AskAlli: Self-Publishing Advice Podcast

Alliance of Independent Authors

Are you new to self-publishing? Or a seasoned indie author who wants to cut through the noise to get only the most up-to-date and important self-publishing advice?

  • 34 minutes 23 seconds
    The Power of LinkedIn for Book Promotion: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Dale. L. Roberts

    In this conversation, Dale L. Roberts and LinkedIn expert Sue Ellson discuss the importance of LinkedIn for authors. They explore how authors can effectively build their presence on the platform, create standout profiles, utilize various features, and engage with their audience. Sue emphasizes the significance of networking, connecting with the right people, and leveraging LinkedIn's analytics to refine strategies. The discussion provides actionable insights for authors looking to enhance their online visibility and market their books effectively.

    Sponsor

    This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    About the Host

    Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. You can find Dale on his website or YouTube.

     

    29 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 47 minutes 2 seconds
    What to Look for in an Editor: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast 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 what to look for in an editor, including recommendations for vetting, sample edits, and aligning editor styles with author needs.

    Other questions include:

    • How can first-time authors set up profitable Amazon ads for fiction?
    • What are the benefits and drawbacks of entering short story competitions?
    • How can authors effectively market hardback books with dust jackets distributed via IngramSpark and Amazon?
    • What are the best tools and strategies for using AI to assist with editing?
    • What strategies can authors use to market books when attending an exhibition or conference?
    • What are the considerations for translating books into foreign languages and finding reviewers for translated works?

    And More!

    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.

    Now, go write and publish!

    Sponsor

    The Member Q&A podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    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.

    26 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 9 minutes 13 seconds
    TikTok’s Near Ban and Crackdowns on Scams: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Dan Holloway

    On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Dan Holloway covers the latest developments around TikTok, including its near ban in the United States and the uncertainty it has created for BookTok creators. He also reports on the arrests of individuals behind PageTurner Press and the investigation into Publishing.com, marking significant moves against self-publishing scams.

    Sponsors

    Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool.

    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 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.

    24 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 46 seconds
    The Importance of Indexing for Nonfiction Authors: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Anna Featherstone

    In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with professional indexer Madeleine Davis, president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers. Together, they explore the critical role of indexes in nonfiction books, discussing why authors should consider investing in professional indexing, the process of creating an index, and how a great index can enhance the usability and longevity of a book. Davis also shares fascinating insights from her career, tips for working with indexers, and even some lighthearted moments from the world of indexing.

    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.

    Now, go write and publish! 

    Sponsors

    This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    This podcast is also sponsored by Gatekeeper Press, the all-inclusive Gold Standard in Publishing, offering authors 100% rights, royalties, satisfaction and worldwide distribution. 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

    Madeleine Davis is the president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers (ANZSI) and has been a professional indexer since 1994. She has provided back-of-book indexes for trade publishers and university publishers for general, academic, textbooks, and legal publications. She has also given presentations about indexing at various international indexing conferences and seminars and has had articles published in The Indexer, a journal published on behalf of indexing societies worldwide.

    22 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 4 seconds
    Inspirational Indie Author Interview #175: Nellie Neeman. Author Pens Thrillers, Clean Romances, and Leads Israeli Writing Community

    My guest this episode is Nellie Neeman, an author who writes international thrillers under her name and sweet, clean romances as Ellie Hartwood. She uses her thrillers to highlight Israel as a vibrant and resilient country and helps foster a community of writers through her mentorship and leadership.

    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.

    Sponsor

    nspirational Indie Authors is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    About the Host

    Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.comLinkedIn, and X.

    19 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 10 minutes 34 seconds
    Print Book Sales Rebound, Spotify Adds Author Tools, and Taylor Swift’s Self-Published Success: The Self-Publishing News Podcast with Dan Holloway

    On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explores new data showing a resurgence in print book sales, with adult fiction leading the growth and young adult fiction seeing a decline. He also highlights Spotify’s new Wrapped feature for authors, providing audiobook creators with detailed insights into their listeners’ habits. Plus, Dan reflects on the impact of Taylor Swift’s self-published Eras Tour Book, which sold over 1.2 million copies, showcasing the power of self-publishing on a massive scale.

    Sponsors

    Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool.

    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 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.

    17 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 31 seconds
    Profiting from Print — Thinking Outside the Box: Self-Publishing Conference Highlight

    Join historical fiction author Margaret Skea, children's historical fiction author Kate Cunningham, and crossover author Matt Beighton—who writes both chapter books for children and gaming books for all ages—as they explore innovative strategies for selling print beyond traditional outlets like bookshops and online platforms. This panel offers creative, genre-specific approaches to reaching new audiences, providing actionable ideas for minimizing competition and maximizing profits.

    This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event run free twice yearly in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors.

    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. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

     

     

    15 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 33 minutes 6 seconds
    Tackling Creative Challenges and Adapting to Change: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Orna Ross and Joanna Penn

    On the Creative Self-Publishing stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn discuss creative challenges, including patience, mindset, and balancing creative freedom with traditional publishing ambitions. Joanna shares her experience submitting her novel Blood Vintage to traditional publishers, while Orna reflects on how family obligations disrupted her plans and required a flexible approach to creativity.

    Sponsor

    This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    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.

    12 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 11 minutes 36 seconds
    Authors Fight Back Against Piracy Websites: The Self-Publishing News Podcast with Dan Holloway

    On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers the UK High Court’s decision to strengthen enforcement against piracy websites, Japan’s use of AI to combat manga piracy, and Spotify’s new partner program for podcasters. He also highlights authors recognized in the UK’s New Year’s Honours list and a new opportunity for contributors to The New Publishing Standard.

    Sponsors

    Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool.

    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 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.

    10 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 35 minutes 49 seconds
    The Role of Developmental Editing in Writing a Breakout Book: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Matty Dalrymple

    ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple speaks with author and editor Valerie Francis about the role of developmental editing in crafting a breakout book. Valerie highlights the importance of a strong premise, compelling protagonist, intriguing plot, and engaging world. She explains how to capture reader interest in the first five to ten pages and use story theory to elevate book quality. They also discuss common pitfalls, such as overemphasizing world-building, and offer tips for focusing on the elements that make a story successful.

    Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center. And, if you haven’t already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally.

    Sponsors

    This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    This podcast is also sponsored by Gatekeeper Press, the all-inclusive Gold Standard in Publishing, offering authors 100% rights, royalties, satisfaction and worldwide distribution. Gatekeeper Press, Where Authors are Family.

    About the Host

    Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She has written books on the business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer’s Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime.

    About the Guest

    Valerie Francis is a bestselling author, story editor, and co-host of the Story Nerd podcast. As an editor, Valerie helps women who write in all genres learn how stories work so they can finish their books faster and without frustration. As a podcaster, Valerie's mission is to show writers that story theory is a valuable tool that can—and will—help them write more, not less. As an author, Valerie is currently finishing her third novel, a vampire thriller for fans of Anne Rice. You can connect with Valerie on her website, Instagram, Threads, and YouTube.

    8 January 2025, 1:00 pm
  • 46 minutes 5 seconds
    Inspirational Indie Author Interview #174: Angela Yuriko Smith. Bram Stoker Winner Balances Horror Writing, Indie Publishing, and Mentorship

    My guest this episode is Angela Yuriko Smith, a poet, author, and publisher of Space and Time magazine. She’s a two-time Bram Stoker Award winner, president of the Horror Writers Association, and founder of the Authortunities Hub, where she mentors indie authors. I'll let Angela Yuriko Smith tell her story.

    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.

    Sponsor

    Inspirational Indie Authors is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote.

    About the Host

    Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.comLinkedIn, and X.

    5 January 2025, 1:00 pm
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