AskAlli: Self-Publishing Advice Podcast

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 chapter. About the Hosts Joanna Penn writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's "100 top people in publishing". She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

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. About the Host Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's "100 top people in publishing". She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

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. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

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. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press — your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family. About the Host Anna Featherstone is ALLi's nonfiction adviser and an author advocate and mentor. A judge of The Australian Business Book Awards and Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, she's also the founder of Bold Authors and presents author marketing and self-publishing workshops for organizations, including Byron Writers Festival. Anna has authored books including how-to and memoirs and her book Look-It's Your Book! about writing, publishing, marketing, and leveraging nonfiction is on the Australian Society of Authors recommended reading list. When she's not being bookish, Anna's into bees, beings, and the big issues of our time. About the Guests Vee Hendro and Hayley Gordon are the award-winning designers and married duo behind Storybrewers Roleplaying, an Australian studio known for emotionally rich, character-driven tabletop role-playing games that explore history, literature, and queer narratives. Their work has earned multiple honors, including two ARPIA Game of the Year awards, Best Tabletop Game at SXSW Sydney, and back-to-back wins at the PAX Aus Indie Showcase. Based on Gadigal land in Sydney's inner west, they live with their dog Holiday and a rotating crew of foster cats. More at linktr.ee/storybrewers.

My guest this episode is Lynne Golodner, a former journalist who built a successful marketing business before deciding to make creative writing her priority. She now writes full time, runs her own publishing imprint, and helps other writers gain the confidence to tell their stories. Her novels weave Jewish identity into contemporary life, and she's found freedom and success as an independent author. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Lynne Golodner is the award-winning author of twelve bestselling books and hundreds of essays and articles, as well as a marketing expert, writing coach, and retreat leader. With an MFA in poetry, she has lived in New York and Washington, D.C., and eventually settled in her Detroit hometown, where she raised four children and now lives with her husband, Dan.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Grammarly's rebrand as Superhuman and what it signals about the growing role of AI in writing tools. He also outlines the European and International Booksellers Federation's new AI charter, which emphasizes copyright protection and fair treatment for small publishers, and highlights a new $50 million Literary Arts Fund aimed at supporting organizations that help writers and creators. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

Author and podcaster Polly Campbell joins Matty Dalrymple to explore how writing contests can sharpen a writer's editorial skills. Polly discusses the fast-paced revision process required for short fiction contests, how to make every word count, and why tight deadlines can lead to more focused, confident writing. She also shares practical strategies for structuring quick edits, choosing impactful details, and balancing creativity with polish—all lessons that can strengthen any writer's craft. Further Reading Book Prizes & Awards for Indie Authors About the Host 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 business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest   Polly Campbell is the author of You, Recharged: How to Beat Fatigue (Mostly), Amp Up Your Energy (Usually), and Enjoy Life Again (Always), and three other books. She is the host of the Simply Write with Polly Campbell podcast, and her magazine articles about writing and strategies for living a better life appear regularly in online and print publications. She is also a frequent speaker at writers' conferences. Polly can be found at pollycampbell.com, simplywrite.substack.com, and on Instagram at @pollylcampbell.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how an author can find a reliable publishing mentor, when to seek paid help, and low-cost community options to avoid overspending. Other questions include: Does ALLi maintain a vetted list of book contests, and where can members find it? Can you change your Amazon list price without matching the printed barcode price? Which review routes are worth it—editorial reviews vs. reader-review services? How should authors handle translations and run ads in languages they don't speak? Can you include color photo inserts with print-on-demand and still distribute on Amazon? How much lead time should ARC readers get, and do launch-day reviews matter? And more! 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.  

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway takes a close look at Amazon's new book discovery algorithm and how it may be impacting indie authors' visibility and sales stability. He contrasts the uncertainty of platform-dependent publishing with the growing reliability of direct sales, particularly through Substack, where income trends show consistent returns for authors building engaged readerships. Dan explains what these shifts mean for indie authors trying to build sustainable careers in a changing marketplace. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, dark-fantasy author Julie Embleton joins Matty Dalrymple to talk about mindfulness, adaptability, and sustainability in the indie author career. Julie shares how shifting social media landscapes, rising business costs, and changing reader habits inspired her to take back control—focusing on direct sales, authentic marketing, and the platforms that truly align with her values. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookfunnel. Do you have reader magnets, ARCs, and direct digital sales? Want to join multi-author promotions? Thousands of authors trust BookFunnel for seamless delivery and real human support. Visit BookFunnel.com. About the Host 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 business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest Julie Embleton is a dark fantasy author from Dublin, Ireland, whose work features tenacious female protagonists, courageous heroes, and villains driven by chaos. Her stories combine suspense, romance, and magick, often ending on a hopeful note, with the occasional cliffhanger. Based on the shores of the Irish Sea, she embraces a life steeped in magick as a professional tarot reader and holistic mindfulness practitioner. She recently published her twelfth book. You can find her on her website at julieembleton.com, at Tome Books, and on Pinterest.  

My guest this episode is Steven Leibo, an international affairs expert who spent decades teaching and commenting on global politics. In retirement, he has devoted himself to a sweeping fiction series set in the 19th century, following an American and Chinese family through major events that shaped both nations. His work blends real-world events with themes of identity, immigration, and cultural conflict. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Steven Leibo is an international affairs expert and former professor who spent his career studying the relationship between Asia and the West. In retirement, he now writes an epic fiction series set in the 19th century, exploring identity, immigration, and cultural change through the intertwined histories of China and America.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway recaps key takeaways from SelfPubCon2025, where authors focused less on AI and more on direct connections with readers through email lists, crowdfunding, and special editions that reflect an artisanal, aesthetic-driven approach. He also reports that Spotify is launching Audiobook Selects, a new platform for indie authors, beginning with romance-themed submissions featuring “swoon-worthy” tropes like friends-to-lovers and grumpy/sunshine pairings. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, host Orna Ross speaks with Roz Morris, editor-in-chief at ALLi, about ALLi's new marketing guide and why marketing today is less about algorithms and more about authentic human connection. They explore how shifts in the industry, including the rise of AI, are transforming how authors reach readers, and they discuss how understanding your values, reader journey, and publishing personality can lead to more effective, sustainable marketing. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Bookfunnel. Do you have reader magnets, ARCs, and direct digital sales? Want to join multi-author promotions? Thousands of authors trust BookFunnel for seamless delivery and real human support. Visit BookFunnel.com. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Show Notes Reach More Readers: ALLi's Definitive Guide to Book Marketing (50 percent off) About the Host Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's “100 top people in publishing”. She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website. About the Guest Roz Morris is editor-in-chief at the Alliance of Independent Authors and lead editor of ALLi's new marketing guide. She has extensive experience helping authors develop their publishing strategy and connect more effectively with readers. Roz is also an accomplished writer and mentor known for her clear, human-centered approach to book marketing. Learn more on her website.  

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how indie authors can balance the creative work of writing with the ongoing demands of marketing and business management. Other questions include: Is it smart to include QR codes in your e-books and print editions, and what's the best way to use them? How can an author with a traditionally published background reach a wider audience for a self-published book? What's the best way to synchronize publication dates across KDP and IngramSpark? Can IngramSpark produce a book that's already published through Amazon KDP? How should authors handle distribution when a book appears on Amazon through Ingram? What are the pros and cons of outsourcing versus handling all publishing tasks solo? And More! 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.  

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on the closure of Baker & Taylor, the century-old book distributor that will shut down in 2026, leaving a gap that companies like Ingram and Amazon may fill. He also notes Spotify's new integration with ChatGPT, assuring creators that their music and podcasts won't be used to train AI. In other news, Reedsy has launched the Reedsy Novel Sprint, a NaNoWriMo-style writing challenge with cash prizes and no AI allowed, as the original NaNoWriMo organization shutters. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with indie author Fiona Tarr about the production and distribution strategies that helped her grow from her first fantasy novel in 2014 to becoming a six-figure mystery and crime writer today. Fiona explains how she keeps her production pipeline on track, why her long-term preorder strategy has been so effective across platforms, and what she's learned about library distribution and audiobook production. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press — your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family. About the Host Anna Featherstone is ALLi's nonfiction adviser and an author advocate and mentor. A judge of The Australian Business Book Awards and Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, she's also the founder of Bold Authors and presents author marketing and self-publishing workshops for organizations, including Byron Writers Festival. Anna has authored books including how-to and memoirs and her book Look-It's Your Book! about writing, publishing, marketing, and leveraging nonfiction is on the Australian Society of Authors recommended reading list. When she's not being bookish, Anna's into bees, beings, and the big issues of our time. About the Guest Fiona Tarr writes bold, fast-paced crime and mystery novels set in small Australian towns and featuring strong female leads. Her bestselling Opal Fields series has reached number one in the Amazon Australia store and has drawn comparisons to Jane Harper, Patricia Wolf, and Melinda Leigh. A great-niece of My Brother Jack author George Johnston, Fiona brings a contemporary voice to her family's literary legacy. She lives in Noosa, Australia, with her husband, near their two adult children, and can be found on Facebook.

My guest this episode is Judith Hutchinson Lepore, a Canadian writer from British Columbia whose work spans fantasy, historical fiction, and memoir. Her latest book, Finding the Phoenix, tells how she and her family escaped a devastating wildfire that destroyed much of their community. What began as personal loss became a story of renewal and connection. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Judith Hutchinson Lepore is the author of the acclaimed epic fantasy trilogy The Magic of Miraven, which has sold in eight countries. A longtime freelance writer and editor in film, radio, and television, she also worked as a personal trainer and health columnist while raising two children. In 2022, she and her husband moved to West Kelowna, British Columbia. The following year, they survived the region's worst wildfire on record—an experience she recounts in her memoir Finding the Phoenix.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports that Bookshop.org has launched e-book sales in the UK, allowing readers to support local bookstores while buying digital titles—a boost for indie authors whose books are distributed through Draft2Digital and other platforms. He also notes that Bookshop.org has been shortlisted for a Digital Publishing Award for its new e-book platform, alongside other innovations in accessibility and AI tools for authors. Finally, Dan looks at Amazon's latest Kindle releases, including the new color Kindle Scribe, a sign that the e-book market remains strong. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Karen Williams of Librotas about how authors can build business authority through their books. Karen discusses her path into writing and mentoring nonfiction authors, stressing structure, clarity, and preparation. She explains how authority-building books enhance credibility and business growth, explores different formats, and offers advice on aligning books with business goals, engaging readers, and repurposing content. About the Host 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 business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest Karen Williams is the Book Mentor at Librotas. She helps business owners, experts, and thought leaders write authority-building books that elevate their credibility and grow both their business and brand. The author of ten books, including Your Book Is the Hook and Book Marketing Made Simple, Williams guides her clients from messy first idea to final manuscript and successful launch, with a focus on strategy, structure, and ensuring their book truly works for them. She's a TEDx speaker and host of the Business Book Bites podcast. Williams can be found on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.

In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, discover how reviews, contests, and awards can boost your reputation and drive engagement in the session, “Proof is Profitable.” Hannah Jacobson of Book Award Pro and Edward Trayer of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards share case studies and practical strategies alongside a panel of award-winning indie authors. Together, they explore how to use customer reviews to build trust, enter and win contests to gain recognition, and leverage awards to enhance your brand's prestige and attract a wider audience. This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event run free twice yearly in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports that the judge in the Anthropic case has approved the settlement process, confirming 482,000 eligible titles with payments split 50/50 between authors and publishers. He clarifies that Spotify's new terms do not affect creators, celebrates L. J. Ross's shortlist nomination at the UK Speakies audiobook awards, and notes that TikTok's US operations will move to a US-run consortium, securing BookTok's future. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

In this special episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Howard Lovy interviews Kayleigh Brindley, conference manager for SelfPubCon25. Kayleigh offers a behind-the-scenes look at this year's Self-Publishing Advice Conference, which takes place online October 18–19. She discusses the theme, “New Trends in Self-Publishing,” the decision to spread the event across two days, highlights from the speaker lineup, and details of the pre-conference orientation. Kayleigh also explains when free access opens on SelfPubConnect, how long replays will remain available, and what attendees can expect in terms of live Q&As, community networking, and practical takeaways Show Notes SelfPubCon 2025: Full Agenda and Speaker Line-Up Announced Self-Publishing Advice Conference 2025 Best and Worst Self-Publishing Services About the Host Author Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years, and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Kayleigh is a virtual assistant who started Admin Angels UK in 2013 with the aim of helping small business owners and authors achieve a better work-life balance. Kayleigh joined the ALLi team in 2018 as a social media administrator. She now works on ALLi comms and the annual Self-Publishing Advice Conference. When she's not working or spending time with her family, Kayleigh spends most of her time reading, running Dungeons and Dragons games, and writing stories about magic.

My guest this episode is Stephen Oram, a London-based author of near-future science fiction who explores the intersection of humanity with imperfect technology. His journey has taken him from squatter and countercultural outsider to civil servant, and now to full-time writer. As a practitioner of applied science fiction, he works with scientists and technologists to imagine possible futures. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Stephen Oram writes social science fiction novels and short stories, exploring the intersection of messy humans and imperfect technology. He is also a leading proponent of applied science fiction, working with scientists and technologists to explore possible outcomes of their research through short stories. Linux User & Developer Magazine described him as “A soothsayer for this century's relationship with technology,” while the Financial Times said his work “should set the rest of us thinking about science and its possible repercussions.” Connect with him on social media.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway reports on the Anthropic class action hearing, where the judge will decide if the database of pirated titles is clear enough for authors to check their inclusion. He also highlights a new “Really Sensible Licensing” system for AI use of creative works, audiobook revenues overtaking e-books in monthly reports, and Disney Plus joining with Webtoon as graphic novels gain ground both online and in bookstores. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

Are you struggling to reach readers on TikTok? In this episode, Dale Roberts sits down with Marvin Wey of AuthorScale.com to explore how authors can use slideshow content to turn browsers into buyers. Discover why volume matters more than perfection, how storytelling trumps flashy production, and what metrics really define virality. Marvin breaks down the slideshow strategy that's helping authors drive engagement, build curiosity, and sell more books, all without burning out or breaking the bank. About the Host Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale's inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. You can find Dale on his website or YouTube. About the Guest Marvin Wey brings over ten years of experience in book publishing and growth marketing. In 2016, he joined one of today's most successful publishing startups and fiction reading apps as one of its earliest employees. Now, with his new company AuthorScale, he and his team are developing cutting-edge tools to help indie authors leverage technology to revolutionize their book marketing.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how a debut author can promote a first audiobook without an existing platform. Other questions include: How can an urban fantasy with an unrequited-love subplot be marketed without signaling it's a romance? Can authors obtain a tax exemption when purchasing author copies on KDP? Where should a charity's endorsement logo go on a children's book cover, and what permissions are required? What's the best ebook format and software—and how do ISBNs factor in? Any practical tips for generating usable AI images for author projects? How do ALLi members find the current IngramSpark revision code? And More! 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.  

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway previews October's conferences, including Frankfurt and ALLi's Self-Publishing Advice Conference, with themes from page-to-screen rights to BookTok trends. He reports that TikTok is set to avoid a U.S. ban, a new class action targets Apple over use of the Books3 dataset, and a study suggests AI is changing language by spreading common buzzwords. Sponsor 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

ALLi nonfiction adviser Anna Featherstone interviews Catherine Bilson, who writes in multiple genres across four pen names, about the practicalities of updating and rebranding books. With more than 60 titles published and hundreds of translations under her belt, Catherine explains how indie authors can approach everything from refreshing blurbs and covers to managing keywords, metadata, and back matter. She also shares how to avoid common pitfalls, keep files organized, and treat updates as part of an author's long-term business strategy. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor This podcast is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press—your partner in independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100 percent rights, 100 percent royalties, global distribution, and all-inclusive services—from editing to marketing. Gatekeeper Press: Where Authors Are Family. About the Host Anna Featherstone is ALLi's nonfiction adviser and an author advocate and mentor. A judge of The Australian Business Book Awards and Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, she's also the founder of Bold Authors and presents author marketing and self-publishing workshops for organizations, including Byron Writers Festival. Anna has authored books including how-to and memoirs and her book Look-It's Your Book! about writing, publishing, marketing, and leveraging nonfiction is on the Australian Society of Authors recommended reading list. When she's not being bookish, Anna's into bees, beings, and the big issues of our time. About the Guest RUBY-award–winning author Catherine Bilson writes in multiple genres across four pen names and also co-authors books with Ebony Oaten. Born and raised in the UK, she was once a rocket scientist before falling in love with an Australian and moving halfway around the world. Still married to her Aussie husband, she now lives in sunny southeast Queensland with their two teenage romance-heroes-in-training and two rescue cats.

My guest this episode is Mo Fanning, a novelist whose work blends humor, heartbreak, and hope while exploring themes of identity, loss, and chosen family. His stories often center LGBTQ+ lives but treat them with the same depth and complexity as any other. He also creates original music to accompany his books. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Mo Fanning writes darkly comic LGBTQ+ fiction that tackles serious themes with heart and humour. His novel Husbands won the 2025 IndieReader Discovery Award, while The Armchair Bride was nominated for Arts Council Book of the Year. He has featured as a finalist in both 2024 and 2025 in the Page Turner Awards.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway highlights the launch of ALLi's Author Income Survey, a vital tool to track how indie writers earn from their work and strengthen industry advocacy. He also reports on the judge's rejection of the proposed Anthropic settlement, which had offered $3,000 per pirated title, and notes that James Patterson has awarded $50,000 each to 12 authors to support their writing. ALLi Author Income Survey 2025 Sponsors 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with editor Gale Winskill about the craft of editing children's books and picture books. Winskill discusses age-appropriate language and content, the author–illustrator collaboration, structural and developmental editing, marketing considerations, and the role of beta readers, while emphasizing the importance of challenging young readers and creating stories that appeal to both children and adults. bout the Host 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 business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest Gale Winskill is an editor at Winskill Editorial with more than thirty years of in-house and freelance experience in the UK and abroad, working across both adult and children's fiction and nonfiction. She provides a full range of editing services, book coaching, and some ghostwriting, and she works with both traditionally published and self-published authors. Her writers have won or been shortlisted for a variety of prizes. Winskill also creates and delivers training for several publishing bodies and teaches the fiction stream of the HarperCollins Author Academy. She believes the editor's role is to empower authors through constructive advice, collaboration, and a good sense of humor. She can be found on her website and on LinkedIn.

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn focus on business models and ethics for indie authors. They look at how “windowing” releases and short KU stints can fit into a publishing strategy, and why managing cash flow is critical for crowdfunding and direct sales. They also examine the collapse of Unbound/Boundless, highlighting the importance of rights-reversion clauses in contracts, and discuss issues of reader trust in memoir. The conversation extends to pen names, ghostwriting, and AI, emphasizing the need for transparency in building lasting relationships with readers. About the Hosts Joanna Penn writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's “100 top people in publishing”. She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Libby's new Inspire Me discovery tool, which promises to boost book discoverability but has raised concerns among librarians. He covers Threads' rollout of long-form text, giving authors new ways to share excerpts and engage with readers. The main story is the settlement in the Anthropic AI copyright case, where avoiding a trial leaves fair use questions unanswered and could shape the future of licensing deals between tech firms and authors. Sponsors 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 launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, Martin Cavannagh of Reedsy moderates a panel with editor Rebecca Heyman, designer Danna Mathias Steele, and marketeer Ricardo Fayet. The session examines the role of professional services in the success of self-published books, focusing on how expert editing, design, and marketing can increase sales and long-term profitability. The discussion also outlines how Reedsy's marketplace connects authors with established industry professionals and includes case studies of authors who improved their publishing results through professional partnerships. This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event run free twice yearly in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

My guest this episode is David Penny, a longtime ALLi member who began publishing fiction in the 1970s, took a long break to build a career in software, and returned to writing with a renewed focus on independent publishing. Since then, he has written dozens of books across genres, built a loyal readership, and helped others find their way on the self-publishing path. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor Inspirational Indie Authors 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest David Penny is the author of the Thomas Berrington Historical Mysteries, set in Moorish Spain and the early Tudor period. His work is available in ebook, print, and audio, as well as in Spanish and German translations. He also writes the Izzy Wild police thrillers and the Unit-13 WWII paranormal spy thrillers.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway looks at a new study on US reading habits that shows a 40 percent drop in reading for pleasure between 2003 and 2023, with possible shifts toward digital formats and functional reading. He also covers surprising findings about reading with children, the limited impact of COVID on reading trends, and the growing controversy over Audible's new royalty model. Plus, he highlights Spotify's latest audiobook experiment, a “Follow Along” feature that adds visuals to listening. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

Libraries offer more than just shelf space—they can be a consistent source of income and visibility for indie authors. In this episode, Dale L. Roberts talks with award-winning author and publishing strategist Sylvia Hubbard about how to build strong relationships with libraries. Sylvia shares how she pitches events, lands paid speaking gigs, and gets her books into circulation, all while supporting her local literary community. It's a practical, eye-opening look at a frequently overlooked avenue for author success. 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. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale's inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. You can find Dale on his website or YouTube. About the Guest Sylvia Hubbard is an award-winning author, speaker, and literary advocate who has independently published more than fifty-five high-suspense romance books. As founder of the Motown Writers Network and CEO of HubBooks Literary Services, she has spent more than two decades empowering writers through education, community, and creative innovation. Known as the “Cliffhanger Queen,” Sylvia speaks across the United States and Canada on writing, publishing, and marketing, all while blogging prolifically and uplifting the literary scene in her hometown of Detroit.

In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, Ben Hughes, senior manager of business development for IngramSpark UK and AU, moderates a panel with successful authors who are thriving on the platform. The discussion explores how these writers have increased their earnings by leveraging IngramSpark's global reach, print-on-demand services, and wide distribution network. The session covers practical tips on cost-effective publishing and strategies for improving profitability, offering insights into how independent authors have built sustainable, profitable careers. This is a post from SelfPubCon (The Self-Publishing Advice Conference), an online author event run free twice yearly in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on urgent updates in the Anthropic class action case, with a fast-approaching deadline for authors to register their works. He explains the eligibility rules, why U.S. Copyright Office registration matters, and how writers can take part. Dan also introduces a new competency tool from the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading to help publishing professionals assess and build their skills. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

ALLi nonfiction adviser Anna Featherstone chats with Danica Favorite, community manager at PublishDrive, about the challenges indie authors face in global distribution. They discuss how writers can navigate multiple platforms, balance print, audio, and ebooks, and manage metadata. They also talk about new accessibility laws and when outside tools or services make sense—and when they may not. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsors This podcast 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. This podcast is also sponsored by Gatekeeper Press, the all-inclusive Gold Standard in Publishing, offering authors 100% rights, royalties, satisfaction and worldwide distribution. Gatekeeper Press, Where Authors are Family. About the Host Anna Featherstone is ALLi's nonfiction adviser and an author advocate and mentor. A judge of The Australian Business Book Awards and Australian Society of Travel Writers awards, she's also the founder of Bold Authors and presents author marketing and self-publishing workshops for organizations, including Byron Writers Festival. Anna has authored books including how-to and memoirs and her book Look-It's Your Book! about writing, publishing, marketing, and leveraging nonfiction is on the Australian Society of Authors recommended reading list. When she's not being bookish, Anna's into bees, beings, and the big issues of our time. About the Guest Danica Favorite is the community manager at PublishDrive, a global self-publishing platform supporting authors at every stage—from formatting and metadata optimization to wide distribution and sales analytics. A multi-published author herself, Danica brings a unique blend of hands-on publishing experience, marketing savvy, and a deep understanding of the author journey. She regularly speaks at conferences about AI, metadata, and business strategy for authors.

My guest this episode is Yvonne Vincent, who began her path to becoming a full-time author with a Facebook blog called Growing Old Disgracefully, writing humorous posts about everyday life. During lockdown, the Scottish author turned those posts into a book, which unexpectedly became a bestseller. That success led to more books, a loyal readership, and eventually the leap to writing full-time. Today, her work has been optioned for film and television, and she's launched her own podcast. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor Inspirational Indie Authors 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Scottish author Yvonne Vincent was encouraged to write by followers of her cheeky Facebook blog, Growing Old Disgracefully. Known for her Big Blue Jobbie books and Losers Club series, as well as her Hear Me Roar podcast, she lives in the northeast of England with one grumpy husband and two deranged Jack Russells. In 2022, just over two years into her writing career, she quit her job to follow her dream. Since then, Game of Trust, the eighth in the Losers Club series, has been longlisted for the 2025 Comedy Women in Print Prize, and the series has been optioned for film and television.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on a renewed wave of AI-generated fake books appearing on Amazon under real author names, prompting concerns about trust and transparency. He also covers the final closure of Boundless Books—formerly Unbound—leaving authors unpaid and in limbo, and raising familiar questions about communication breakdowns, sales reporting, and royalty transparency. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Pietrobon, founder of Canadian book design and self-publishing company Foglio, about budget-friendly ways to add audio to eBooks without producing full audiobooks. They discuss using sound effects and leitmotifs to enhance stories, technical standards for eBook production, sourcing free audio, AI clean-up, and creating interactive enhanced eBooks. Michael also offers advice on ensuring device compatibility and distribution, while noting that print books should remain a priority for authors. Sponsors This podcast 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. This podcast is also sponsored by Gatekeeper Press, the all-inclusive Gold Standard in Publishing, offering authors 100% rights, royalties, satisfaction and worldwide distribution. Gatekeeper Press, Where Authors are Family. About the Host 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 business of short fiction and podcasting for authors, and her articles have appeared in Writer's Digest magazine. She serves as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors. Matty is also the author of the Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, beginning with Rock Paper Scissors; the Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels, beginning with The Sense of Death; and the Ann Kinnear Suspense Shorts, including Close These Eyes. She is a member of International Thriller Writers and Sisters in Crime. About the Guest Michael Pietrobon is the founder of Foglio, a Canadian company specializing in high-quality book design and self-publishing services. With more than a decade of experience in typesetting, cover design, and eBook formatting, Michael helps authors bring their books to life—professionally and on their own terms. He works with writers across genres to create print-ready and digital books that meet both creative and industry standards. He is especially passionate about innovations in publishing, including interactive eBooks and audiobook design, and believes independent authors deserve the same design quality and distribution reach as traditional publishers. Michael can be found at foglioprint.com, LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether media liability insurance is worth the cost for memoir authors and explain how it differs from errors and omissions coverage. Other questions include: What printers offer special features like sprayed edges and foil for print books? How can authors effectively run a presale campaign from their own website? What should I do if Amazon terminates my KDP account? How do Genius Link and Books2Read compare for universal book links? Is it time to reevaluate Findaway Voices now that it's part of Spotify? When do audiobooks become a worthwhile investment of time and money? And More! 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor The Member Q&A podcast 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Hosts Michael La Ronn is ALLi's Outreach Manager. He is the author of over 80 science fiction & fantasy books and self-help books for writers. He writes from the great plains of Iowa and has managed to write while raising a family, working a full-time job, and even attending law school classes in the evenings (now graduated!). You can find his fiction at www.michaellaronn.com and his videos and books for writers at www.authorlevelup.com. Sacha Black is a bestselling and competition winning author, rebel podcaster, speaker and casual rule breaker. She writes fiction under a secret pen name and other books about the art of writing. When Sacha isn't writing, she runs ALLi's blog. She lives in England, with her wife and genius, giant of a son. You can find her on her website, her podcast, and on Instagram.  

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on a coordinated bot attack that hit indie authors using Shopify, leaving some with unexpected fees and limited recourse. He also covers new and proposed legislation across the UK, EU, and US, including the UK's Online Safety Act, concerns over enforcement of the EU AI Act, and the US White House's pro-tech AI action plan—all with implications for author rights and content access. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

On the Publishing for Profit stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Joe Solari investigates why Amazon book launches no longer deliver lasting results. He explains how the algorithm now favors steady reader engagement over quick sales spikes—and how understanding this shift, along with the rise of AI-powered search, can help authors thrive in the new publishing landscape. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. 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. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Joe Solari assists authors in developing successful businesses as the managing partner of Author Ventures LLC. In his role as a business manager, he supports his private clients, who collectively achieved gross royalties of twenty-two million in 2023, with an average pre-tax profit of 44%. This remarkable success results from implementing disciplined business strategies and maintaining an unwavering dedication to enhancing the customer experience.

My guest this episode is Cheryl Carpinello, a retired English teacher from Colorado who writes books based on Arthurian legend and ancient history to help reach reluctant young readers. She draws on more than 20 years of classroom experience and brings her stories to life through school visits and workshops. Cheryl is also part of an international author consortium that offers support and collaboration for indie writers. 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 organization and become a self-publishing ally. Sponsor Inspirational Indie Authors 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Howard Lovy has been a journalist for 40 years and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a developmental editor. Find Howard at howardlovy.com, LinkedIn, and X. About the Guest Cheryl Carpinello is a retired high school English teacher who writes stories rooted in Arthurian legend, ancient history, and mythology to help young readers—especially reluctant ones—connect with timeless values like courage, honor, and friendship. Her Feathers of the Phoenix series blends biblical themes with time travel, while her Grandma/Grandpa's Tales support early reading skills for children as young as four. Cheryl also leads medieval-themed school workshops and poetry activities, and she enjoys connecting with readers at fairs and events. You can find Cheryl on her website, Amazon, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explains a major development in the lawsuit against Anthropic, where a judge has allowed authors to proceed as a class in claims tied to piracy—potentially leading to significant damages, but only for those with timely registered U.S. copyrights. He also covers a Senate hearing questioning tech's use of copyrighted works and a new Kindle Colorsoft model that reinforces Amazon's continued interest in graphic novels. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dale L. Roberts talks with J. Kevin Tumlinson about building a personal author brand that attracts loyal readers. They explain why branding is about human connection rather than logos, how your mindset can shape your writing career, and how to create a brand that grows with you. The conversation includes practical tips on finding your voice, taking smart risks, and building long-term relationships with your audience. 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. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Host Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale's inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community's go-to authority. You can find Dale on his website or YouTube. About the Guest J. Kevin Tumlinson is an award-winning, bestselling thriller author and seasoned podcaster known as the Voice of Indie Publishing. With a background in film, TV, and radio, he's helped thousands of authors build self-publishing careers while traveling the world with his wife, Kara. His debut novel, The Coelho Medallion, won a 2016 Shelf Notable Indie award, and his passion for history, archaeology, and science fuels both his fiction and his public speaking. Kevin is also the former host of the Wordslinger Podcast and co-host of Writers, Ink, regularly working from coffee shops and hotel lobbies across the globe.

On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about the creative process behind poetry and short fiction. They reflect on how they decide what form a piece should take, how emotion and memory shape their work, and why writing short can sometimes be harder than long. They also discuss editing, publishing, and why indie authors have the freedom to write what matters to them. 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. Automate fulfillment and create stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. About the Hosts Joanna Penn writes nonfiction for authors and is an award-nominated, New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author as J.F.Penn. She's also an award-winning podcaster, creative entrepreneur, and international professional speaker. Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's “100 top people in publishing”. She also publishes poetry, fiction, and nonfiction and is greatly excited by the democratizing, empowering potential of author-publishing. For more information about Orna, visit her website.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers Spotify's expanded audiobook options, Meta's refusal to support the EU's AI code of conduct, and the fast-approaching deadline for the $100,000 Novel Prize. He also highlights new data suggesting the romantasy trend still has years of life, especially in emerging subgenres. 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 stunning special editions with BookvaultBespoke. Visit Bookvault.app today for an instant quote. Self-Publishing News is also sponsored by book cover design company Miblart. They offer unlimited revisions, take no deposit to start work and you pay only when you love the final result. Get a book cover that will become your number-one marketing tool. 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 a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. About the Host Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet, and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines, He competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle.