Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews ALLi Editor-in-Chief Roz Morris about the art and craft of ghostwriting. Roz discusses her path into the field, the range of genres she has worked in, and the importance of preserving the client’s voice. They explore the balance between editing and ghostwriting, the collaborative process, and how ghostwriters often act as informal therapists. Roz also covers payment, time management, spotting red flags, and the rewards of ghostwriting despite its anon...
Apr 30, 2025•32 min•Ep. 668
My guest this episode is Jacqueline Murray, who took an unconventional path from medical device marketer to author of a romance series that blends love and quantum theory. Her books feature storylines that challenge genre conventions and feature characters later in life. 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 topic you need. We invite you to join our organizati...
Apr 27, 2025•23 min•Ep. 667
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Spotify receiving the BISG Industry Innovator Award for its audiobook efforts, including new tools for indie authors. He also highlights Patreon’s launch of unlimited in-platform livestreaming, a move that supports creators building subscription-based communities. Finally, Dan explores a growing trend in book subscription services: curating and now publishing original content tailored to their audiences. Sponsors Self-P...
Apr 25, 2025•11 min•Ep. 668
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with Rebekah Lambert, a poet, playwright, content strategist, and founder of the Freelance Jungle, about how authors can produce and distribute zines. They discuss how zines give writers permission not to be perfect, offer a low-pressure way to spark creativity, and help both fiction and nonfiction authors deepen connections with readers. Show Notes List of Australian Writers Festivals for 2025 Find more author ad...
Apr 23, 2025•43 min•Ep. 666
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, host Michael La Ronn discusses whether it's worth hiring a marketing company to promote your second book—and why many authors might be better off learning to market themselves first. Other questions include: Is there still a stigma around self-publishing in 2025? Should I limit how often I run Kindle Countdown Deals for the first book in a series? What’s the best mix of platforms for distributing ebooks and print books? Do ...
Apr 20, 2025•38 min•Ep. 665
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that new US tariffs will not apply to printed books, thanks to an information exemption, though the impact on printing materials remains unclear. He covers Canva’s launch of AI tools following a pricing change, a legal brief challenging Meta’s use of copyrighted content, and Ingram’s new MediaScout platform, which showcases indie books for film and TV adaptation. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookva...
Apr 18, 2025•11 min•Ep. 664
Join Dale L. Roberts as he interviews self-publishing expert Bryan Cohen on the foundations of author branding. Learn how genre clarity, strong sales copy, and Amazon ads work together to grow your fan base and boost book sales. It’s a must-listen for new and mid-list authors. Show Notes: Best Page Forward Sell More Books Show Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and earn maximum royalties selling directly....
Apr 16, 2025•28 min•Ep. 663
My guest this episode is crime novelist Ali Steed. After decades in financial journalism, Ali is winning awards in fiction—exploring the darker corners of the human mind through her police procedural series. We talk about what it took to overcome the fear of releasing that first novel, how she brings her investigative skills to crime fiction, and how life in Mallorca—and a bit of shamanic training—helped her embrace her creative path. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishi...
Apr 13, 2025•41 min•Ep. 662
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, has announced it will not officially take place this November, citing financial and reputational concerns. He also covers the latest in AI and copyright, including the consolidation of major lawsuits against tech companies, protests outside Meta’s London offices, and new research suggesting copyrighted materials have been used to train AI models. Finally, he discusses ...
Apr 11, 2025•13 min•Ep. 663
ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Marketing Adviser Ricardo Fayet, co-founder of Reedsy, about the value of professional editing in self-publishing. Fayet explains the types of editing, how to manage costs, and why editors offer more than beta readers. He also discusses when to hire an editor, how editing improves writing, and the limits of AI tools. Sponsors This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers worldwide and...
Apr 09, 2025•39 min•Ep. 661
Want to license your book into a translation but unsure where to start? Join Margaux Weisman, business development director at DropCap Agency, and Monica Meehan, vice president of business development and rights director at DropCap Agency, for an insightful discussion with Michael La Ronn on the world of translation sales and how DropCap Marketplace can help connect authors with foreign rights buyers. This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event ...
Apr 06, 2025•48 min•Ep. 660
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on academic publisher Taylor & Francis using AI to translate books into English, sparking backlash from translators. He also covers OpenAI’s controversial Studio Ghibli–style image filter and its copyright implications and notes the end of WH Smith’s presence on the UK high street as the retailer shifts focus to airport book sales. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, prin...
Apr 04, 2025•10 min•Ep. 659
Join Bill Mueller in this session for novelists, poets, and nonfiction authors who want to harness the power of storytelling to create deeper connections with their audience and encourage them to purchase. Learn the psychology behind why stories work, a life-changing technique for uncovering and crafting compelling stories from your own experiences, and how to seamlessly integrate stories into your marketing and promotional materials across a wide variety of platforms. This is a post from SelfPu...
Apr 02, 2025•38 min•Ep. 658
My guest this episode is Annie Fox, an educator and author who writes for young adults. She talks about how her background in human development shapes her fiction, why she chose to go indie, and what it really takes to reach readers in a crowded market. Her work explores identity, belonging, and what it means to find your people. 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...
Mar 30, 2025•24 min•Ep. 657
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on growing outrage after authors discovered their titles among pirated books used to train Meta’s AI model. A searchable LibGen database, highlighted by The Atlantic, has sparked widespread concern over copyright violations. Dan also covers the collapse of Unbound, a crowdfunding-based publisher, and what it means for indie authors. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, pr...
Mar 28, 2025•11 min•Ep. 658
Unlock the secrets to marketing strategies for children's books. In this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dale L. Roberts interviews bestselling children’s author Karen Inglis, who shares expert strategies for breaking into the market. Discover the biggest mistakes new authors make, how to market effectively, and why local connections and school visits can boost your brand. Karen also reveals how metadata and keywords impact sales, plus lessons from her journey to selling over half a millio...
Mar 26, 2025•31 min•Ep. 656
On the Creative Self-Publishing stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn discuss their latest creative projects, insights from the London Book Fair, and the evolving role of AI in publishing. Orna shares her thoughts on how the fair is shifting away from being author-centric, while Joanna explores AI narration and its growing impact on audiobooks, including new developments from ElevenLabs and Amazon’s Audible Virtual Voice. Sponsor This podcast is proudly spons...
Mar 23, 2025•43 min•Ep. 655
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway covers Spotify’s new publishing program for indie authors, which focuses on short audiobooks in popular genres like romance, mystery, and sci-fi. He also discusses the latest AI-generated fiction making waves in the literary world, including reactions from authors and critics to OpenAI’s new model. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers wor...
Mar 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 654
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Anna Featherstone talks with USA Today bestselling author Phillipa Nefri Clark about the practical side of book production and distribution. Phillipa shares her experiences with different publishing methods, from KDP and Kobo to direct sales and working with a digital-first publisher. She discusses hiring a well-known TV actor for her audiobook, handling production challenges, navigating translations, and managing finances with the h...
Mar 19, 2025•49 min•Ep. 653
My guest this episode is Joshua S. Narins, a literary fiction author based in New England. Before turning to writing, he spent two decades as a cinematographer, specializing in aerial, underwater, and second-unit film work. Now, he brings that visual storytelling sensibility to his fiction, crafting character-driven narratives with a sharp, cinematic edge. 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 ...
Mar 16, 2025•30 min•Ep. 652
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports from the London Book Fair on the 2025 Selfies Awards, where ALLi authors won in all three categories. He discusses a surge in new members for audiobook platform Libro.fm, the rollout of a "look inside" feature for indie bookstores, and the first major auction of AI-generated art at Christie's. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers ...
Mar 14, 2025•10 min•Ep. 653
Matty Dalrymple talks with Howard Lovy, a developmental editor and ALLi’s content and communications manager, about six questions every author should ask to improve their craft. They discuss maintaining narrative immersion, balancing detail with engagement, and ensuring characters drive the story. Howard shares practical tips on avoiding common pitfalls, keeping scenes purposeful, and writing from the characters' perspectives to keep readers engrossed in the narrative. Find more author advice, t...
Mar 12, 2025•28 min•Ep. 651
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss the challenges of hiring a book publicist, including how to vet them, what questions to ask, and whether most indie authors even need one. Other questions include: What are the implications for self-published authors with the introduction of GPSR in the EU? How can authors handle print-on-demand page limits if their book exceeds the maximum page count? Do authors need to file a ...
Mar 09, 2025•31 min•Ep. 650
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway examines major developments in AI-generated audiobooks. Eleven Labs has launched direct audiobook publishing, offering authors new distribution options and competitive royalties. The company has also expanded its speech-to-text services, allowing authors to transcribe and produce audiobooks seamlessly. Meanwhile, OpenAI's video-generation tool Sora is now available in the UK and EU, and Twitch has expanded monetization featur...
Mar 07, 2025•11 min•Ep. 649
Becoming a profitable writer requires more than just productivity, but consistently completing projects is essential for success in self-publishing. ALLi's Crowdfunding Adviser, USA Today bestselling author, and author-publishing expert Russell Nohelty shares strategies to help authors increase their writing output and turn finished projects into profitable ventures. This session offers practical insights to help indie authors make each year more productive and financially rewarding. This sessio...
Mar 05, 2025•47 min•Ep. 648
My guest this episode is Sharon Hague, a lawyer and Egyptologist who writes speculative historical fiction about ancient Egypt. Growing up at sea and traveling the world shaped her imagination, leading her to blend history and fiction in her award-winning Ancient Egypt series. We’ll talk about how she balances fact and fiction. 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 o...
Mar 02, 2025•26 min•Ep. 647
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Meta’s internal discussions about AI training, revealing that the company considered using pirated books to train its language models. Court documents show Meta abandoned licensing talks with publishers after realizing they didn’t have the rights to AI training data. Meanwhile, Kindle’s recent policy change regarding USB book transfers continues to stir debate, and World of Books expands into the US resale market. ...
Feb 28, 2025•10 min•Ep. 648
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Dale L. Roberts chats with branding expert Dan Blank about building authentic connections, balancing creativity with marketing, and the key role of branding in an author’s success. Dan shares tips on audience growth, cost-effective strategies, avoiding pitfalls, and staying true to your voice while adapting to trends. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to readers ...
Feb 26, 2025•33 min•Ep. 646
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether authors should release print, e-book, and audiobook formats at the same time or stagger them to maximize visibility and sales. Other questions include: What are some affordable alternatives to NetGalley for getting book reviews? What should I do if someone is copying my work and publishing it as their own? How can I approach a museum gift shop to carry my book? Is it bet...
Feb 23, 2025•53 min•Ep. 645
On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway explores Spotify’s new $10,000 mental health fiction award, the fallout from the Paris AI Summit, and surprising revelations about Meta’s stalled AI licensing talks with publishers. He also looks at the latest Kindle policy change that limits how readers can back up their e-books, raising concerns about digital ownership. Sponsors Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books...
Feb 21, 2025•11 min•Ep. 644
