In my last newsletter a fortnight ago, I wrote about a few decisions I was in the process of making regarding my author’s journey (Inflection Point, Take 518, 5/2/26).
This week’s installment centers on a couple significant changes I’ve since implemented & some decisions still residing in the penciled-in column.
The first major update has to do with the distribution of my two companion novels. The switch from exclusivity with Amazon’s KDP Select to wide distribution through Draft2Digital (D2D) is nearly complete. I realize D2D has been implementing changes that some authors find less than appealing, but since that outfit was the first wide distributor I went with before moving exclusively to Amazon, I decided to give them another whirl.
Above all, I like the idea of my two Oregon Meltdown companion novels, as well as my future published works, being available on platforms in addition to Amazon, especially after the uncivil treatment I received at the hands of KDP’s A10 & the Committee.
I also like D2D’s digital interface, so I hope to have all the loose ends tied up within a week or so. There’s a slight chance the images below might change since independent outlets accept books for distribution on their own schedules.
As you can tell, both ebook & paperback versions of my novels will still be available on Amazon, but not on Kindle Unlimited.
And my new author page setup will look more or less like this:
The second significant change in the penciled-in column has to do with posting on social media. I’ve decided to lessen the impact that trying to keep up with one too many platforms has had on my limited writing time (OK, for the sake of transparency, I’m talking more than a dozen platforms here).
First & foremost is that I just deleted all social media apps from my phone—as in five minutes before writing this sentence. (Cue the soundtrack “Freedom” by Jon Batiste).
I’d like to say checking stats or interacting on various & sundry apps on my phone wasn’t really draining my spontaneous time, but deluding myself is what led me into that rabbit hole in the first place. I want to go back to focusing more on important matters at hand like starting up conversations with random strangers, watching clouds drift by, listening to my inner thoughts, daydreaming about my next writing project, & taking micro naps.
Going forward, I’m determined to only check the business side of my self-publishing journey while at my desk at home, a decision that’s more than a little overdue.
So here’s a rough sketch of my latest plan:
Keep in current form
Modify somewhat
- post occasionally on social media about my long-read posts
- cut out all but a handful of active platforms
- stop over-checking stats of any kind.
Now, that’s not to say I won’t tweak a few things here & there along the way. After all, that’s one of my favorite aspects of this whole wonderful, crazy process of self-publishing.
Till my next post a fortnight from now.
Drew
Latest review of Core Haven: Hope Amid the Ruins, 2-9-26
P.S. At the time of this writing, Core Haven: Hope Amid the Ruins has maintained its 4.8 out of 5 with 52 global ratings & 50 customer reviews on Amazon, along with 4.62 out of 5 with 132 ratings & 121 reviews on Goodreads. Not too shabby, right?
My first self-published novel, Pearl Fields and the Oregon Meltdown: A Tale of Survival, is currently available on the Kindle Store.
My companion novel, Core Haven: Hope Amid the Ruins, was released on July 31st, 2025. Available now.
