Self-Publishing with ALLi

Diana Colleen, a Canadian-born, Seattle-based writer and psychedelic facilitator, shares her transformative journey through trauma and healing. She discusses how psychedelic-assisted therapy inspired her debut novel, They Could Be Saviors, which tackles climate responsibility and the impact of billionaireism on society. Diana emphasizes the power of fiction to inspire hope and highlights the intertwining of psychedelics, social change, and environmental themes in her work. She also offers practical advice for aspiring writers to engage with their craft authentically.

Orna Ross and Joanna Penn explore the evolving landscape of self-publishing and the significance of authenticity and trust in building reader connections. They discuss the rise of agentic AI and its impact on marketing, suggesting that authors should focus on irreplaceable human skills. The conversation shifts to effective business strategies for indie authors, emphasizing direct sales and real-world experiences. As they look toward 2026, they advocate for a transformative approach in content creation that prioritizes reader engagement over traditional how-to formats.

Agatha Christie's work has entered the public domain, opening up exciting creative possibilities. Unresolved issues from the Anthropic settlement could impact textbook authors, with payouts varying based on participation. There's a notable shift as audio platforms embrace video, with Audible testing in-app video trailers and interviews to boost audiobook discovery. Meanwhile, Spotify is making waves by lowering monetization requirements, making it easier for podcasters to monetize their content and engage audiences.

Authors are diving deep into the intricacies of audiobook copyright registration—should they protect their performances? They discuss affordable postal address alternatives for UK newsletters and clarify that a Library of Congress control number won't hinder publication. Middle-grade marketing strategies are explored, emphasizing engagement with parents. The hosts tackle quality control issues with Ingram Spark and analyze Amazon's shift in DRM policy, discussing how it impacts readers and authors alike, while sharing personal experiences that shaped their journeys.

The Nebula Awards stirred controversy with a sudden ban on AI eligibility, igniting debate within the sci-fi and fantasy communities. Discussions focus on the distinction between assistive and generative AI, highlighting issues with enforceability of policies. Meanwhile, Amazon's 'Ask This Book' feature faces scrutiny from the Authors Guild over potential licensing and derivative works concerns. With each side presenting compelling arguments, the podcast dives deep into the future of AI in literature and author rights.

Troy Lambert, an accomplished author and book coach with over 32 novels to his name, shares his insights on maximizing writing time amidst distractions. He discusses seven actionable strategies, such as tracking time to identify peak creativity, automating repetitive tasks, and the importance of batching work by focus levels. Troy also highlights the balance of using AI wisely while ensuring human touch remains in writing. His tips empower writers to reclaim their time and streamline their publishing processes, making room for more creativity.

Dale Rogers, an independent author and illustrator with a rich background in education and music, joins the conversation. He shares his journey of blending poetry and visual storytelling into a unique genre he calls Poetry Comics. Dale reflects on winning a prestigious poetry award in college and how his teaching experience informs his creative process. He discusses the challenges of making comics accessible and how he uses AI for image descriptions. His encouraging words for aspiring late-starting creators highlight the importance of persistence in the creative journey.

Dan Holloway dives into the exciting newly released public domain works of 2026, featuring literary legends like Agatha Christie. He warns creators about the complex implications of reusing characters, using Winnie the Pooh as a cautionary tale. The launch of the CopyMite Coalition aims to empower indie authors in AI copyright battles, addressing important litigation and licensing goals. A fresh legal challenge raises questions on how book value is assessed in AI training, sparking debate within the author community for unity in the coming year.

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Matty Dalrymple talks with publishing strategist and book designer Sam Pearce about the invisible design rules that shape a reader's experience. They explore how readability, typography, layout choices, and genre conventions can make—or break—a book. Learn about how to create professional, reader-friendly interiors that strengthen your brand and boost your success as an indie author. 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 Sam Pearce is a publishing strategist, award-winning book designer, and founder of SWATT Books. With more than twenty years of experience in design and more than 250 books published across fiction, nonfiction, memoir, and business genres, she is known for making the publishing process clear, professional, and author-empowering. A four-time author, she specializes in helping writers turn manuscripts into credible, well-crafted books that stand out in the marketplace, and she is a forthright advocate for authors who believes every strong story deserves to be published well. Pearce can be found on her website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dan Holloway closes out 2025 by examining Amazon's new "Ask This Book" AI feature for Kindle and the backlash over its always-on use with no author opt-out. He reflects on a year shaped by AI controversies, including the Anthropic class action, contrasts Amazon's approach with Spotify's push for greater transparency, and looks at wider industry shifts, from romance's continued dominance to the rise of Bookshop.org as a meaningful alternative for both print and e-book sales. 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.