Self-Publishing with ALLi
The Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors provides a comprehensive guide for indie authors.
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Interview: The Hidden Craft of Ghostwritten Fiction with Matty Dalrymple and Jon McGoran
<p >In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with author and ghostwriter Jon McGoran about the craft and business of ghostwriting fiction. They discuss how Jon got started through an agency, the difference between fiction and nonfiction ghostwriting, the challenges of working in someone else's creative world, and how clear contracts and good collaboration can make ghostwriting a steady income stream for authors.</p> <p >About the Host</p> <p >Matty Dalrymple podcasts, writes, speaks, and consults on the writing craft and the publishing voyage as The Indy Author. She has written books on the...
How to Find and Maximize Book Awards to Boost Your Author Platform with Matty Dalrymple and Hannah Jacobson
<p>On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews Hannah Jacobson about how indie authors can find and make the most of book awards. Their conversation covers everything from spotting red flags and budgeting for entry fees to using nominations and wins to boost visibility, strengthen a book's metadata, and open doors to opportunities like BookBub Featured Deals. Jacobson, founder of Book Award Pro, also explains how awards can support authors at any stage of their publishing journey and offers practical tips on sharing award news without sounding self-promotional.</p> <p>Find more author advice, tips, and...
News: AI-Generated Staff Profiles Raise Concerns, Tulia Launches Author Platform, and NZ Prize Bars AI Covers
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on concerns around companies using AI-generated staff profiles to sell high-priced author services, including Melbourne Book Publisher and related outfits in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. He also looks at Tulia's new author platform that builds customizable book pages from ISBN data, highlights a small-group social reading app, and notes a case from New Zealand where AI-assisted cover design led to books being disqualified from a major award.</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with exp...
What Author Nation Reveals About the Future of Indie Publishing with Joe Solari and Orna Ross
<p>On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Joe Solari sits down with ALLi Director Orna Ross for a candid debrief from Author Nation, where they talk about the energy of the conference, what it means for indie authors, and where the industry is headed. They cover everything from the value of in-person community to the rise of AI, new advertising opportunities, and the growing range of publishing paths available to authors. Orna reflects on meeting members face to face, the professionalism of the event, and what she sees as the key trends shaping author careers in the coming year.</p> <...
Inspirational Indie Author Interview #197: S. J. Barratt Draws Inspiration From Scotland's Wild Beauty to Create Eco-Adventures for Young Readers
<p>My guest this episode is Suzanne Barratt, who writes as S. J. Barratt. She blends her background in agriculture and environmental communications with her love of Scotland and Shetland to create eco-adventure stories for middle-grade readers. We talked about her childhood surrounded by books and nature, how she shaped her writing through research and collaboration with an illustrator and editors, and why the indie path gives her the creative freedom she values.</p> <p>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 t...
News: Spotify Expands Audiobooks, Launches Recaps Feature, and beehiiv Adds New Tools for Authors
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Spotify's continued expansion into audiobooks, including new access across key Nordic markets and the rollout of its AI-powered "recaps" feature that helps listeners pick up where they left off. He outlines how Spotify is addressing copyright concerns around AI use and notes broader audio developments, including 11 Labs signing voice deals with major celebrities. Dan also looks at beehiiv's move to position itself as a full-service platform for long-form creators, offering new website and analytics tools for authors who rely on newsletters.</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>...
Advice: Author Nation Conference Conclusions 2025 — Courage, Choice, and New Directions for Indie Authors with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn
<p>Orna Ross and Joanna Penn sit down for a candid, back-and-forth debrief on Author Nation and SelfPubCon 2025, and some of the bigger creative questions raised by the conferences. They unpack the benefits and challenges of physical versus online events, then broaden the conversation into creative courage and change. Discover Drew Davies's "kill two things" rule, why Orna pressed pause on her Go Creative! series, and how Joanna is stepping into a new season with her Masters in Death, Religion, and Culture. As ever, you'll enjoy honest reflection, practical takeaways, and permission to step boldly into your own next creative...
Inspiration: More Money and Meaning — ALLi's Latest Projects for Indie Authors with Orna Ross
<p>On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross talks about the latest ALLi projects designed to support both the creative and commercial sides of an indie author's life. In this episode, she discusses the new indie author bookstore, the Indie Author Income Survey, and why understanding your own definition of success matters as much as the numbers. Orna encourages authors to think about what "enough" looks like in their writing lives and offers practical steps to move toward those goals, whether that means updating your author profile, planning your next release, or carving out regular time for business decisions.<...
News: Amazon Launches Kindle Translate, Australia Blocks Data Mining Exception
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Amazon's launch of Kindle Translate, an AI-powered tool that allows translations between English, Spanish, and German. He discusses how it could open new markets for authors while raising questions about accuracy and the role of human translators. Dan also covers Australia's decision to reject a text and data mining exception to copyright law, a win for authors and creatives concerned about AI training practices, and shares updates on the ongoing Anthropic settlement affecting writers worldwide.</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by P...
Interview: How Role-Playing Games Blend Literature, Ethics, and Imagination with Anna Featherstone, Vee Hendro, and Hayley Gordon
<p>How do you turn a literary world into a collaborative storytelling experience? In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Anna Featherstone talks with Vee Hendro and Hayley Gordon—the award-winning duo behind Storybrewers Roleplaying—about producing their book- and card-based role-playing games, including Good Society: A Jane Austen Roleplaying Game and My Late Father's Correspondence. Together, they explore how indie creators can merge writing, design, and ethics to craft imaginative, inclusive, and immersive books.</p> <p >Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-Publishing Author Advice Center, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts and...
