Self-Publishing with ALLi

Amazon introduces beta of virtual voice narration through KDP as an AI Safety Summit fails to achieve much of substance. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy...

Today on the Publishing for Profit Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss crowdfunding your book with Kickstarter. Orna successfully used Kickstarter to fund her book, Go Creative! Planning Program for Authors & Poets.  Howard is getting ready to crowdfund a book on fighting antisemitism. Together, they ask and answer questions on strategies for a successful camp...

My guest this episode is Jeff Probst, who brings a unique international accent to his writing. From California to South Africa to the UK—and whether he is writing about apartheid, being a schoolteacher, or even about the moon—Jeff has developed a unique voice that cannot be categorized. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,...

Politicians, corporations, and experts wrestle with how to govern the technology we use. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on...

In this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: Should I create a limited liability company?  Other questions include: If I hire someone to illustrate 3D models for illustrations, do I own the copyright? Any advice on distributing children's books? How can I connect with other ALLi members who are local to me? Is it worth entering my book into a literary contest? And more!...

This week, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Campaigns Manager Melissa Addey discuss ALLi's advocacy work, starting with the Open Up to Indie Authors campaign. This campaign encourages and aids (and occasionally calls out!) the publishing and literary industries to include self-publishing authors in their programs, events, festivals, prizes, listings, and reviews and educates indie authors on what we ca...

Frankfurt Book Fair prompts European writers' groups to call for the EU's AI Act to be tough on transparency. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box...

Today on the Reaching More Readers podcast: There is no marketing magic bullet. With the overwhelming options for marketing and promoting a book, what can indie authors do to get their books into more readers' hands? T here might not be one magic bullet, but there are proven strategies and techniques indie authors can use to build a plan that works for you. Dale L. Roberts and Holly Greenland expl...

Spotify's deal with publishers and the resolution to the screenwriters' strike illustrate how quickly our landscape is changing. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and...

My guest this episode is Mary Ladd, who began her career as a food writer and editor before she was hit with both cancer and long COVID, which changed the trajectory of her life. Now, she successfully crowdfunds books written by and for others who are facing severe health crises. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ bl...

On today's podcast: How a publishing services company can help indie authors. Every month, I'll feature an interview with an ALLi partner member who will help you at various stages in the self-publishing process, from getting the manuscript ready to ensuring it reaches your potential readers. My first guest is Michele DeFilippo of 1106 Design, which provides end-to-end book design, production, and...

In today's episode of the Creative Self-Publishing podcast: Metrics of Mastery. Orna Ross delves deep into the nuanced world of measuring creative progress in both writing and publishing. With insights drawn from her own experiences and ALLi members, Orna offers four metrics that reflect genuine growth for an indie author–productivity, platform, profits, and personal satisfaction. Learn how to set...

An Authors Guild of America income survey finds indie authors earn more from books than their traditionally published peers but little from other activities. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of...

Your first book is often a book of the heart—a book you must write—but once your publishing business is more developed, how do you know when to submit to the muse, when to "write to market," or at least consider business outcomes? In this Publishing for Profit podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about passion projects and why they are even more important for authors in an age of generative AI,...

My guest this episode is Carolyn Armstrong, who enjoys writing books about and for middle-grade kids because they're just beginning to seek independence while still relying on adults. Carolyn writes earth-friendly fiction and discovered that teachers and parents find her books valuable as educational tools. And some of them discover her books via Pinterest. Find more author advice, tips, and tools...

What have we learned from the Hollywood writers' strike? Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you...

In this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: How do I protect myself when writing about real people? Other questions include: What exactly does Young Adult mean? Help! I can't update an edition of my book on Amazon! How do I find the best freelancer for my book? What is the best free website hosting provider? And more! Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self...

My guest this episode is Paula L. Estrela, who was born in Brazil and now lives in the UK. She initially came to London as an architect to help set up venues for the Olympics. Now, she's an author who constructs tales for children that also contain important messages. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publi...

KDP limits titles, and we learn how tricky it can be to legislate technology. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic y...

In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Jeff Elkins discusses how to emotionally reach your readers. It's not enough to get a reader to pick up our books. We also have to reach them emotionally in order to keep them reading past the first chapter and to inspire them to tell their friends about our stories. The good news is, people are communal in nature. We are hard-wired to connect emotiona...

My guest this episode is CJ Archer, an author of historical, mystery, and fantasy books, genres that the traditional publishing industry told her should not mix. So instead, CJ published them herself and hasn't looked back since. She writes about four books a year as her full-time job and has found a formula that works for her and her fans. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is spons...

A shadow library lawsuit shows the struggle subscription services face in tackling scammers. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our  Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info...

In this first episode of the new Publishing for Profit stream: Leveling up your publishing and taking a new turn. Orna Ross introduces Indian author Shanaya Wagh, aka Shana Frost, also an intern at the Alliance of Independent Authors. Both authors, at different stages in their publishing businesses, are leveling up. They discuss what led to their decision, how to know when a change is needed, and...

My guest this episode is Katlyn Duncan, an author who juggles many roles. She's a mother, a full-time worker, a writer of thrillers and nonfiction advice books for other indie authors. She is also both a traditional and self-published author. How does she keep up with her many roles? I'll let Katlyn Duncan tell her story. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writin...

In this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: Help! My cowriter isn't pulling their weight. What should I do? Other questions include: Should I buy my own ISBNs or use the free ones given to me by book retailers? What are some pricing ideas for poetry chapbooks? Should I consign my books to a bookstore? How can ALLi members submit for a guest blog feature? And more! Our...