On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses how TikTok and indie bookstores are launching alternatives to Amazon Prime Days. TikTok's "Deals for You Days" kicks off on July 9, promoting viral videos to drive sales through their shop. Meanwhile, the American Booksellers Association's "Indies Take the Gold" campaign encourages readers to support independent bookstores with Olympic-themed promotions. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Aut...
Jul 05, 2024•11 min•Ep. 559
In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss options for simple and affordable website builders suitable for authors. Other questions include: What is the best way to get peer feedback on alternative cover designs for a spiritual, inspirational book? How does ISBN assignment work for different book formats, including audiobooks? What are effective strategies for soliciting book reviews in advance of a release? How should famous sayings of p...
Jul 03, 2024•39 min•Ep. 558
In her final episode on the Creative Self-Publishing stream of the Self-Publishing Advice & Inspirations podcast, Orna Ross outlines the relationship between publishing models and marketing models for indie authors. There are three guiding publishing values: productivity, connection, and originality—and knowing your top publishing value gives you the framework for your marketing. This episode guides you through. The Creative Self-Publishing stream of the ALLi Podcast is sponsored by Orna Ros...
Jun 30, 2024•25 min•Ep. 557
In the Reaching More Readers podcast, Dale L. Roberts and Holly Greenland continue sharing their insights on building an effective email marketing strategy for indie authors. Their discussion includes the frequency of sending mailers, how to build subscribers, and the importance of automation. Dale and Holly provide practical tips and best practices to help authors connect with readers and promote their books through the all-important email newsletters. Find more author advice, tips, and tools a...
Jun 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 556
My guest this episode is Shana Frost, who is not only ALLi's publications manager, but she's also an author who enjoys writing about people who feel like outsiders and create new families. It's a subject she knows a great deal about through her own journeys from her birthplace in India to her adopted home in Scotland. 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 topi...
Jun 23, 2024•12 min•Ep. 555
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explores a study on Canadian reading habits, revealing a shift toward readers obtaining more printed books for free. Libraries are a major source, while "free internet sites" dominate for audiobooks. Dan also covers Meta's controversial AI training policy, which faces regulatory pushback in the UK and EU. Additionally, there's news on efforts to create an ethically sourced AI training dataset. Find more author advice, tips, and to...
Jun 21, 2024•11 min•Ep. 554
In the latest episode of the Creating Better Books podcast, ALLi News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy interviews Alessandra Torre, cofounder and president of Authors A.I. They discuss how the company utilizes nongenerative AI to provide detailed analytical feedback on manuscripts, aiding authors in enhancing their writing without replacing the creative human element. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, ...
Jun 19, 2024•29 min•Ep. 553
In this episode of the Campaigns Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi Director Orna Ross interviews newly appointed Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple about the latest initiatives ALLi is taking under its Self-Publishing for All and Ethical Self-Publishing campaigns. Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue? If you’re an ALLi member, head over to the SelfPubConnect forum for support from our experienced community of indie authors, advisors, and tea...
Jun 16, 2024•32 min•Ep. 552
In this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses new surveys showing a slowdown in audiobook sales growth but an increase in listener engagement. He highlights the Independent Book Publishers Association's Innovative Voices program, offering support to publishers from marginalized communities. Dan also covers Google's recent challenges with SEO practices and piracy issues. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a hug...
Jun 14, 2024•11 min•Ep. 550
On the Publishing for Profit Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Business Adviser Joe Solari discuss essential financial strategies for indie authors. They emphasize realistic budgeting, long-term planning, and understanding brand promise to create sustainable and profitable author businesses. They address misconceptions around rapid release strategies, the impact of survivor bias, and the need for a strategic, patient approach to succeed in the competit...
Jun 12, 2024•28 min•Ep. 549
Join Becca Syme for a keynote presentation that will give you a comprehensive understanding of how mindset plays a foundational role in every aspect of an indie author's business, from the writing process to marketing, networking, and managing both successes and setbacks. Emphasizing the profound impact of mindset on productivity, creativity, and mental well-being, this session offers authors tangible strategies to cultivate a proactive attitude, to foster sustainable success for you and your bo...
Jun 09, 2024•1 hr•Ep. 548
In this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses the controversy surrounding Facebook AI, specifically Meta's decision to use user content to train its AI platforms unless users opt out. He highlights a helpful guide on how to opt out, examines a new study revealing authors' ambivalence toward AI, and introduces an app that helps users write their autobiographies. Dan also covers the legal battle between the New York Times and the creators of the game Worldle. Find mor...
Jun 07, 2024•12 min•Ep. 547
In the latest installment of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss effective strategies for marketing middle-grade or young-adult books. They emphasize the importance of targeting parents rather than children and recommend networking with other authors in the same genre to maximize visibility and sales. Other questions include: What do you do differently to launch a perma-free story or list magnet compared to a ...
Jun 05, 2024•55 min•Ep. 546
My guest this episode is Roxanne Bland, a mixed-genre author who admits that her books are not for everyone. But if you're interested in stories that throw away all the old tropes and surprise you with elements of fantasy, science fiction, and romance, then you might want to check out her work. Not only that, but Roxanne writes with one eye on real-world problems such as bigotry. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ ...
Jun 02, 2024•19 min•Ep. 545
In this episode of Self-Publishing News, Dan Holloway explores the potential impacts of a TikTok ban on print book sales, particularly in the romance and fantasy genres. He also highlights the recent sale of a first edition of Tolkien’s "The Hobbit" for £31,000, discusses the latest print and eBook sales figures, and addresses the controversy surrounding OpenAI’s use of a voice resembling Scarlett Johansson. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , w...
May 31, 2024•12 min•Ep. 544
One of the most interesting pieces of data to come from the Big Indie Author Data Drop was that even when indie authors are very successful, they don't stop doing their own marketing. They use tools and assistance/assistants, but marketing remains their responsibility, always. Many of the emerging indie authors, or those not selling, said that marketing was the task they liked least. There’s an important mindset shift required to bridge the gap from reluctant or resentful marketing to marketing ...
May 29, 2024•40 min•Ep. 543
In this Creative Self-Publishing episode, Orna Ross talks about the transformative power of values-based, story-driven email marketing. Discover why aligning your email campaigns with your core values can foster deeper connections with your audience and boost engagement with your emails. Orna walks you through the essentials of crafting compelling stories that resonate with readers, build trust, and drive action. Revolutionize your email marketing approach by putting values and storytelling at i...
May 26, 2024•27 min•Ep. 542
On the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway pays tribute to the late Nobel Prize-winning author Alice Munro and highlights recent British Book Awards winners, including Rebecca Yarros's Fourth Wing. He covers major tech and legal news: OpenAI’s disbanded risk project, the EU's fine on Microsoft, and ByteDance’s legal battle over TikTok. Dan also discusses Sony Music’s legal stance on AI and the ongoing mysteries in the blockchain world. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-...
May 24, 2024•12 min•Ep. 541
In the Reaching More Readers podcast, Dale L. Roberts and Holly Greenland discuss effective email marketing strategies for indie authors. They cover topics like choosing an email service, welcome emails, metrics to track, and engaging subscribers on a regular basis. The hosts aim to provide practical tips and best practices to help authors connect with readers and promote their books through email newsletters. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center . And, i...
May 22, 2024•24 min•Ep. 540
My guest this episode is Anna Sayburn Lane, who began her career as a journalist until she decided she had enough of writing content for other people and became a novelist. Anna's entry into indie publishing was rocky until, just recently, she decided to pivot and write to market. Now, her crime fiction is seeing fantastic sales as she works toward becoming a full-time novelist. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ b...
May 19, 2024•17 min•Ep. 539
On this week’s Self-Publishing News, Dan Holloway dives into OpenAI's recent demo of GPT-4o, a new iteration of their ChatGPT technology. The demo showcased impressive real-time processing capabilities and emotional storytelling, hinting at a future where AI-narrated audiobooks might rival human voice actors. Dan also touches on the concerns raised by the UK Publishers Association regarding copyright protection in the face of rapid AI advancements and critiques Apple’s latest iPad Pro advert for...
May 17, 2024•11 min•Ep. 540
In the latest episode of the Creating Better Books podcast, ALLi News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy interviews Kevin Stillwell, indie publishing producer for Lantern Audio. They explore the evolving landscape of audiobook creation, examining the options indie authors have, the costs involved, and how technology is reshaping the industry. Kevin shares expert insights on the essential decisions authors must navigate in audiobook production. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-p...
May 15, 2024•22 min•Ep. 538
On this month’s Campaigns Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple discuss ALLi's ongoing campaigns, such as the Big Indie Author Data Drop and the Self-Pub 3 campaign, which focus on improving author incomes through business practices. They also explain how ALLi aims to increase accessibility and inclusivity in publishing through the Self-Publishing for All campaign. Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-pub...
May 12, 2024•47 min•Ep. 539
In this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses a new proposal from OpenAI that introduces cooperative game theory to determine compensation for authors whose works help train AI. This innovative approach aims to calculate the specific contributions of individual creators to AI outputs and allocate earnings accordingly, similar to determining the mix of colors in a paint blend. Dan examines the potential of this system to fairly reward creators and its computational f...
May 10, 2024•11 min•Ep. 539
In this episode of the Publishing for Profit podcast stream, ALLI’s Australian ambassador and nonfiction adviser, Anna Featherstone, and Director Orna Ross, focus on adding value to your book without adding to costs. Learn tips and tools for lowering the costs of editing and marketing, in particular, without compromising on the quality or impact of your work. 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 org...
May 08, 2024•46 min•Ep. 537
My guest this episode is Sarah Banham, an author who admits that she is so restless that she refuses to be pinned down to one genre. Her fiction and nonfiction work keep her excited about writing, and she also helps other authors find their own voices. It wasn't until she turned forty that she gained the confidence to do this on her own, and she has not stopped since. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog posts, ...
May 05, 2024•17 min•Ep. 536
In this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explores the potential US ban on TikTok and its implications for Gen Z readers and authors who use BookTok for book marketing. Dan examines alternative platforms like Discord for author-reader connections, noting that they may not match TikTok's ability to foster new readers. This discussion is crucial given BookTok's substantial role in influencing book trends and revitalizing interest in physical books among younger readers. Fin...
May 03, 2024•11 min•Ep. 535
In the latest installment of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss effective strategies for finding ARC (Advanced Review Copy) reviewers for manuscripts. Other questions include: Do I need a new ISBN if I change the cover? Do I need to use a different ISBN for each retailer when publishing on Kindle and other platforms? How can I create a legal disclaimer for a memoir written as fiction? Is it possible to retain rights to my characters and book world w...
May 01, 2024•40 min•Ep. 534
This episode focuses on the unique challenges faced by multi-genre authors in the self-publishing sector. ALLi Director Orna Ross provides practical solutions and personal examples for targeting different readers, establishing a cohesive brand, maintaining quality across genres, managing reader expectations, and building genre-specific expertise, along with tips for optimizing your time. The Creative Self-Publishing stream of the ALLi Podcast is sponsored by Orna Ross's Creative Planning Program...
Apr 28, 2024•26 min•Ep. 533
In this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses a significant legal victory in Japan where three manga publishers won $10 million in damages from a piracy site, potentially setting a precedent for how lost earnings are calculated in copyright infringement cases. This ruling could reshape the global debate over the impact of piracy on sales. Dan also touches on HarperCollins' partnership with Eleven Labs for AI-narrated audiobooks, exploring the balance between technol...
Apr 26, 2024•12 min•Ep. 532
