New Tools, Real Scams, and Big Author Warnings | Self-Publishing News (May 12, 2025)

Scams are getting smarter—and authors are the new target. In this week's publishing news, we cover what to avoid, what to watch for, and the latest tools helping indie authors succeed. Plus, the U.S. Copyright Office just made your publishing life a lot easier.

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Sources:

• Spotify for Authors Terms of Use - https://www.spotify.com/us/legal/spotify-for-authors-terms-and-conditions/
• INAudio - https://www.inaudio.com/ 
• U.S. Copyright Office Releases New Copyright Registration Toolkit - https://www.copyright.gov/newsnet/2025/1070.html
• Two to Avoid: Book Order Scams and Fake Reviews - https://writerbeware.blog/2025/05/09/two-to-avoid-book-order-scams-and-fake-reviews/ 
• Getcovers: Top 10 Tools for Indie Authors 2025 - https://getcovers.com/blog/best-tools-for-indie-authors/
• Get Authentic Book Reviews - https://getauthenticbookreviews.com/
• Speech Transcription with parakeet - https://huggingface.co/spaces/nvidia/parakeet-tdt-0.6b-v2
• ProseWrite - https://DaleLinks.com/ProseWrite (affiliate link)
• Bookvault Q&A Webinar - https://www.youtube.com/@Bookvault_app/streams 
• StoryOrigin: Creating With Eyes Wide Open: Author Life in a Capitalist World - https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/LcUd65SpR1mWS3WeiwajyQ#/registration 
• Authors Guild: Translation Contracts 101 - https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mZn6cNY-RKK3AbCk9a3G_A#/registration 
• Dibbly Create: Scale Your KDP Business Fast: Publish Market-Ready Books in 30 Minutes - https://dibbly.com/join-free-webinar/?aff=DALE (affiliate link)
• Self-Publishing with ALLi: The Power of Relationships in Author Marketing - https://selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast-power-of-relationships/
• Author Nation - https://DaleLinks.com/AuthorNation (affiliate link)
• 30 Books in 30 Days Giveaway - https://DaleLinks.com/30Books 

Credit: 

• Authors Guild - https://authorsguild.org/ 

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