Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
Kindle Direct Publishing announced two major updates that authors need to understand. Changes to digital rights management are raising questions, while a new ebook pre-order feature could reward authors who are prepared. We also cover AI entering the reading experience, audiobook discovery tied to BookTok, platform updates, and opportunities authors should watch heading into 2026.
• YouTube Channel Memberships – DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• KDP: New eBook Download Options for Readers Coming in 2026 - kdpcommunity.com/s/article/New-eBook-Download-Options-for-Readers-Coming-in-2026?language=en_US
• TechCrunch: Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct’s self-published e-books - techcrunch.com/2025/12/10/amazon-changes-how-copyright-protection-is-applied-to-kindle-directs-self-published-ebooks
• KDP: eBook pre-orders will soon show a reading sample on Amazon – Update - kdpcommunity.com/s/article/eBook-pre-orders-will-soon-show-a-reading-sample-on-Amazon-Update
• DigitalTrends: Google Play Books may soon let you ask Gemini questions while you read - digitaltrends.com/phones/google-play-books-may-soon-let-you-ask-gemini-questions-while-you-read
• Amazon’s New Kindle Feature Raises Concerns | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 16, 2025) - youtu.be/ozboaJlwhiw
• Bookvault – https://bookvault.app – Use coupon code BVDALE to waive three upload fees
• PublishDrive – Save 25% off all annual distribution plans - publishdrive.com/save-25-on-publishdrive-annual-plans-forever?fpr=dale10 (affiliate link) – Offer ends December 31, 2025
• Audible and TikTok Bring Best of #BookTok Sensations Direct to Listeners - audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-and-tiktok-bring-best-of-booktok-sensations-direct-to-listeners
• Get Authentic Book Reviews – GetAuthenticBookReviews.com
• Spoken – https://Spoken.press
• Payhip: Ecommerce Payment Gateways for Digital Products - payhip.com/payment-gateways?fp_ref=lym89 (affiliate link)
• Authorbase – DaleLInks.com/Authorbase (affiliate link)
• Written Word Media: Author Branding for Self-Published Authors: How to Build a Brand Readers Love (Without Feeling Icky About It) - writtenwordmedia.com/author-branding-for-self-published-authors
• Outstanding Creator Awards: 2025 Clash of Champions Contest (results) – outstandingcreator.com/winners--2025-clash-of-champions.html
• Reader Views Awards: “Email Marketing for Authors” by Dale L. Roberts - readerviews.com/reviews/email-marketing-for-authors-roberts
• Self-Publishing with Dale (book series) – DaleLinks.com/SelfPubWithDale
🟡 Subscribe to my email newsletter - DaleLinks.com/SignUp
🟣 Join Channel Memberships - DaleLinks.com/Memberships
🔵Join Me on Discord - DaleLinks.com/Discord
🔥 Check out my main YouTube channel - youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
📚 My Books - DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
😇 Wanna tip me? Visit dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.
Time Stamps Credit: @AuthorDLTillery
0:00 Intro
0:47 YouTube Channel Memberships
2:12 KDP: New eBook Download Options for Readers Coming in 2026
3:58 TechCrunch: Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct’s self-published e-books
4:26 KDP: eBook pre-orders will soon show a reading sample on Amazon – Update
5:38 DigitalTrends: Google Play Books may soon let you ask Gemini questions while you read
7:16 Amazon’s New Kindle Feature Raises Concerns | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 16, 2025)
7:46 Bookvault
9:18 PublishDrive – Save 25% off all annual distribution plans
11:05 Audible and TikTok Bring Best of #BookTok Sensations Direct to Listeners
12:17 Get Authentic Book Reviews
13:52 Spoken
14:27 Payhip: Ecommerce Payment Gateways for Digital Products -
14:54 Authorbase
15:12 Written Word Media: Author Branding for Self-Published Authors
15:32 Outstanding Creator Awards: 2025 Clash of Champions Contest (results)
16:11 Reader Views Awards: “Email Marketing for Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
16:16 Self-Publishing with Dale (book series)
17:00 YouTube Channel Memberships
17:21 Closing
Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!
- Dale L. Roberts
Kindle Direct Publishing announced two major updates that authors need to understand. Changes to digital rights management are raising questions, while a new ebook pre-order feature could reward authors who are prepared. We also cover AI entering the reading experience, audiobook discovery tied to BookTok, platform updates, and opportunities authors should watch heading into 2026.
• YouTube Channel Memberships – DaleLinks.com/Memberships
• KDP: New eBook Download Options for Readers Coming in 2026 - kdpcommunity.com/s/article/New-eBook-Download-Options-for-Readers-Coming-in-2026?language=en_US
• TechCrunch: Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct’s self-published e-books - techcrunch.com/2025/12/10/amazon-changes-how-copyright-protection-is-applied-to-kindle-directs-self-published-ebooks
• KDP: eBook pre-orders will soon show a reading sample on Amazon – Update - kdpcommunity.com/s/article/eBook-pre-orders-will-soon-show-a-reading-sample-on-Amazon-Update
• DigitalTrends: Google Play Books may soon let you ask Gemini questions while you read - digitaltrends.com/phones/google-play-books-may-soon-let-you-ask-gemini-questions-while-you-read
• Amazon’s New Kindle Feature Raises Concerns | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 16, 2025) - youtu.be/ozboaJlwhiw
• Bookvault – https://bookvault.app – Use coupon code BVDALE to waive three upload fees
• PublishDrive – Save 25% off all annual distribution plans - publishdrive.com/save-25-on-publishdrive-annual-plans-forever?fpr=dale10 (affiliate link) – Offer ends December 31, 2025
• Audible and TikTok Bring Best of #BookTok Sensations Direct to Listeners - audible.com/about/newsroom/audible-and-tiktok-bring-best-of-booktok-sensations-direct-to-listeners
• Get Authentic Book Reviews – GetAuthenticBookReviews.com
• Spoken – https://Spoken.press
• Payhip: Ecommerce Payment Gateways for Digital Products - payhip.com/payment-gateways?fp_ref=lym89 (affiliate link)
• Authorbase – DaleLInks.com/Authorbase (affiliate link)
• Written Word Media: Author Branding for Self-Published Authors: How to Build a Brand Readers Love (Without Feeling Icky About It) - writtenwordmedia.com/author-branding-for-self-published-authors
• Outstanding Creator Awards: 2025 Clash of Champions Contest (results) – outstandingcreator.com/winners--2025-clash-of-champions.html
• Reader Views Awards: “Email Marketing for Authors” by Dale L. Roberts - readerviews.com/reviews/email-marketing-for-authors-roberts
• Self-Publishing with Dale (book series) – DaleLinks.com/SelfPubWithDale
🟡 Subscribe to my email newsletter - DaleLinks.com/SignUp
🟣 Join Channel Memberships - DaleLinks.com/Memberships
🔵Join Me on Discord - DaleLinks.com/Discord
🔥 Check out my main YouTube channel - youtube.com/@DaleLRoberts
📚 My Books - DaleLinks.com/MyBooks
😇 Wanna tip me? Visit dalelroberts.gumroad.com/coffee.
Time Stamps Credit: @AuthorDLTillery
0:00 Intro
0:47 YouTube Channel Memberships
2:12 KDP: New eBook Download Options for Readers Coming in 2026
3:58 TechCrunch: Amazon changes how copyright protection is applied to Kindle Direct’s self-published e-books
4:26 KDP: eBook pre-orders will soon show a reading sample on Amazon – Update
5:38 DigitalTrends: Google Play Books may soon let you ask Gemini questions while you read
7:16 Amazon’s New Kindle Feature Raises Concerns | Self-Publishing News (Dec. 16, 2025)
7:46 Bookvault
9:18 PublishDrive – Save 25% off all annual distribution plans
11:05 Audible and TikTok Bring Best of #BookTok Sensations Direct to Listeners
12:17 Get Authentic Book Reviews
13:52 Spoken
14:27 Payhip: Ecommerce Payment Gateways for Digital Products -
14:54 Authorbase
15:12 Written Word Media: Author Branding for Self-Published Authors
15:32 Outstanding Creator Awards: 2025 Clash of Champions Contest (results)
16:11 Reader Views Awards: “Email Marketing for Authors” by Dale L. Roberts
16:16 Self-Publishing with Dale (book series)
17:00 YouTube Channel Memberships
17:21 Closing
Where noted, some outbound links financially benefit the channel through affiliate programs. I only endorse programs, products, or services I use and can stand confidently behind. These links do not affect your purchase price and greatly helps to building and growing this channel. Thanks in advance for understanding!
- Dale L. Roberts
