KDP Drops a Feature Nobody Expected | Self-Publishing News (Nov. 11, 2025)

Summary

The latest self-publishing news brings exciting updates for authors. Amazon introduces Kindle Translate, a free tool for translating ebooks between languages, while Draft2Digital and Ingram Spark offer essential holiday ordering tips. Draft2Digital also updates its content guidelines, impacting oversaturated non-fiction topics, while AI tools, audiobook updates, and new publishing features like Book Layout Studio and Spoken’s audiobook narration system highlight the growing role of tech. Meanwhile, a survey shows increasing AI adoption among writers, while services like Dibbly Create and ProWritingAid support writers in improving their craft. Be sure to stay ahead of the latest industry changes!

Takeaways

• 😀 Amazon's new Kindle Translate feature is in closed beta, offering free translation of eBooks between English, Spanish, and German with strict quality checks and publication-ready files.
• 🛡️ Amazon has issued a reminder about impersonation scams, urging authors to manage accounts through their app/website, avoid payment requests over the phone, and enable two-step verification for added security.
• 📦 Draft2Digital warns authors to order proofs and copies early due to expected holiday delays, with a suggested cutoff of December 6th for on-time delivery.
• 🔧 Draft2Digital's new merge tools allow authors to clean up duplicate entries in their accounts, streamlining the publishing process, especially for those who migrated from Smashwords.
• 📝 Draft2Digital updated their content guidelines, now restricting certain oversaturated non-fiction topics like affirmations, diet advice, and activity books, in response to an influx of low-quality AI-generated content.
• 💵 Ingram Spark is running a 'Share and Sell' giveaway, offering authors a chance to win a $500 marketing package for creating a direct purchase link for their books by December 15th.
• 📚 Book Vault introduced virtual 3D proofing and enhanced file validation tools for authors to preview and refine book layouts before printing, improving project management and quality control.
• 💶 Apple Books for Authors announced that Bulgaria will adopt the euro in 2026, with all book purchases and earnings shifting from the LEV to the euro starting December 1st, 2025.
• 🎧 Spotify for Authors introduced audiobook recaps, a feature in beta that allows listeners to catch up on key details without spoilers, set to launch on December 13th, 2025.
• 🤖 A survey from Gotham Ghost Writers shows that over 60% of authors use AI at least occasionally, with advanced users seeing higher incomes, while non-users remain more skeptical about AI's role in writing.
• 🎙️ Spoken Studio launched a pay-when-perfect model for audiobook production, allowing authors to create, edit, and pay for narration only when satisfied, and now offers chapter-by-chapter publishing for greater control.
• 💻 Dibbly Create's Book Layout Studio update offers advanced formatting options for authors, including smart templates and real-time previews for both print and digital formats, ensuring professional quality across platforms.

Q & A

What is Kindle Translate, and what languages does it currently support?

Kindle Translate is a new KDP tool in closed beta that offers free ebook translations. It currently supports English↔Spanish and German→English.

What is a main limitation of Kindle Translate during the beta phase?

Authors cannot edit the translated text; they can only preview it and decide whether to publish.

Why did Amazon issue reminders about impersonation scams?

Because scam activity increases during the holiday season, prompting Amazon to remind users to avoid phone-based payment requests, enable two-step verification, and verify suspicious messages.

What holiday season guidance did Draft2Digital provide regarding print proofs and author copies?

Draft2Digital recommends ordering proofs and author copies by December 6th to avoid shipping delays common during the holiday rush.

What major policy change did Draft2Digital announce in its updated content guidelines?

They released a list of oversaturated nonfiction topics—such as affirmations, meditation, dog training, narcissism, and generic diet books—that they will no longer accept for distribution.

What incentives is IngramSpark offering through its Share and Sell giveaway?

Authors who create a Share and Sell purchase link before December 15th are entered to win a $500 marketing package, including metadata audit, curated placement, retailer email promotion, and more.

What major upgrades did BookVault introduce for print-on-demand authors?

BookVault added 3D proofing, improved file validation, clearer layout tools, sprayed edge previews, updated templates, and a guided approval process.

What new audiobook feature did Spotify for Authors roll out?

Spotify introduced audiobook recaps in beta, allowing listeners returning to a book to hear a spoiler-free summary of what they’ve already heard.

According to the Gotham Ghostwriters and Bernoff survey, how are writers adopting AI tools?

Over 60% use AI at least sometimes and 25% use it daily. Advanced users tend to view AI positively and report higher incomes, while non-users—especially fiction writers—tend to oppose it.

What key update did Spoken introduce for AI-assisted audiobook production?

Spoken launched a ‘pay when perfect’ pricing model and chapter-by-chapter narration workflow, allowing unlimited adjustments before payment.

What does the TwinFlame Studios report say about the state of AI audiobooks?

It notes listener interest may be leveling off, with only 19% having tried AI-narrated audiobooks, though affordability remains the primary reason authors use AI voices.

What new feature did Dibbly Create add for book formatting?

They released Book Layout Studio, offering smart templates, section-based workflow, custom elements, instant visual previews, and export-ready print and EPUB files.

What is the goal of ProWritingAid’s Novel November event?

It’s a free 30-day writing challenge supporting authors aiming for 50,000 words through daily sprints, live sessions, word-count tracking, and December editing resources.

What significant updates were highlighted in the News Flash section?

Book Award Pro added award-benefit previews, Get Authentic Book Reviews launched promotions and discounts, DropCap offered a $25 agent evaluation for foreign rights readiness, and several podcasts and webinars related to Author Nation 2025 were released.