Tired of chasing trends, likes, and views? Welcome to BTA Fridays™ – Breaking the Algorithm™, hosted by Kelly Morgan. This is where we skip the gimmicks and talk about real strategies to market and sell your books.

This week’s episode dives into a topic few indie authors ever consider: Should you put your book in Braille?

When we think of formats, we think paperback, eBook, or audiobook. But Braille? That’s a different world — and maybe where you stand out.

What Braille Publishing Really Is

Braille books aren’t just another upload format. They’re transcribed by certified professionals, embossed with raised dots, and printed on special paper. Because Braille takes more space, a 300-page novel can easily double in size once converted.

Costs & Process

Professional transcription & embossing: $3–$6 per page or several hundred to a few thousand dollars.

Smaller books: Children’s titles or novellas cost less.

Funding help: Some nonprofits or Braille publishers may cover part of the cost.

Getting started:

Hire a certified Braille transcriber through the National Braille Association.

Partner with organizations like National Braille Press, American Printing House for the Blind, Perkins School for the Blind, or RNIB Bookshare (UK).

Hybrid providers like Braille Works manage transcription, embossing, and binding.

DIY tools (like Duxbury Braille Translator or Braille2000) exist but require expensive embossers — mostly used by institutions.

Audience & Reach

In the U.S., about 1.3 million people are legally blind, and fewer than 10% read Braille fluently — a small but global, underserved audience.

Worldwide, there are 43 million blind individuals and nearly 300 million with vision impairment.

Publishing in English, Spanish, or French Braille expands your reach across the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe.

Distribution

Braille editions aren’t listed on Amazon or IngramSpark. Distribution happens through Braille libraries, nonprofits, and schools for the blind — such as:

U.S. National Library Service for the Blind

RNIB (UK)

CNIB (Canada)

Vision Australia

Marketing becomes about partnerships, donations, and storytelling instead of ads.

Why It Matters

Most Braille titles are from majority-culture authors. Indie authors — especially authors of color — fill two gaps:

Lack of indie representation in Braille.

Lack of diverse voices for visually impaired readers.

This difference builds credibility, visibility, and long-term impact.

The Takeaway

Cost: Hundreds to thousands of dollars

Audience: Small but global

Distribution: Nonprofits, libraries, and schools

Advantage: Credibility, inclusion, and reach

Braille isn’t for chasing quick sales. It’s for authors who want to build brand, reach, and legacy. Niches are where indie authors win — and being different is the only advantage that lasts.

“Breaking the algorithm isn’t just about outsmarting social media. It’s about breaking barriers so no reader is left out.” — Kelly Morgan

🎥 Watch the full episode:

https://youtu.be/GeNlKAtPB3c

Connect & Build

✨ Be a guest on The Author’s Mic™ → brightheadedpublishing.com 

✨ Join the Indie Reader Society Book Club → bookclubs.com/the-indie-reader-society/join/ 

✨ Grab your free guide → So You Wanna Write a Book 

✨ Explore Kelly’s books Weight For It + You Sound White → brightheadedpublishing.com 

Tags:

BTA Fridays – Breaking the Algorithm, Indie Authors, Braille Books, Inclusive Publishing, Accessibility, Indie Publishing, Book Marketing, Kelly Morgan, Bright Headed Publishing, Author Life, Self-Publishing