My guest this week is Kristina Stanley, who is a rare writer who also loves math. You don't find too many who can use both the logical and artistic sides of their brains. The way Kristina has combined the two talents is in the fiction-writing software she developed that guides writers along the way to achieving their artistic vision. But, first, let's learn more about Kristina's mathematical mind. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why...
Jul 19, 2020•20 min•Ep. 240
Writing books is easy, writing good books is hard. Do you want to know how good prose sells more books? Getting every element of your story right is important. But it's the words that make readers come back. Good stories need good words. In this session, Sacha will show you a series of quick tips to improve your prose, rid yourself of ticks and crutches and polish your stories to perfection. This is a post from the Authors and Money SelfPubCon . SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference)...
Jul 17, 2020•43 min•Ep. 239
My guest this week is Roz Morris. Roz is a literary consultant, a book doctor, an instructor, a blogger, and even a ghostwriter. But the one constant in her life, through all her incarnations, is her love of literature, and she's coming into her own as a fiction author, writing under her own name. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing A...
Jul 12, 2020•20 min•Ep. 238
Social media is one of the most effective ways for authors to reach readers and amplify their message at the same time. In this advanced salon, Orna and Joanna cover how to use social media creatively and mindfully, including broadcasting versus engagement, tools and tech, and how to measure success. You'll learn: The difference between broadcasting and engagement and how both are necessary; What not to do; How multi-genre authors are stratifying their social media; How to generate great content...
Jul 10, 2020•53 min•Ep. 238
My guest this week is Michael La Ronn, who many of you know as the co-host of the AskALLi Members' Q&A podcast. You also may know him as a video blogger, and writer of fantastic fiction. He lives and thrives at the border between genres, and as an African American author who was raised in a biracial family, he chooses to try to bring people together in these polarized times. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring...
Jul 05, 2020•19 min•Ep. 236
In this month’s Fiction & Nonfiction Self-Publishing Salon, Sacha Black and Orna Ross explore the importance of an author platform. They explain how to establish an effective platform in today’s digital publishing environment. Topics covered include: What is an author platform? How platform gives you reach How to grow your platform organically, as part of your work The topics explored in this session are all about expanding your influence and impact as an author. Our fiction and nonfiction s...
Jul 03, 2020•36 min•Ep. 235
My guest this week is Eric Twiggs, an indie author and motivational speaker who is an expert in procrastination. In fact, it took him a little while to figure out that was his calling, and then he held off on writing a book about it. Now, though, the author of The Discipline of Now and One Moment in Time has some advice all authors can use on the value of getting things done today rather than tomorrow. So, without further delay, here's Eric Twiggs. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk...
Jun 28, 2020•19 min•Ep. 234
Orna Ross and Dalma Szentpály explore the basics of online book distribution and sales trends over the past few months. As poetry slams and other events moved online, many poets are connecting for the first time with the power of digital distribution for their books. How do you ensure that your poetry books are available to readers all over the world? What are the facts about poetry book sales at the moment? Dalma and Orna have the answers. Tune in for discussions on a different theme each month...
Jun 26, 2020•36 min•Ep. 233
My guest this week is Scottish author Lorna Fergusson, who has tried publishing the traditional way, but found that she enjoyed the control she had over her own work that comes with being an indie author. Lorna has also devoted her career to coaching other indie authors on how they can chase away self-doubt and join the indie publishing revolution. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more au...
Jun 21, 2020•18 min•Ep. 232
What are the industry standards and best practices for paperback books? Our # AskALLi Member Q&A is hosted by Michael La Ronn and ALLi Director, Orna Ross,and this month they'll be answering this question and more. Questions include: What are ALLi's best practices for producing a book in print? What are my options if I'm not satisfied with the current print on-demand options for my book? Should I pursue paid reviews? Should I join organizations like Romance Writers Association? What are the ...
Jun 19, 2020•51 min•Ep. 233
My guest this week is Dean Blake, who has turned Instagram fame into an indie author career. What began as simple drawings that poke fun of ridiculous life situations went viral on social media and have struck a chord, especially in these times, when we can all use a good laugh. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center...
Jun 14, 2020•19 min•Ep. 231
As the world begins to tentatively unlock from social cocooning and quarantine, indie authors and others are reassessing what’s most important to them as writers and publishers. Both Orna and Joanna have used this as a time for reflection and reassessment, and they share what they’ve been doing to reshape their author brands. You are invited to reflect and reassess too in the light of their insights. And to take away some practical advice on how to make the most of any author business today. Our...
Jun 12, 2020•47 min•Ep. 230
My guest this week is Dan Holloway, who many of you already know as ALLi's news editor who updates us on our blog and podcast with the latest news from the world of independent publishing. Who you may not know is Dan Holloway the advocate for the disabled, the power lifter, the ultramarathon runner, the writer of thrillers and poetry, and the expert in how to think creatively, which is the subject of his latest book. There's more, but let's let Dan tell you his story. Every week I interview a me...
Jun 07, 2020•20 min•Ep. 229
In this month’s Fiction & Nonfiction Self-Publishing Salon, Sacha Black and Orna Ross outline the advantages and downsides of selling books directly to readers from your own author website and consider the implications for exclusivity with platforms like KDP Select. You'll learn: The tools you need How to cope with global taxes How to add other products and services, in addition to your books How to combine direct selling with selling on other platforms Best practices for direct selling If y...
Jun 05, 2020•33 min•Ep. 228
My guest this week is Lynda Edwards, an indie author who left her childhood home of Jamaica long ago, but whose writing is still flavored with the culture and magic of the Caribbean. Not too long ago, Lynda woke up from a vivid nightmare about the land of her birth, and she had no choice but to write it down. The result was her debut novel, Redemption Songs . This is the story of Lynda's journey. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why ...
May 31, 2020•16 min•Ep. 227
Are you maximizing the many opportunities for attracting attention to your poetry these days? In this salon, Orna Ross and Dalma Szentpály compare the traditional way to feature poetry ( literary magazines, competitions and eventual establishment of reputation and book publication) compared to the new way (feature on podcasts and social media, grow your audience and create a community then self-publish). While exploring both approaches, this salon focused mainly on opportunities in the vibrant n...
May 29, 2020•51 min•Ep. 226
My guest this week is Barry Faulkner, who writes police procedural novels. But to leave it at that would not adequately describe who Barry is. Let's just say that he comes from a colorful family background that I'll let him describe in his own words. Barry is a born storyteller and, at the age of seventy-five, has many tales to tell. So, I'll be quiet, for the most part, and just let Barry Faulkner tell his own story. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what i...
May 24, 2020•16 min•Ep. 225
Should I self-publish or traditionally publish? That's among the questions answered in this month's Members Q&A and Self-Publishing News Salon with Orna Ross, followed by Dan Holloway's news roundup. Other questions this month include: I am now published. Do I need to change my membership? I want to write a biographical story that exposes racism I experienced, but I don't want to be sued for libel. How do I avoid that? How do I preserve reviews if I publish a second edition of my book? What ...
May 22, 2020•42 min•Ep. 224
My guest this week is Liza Perrat, a truly international indie author—an Australian by birth who writes historical novels about France, her adopted country. In fact, you'll hear a combination of both countries in her voice. Liza's books also give voice to those who lived through painful periods in both French and Australian history. But before we talk about her books, here's Liza's story. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are...
May 17, 2020•13 min•Ep. 223
In this month's #AskALLi Advanced Salon, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn will talk about the tools they use that are the most advantageous for indie authors—from writing tools to formatting to planning, sales tracking, accounting and more. You'll discover: - More about the Alliance of Independent Authors services watchdog desk - Latest software - Artificial intelligence tools And more... This salon is for you if you want to learn more about how digital tools are changing publishing for authors - and w...
May 15, 2020•53 min•Ep. 222
My guest this week is Edward Trayer, but many schoolchildren, parents and teachers know him by the name Billy Bob Buttons. Edward went through a few incarnations before he settled on this persona, from a teacher to a pilot, but he found his life's calling when he brought the joy of reading and writing to children. Edward is also a fierce advocate for indie authors, launching an award that recognizes self-published authors in a way that does not just take their money. So, here's the story of Bill...
May 10, 2020•15 min•Ep. 221
Join author A. G. Billig in this Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlight: How to Boost Your Book Sales Using Traditional Media and P.R. Traditional media and PR are two of the most valuable tools in your book-marketing arsenal. When used wisely, they can boost your visibility, sales, and number of loyal and get you on the bestseller lists. In this presentation, you will find out the secrets that PR pros use to get their clients from starving to stardom. You will also learn what you need to d...
May 08, 2020•33 min•Ep. 220
My guest this week is Sonja Dewing, an author of adventure tales who enjoys living on the wild side while she writes about it, whether it's touring the Amazon or mixing it up in the roller derby. Sonja decided to quit her job a few years ago to focus on her writing, travel, and helping other authors, and has not regretted the decision for one second. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more ...
May 03, 2020•16 min•Ep. 219
Want to build an engaged mailing list of fans who look forward to receiving your mails? That’s what this week’s AskALLi Fiction & Nonfiction Podcast with Sacha Black and Orna Ross is all about: How to manage your mailing list to build an engaged readership. Learn: Why you need a mailing list How to capture your readers from the start with a welcome sequence What's the best kind of content for you and your list When you should mail your list and how often If you want to build fans and grow a ...
May 01, 2020•33 min•Ep. 218
My guest this week is speculative fiction author Cody Sisco. Cody has divided his indie publishing work into two parts. His series of books that straddles the divide between plausible and extraordinary, and his work on behalf of other indie authors in his hometown of Los Angeles. Taken together, Cody lives and breathes the indie publishing spirit. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them, and why they are inspiring to other authors. Find more aut...
Apr 26, 2020•16 min•Ep. 217
What if a Hybrid Publisher Wants to Charge me a Ton of Money That's among the questions answered in this month's Members Q&A and Self-Publishing News Salon with Michael LaRonn and Sacha Black (filling in for Orna Ross), followed by Dan Holloway's news roundup. Other questions this month include: What rights do I have for a short story and what are all the different things I can do with it? How long should my book chapters be? Which service is best for paperback publishing? How can I make sur...
Apr 24, 2020•43 min•Ep. 216
For this special edition of Inspirational Indie Authors, I'm going to do something a little different. I've asked the other AskALLi podcasters, and a few previous guests, to talk to us about how they're coping during the COVID-19 crisis, how they are staying connected with other writers and with their readers, and to contribute some inspirational words on how to continue to write under this kind of stress. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires them...
Apr 19, 2020•23 min•Ep. 215
In the last few weeks, much has changed as COVID-19 sweeps the world, impacting lives and the economy. In this special episode, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn discuss how indie authors can stay physically and mentally well, and keep writing, publishing, and sensitively marketing books—as well as how to prepare for potentially challenging times ahead. Our advanced salon is brought to you by specialist sponsor IngramSpark . Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, h...
Apr 17, 2020•50 min•Ep. 214
My guest this week is Clare Flynn, an historical novelist who recently won a Selfies Award for best adult fiction. Even before Clare became a full-time indie writer, she always had a spirit of rebellion inside her, from her wild college days to deciding to be her own boss in her career and her writing. Clare also travels extensively to get all the nuance of place before she embarks on a new writing adventure. Every week I interview a member of ALLi to talk about their writing and what inspires t...
Apr 12, 2020•15 min•Ep. 213
Join Robin Cutler, Orna Ross, Joanna Penn, and Sacha Black in this Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlight: The Power of Indie Publishing. Over the last few years, there has been a seismic shift of writers choosing to self-publish rather than navigate a traditional publishing path. This is partly because authors have tools that are available to make publishing both affordable and profitable as never before. But more importantly authors are choosing indie publishing as a way to better realize...
Apr 10, 2020•45 min•Ep. 212
