Self Publishing Weekly News, November 19, 2025

Self Publishing Weekly News

“Saved by the Page: The Healing Power of Writing”

The writer from Peterborough has a story that almost reads like fiction: after more than 30 years living with relentless back pain, he discovered that writing wasn’t just an outlet — it was a lifeline. What began as a way to unload his suffering evolved into the force that gave him purpose, structure, and a voice again. He puts it plainly: “writing saved me.” It’s a powerful reminder that creativity can pry open a door even when the body seems determined to keep it shut.

What makes the article truly compelling is what his experience reveals about writing itself. It isn’t just a craft or a pastime; it can be an active form of therapy. By pouring his pain into words, he managed to reorganize his inner world and loosen the emotional weight he had carried for decades. The takeaway — and the hook — is clear: when you write, you’re not only building stories, you’re rebuilding yourself.

Source: aol.com

“Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids Under Pressure”

The panel “Hands Off Our Books: Writing for Kids in an Era of Censorship” is set for December 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM at LitArts RI in Providence, RI. This gathering brings together authors and educators who are navigating the increasing wave of censorship directed at children’s books, asking what it means for both creators and young readers when voices get silenced.

For writers involved in kids’ literature, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The event aims to spotlight how censorship affects not just what gets published, but how we tell stories—and who gets to tell them. It’s a wake-up call: when books for children are locked down, innovation and inclusion can suffer. For anyone in self-publishing or children’s lit, this panel is both timely and vital.

Source: https://www.providencejournal.com/

“Travis Baldree Breaks the Cozy Mold with Brigands & Breadknives”

Baldree’s latest novel, Brigands & Breadknives, marks a turning point in his career: he’s stepping beyond the cozy-fantasy tag that defined his hit series with Legends & Lattes. He candidly shares that the new book explores bigger stakes — letting characters disappoint people they care about, learning to say “no,” and confronting the fear of letting fans down.

For self-publishers and genre writers, this is a vivid reminder: the safest path isn’t always the most artistically fulfilling. Baldree emphasises that he couldn’t stay “shackled” by cozy-fantasy expectations; he wrote the book he needed to write. His journey illustrates a core lesson: your audience might follow you—but only if you’re writing from authenticity and growth.

Source: https://www.polygon.com/

“When Nonfiction Has It All: Puzzles, Sports, and Birdsong for Every Reader”

Non-fiction is having a moment, and not just in the usual ways. There’s something for literally every reader this holiday season — from word-puzzle fanatics to bird-watchers, from sports buffs to art lovers. The list ranges from puzzle-heavy books like Puzzle Mania! to quirky ornithology titles like Bird Talk, to fine-art monographs and deep-dive travelogues.

For self-publishers and authors, this surge is good news: it signals that the non-fiction audience is broadening and fragmenting in fascinating ways. If you’ve got a niche passion — games, birds, sports, regional history, whatever — there might be a book waiting to be written for that reader. This isn’t about mainstream mass-appeal only; it’s about angle, authenticity and finding your community.

Source: courant.com

“Hispanic Authors and Bookstores Push for Representation in Publishing”

Latino authors, influencers, and independent bookstores are building momentum to increase representation and visibility in the publishing industry—an industry where Hispanic voices account for about 20% of the U.S. population, yet Latino publishing-industry employees make up only around 8%.

The push isn’t just about more books—it’s about stories that move beyond the familiar immigrant narrative, improved marketing support, and the rise of bilingual book festivals and curated lists at independent stores like Palabras Bilingual Bookstore in Phoenix. For self-publishers, this trend signals both opportunity and challenge: reach into underserved audiences, but also build cultural authenticity and community engagement as part of your author strategy.

Source: apnews.com