Self-Publishing with ALLi

Alliance of Independent Authors
  • 4.3 (58)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Semiweekly

The Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors provides a comprehensive guide for indie authors.

  1. How to Successfully Change Genres and Topics: Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black

    9h ago

    How to Successfully Change Genres and Topics: Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black

    In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how to successfully pivot from one nonfiction topic to another, including whether you need a new pen name and how to manage existing backlist titles. Other questions include: What are the most effective low-budget marketing strategies for a nonfiction book about technology and society What options exist when series covers are inconsistent and how important is it to obtain source files from designers Should an urban fantasy series be focused on a tabloid rather than a single protagonist, or is that a strategic mistake How should UK authors operating as limited companies complete KDP tax forms, particularly the limitation of benefits section How can authors troubleshoot A+ content on Amazon when it refuses to populate despite entering all required information And more! Show Notes Lessons Learned from Starting a New Pen Name (Sacha Black podcast) 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 haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.

    41 min
  2. News: Spotify Expands AI Audiobook Tools; Barnes & Noble Contradicts Itself on AI; Commonwealth Prize Controversy

    2d ago

    News: Spotify Expands AI Audiobook Tools; Barnes & Noble Contradicts Itself on AI; Commonwealth Prize Controversy

    On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway covers a week dominated by AI controversy: Spotify's expanded ElevenLabs partnership for seamless AI audiobook creation, Barnes & Noble CEO James Daunt's muddled attempt to clarify his store's AI book policy, and a Commonwealth Short Story Prize winner accused of using AI — and why Dan thinks the organizers got their response exactly right. Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

    11 min
  3. How One Indie Author-Illustrator Cracked the Kids' Graphic Novel Market, with Anna Featherstone and Mike Barry

    4d ago

    How One Indie Author-Illustrator Cracked the Kids' Graphic Novel Market, with Anna Featherstone and Mike Barry

    On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Anna Featherstone speaks with indie author-illustrator Mike Barry about the production and distribution decisions behind his children's graphic novel trilogy Action Tank, from reverse-engineering Marvel's print specifications to building a loyal school and library audience. Barry reflects on Kickstarter, the realities of international distribution, and his publishing adventures. Whether you write for children or not, the conversation offers insight into finishing what you start, finding your market, and letting one opportunity lead to the next. 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 haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press — your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family. About the Host Anna Featherstone is ALLi's nonfiction adviser and an author advocate and mentor. A judge of The Australian Business Book Awards and Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, she's also the founder of Bold Authors and presents author marketing and self-publishing workshops for organizations, including Byron Writers Festival. Anna has authored books including how-to and memoirs and her book Look-It's Your Book! about writing, publishing, marketing, and leveraging nonfiction is on the Australian Society of Authors recommended reading list. When she's not being bookish, Anna's into bees, beings, and the big issues of our time. About the Guest Mike Barry is the writer, artist and singular creative force behind Action Tank, his graphic novel trilogy for kids about intergalactic adventure and spaghetti carbonara. He won a Comic Arts Award of Australia for Action Tank in 2021, when he was also nominated for the NSW Premier's Literary Awards, The Russell Prize for Humour Writing for Young People, and the Aurealis Awards. Action Tank was also included in the American Library Association's 2022 Best Graphic Novels for Children Reading List. He lives with his wife and sons near the beach in Sydney, Australia, which is even better than it sounds. You can find Mike Barry on Instagram.

    36 min
  4. Inspirational Indie Author Interview #210: D. K. Marie. Romance Author Discusses Hope, Healing, and Building an Indie Career on Her Own Terms

    May 24

    Inspirational Indie Author Interview #210: D. K. Marie. Romance Author Discusses Hope, Healing, and Building an Indie Career on Her Own Terms

    My guest this episode is D. K. Marie, a Michigan-based romance author who writes stories about second chances, emotional healing, and hope. She's moved from traditional publishing into indie publishing and recently won a Wishing Shelf Gold Award. We talk about her journey from reader to writer, the business side of indie publishing, building a loyal readership, and why she believes romance novels can offer comfort during difficult times. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest D. K. Marie is a Gold Winner of the Wishing Shelf Book Awards and the author of eleven published works, including romance novels and a poetry collection. Her stories center on unexpected connections and emotional intensity, blending heart, heat, and humor with relatable characters and emotional depth. When she's not writing, she can be found behind a camera lens, on her motorcycle, or curled up with a good book. She lives in metro Detroit with her husband, two children, and a cat who supervises her writing with zero impartiality.

    23 min
  5. News: AI-Powered Scams Target Writers; Audible Opens Pop-Up Bookstore; Anthropic Fairness Hearing Update

    May 22

    News: AI-Powered Scams Target Writers; Audible Opens Pop-Up Bookstore; Anthropic Fairness Hearing Update

    On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway opens with an urgent warning from Writer Beware's Victoria Strauss about two new AI-generated scams targeting authors — one involving fake radio show invitations, one involving fraudulent book fair representation — and explains the telltale signs that give them away. He then reports on Audible's StoryHouse, a pop-up audiobook store in New York's Bowery modeled on a vinyl record shop, and closes with an update on the Anthropic settlement fairness hearing, including concerns about the $3,000 per-title payout and the US copyright registration requirement that overseas authors say is unfair to them. Show Notes Book Festival Scams, Interview Fakes: Two New AI-Driven Impersonation Scams to Avoid Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

    11 min
  6. Interview: What Genre Conventions Teach Authors About Professional Book Cover Design with Howard Lovy and Michele DeFilippo

    May 20

    Interview: What Genre Conventions Teach Authors About Professional Book Cover Design with Howard Lovy and Michele DeFilippo

    On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Howard Lovy talks to Michele DeFilippo, founder of 1106 Design, about the role genre conventions play in professional book cover design. Michele explains the visual signals that help readers recognize a book's category at a glance, from the authority expected in business books to the mood and atmosphere that drive fiction covers. She also discusses the thumbnail test, common amateur mistakes, the danger of cramming too much information onto a cover, and the importance of giving designers enough room to create a cover that serves both the author and the marketplace. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. We invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy is an author, developmental editor, and writing coach with a long career in journalism and publishing. He works with writers at many stages of their careers, with a focus on helping them develop their ideas and strengthen their work while preserving their unique voices. He lives in Northern Michigan. About the Guest Michele DeFilippo has more than fifty years of experience in book publishing. Her company, 1106 Design, helps authors publish high-quality books, keep control of their work, and earn more from each copy sold. Michele is committed to helping authors ask the right questions, avoid scams, and make informed decisions when choosing publishing service providers. A PDF of her eighty-eight-page guide, "Publish Like the Pros: A Brief Guide to Quality Self-Publishing," can be downloaded for free.

    32 min
  7. Where Friction Hides in Your Author Business (And When It Might Be Useful), with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn

    May 17

    Where Friction Hides in Your Author Business (And When It Might Be Useful), with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn

    On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn explore the concept of friction in the author business — the stuff that stops readers from buying and stops authors from acting. They examine reader friction including decision fatigue, pricing signals, platform fragmentation, and the challenge of buying direct; author friction including tech overload, identity resistance, and fear of judgment; and the counterintuitive idea that some friction — a signed limited edition, a serialized novel released chapter by chapter, a live human conversation — is actually worth keeping, because it creates connection, commitment, and differentiation in an age of one-click AI convenience. Show Notes Bones of the Deep. A Thriller: Kickstarter ALLi's Indie Author Bookstore About the Hosts Joanna Penn writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's "100 top people in publishing". She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

    43 min
  8. News: BookTok Bestseller List Launches in the UK; Subscription Boxes Drive Charts; Have Special Editions Peaked?

    May 15

    News: BookTok Bestseller List Launches in the UK; Subscription Boxes Drive Charts; Have Special Editions Peaked?

    On this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dan Holloway examines three interconnected stories about how books get discovered and sold. He reports on the launch of the UK's first BookTok bestseller list, powered by Nielsen BookScan, and what its romance- and romantasy-heavy lineup reveals about how viral book conversations actually work. He also looks at two striking examples of subscription boxes driving books to the top of the charts — including Goldsboro Books' GSFF box and the fantasy service Fairyloot — and closes with the question of whether the special edition and deluxe edition market may have reached its peak, drawing a sharp parallel with the vinyl singles collecting craze of the 1980s. Sponsor Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is  available on Kindle.

    12 min
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4.3
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About

The Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors provides a comprehensive guide for indie authors.

Information

  • Creator
    Alliance of Independent Authors
  • Years Active
    2016 - 2026
  • Episodes
    903
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Alliance of Independent Authors 2017
  • Show Website
    Self-Publishing with ALLi

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