Self-Publishing with ALLi

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.

Polly Campbell, an author and podcaster known for her works on writing and creativity, joins Matty Dalrymple to discuss the editorial process for short fiction contests. They delve into how contests sharpen writing skills and foster community, with Polly sharing her strategies for tight revisions, impactful details, and balancing creativity with polish. Listen as they explore making every sentence count, adapting to genre expectations, and the joy of writing under pressure. Polly emphasizes the transformative power of contests in reigniting creativity and validating a writer's journey.

The hosts dive into the best strategies for finding a reliable publishing mentor without breaking the bank. They discuss the ins and outs of changing Amazon prices without barcode updates. There’s a comparison of editorial vs. reader-review routes, and advice on handling translations and ads in foreign languages. Color photo inserts with print-on-demand distribution are also covered, along with the crucial lead time for ARC readers and the importance of launch-day reviews. It’s packed with actionable insights for aspiring authors!

Explore the impact of Amazon's new discovery algorithm on indie authors and their sales stability. Learn how algorithm changes create volatility in visibility and planning. Discover the benefits of direct sales through platforms like Substack, which offer a more reliable income stream. Delve into the importance of clear metadata for better book positioning. Understand how newsletters can lead to predictable earnings, with insights on subscriber economics and automation techniques that reduce friction for writers.

In this engaging discussion, dark-fantasy author Julie Embleton from Dublin shares her insights on navigating the indie author landscape. She explores the impact of social media changes and reader boycotts on sales, highlighting her move toward direct sales and authentic marketing. Julie emphasizes the importance of owning your audience and adapting to rising business costs. With a focus on enjoyable marketing tasks and mindful reassessment, she inspires authors to take control of their careers and connect with readers meaningfully.

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.

Roz Morris, the editor-in-chief at the Alliance of Independent Authors and a mentor in human-centered book marketing, joins Orna Ross to discuss shifting marketing strategies for authors. They highlight the importance of authentic human connections over algorithms and how understanding personal values shapes effective marketing. The duo also tackles common marketing fears among authors, the significance of metadata for discoverability, and the balance between digital tools and physical engagement in a rapidly changing landscape.

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.