My guest this episode is Sylvia Bourgeois, who writes stories featuring strong, unconventional women set against the natural beauty and industry of the Pacific Northwest. A former heavy equipment operator and project manager, Sylvia uses her unique life experiences to craft compelling historical fiction. Her latest novel, Here, Now, takes readers on a journey from 1920s Seattle to a remote logging camp in British Columbia. I spoke to Sylvia about how her childhood, career, and creative process h...
Dec 08, 2024•31 min•Ep. 615
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway examines Spines, a new AI-powered self-publishing service claiming to revolutionize the industry with faster and cheaper book production. He also discusses the growing dominance of AI startups in publishing, OpenAI’s latest legal troubles, and revelations about the true size of the audiobook market, which may be far larger than official figures suggest. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-qua...
Dec 06, 2024•12 min•Ep. 616
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, ALLi's nonfiction adviser Anna Featherstone talks with Michael Hanrahan, founder of Publish Central, about ways authors can save money when outsourcing publishing tasks. They cover topics such as reducing editing costs by improving your manuscript, making cost-effective printing decisions, managing contracts, and understanding what’s truly necessary for distribution. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-Publishing Author A...
Dec 04, 2024•44 min•Ep. 614
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explores major developments in audiobooks, including Amazon Music's move into the market and Spotify's new deal with Bloomsbury. He also discusses ByteDance and Microsoft's ventures into publishing, with ByteDance focusing on BookTok-friendly genres and Microsoft aiming to speed up the publishing process. With tech companies increasingly disrupting the industry, Dan examines what these changes mean for authors. Sponsors Self-Publi...
Nov 29, 2024•12 min•Ep. 613
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews Karen Inglis, a best-selling author and ALLi's children's book adviser. They explore the author’s role in creating children’s picture books, working with illustrators, managing costs, and choosing trim sizes and print quality. Karen also highlights the importance of perfecting the story and having clear contracts with illustrators. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing...
Nov 27, 2024•37 min•Ep. 612
My guest this episode is Douglas Vigliotti, author of Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story. In this book, Douglas adapts Aristotle’s Poetics for modern novelists, breaking down the ancient principles that have shaped storytelling for over 2,000 years. He explores how these ideas apply not only to fiction but also to the stories we live every day. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ blo...
Nov 24, 2024•42 min•Ep. 611
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway examines the European Union's AI Act Draft Code of Practice, focusing on its impact on copyright, transparency, and data use in AI training. He also reports on the growth of self-publishing, with over 2.5 million books self-published with ISBNs last year—a 7.2 percent increase—and discusses how the new measures aim to protect authors from unauthorized use of their work by AI platforms. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly spon...
Nov 22, 2024•11 min•Ep. 610
The Alliance of Independent Authors hosts a discussion on the decision-making process behind whether to pivot or quit on a project. Eight indie authors share strategies for recognizing when a project may not be working and provide guidance on pivoting to optimize both profit and creative potential. This session offers practical advice to help authors navigate indie publishing challenges and turn creative setbacks into financial success. Featured Authors : Anna Sayburn Lane (Crime Fiction), N.J. ...
Nov 17, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 609
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reflects on the passing of publishing influencer Mike Shatzkin and his impact on the industry. He also discusses Amazon’s decision to close its Kindle Vella serial fiction program and what it means for authors, and examines the tech industry’s stance on AI and creativity as shared at TechCrunch's Disrupt Conference. With tech startups promoting AI as a democratizing force, Dan explores the tension between creative freedom and the ...
Nov 15, 2024•10 min•Ep. 608
Award-winning indie author Todd Fahnestock reveals the secrets to building a successful personal brand and connecting with readers in this insightful interview. From mastering in-person sales to harnessing the power of storytelling, Todd shares key strategies for branding and promoting your books. Curious how email marketing and newsletters can boost your reader loyalty? Todd breaks down his best practices while emphasizing the importance of authenticity and learning from failure. Discover what ...
Nov 13, 2024•41 min•Ep. 607
My guest this episode is X. Ho Yen, a science fiction author whose work challenges traditional genre boundaries. X draws on a career in aerospace engineering and his own experiences with neurodivergence to create what he calls 'realism-based' science fiction. He avoids typical tropes in favor of narratives grounded in complex human challenges. 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...
Nov 10, 2024•38 min•Ep. 606
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses the alliance between Andreessen Horowitz and Microsoft against AI regulation, ElevenLabs' new app that converts text to audio, Amazon’s Kindle Color launch, and Collins Dictionary’s word of the year, "brat." 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 stu...
Nov 08, 2024•11 min•Ep. 605
In this Self-Publishing with ALLi episode, Nonfiction Adviser Anna Featherstone and Outreach Manager Michael La Ronn discuss ISBNs and why indie authors should consider owning them. Michael shares practical tips on buying, managing, and using ISBNs across book formats, with a focus on how this choice impacts professionalism, distribution, and control over your work. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-Publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog pos...
Nov 06, 2024•35 min•Ep. 604
In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether it’s possible for indie authors to achieve the print quality of traditional publishing when using print-on-demand services. Other questions include Should authors share royalties with mentors in exchange for marketing help? How can indie authors manage metadata consistency across different platforms? What are best practices for selling foreign translation rights? How do ad conversion rate...
Nov 03, 2024•46 min•Ep. 603
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway shares highlights from the Written Word Media Indie Author Survey, examining the factors behind authors’ financial success. From top-performing genres to effective marketing and cover design strategies, Dan reveals what’s driving higher earnings. He also discusses the strong role Kindle Unlimited plays for top earners and the importance of mailing lists for boosting engagement and sales. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sp...
Nov 01, 2024•16 min•Ep. 602
This week on the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Tiffany Yates Martin, editor and founder of Foxprint Editorial. Tiffany shares her insights on balancing the art and business of writing, adapting to market changes, and overcoming challenges like perfectionism and imposter syndrome. She also discusses how authors can find fulfillment by aligning their values with their goals. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice cen...
Oct 30, 2024•36 min•Ep. 601
My guest this episode is Delaney Diamond. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Delaney had a career in business before transitioning to writing full-time. Since 2011, she has self-published over 50 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In our conversation, Delaney talks about how she’s managed to become such a prolific author, reveals her marketing secrets, and tells of how she helps other authors by offering consulting services. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publ...
Oct 27, 2024•25 min•Ep. 600
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway highlights a major opportunity for indie authors: a $100,000 book prize open to all writers. He also recaps the Frankfurt Book Fair, discusses how AI tools are changing publishing, and explores the future of interactive storytelling. 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 fulfillmen...
Oct 25, 2024•10 min•Ep. 599
In a departure from the usual format, in this episode Orna Ross and Joanna Penn hand their podcast notes over to Google’s NotebookLM to see what this new AI tool makes of their topic: "5 Myths that Hold Indie Authors Back — And How to Break Free." Joanna shares key developments in AI conversation tools, and as AI continues to shape the industry, Orna asks: What does it mean to stay true to your creative self in an AI-powered publishing industry? Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our se...
Oct 23, 2024•24 min•Ep. 598
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway dives into why "bookshops are cool" according to a recent survey, exploring the unique appeal of browsing shelves and finding new reads in person. He also discusses South Korean author Han Kang's Nobel Prize win and asks whether AI might soon compete with humans in literature and science. Dan rounds out the show with insights on AI rights and metadata protections for authors. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by B...
Oct 18, 2024•12 min•Ep. 597
On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast’s Branding, Marketing, and Promotion stream, Dale L. Roberts speaks with Pauline Wiles, an indie author and website designer, about the importance of branding and effective website design. They discuss the evolution of web design, common mistakes authors make, and the significance of building an email list. Pauline shares insights on budgeting for a website, SEO best practices, and the role of an author’s website in their overall marketing strategy. Spons...
Oct 16, 2024•37 min•Ep. 596
My guest this episode is Sally Clarke, an author and ALLi ambassador based in Singapore. Sally’s passion for Muay Thai—Thailand’s traditional martial art—inspired her latest book, which tells the story of a young fighter’s journey to overcome the odds. She’s now working to grow the indie author community in her region and support other writers in their publishing journeys. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center , with a huge archive of 2,000+ blog po...
Oct 13, 2024•20 min•Ep. 595
On this episode of The Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway breaks down what indie authors need to know about the European Accessibility Act and its 2025 deadline. He also explores Canada’s controversial copyright exemption for educational use and its implications, along with the recent MacArthur “Genius” Awards for writers. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties sell...
Oct 11, 2024•14 min•Ep. 594
Some publishers claim to be in the hybrid publishing space when they’re, in fact, service providers or little more than vanity publishers. So, what is hybrid publishing really, and what are the potential upsides and downsides for authors bringing books out under this model? Listen to Anna Featherstone, ALLi’s nonfiction adviser, and Christopher Locke, director of Membership and Member Services for the Independent Book Publishers Association, as they explain what authors need to be aware of when ...
Oct 09, 2024•45 min•Ep. 593
In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether blog tours are still an effective marketing tool for authors and how they compare to other promotional strategies. Other questions include: Do authors need to update ISBN metadata after a book is launched How can authors transition from part-time to full-time writing while improving marketing efforts? What should authors consider when releasing a second edition of a book? What mistakes sh...
Oct 06, 2024•46 min•Ep. 592
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses Audible’s latest AI-powered recommendation tools designed to improve audiobook discovery. He also covers WordPress’s ongoing feud with WP Engine and how it affects authors who rely on the platform. Finally, he dives into Canva’s controversial new pricing structure and its impact on small businesses and creative collectives. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-deman...
Oct 04, 2024•13 min•Ep. 591
In this episode of the Advice on Editing & Design stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Jennifer Hilt, USA Today bestselling author of the “Trope the Sorrows” series, about how indie authors can effectively use tropes to sell their stories without sacrificing creativity. They explore the difference between tropes and clichés, how to leverage tropes for marketing, and the role they play in meeting reader expectations across genres. Find ...
Oct 02, 2024•33 min•Ep. 590
My guest this episode is Michelle Winkler, who writes dark urban fantasy. Michelle struggles with ADHD, which makes it challenging to focus on long-term goals, but she overcame it after completing NaNoWriMo, the National Novel Writing Month challenge. Now, she’s passionate about using her experiences to help other indie authors. 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 ...
Sep 29, 2024•18 min•Ep. 590
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reviews the results of Draft2Digital’s AI rights survey, showing that many authors are hesitant to sell their work for AI training, with 45 percent opposing the idea. Dan also explores concerns over competitive vs. non-competitive AI models, payment expectations, and the general mistrust authors have toward AI companies. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books direc...
Sep 27, 2024•11 min•Ep. 591
In this month's episode of Reaching More Readers, Holly Greenland and Dale L. Roberts discuss the best practices for marketing and promoting your book when publishing across multiple platforms. They cover how to communicate to your readers in a clear and concise way that gets hits, along with the hidden benefits of creating a universal book link (UBL) for your book when publishing wide. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center . And, if you haven’t already, w...
Sep 25, 2024•28 min•Ep. 589
