Indie Author Blueprint | Michelle Rayburn | Substack

If Indie Author Blueprint content feels overwhelming, here's an easy way to navigate the basics and first steps.

Jun 3, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

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Recent posts

Before You Fall in Love With That Book Design

When Your Book Vision Meets POD Reality

Jun 11 • Michelle Rayburn

Did You Know IngramSpark Doesn't Charge for Revisions Anymore?

This might be great news for some indie authors.

Jun 3 • Michelle Rayburn

Don’t Serve Up a Plain-Burger Book

Readers Can Tell When the Book Is Missing the Brie

May 26 • Michelle Rayburn

What an Old Kindle Taught Me About Indie Publishing

I have one of the original models of a Kindle, a Kindle Keyboard (3rd Gen).

May 19 • Michelle Rayburn

For the Writers Who Feel Exhausted by Visibility

A peek into the brain of an indie author who wants to break the rules and not be ashamed about desiring a smaller platform.

May 6 • Michelle Rayburn

Book Distribution for Indie Authors

We need enough information to make wise decisions for our publishing businesses.

Apr 28 • Michelle Rayburn

Indie Author Blueprint

Indie Author Blueprint

Michelle Rayburn, author/publisher, editor, and book designer, shares valuable insights tailored for writers who have a base knowledge of publishing. Practical tips for indie publishing success and managing your writing business like a pro.

The latest from

Michelle Rayburn

Before You Fall in Love With That Book Design

Inspiration

Don’t Serve Up a Plain-Burger Book

Readers Can Tell When the Book Is Missing the Brie

May 26 • Michelle Rayburn

Tell Us What You Created in 2025

As we wrap up the year, I want to make space to celebrate your work.

Dec 30, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Three Small Joys for Indie Authors at Christmas

Plus something special for premium subscribers.

Dec 23, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Publishing a Book Is Not a Breeze

But, there are ways to prepare yourself to avoid disappointment.

Nov 25, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Top posts

Formatting Choices That Out You as Self-Published

Jan 28 • Michelle Rayburn

It's Time for a Yearly Subscription Checkup

Jan 6 • Michelle Rayburn

Why Your Ebook Images Need Alt Text

Sep 2, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Why Indie Authors Can’t Skip Footnotes

May 6, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

The Craft of Publishing

Aug 5, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

The Business of Publishing

Before You Fall in Love With That Book Design

When Your Book Vision Meets POD Reality

Jun 11 • Michelle Rayburn

Did You Know IngramSpark Doesn't Charge for Revisions Anymore?

This might be great news for some indie authors.

Jun 3 • Michelle Rayburn

Don’t Serve Up a Plain-Burger Book

Readers Can Tell When the Book Is Missing the Brie

May 26 • Michelle Rayburn

What an Old Kindle Taught Me About Indie Publishing

I have one of the original models of a Kindle, a Kindle Keyboard (3rd Gen).

May 19 • Michelle Rayburn

Publishing Steps

Bonus Zine: A Just-Right-Sized Book Launch

Over the last few posts, I’ve been talking about soft book launches, and I wanted to create a bonus for just for paid subscribers.

Mar 25 • Michelle Rayburn

A Soft Book Launch Prevents a Hard Landing

Why I love being an indie author when it comes to book launch week.

Mar 11 • Michelle Rayburn

Formatting Choices That Out You as Self-Published

Paragraph Indents, Leading, and Stuff Like That

Jan 28 • Michelle Rayburn

KDP Ebook Pre-Order Changes

Spoiler alert: You need to upload a customer-ready ebook file before submitting it for pre-order.

Jan 20 • Michelle Rayburn

Book Covers

Before You Fall in Love With That Book Design

When Your Book Vision Meets POD Reality

Jun 11 • Michelle Rayburn

Color Variations in POD Book Covers

When it comes to the cover design process for indie authors, it can be difficult to choose colors.

Apr 22 • Michelle Rayburn

26:37

Cover Design Anxiety

Cover design shouldn’t be the most stressful part of indie publishing—but for many authors, it is.

Dec 2, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

20:57

Why Proofs Matter and What to Check Beyond Typos

There’s nothing quite like holding your book for the first time—the cover, the pages, the weight of your words in print.

Oct 14, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Design and Typesetting

Before You Fall in Love With That Book Design

When Your Book Vision Meets POD Reality

Jun 11 • Michelle Rayburn

Formatting Choices That Out You as Self-Published

Paragraph Indents, Leading, and Stuff Like That

Jan 28 • Michelle Rayburn

20:57

Why Proofs Matter and What to Check Beyond Typos

There’s nothing quite like holding your book for the first time—the cover, the pages, the weight of your words in print.

Oct 14, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

10:58

Why Your Ebook Images Need Alt Text

You may have noticed that KDP now asks a question about your images when you publish a Kindle version.

Sep 2, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Editing

22:06

The Editing Dilemma

How Much Editing Do You Really Need? A Gentle Reality Check for Indie Authors

Dec 16, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Bonus Resource: The Front & Back Matter Builder

The Front & Back Matter Builder

Nov 13, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

19:35

From First Draft to Finished Book: A Mini Workshop on What Comes Next

You finished your draft—now what?

Nov 11, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

16:19

Why Indie Authors Can’t Skip Footnotes

If they're missing, it's a sure clue your book is self-published.

May 6, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Marketing

Book Distribution for Indie Authors

We need enough information to make wise decisions for our publishing businesses.

Apr 28 • Michelle Rayburn

30 Small Things You Can Do Today to Market Your Book

Fifteen minutes per day could get you started.

Mar 31 • Michelle Rayburn

Bonus Zine: A Just-Right-Sized Book Launch

Over the last few posts, I’ve been talking about soft book launches, and I wanted to create a bonus for just for paid subscribers.

Mar 25 • Michelle Rayburn

Repackaging Your Book Message After the Launch

Practical ways to engage with readers that don't sound like a constant sales pitch.

Mar 17 • Michelle Rayburn

Writing

22:06

The Editing Dilemma

How Much Editing Do You Really Need? A Gentle Reality Check for Indie Authors

Dec 16, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Bonus Resource: The Front & Back Matter Builder

The Front & Back Matter Builder

Nov 13, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

19:35

From First Draft to Finished Book: A Mini Workshop on What Comes Next

You finished your draft—now what?

Nov 11, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn

Novel November: Finding Your Writing Rhythm

NaNoWriMo might be gone, but it's still writing month. And ProWritingAid has really picked up the slack!

Nov 4, 2025 • Michelle Rayburn