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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News: Bookstores Call for Faster Response; AI Micro Drama Deal Sparks Author Backlash
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on new insights into what bookstores want from publishers and how indie authors may be better placed to respond quickly to trends. He also examines controversy over Harlequin's AI-driven micro drama project, where authors say they were not consulted, and looks at wider tensions in the publishing industry as it both adopts and challenges AI in different arenas.</p> <p>Show Notes</p> <p> What Jane Friedman says bookstores want from publishers</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors suc...
Substack as a Marketing Tool for Indie Authors, with Orna Ross
<p>Is Substack a smart marketing tool for indie authors? In this episode, Orna Ross explores the platform's strengths for marketing fiction, poetry, and nonfiction books—including reader community, discoverability, and subscription options—alongside weaknesses like limited e-commerce, conflicting priorities, and the risks of building on a venture-backed platform whose goals may shift over time. She concludes that Substack offers a powerful combination of features for authors who want to balance creativity with visibility, but is not a substitute for a solid book-selling strategy.</p> <p>Show Notes</p> Orna Ross on Substack (Embers & Ink: Learnings from Literature) Sarah Fay on S...
When Amazon Closes Your Account: Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black
<p >In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss what happens when Amazon or Google Play suddenly terminates author accounts, including how ALLi can help advocate on members' behalf.</p> <p >Other questions include:</p> Should authors distribute through Gardners or IngramSpark, and what sales volume is required for Gardners How can authors verify whether a publisher or publishing service is legitimate before working with them What is ALLi's position on Kindle's controversial "Ask This Book" AI feature How should authors respond to unsolicited phone calls from people...
News: Social Media Lawsuits Grow; Supreme Court Ruling Shapes AI Copyright Debate
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on a major U.S. lawsuit awarding damages over social media addiction and a new UK trial restricting teen access to platforms. He also examines a key Supreme Court ruling in Sony vs. Cox that could influence AI copyright cases, and updates on the Anthropic settlement, where reduced legal fees may increase payouts for authors.</p> <p>Show Notes</p> <p >Jane Friedman's AI and Publishing: FAQ for Writers</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with exp...
Interview: Verse, Visuals, and Special Edition Decisions — Making a Book with Intention, Featuring Anna Featherstone and Lande Jewels
<p>On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Anna Featherstone explores with author Lande Jewels the many decisions that surround and extend beyond writing a book. They discuss form, illustration, publishing models, and the broader impact of how a work is produced and shared. The conversation covers writing in verse, working with illustrations, choosing a pen name, producing special editions with an emphasis on quality, using Kickstarter, and considering social responsibility in authorship. Along the way, Lande reflects on what she has learned through experience, offering practical insights for writers and creators interested in publishing choices beyond the manuscript.</p> <p >...
Inspirational Indie Author Interview #206: Cliff Lovette Reinvents Himself as a Storyteller After a Career in Entertainment Law
<p>My guest this episode is Cliff Lovette, an Atlanta-based author who came to fiction after a long career as an entertainment lawyer, working with major artists during a pivotal time in the music industry. He held onto a remarkable true story about a Soviet circus stranded in the United States for more than thirty years before turning it into his novel. His journey is one of delay, reinvention, and finally taking the leap into storytelling.</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 h...
News: 'Shy Girl' Controversy Raises AI Editing Questions; Self-Publishing Surge Sparks Debate
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway examines the fallout from the "Shy Girl" controversy, where allegations of AI-assisted writing led to a withdrawn book deal and raised new questions about author responsibility and editorial use of AI. He also highlights Jane Friedman's new AI-in-publishing guide, reports on a surge in self-published titles linked to AI tools, and looks at the growing use of Substack as a platform for fiction.</p> <p>Show Notes</p> <p >Jane Friedman's AI and Publishing: FAQ for Writers</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by P...
Interview: Why Self-Editing Matters and How to Strengthen Your Manuscript Before Hiring an Editor, with Howard Lovy and Katie Chambers
<p>On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Howard Lovy talks to Katie Chambers of Beacon Point, an editing and writing services company, about what self-editing really means and why it's a critical step before hiring a professional editor. Chambers explains her structured, multi-pass approach, showing how authors can strengthen their manuscripts, reduce editing costs, and make better use of professional feedback. They discuss common self-editing mistakes, practical techniques authors can apply right away, the careful use of AI as a tool rather than a shortcut, and how developing these skills helps writers improve with each book.</p> <p>Find...
Beyond the Book — New Pathways to Readers with IngramSpark: Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlight
<p >In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, Ben Hughes, senior manager for UK and AU at IngramSpark, leads a panel discussion with bestselling authors Adam Beswick and Samantha Young, along with indie publisher Will Dady, on how independent authors are reaching readers beyond traditional retail channels. While the IngramSpark platform enables distribution to more than 80,000 bookstores worldwide and supports direct sales through author websites, the panel focuses on how authors are building global brands, connecting with reader communities, and driving sales through social media and other strategies. Together, they offer practical insight into expanding visibility and readership through the IngramSpark...
News: "Don't Steal This Book" Campaign Targets AI Policy; Grammarly Pulls Controversial Editing Tool
<p>On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on the "Don't Steal This Book" campaign launched at London Book Fair, where thousands of authors call on governments to protect copyright in the age of AI. He also covers the backlash against Grammarly's "Expert Review" feature, which prompted a lawsuit and its withdrawal, and looks at new BookTok charts and Audible's expansion into eleven international markets.</p> <p>Sponsor</p> <p>Self-Publishing News is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international lau...
