publish your book in Canada or just entering the self-publishing journey, we wanted to compile a comprehensive list of self-publishing resources from our blog.
If you are writing a book and need any assistance with paperback or ebook formatting, cover design, professional editing, uploading to self-publishing sites such as Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Publishing, or Amazon KDP keyword and category research, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer children’s book illustrations and formatting services.
On our Author Resources Page, you’ll discover quick links to our best articles and guides, all conveniently separated into specific categories to make them easier to navigate. At Indie Publishing Group, we understand that the self-publishing process can be daunting for new Canadian authors to navigate. If you’re struggling with the self-publishing process, don’t hesitate to reach out and contact us directly for more information.
We’ll be constantly updating this directory with new guides and articles, so make sure that you bookmark the page and check back regularly for news and updates.
Author Resources Directory
- Self-Publishing Articles Guides
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) Guides and Information
- IngramSpark Publishing Guides and Information
- Apple Books Publishing Guides and Information
- Author Writing Articles and Guides
- Editing Articles and Guides
- Book Print and Ebook Formatting Articles and Guides
- Book Cover Design Articles and Guides
- Children’s Book and Illustration Articles and Guides
- Author Marketing and Social Media Guides
- Indie Publishing Group New
- Canadian Author Self-Publishing Resources
- Author Associations and Groups
Self-Publishing Articles Guides
Using Author Copies to Sell More Books In 2026
10 Self-Publishing Facts for Canadian Authors
5 Steps for Canadian Authors to Get Their Books into Libraries
How Much Does It Cost to Self Publish A Book In Canada?
The Best Self-Publishing Platforms for Canadian Authors
Affordable Self Publishing Services Canada
Free Copyright Page Templates for Canadian Authors
Don’t Leave Printing Your Books Too Late!
The Many Aspects to Self-Publishing
Do I Need An ISBN for My Book in Canada?
You Have Written A Book, But What’s Next?
Why Publishing Across Multiple Formats Makes Sense!
5 Important Tips To Remember Before You Self-Publish Your Book!
The Road from Trade Published to Self Published
5 Things to Avoid When You’re Self-Publishing
Amazon KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) Guides and Information
Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing for Canadian Authors
Guide to Amazon Kindle Unlimited for Canadian Authors
Amazon Author Central: Why First Time Authors Need It
Should Authors Use the Free Amazon KDP ISBN or Get Their Own?
Using Amazon KDP Keywords Correctly In Your Book!
Amazon Print On Demand Publishing Explained
Amazon KDP or IngramSpark Publishing: Which Self-Publishing Platform Is the Best for You?
Why Publishing on Amazon KDP and IngramSpark Makes Sense for Canadian Authors
Self-Publishing in Canada and How To Succeed on Amazon Kindle
IngramSpark Publishing Guides and Information
Complete Guide to IngramSpark Publishing for Canadian Authors
Apple Books Publishing Guides and Information
The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing on Apple Books for Authors
Author Writing Articles and Guides
How Long Should A Book Be? An Author’s Guide to Word Count
How To Craft Your Own Fantasy Fiction Book
Important Information Before You Hire A Ghostwriter!
Writing Takes Practice! A Lot of It!
Tips for Writing a Great Book Description!
Editing Articles and Guides
Effective Proofreading Strategy for Self-Published Authors
Self-Editing Tips for Canadian Authors
What Is A Manuscript Evaluation? And Why You Need One!
Tips To Get Your Book Ready For Editing!
10 Things You Never Knew About Book Editing but Should Have!
Book Print and Ebook Formatting Articles and Guides
The Importance of Professional Book Formatting
Print and Ebook Formatting Guide for Canadian Authors
Why Professional Book Formatting Pays Off!
Top 5 Formatting Mistakes That Every Author Needs to Watch Out For!
What Do Authors Need to Know Before Book Formatting?
Book Cover Design Articles and Guides
Custom Book Cover Design for Canadian Authors
Children’s Book and Illustration Articles and Guides
The Children’s Book Self-Publishing Process
Children’s Book Publishing Tips Canada
Tips for Creating Amazing Children’s Books!
5 Tips for Writing a Children’s Book!
Author Marketing and Social Media Guides
The Essentials of An Author Marketing Plan
6 Social Media Posts Ideas for Authors!
Why Stripping Your Amazon Book Link Makes Sense!
The Importance of Social Media and Marketing!
20 Quick and Easy Ways To Promote Your Book!
Pen Names. Do You Still Get to Know The True Author?
Indie Publishing Group News
Balancing Mental Health for Authors and Writers
Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024
My Journey Into the Self-Publishing World
Winter was a Time for Growth for IPG
As a Self-Published Author, What Book Are You Working On this Winter?
Could 2022 Be Your Year As A Canadian Author?
Canadian Author Self-Publishing Resources
Author Associations and Groups
Alliance of Independent Authors
The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLI) is an open and diverse organization with a core mission of ethics and excellence in self-publishing. Anyone who shares these aims and wants to self-publish well is welcome to join them. Some of the services they offer include ALLi Author Website Badge, Author Profile and listing, Advice Forums, Contacts and collaboration, Members’ Showcase, Sell More Books Program, Rights and Contract Advice, Handbooks and guides, Discounts and deals, Free Guidebooks, and Affiliate Program.
Author Resources, Book Review Websites & Book Contests
Readers’ Favorite – Book Reviews and Award Contests
Another exciting company that offers authors a free review for their books is Readers’ Favourite! Along with free book reviews, they also have an awesome book contest. Readers’ Favorite is the fastest-growing book review and award contest site on the Internet. They have earned the respect of renowned publishers such as Penguin Random House, Simon & Schuster, and HarperCollins and have received the “Best Websites for Authors” and “Honouring Excellence” awards from the Association of Independent Authors. They are also very proud to be fully accredited by the BBB (A+ rating), which is a rarity among Book Review and Book Award Contest companies.
Readers’ Favorite Book Award Contest – Enter Today!
Best Indie Book Award
The Best Indie Book Award™ (or BIBA™) is an annual literary award contest recognizing independent authors in major genres. Entries are limited to independently (indie) published books, including those from small presses, e-book publishers, and self-published authors. The Best Indie Book Award™ is an international, self-published writing contest open to all countries. Submissions must be written in English. You can enter HERE or click the picture to the right!
Indie Readers Discovery Awards
Welcome to the IndieReader “Discovery Awards” (IRDAs)—where undiscovered talent meets people with the power to make a difference. With the rush by traditional publishers to sign indies and their noteworthy bestselling status, there’s no longer much doubt that indie authors can be both commercially and creatively successful. All that was left to do was create a credible vehicle by which to find them. That’s where the IRDAs come in. What makes the IRDAs so unique is their extraordinary panel of judges, including top agents, people who work in traditional publishing, PR pro, bloggers, and book reviewers–a virtual who’s who of some of the most important people in publishing today. To enter, click HERE or click the picture to the right.
Author Resources Self-Publishing Platforms
Below is a list of popular self-publishing platforms where you can upload and manage the sale and distribution of your own books. Each platform offers a variety of distribution options for e-books, print books, audiobooks, and expanded distribution. Simply click the websites below to be taken directly to their website.
Paperbacks and E-Books
- Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (Amazon KDP) – Print and E-Books – Offers Expanded Distribution and Access to Amazon Global Marketplaces.
- IngramSpark Publishing (Lightning Source) – Print and E-Books – Offers Expanded Distribution and Access to Libraries, Book Stores, Target, Walmart, plus many more.
- Draft2Digital– Print and E-Books – Offers Expanded Distribution.
Audio Books
- ACX (Amazon Audible) – Audiobooks.