@S H I completely understand . I think the best approach is to treat a high spam-risk alert as a reason to be cautious, rather than automatically assuming the person is a scammer. Take a moment to look at their profile, activity, and how they communicate. If they immediately push for money, links, personal information, or move the conversation off-platform, that would be a bigger red flag. At the same time, if their profile and interactions seem genuine, you can keep the conversation within the community and take things slowly. Trust doesn’t have to be given all at once. Have you noticed any particular patterns in the profiles that are being flagged as high spam risk?

@Danielle Marietta I can definitely understand the frustration with IngramSpark. I think the best platform really depends on your goals KDP is great for simplicity and Amazon reach, while IngramSpark can be useful for wider distribution, especially to bookstores and libraries. That said, reliability, print quality, pricing, and customer support can make a big difference, so I’d be interested in hearing what issue you ran into with IngramSpark. What happened?

@Racheal Reid For me, the biggest area I'd like to improve this year is growing my readership. Writing the book is one journey, but connecting it with the people who will truly enjoy and benefit from it is another. I'm looking forward to learning from fellow authors, sharing ideas, and supporting one another along the way. What's one strategy that's helped you reach more readers?

@Racheal Reid Thank you! It's been a learning experience so far. I'm continuing to promote it, gather feedback, and look for ways to reach more readers. Every step has taught me something new, and I'm excited to keep improving. How has your publishing journey been so far?

@Racheal Reid Hello! It's great to connect with fellow authors. I'm currently in the drafting stage, exploring ideas and working on turning them into meaningful nonfiction books. I'm looking forward to learning from everyone here and building genuine connections along the way. What kind of books are you currently working on?

@Racheal Reid That's a great choice! The Game Changers series and hockey-themed gay romance novels have such a loyal following because they blend compelling relationships with the excitement of the sport. It's always nice to meet someone who enjoys that genre. I haven't published a book myself, but I always enjoy hearing about the stories and authors that inspire passionate readers. I'm sure your recommendations could introduce me to some great titles. What is it about the Game Changers series that keeps you coming back, and do you have a favorite book or character from the series?

@Brad Silva I completely agree. Many beginners focus on getting their book published but overlook the importance of understanding their target audience and having a plan to market it. A great book deserves to be discovered, and that takes more than just hitting the publish button. I haven't published a book yet, but I'm learning the process so I can avoid those common mistakes. In your experience, what strategy has made the biggest difference in helping a self-published book gain traction?