My guest this episode is Alfred O'Neill, an author who took a rather unconventional childhood filled with contradictions and turned them into self-published thrillers. Alfred's father was a low-level mobster who nevertheless sent him to Quaker schools where they emphasized morality and love. Alfred delves into these dual ideas in his "Love and Murder" series of books. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook pub...
Apr 30, 2023•20 min•Ep. 429
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss insights gleaned from their visits to the 2023 London Book Fair and 20Books to 50K conference in Spain. They share what they consider to be the most important trends, tools and technologies emerging for authors, with advice on how to make these work for you, and their personal lessons learned. The #AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is sponsored by IngramSpark: "Go Publish Your...
Apr 28, 2023•49 min•Ep. 428
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss ten creative planning principles. Indie authors and publishers have to integrate purpose, profits, and pleasure. It’s a balancing act and these principles help to keep us upright. The Creative Self-Publishing podcast stream is sponsored by Orna Ross’s guidebook: Creative Self-Publishing. You can purchase the book at selfpublishingAdvice.org/creative . ALLI members receive the ebook ...
Apr 23, 2023•30 min•Ep. 427
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: A new ALLi income survey finds that self-publishing authors can earn more than writers with publishers if it's done properly. Also, what does Amazon's closing of its Book Depository mean for the future of its book business? And can ChatGPT be sued for libel? News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss these and other stories making the news this month in indie publishing. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self...
Apr 21, 2023•25 min•Ep. 426
My guest this episode is Karen Inglis, a self-published children's author with over a half-million sales. She also wrote a book for other indie authors on how to write and market books for children. Among other things, she says it's important to think locally and write from the heart. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a quick and easy publishing process and u...
Apr 16, 2023•16 min•Ep. 425
In this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: young author problems. What are the legal ramifications of my seven-year-old granddaughter authoring a book and I'm one of the co-authors? Other questions include: If I interview other authors in my book, who owns the copyright to their responses? Where can I get help with marketing and cover design? Does my author website need a privacy policy? Is there a limit to how many times a work can appear on Amazon (in antholog...
Apr 14, 2023•51 min•Ep. 424
My guest this episode is Julia Boggio, who went from professional photographer to indie author. Along the way, she experienced early viral fame and launched a clever marketing campaign that recruited her fellow photographers in promoting her work. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a quick and easy publishing process and unique promotional opportunities. To re...
Apr 09, 2023•20 min•Ep. 423
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss crowdfunding for authors. They share their own experiences and upcoming plans while providing insights into how to set up a successful crowdfunding campaign, engage your reader community, and smash your funding goals. 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...
Apr 07, 2023•46 min•Ep. 422
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss how to work with resistance to restart your creative flow. In their last show, they talked about the Seven Signs of Publishing Resistance . In this episode, Orna and Howard talk about how to connect once more with your creative side. The Creative Self-Publishing podcast stream is sponsored by Orna Ross’s guidebook: Creative Self-Publishing. You can purchase the book at selfpublishin...
Apr 02, 2023•26 min•Ep. 421
In today's Beginners Self-Publishing Podcast: launching reviews. Selling books can be a tough gig for authors who are yet to attract an audience. When you’re unknown, you need reviews to get sales. But you also need sales to get reviews. Thankfully, there are ways to break out of this vicious cycle. In this episode, ALLi’s Product Marketing Manager Dan Parsons and Campaigns Manager Melissa Addey discuss a few time-tested ways authors with no contacts and a shoestring budget can accumulate early ...
Mar 31, 2023•44 min•Ep. 420
My guest this episode is Melissa Addey, who you may already know as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors and co-host of the Beginners Self-Publishing podcast. But Melissa is also an accomplished indie author, herself, focusing on historical fiction. She also uses her expertise to help other self-published authors find their voices. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing plat...
Mar 26, 2023•19 min•Ep. 419
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: A new ALLi Income Survey will reveal just how much indie authors really make. Also, the US Copyright Office issues ruling on AI-generated text, and how Silicon Valley bank failures impact your author business. News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss these and other stories making the news this month in indie publishing. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge ar...
Mar 24, 2023•18 min•Ep. 418
My guest this episode is Jess Lohmann, an author who draws attention to animal rights through her books for young adults. Also, for adults, she focuses her business on ethical marketing. Jess managed to take an uninspiring marketing career and change it to one that reflects her values. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a quick and easy publishing process and ...
Mar 19, 2023•16 min•Ep. 417
What are the legal implications of publishing an unauthorized biography? That is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black. Other questions include: Help! Amazon canceled my preorder! How do I get reviews for my books? Are Scrivener or Jutoh suitable apps for indie authors? If my poems are printed in the local paper, does that make them "previously published" for other submissions or contests? And more! Our Members Q&A Podcast is br...
Mar 17, 2023•36 min•Ep. 416
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the seven signs of writing resistance and block. As you plan your creative expansion and set about putting your plans into action, you will meet resistance. This is inevitable, part of the process, and not a personal weakness or a sign that you should give up. Orna breaks down how to identify the different forms of resistance. The Creative Self-Publishing podcast stream is sponsored...
Mar 12, 2023•30 min•Ep. 415
In today's Beginners Self-Publishing Podcast: soft launching a book. Thanks to movies and a narrative perpetuated by trade publishers, debut authors fixate on big book launches, characterized by perfection and fanfare. The reality, however, is that many experienced authors stagger book launches, choosing not to fire all cylinders at once for a variety of reasons. In this episode, ALLi’s Product Marketing Manager Dan Parsons and Campaigns Manager Melissa Addey discuss such practices, explaining w...
Mar 10, 2023•36 min•Ep. 414
My guest this episode is Michael Webb, who writes YA Fantasy books, but attracts readers of all ages. Michael has a great deal of advice for other authors on how to successfully write, launch, and market a debut novel and keep the momentum going for subsequent books. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a quick and easy publishing process and unique promotional ...
Mar 05, 2023•23 min•Ep. 413
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss how to make more money than the average author. Anecdotal evidence indicates that authors who take self-publishing seriously earn more, on average, than authors who are exclusively trade-published. As ALLi conducts research into independent author income, Orna and Joanna review some initial findings, survey the landscape, and ask: What levers can you pull to make more money as an i...
Mar 03, 2023•49 min•Ep. 412
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the three models of independent publishing. They are volume publishing, engagement publishing, and craft publishing. Each model comes with its own priorities and values that affect every aspect of the publishing process, from production to promotion. Orna details how each model works. The Creative Self-Publishing podcast stream is sponsored by Orna Ross’s guidebook: Creative Self-Pu...
Feb 26, 2023•32 min•Ep. 411
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: Amazon changes its ebook returns policy, much to the relief of authors. Also, Substack allows private, curated audiences. And in the Tech Corner, humans strike back against AI. News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss these and other stories making the news this month in indie publishing. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts,...
Feb 24, 2023•20 min•Ep. 410
My guest this episode is Karen A. Chase, who began her career in advertising and marketing before she had an epiphany one day and decided she wanted to contribute something more lasting to society as an author. But she also uses her background to help other authors navigate their way through the many roads to marketing their work. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors...
Feb 19, 2023•17 min•Ep. 409
Unlimited marketing is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Orna Ross. Other questions include: If you had $10,000 to spend on marketing, how would you spend it? What are your tips for publishing a 900-page book? Can you give a refresher on the benefits, pros/cons of using IngramSpark? Where can I find an illustrator? And more! Our Members Q&A Podcast is brought to you by specialist sponsor Kobo Writing Life , a global, independent ebook a...
Feb 17, 2023•44 min•Ep. 408
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy talk about where to spend your time, energy, and money. Indie publishers juggle many roles as they write, publish, and market their work, plus hold down other jobs to pay the bills. Sometimes, it can seem overwhelming. In this episode, Orna answers questions on how to prioritize and focus on the most meaningful aspects of your indie author business. The Creative Self-Publishing podcast stre...
Feb 12, 2023•25 min•Ep. 407
In today's Beginners Self-Publishing Podcast: book formats and distribution. When average readers discuss the book trade, many tend to have a one-track mind focused on print books and physical bookstores. The truth, though, is that books have much more potential in terms of formats and distribution. In this episode, ALLi Product Marketing Manager Dan Parsons and Campaigns Manager Melissa Addey lead a discussion on the range of intellectual property assets an author can create from a single book,...
Feb 10, 2023•55 min•Ep. 406
My guest this episode is Maryann Reid, who writes women's fiction aimed at an African American audience, and she found success with that formula at St. Martin's Press for a decade. Then the economic downturn happened in 2008, and she had to rethink everything. She came out the other side with a new voice as an indie author. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life, a global, independent ebook and audiobook publishing platform that empowers authors with a...
Feb 05, 2023•17 min•Ep. 405
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss opportunities for indie authors in 2023. The rise of AI tools, the growth of the creator economy, and the emergence of previously underrepresented writers and genres mean 2023 looks set to be an exciting year to be writing and publishing books. In this AskALLi Podcast, Orna and Joanna survey the opportunities and challenges for indie authors aiming to make better books and reach mo...
Feb 03, 2023•46 min•Ep. 404
In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Penny Sansevieri discusses the seven ways to build direct connections with readers. You’ve probably heard the term “super fans” thrown around a lot. But how do you go from having casual readers to activating the super fan connection? By the end of this session, you will learn how to build more connections with readers, drive more word-of-mouth recommendations, get more reviews, and sell more books! This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing ...
Jan 27, 2023•56 min•Ep. 403
My guest this episode is Millicent Eidson, a retired public health veterinarian and epidemiologist who worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with state health departments. Now she's the author of the Maya Maguire microbial mystery series, which seeks to make public health and climate change understandable and even entertaining to a general audience, something that is necessary in the age of pandemics. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo...
Jan 22, 2023•13 min•Ep. 402
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: Experiments with Midjourney and ChatGPT. ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Apple turns to AI for audiobook narration, and many authors are up in arms over a children's book written and illustrated by AI. Howard talks about his experiments with AI in fiction and how the technology can be incorporated into your creative work without replacing it. Find more au...
Jan 20, 2023•25 min•Ep. 401
Cover plagiarism is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black. Other questions include: In the United States, should I register my copyright to send ARCs to readers? Does ALLi offer access to scriptwriters? My contract with my literary agent is scheduled to close in forty-five days. Can I self-publish my book on pre-order? What's the best way to handle character backstories that don't end up in my book? And more! Our Members Q&A Pod...
Jan 13, 2023•55 min•Ep. 400
