It's a big week in self-publishing as we race into 2018, and today's show is packed with tips and info on how you can make the most of your indie experience! In the introduction, I go through: * Apple is getting back into the ebook fight with Amazon with a revamp of iBooks to Books with audiobooks [Bloomberg] * Google has launched audiobooks with Play and focusing on in-home devices for reading them [Google Blog] * Walmart has struck a deal with (Rakuten) Kobo, which will see co-branded Walmart/Kobo ereading devices, ebooks and audiobooks through the Walmart website and stores [The Verge] * Barnes & Noble have relaunched NookPress as Barnes and Noble Press, combining their ebook and print self-publishing platforms [BusinessWire] * The new Author Earnings report findings – and my reaction to it. Plus, why Dean Wesley Smith thinks there is an issue with data privacy and Passive Guy's take on terms & services, plus why the figures are not really “Author Earnings” since most long-term authors make a less-significant % of their income on Amazon, plus it is only Amazon US sales. Dean reports Amazon as 15-30% of his income, and it was around 20% of mine in 2017. * The long-running Self-Publishing Podcast is rebranding as the Story Studio podcast, as Johnny, Sean and Dave feel like they have outgrown the name – and I think that reflects the industry as a whole these days. Perhaps we are just publishing now 🙂 I also give a personal update. I finished the first draft of my first screenplay, an adaptation of Map of Shadows. It's been so much fun and I'm going on a course in March when I'll work on it. In the meantime, on with the next thriller, ARKANE #10, and a new book and course on How to Write Non-Fiction. I also mention the revamp of my channel, Youtube.com/thecreativepenn, where you can now find writing tips on Tuesdays and business/marketing/money/publishing tips on Thursdays. Today's show is sponsored by Draft2Digital, where you can get free ebook formatting, free distribution to multiple stores, and a host of other benefits. Get your free Author Marketing Guide at www.draft2digital.com/penn Spatz.jpg">Steven Spatz is the President of