My guest this episode is J. W. Judge, an author who writes fantasy novels while also holding down a busy day job as a lawyer and is very involved in family life. Judge says that to be a prolific writer, you don't necessarily need to let other aspects of your life suffer. In our interview, he'll tell us how it's done. I'll let J. W. Judge tell his story. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform t...
Sep 11, 2022•14 min•Ep. 369
Orna Ross, director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, talks to ALLi News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy about upcoming additions and changes to our twice-weekly family of podcasts. We took a little more than a month off to collect feedback from listeners and we're coming back with new hosts, new shows, improved content, all with the same commitment to giving you the news and advice you need as independent authors. Have a listen and learn what's new! Find more author advice, tips and tool...
Sep 09, 2022•7 min•Ep. 370
Hello, everyone. A short broadcast from us today. It's Orna Ross here, director of the Alliance of Independent Authors, just here to tell you that we are taking a short production break. We will be back at the beginning of September. We are doing a major upgrade of the podcast, as well as the general Self-Publishing Advice Center, from our ratings pages, where we bring you the best and the worst of the self-publishing services out there, the awards page, where we look at and rate the awards and ...
Jul 08, 2022•5 min•Ep. 368
In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Sacha Black discusses how to level up your side characters. All too often, side characters are afterthoughts for an author. Most writers spend their time focused on the hero and the plot, so their side characters are slapped on without much thought. But they shouldn’t be. Side characters are the pillars upon which your heroes and villains stand. By the end of this session, you will learn: The principles of creating captivating side characters The mos...
Jul 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 367
My guest this episode is Keith A Pearson, who grew up in economically disadvantaged conditions in England, left school when he was sixteen, and developed a work ethic as he advanced in his career. That work ethic came in handy when he transitioned to full-time author. It was a very unlikely new career choice for Keith, who did not exactly surround himself with the literati. In fact, he wrote his first book on a bar bet with a friend. I'll let Keith A Pearson tell the rest of his story. ALLi's In...
Jun 26, 2022•18 min•Ep. 366
Today on Self-Publishing News: Spotify rewrites the rules on audiobook sales by ditching the subscription model and going à la carte. Also, Spotify buys an AI narration tool, but is artificial intelligence really ready to take over from human narrators? These are among the topics discussed on Self-Publishing News with ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center : https://selfpublishin...
Jun 24, 2022•18 min•Ep. 365
Should I traditionally publish my book? This is among the questions answered on our #AskALLi Members Q&A hosted by Michael La Ronn, author of science fiction and fantasy novels as well as author self-help books; and ALLi Director, author, and poet Orna Ross. Other questions include: Do I have to blog to be successful at writing? Should I hire someone to manage my social media? I've been approached by a legitimate traditional publisher! What do I do? And more! Our Members Q&A Podcast is b...
Jun 17, 2022•43 min•Ep. 364
My guest this episode is Tessa Buckley, who had a successful career working with architects and designers until she developed multiple sclerosis and had to rethink everything about her life. This led to research about the proper diet to prevent the progression of MS, which in turn led to a brand-new writing career. Today, she writes middle-grade adventure stories and, she says, there's no better time to be a disabled author. I'll let Tessa Buckley tell her story. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Autho...
Jun 12, 2022•15 min•Ep. 363
The indie author’s life is full of creative transformations, which means closing one phase and beginning another. In this session, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn discuss their current transitions, lessons learned from years of growth, and the projects and approaches they left behind along the way. The #AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is sponsored by IngramSpark: "Go Publish Yourself!" Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center, http://selfpublishingadvice.org...
Jun 10, 2022•44 min•Ep. 364
In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Nick Stephenson discusses how to write emails that sell books. Nick will breakdown the four essential elements of every successful marketing email, including how to come up with topics and ideas (even if you have no idea what to write about), the "missing link" to launch campaigns that can double your sales, and how to integrate your sales message in a fun and interesting way without being "pushy." By the end of this session, you will: have an action...
Jun 03, 2022•43 min•Ep. 362
My guest this episode is Kelly Chang Rickert, a family law attorney in California who is often asked to comment on high-profile celebrity divorce cases. But to Kelly, the airing of dirty laundry in public and couples who just cannot get past their disagreements can only have a negative impact on children. That's why she started writing books for divorcing parents and their children to read together. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, indepe...
May 29, 2022•13 min•Ep. 361
Today on Self-Publishing News: Book bans vs. hate literature. Librarians are accusing the Hoopla platform of distributing antisemitic and other conspiracy theory books, including Holocaust denial titles. But where is the line between "banning books" and establishing standards? Also, the Society of Authors released a report slamming all hybrid services. But do they all deserve to be painted with the same brush? These are among the topics discussed on Self-Publishing News with ALLi News Editor Dan...
May 27, 2022•21 min•Ep. 362
Does your personal brand as an author match your books? When we’ve been publishing for a while, we can sometimes lose sight of our author brand and what it’s saying to our readers. In this Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast episode, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about pivots they needed to make to their author branding to make it more relevant and personal—and the lessons learned along the way. The #AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is sponsored by IngramSpark: "Go Publish Yourself!" Find mo...
May 20, 2022•44 min•Ep. 360
My guest this episode is Jennifer Helfand, who writes under the pen name Jordana Chana Mayim. Jennifer specializes in writing stories for children and adults about people who don't quite fit in, who long for something more in their lives. It's a subject she knows well because she spent a childhood not really fitting in, herself, until she found travel, writing, and indie publishing. Jennifer hopes that her books help others find where they can fit in, too. I'll let Jennifer tell her story. ALLi'...
May 15, 2022•15 min•Ep. 359
How do I write in multiple genres? That is among the questions answered on our #AskALLi Member Q&A hosted by Michael La Ronn, author of science fiction and fantasy novels as well as author self-help books; and ALLi Director, author, and poet Orna Ross. Other questions include: How can I find a reputable translator? What is the best way to get free editorial reviews for my book? When setting up an account at a retailer like Amazon, should I use my real name or a pen name identity? In my histo...
May 13, 2022•36 min•Ep. 358
What is an author platform? If you’re just setting out as an indie author, how do you build one? In this episode, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Content Production Manager Dan Parsons outline the fundamental pillars that uphold a good author platform—one that spreads your message and sells your books—without spending a fortune on advertising. This podcast is brought to you by specialist sponsor Dartfrog Books . ALLi Partner Member DartFrog Books provides indie authors with opportunities for booksto...
May 06, 2022•30 min•Ep. 357
My guest this episode is Ivan Wainewright, whose second book, The Other Times of Caroline Tangent , recently won the 2022 Selfie Award for fiction. It was presented to him at the Author HQ corner of the London Book Fair in early April. He was so surprised that he had won the award that acknowledges the best self-published books of the year, he had to run across the hall to fetch his book. But, as we'll hear in this episode, Ivan has been preparing to write this book for most of his life. I'll le...
May 01, 2022•15 min•Ep. 356
Today on Self-Publishing News: Indie publishing is a great news story! I've given ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway the month off while I focus on the 10th anniversary of the Alliance of Independent Authors. I recently flew from my hometown of Traverse City, Michigan, to London to attend the London Book Fair, where my colleagues at ALLi were celebrating a decade since our founder, Orna Ross, launched the self-publishing group at 2012's book fair. I come from a journalism background, so I did what I ...
Apr 29, 2022•20 min•Ep. 355
On the Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast: Ten years of self-publishing. As part of its anniversary celebrations, ALLi has been looking back at the past decade —and forward towards the next. In this podcast episode, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn offer a personal perspective on how the unfolding trends of the past ten years affected their own writing and publishing and their hopes and intentions for the next ten years. The #AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is sponsored by IngramSpark: "Go Publish...
Apr 22, 2022•46 min•Ep. 354
This is a special episode, looking at ten years of the team at the Alliance of Independent Authors. We've been celebrating ALLi's tenth birthday over the last few weeks. We wanted to take a moment to look at the team behind ALLi's success. This episode looks at where our team members were ten years ago, where they are today, and where they might be in ten years' time.
Apr 19, 2022•29 min
My guest this episode is Dharma Kelleher, a trans writer who believes it is important, especially in these troubled times, to portray trans characters as just as human as everybody else. Since her childhood in Georgia, Dharma has known what it is like to be marginalized. Today, she has a great deal to teach about empowerment through her fiction and nonfiction. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing pla...
Apr 17, 2022•17 min•Ep. 353
How do I obtain photo permission in my book? That is among the questions answered on our #AskALLi Members Q&A hosted by Michael La Ronn, author of science fiction and fantasy novels as well as author self-help books; and ALLi Director, author, and poet Orna Ross. Other questions include: Should I hire a formatter? If I republish my book, do I need a new ISBN? When do I have to pay sales tax? What should I put on the copyright page? And more! Our Members Q&A Podcast is brought to you by s...
Apr 15, 2022•35 min•Ep. 352
Today on the #AskALLi Foundational Self-Publishing podcast: Are book fairs the right place for indie authors? Recorded at the London Book Fair, this podcast focuses on how indie authors can make the most of publishing conferences like this one. ALLi Director Orna Ross and Production Manager Dan Parsons talk about networking for indie authors. What you should know before walking into the chaos and crowds of a book fair. This podcast is brought to you by specialist sponsor Dartfrog Books . ALLi Pa...
Apr 08, 2022•17 min•Ep. 351
My guest this episode is Julie Bonn Blank, who suffered from domestic abuse during her first marriage, but now uses that experience to help others through the pain and recovery of abuse and human trafficking. Her indie publishing journey is part of her overall mission to show victims the way to a better life. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a quick and easy pu...
Apr 03, 2022•16 min•Ep. 350
In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Carissa Andrews discusses writing books for rapid release. Having a sustainable author career that’s both fulfilling and profitable means setting yourself up for success from the start. All too often, however, our mindset hinders us from writing the first book, let alone prepare us for our long-term author goals. We’re about to change all of that! Andrews will show you how deliberately mapping out four books a year can transform your author career, y...
Apr 01, 2022•34 min•Ep. 351
Brandon Sanderson, a sci-fi/fantasy author, raised more than $30 million on Kickstarter. And, for some reason, people are really, really outraged that an indie writer, of all people, should attract that much attention and money. This is among the topics discussed on Self-Publishing News with ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy. Together, they will bring you the latest in indie publishing news. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Auth...
Mar 25, 2022•17 min•Ep. 349
My guest this episode is Orna Ross, director of the Alliance of Independent Authors. I'm having her on as a special guest to celebrate ALLi's tenth birthday. It was at the London Book Fair in 2012 that Orna announced the formation of a group to help, and advocate for, the growing number of indie authors who were demanding to be heard. And in the last decade, ALLi has grown far bigger than even she had imagined. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a gl...
Mar 20, 2022•22 min•Ep. 348
Today on the #AskALLi Foundational Self-Publishing podcast: What we wish we knew when we started as indie authors. To celebrate the ten-year anniversary of the Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Production Manager Dan Parsons discuss all the things they wish they knew when they first started out as authors. Topics range from community and professionalism to marketing, productivity, business models, and health. Plus, they will touch upon some of the big changes that have...
Mar 18, 2022•38 min•Ep. 347
What are the first steps for a new author? That is among the questions answered on our #AskALLi Members Q&A hosted by Michael La Ronn, author of science fiction and fantasy novels as well as author self-help books; and ALLi Director, author, and poet Orna Ross. Other questions include: When should I set up my publishing company? What should be my first steps in publishing a book? What is the best place to find reputable agents to query? How can I create Advanced Review Copies of my book? Sho...
Mar 11, 2022•48 min•Ep. 346
My guest this episode is Harriet Hodgson, who is eighty-six years old and spent most of her life as an educator. Then, one by one, she lost important people in her life. The way she coped with grief was to write about it. And then to create art. Since 2007, Harriet has specialized in writing literature on how to deal with loss. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author interviews are sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with ...
Mar 06, 2022•18 min•Ep. 345
