Self-Publishing with ALLi

Alliance of Independent Authors
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May 2, 2025 • 11min

Oscars Open to AI-Assisted Films; Reading Habits Hold Steady; Linktree Adds eBook Sales: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that the Oscars will allow AI-assisted films starting next year. He also discusses new surveys showing that reading habits remain stable despite headlines, and highlights Linktree’s new feature allowing authors to sell eBooks directly from their bio pages. 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.
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Apr 30, 2025 • 32min

The Art and Craft of Ghostwriting: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Matty Dalrymple

Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews ALLi Editor-in-Chief Roz Morris about the art and craft of ghostwriting. Roz discusses her path into the field, the range of genres she has worked in, and the importance of preserving the client’s voice. They explore the balance between editing and ghostwriting, the collaborative process, and how ghostwriters often act as informal therapists. Roz also covers payment, time management, spotting red flags, and the rewards of ghostwriting despite its anonymity. 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 Roz Morris’s novels and memoir have been recognized by major mainstream awards. She has coached award-winning writers in both fiction and nonfiction, taught creative writing for The Guardian masterclasses, blogged for Writers’ & Artists’ Yearbook, and served as a regular judge on Litopia’s Pop-Up Submissions show, critiquing manuscripts from promising writers. Roz is also ALLi’s editor-in-chief.
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Apr 27, 2025 • 23min

Inspirational Indie Author Interview #182: M. Jacqueline Murray. From Scientist to Novelist, Exploring Love Across Timelines

My guest this episode is Jacqueline Murray, who took an unconventional path from medical device marketer to author of a romance series that blends love and quantum theory. Her books feature storylines that challenge genre conventions and feature characters later in life. 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 M. Jacqueline Murray embodies the Renaissance ideal of the multi-faceted individual—scientist, business professional, photographer, musician, and author. Her Maddie & Nate series challenges traditional romance conventions by exploring a single destined connection across different timelines and choices. Through the lens of quantum physics and the theory of multiple realities, each book presents a new version of their love story, showing how timing and circumstance shape relationships—and who we ultimately become. To learn more about Jacqueline and her work, visit mjacquelinemurray.com or follow her on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You can also sign up for her Readers Club to receive updates and behind-the-scenes insights.
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Apr 25, 2025 • 11min

Spotify Recognized for Audiobook Innovation: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Spotify receiving the BISG Industry Innovator Award for its audiobook efforts, including new tools for indie authors. He also highlights Patreon’s launch of unlimited in-platform livestreaming, a move that supports creators building subscription-based communities. Finally, Dan explores a growing trend in book subscription services: curating and now publishing original content tailored to their audiences. 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.
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18 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 43min

How Zines Can Boost Creativity and Build Reader Connections: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Anna Featherstone

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with Rebekah Lambert, a poet, playwright, content strategist, and founder of the Freelance Jungle, about how authors can produce and distribute zines. They discuss how zines give writers permission not to be perfect, offer a low-pressure way to spark creativity, and help both fiction and nonfiction authors deepen connections with readers. Show Notes List of Australian Writers Festivals for 2025 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 Rebekah Lambert is a freelance content and community specialist who advocates for stress reduction and support for creatives and the self-employed through the Freelance Jungle and Patreon. She’s committed to ending isolation in sole employment and raising awareness of freelance industry challenges. Currently studying counselling and trauma-informed care, Rebekah aims to help creatives recover from recent difficult years. When she’s not advocating, she’s making art, writing, or exploring Wollongong with her Labradorks, Gibson and George. Learn more at Unashamedly Creative or follow her on Instagram.
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Apr 20, 2025 • 38min

Should You Hire a Marketing Company to Launch Your Book? The Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast Featuring Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, host Michael La Ronn discusses whether it's worth hiring a marketing company to promote your second book—and why many authors might be better off learning to market themselves first. Other questions include: Is there still a stigma around self-publishing in 2025? Should I limit how often I run Kindle Countdown Deals for the first book in a series? What’s the best mix of platforms for distributing ebooks and print books? Do short or long-form videos work better for book marketing? How can I prepare for my first in-person book signing event? What’s the best way to get indie books into libraries? 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.
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Apr 18, 2025 • 11min

Printed Books Exempt from New US Tariffs, Canva Adds AI Tools, Ingram Launches MediaScout: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that new US tariffs will not apply to printed books, thanks to an information exemption, though the impact on printing materials remains unclear. He covers Canva’s launch of AI tools following a pricing change, a legal brief challenging Meta’s use of copyrighted content, and Ingram’s new MediaScout platform, which showcases indie books for film and TV adaptation. 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.
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Apr 16, 2025 • 28min

The Secrets of Successful Author Branding: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dale L. Roberts

Join Dale L. Roberts as he interviews self-publishing expert Bryan Cohen on the foundations of author branding. Learn how genre clarity, strong sales copy, and Amazon ads work together to grow your fan base and boost book sales. It’s a must-listen for new and mid-list authors. Show Notes: Best Page Forward Sell More Books Show 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.
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Apr 13, 2025 • 41min

Inspirational Indie Author Interview #181: Ali Steed. Financial Journalist Turns to Award-Winning Crime Fiction

My guest this episode is crime novelist Ali Steed. After decades in financial journalism, Ali is winning awards in fiction—exploring the darker corners of the human mind through her police procedural series. We talk about what it took to overcome the fear of releasing that first novel, how she brings her investigative skills to crime fiction, and how life in Mallorca—and a bit of shamanic training—helped her embrace her creative 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 Ali Steed is an accomplished writer, editor, and broadcaster, and has worked as a journalist—both in-house and freelance—for most of the UK’s national newspapers, as well as the BBC, Channel 4, and local TV and radio stations. She has won eight awards for her journalism, and her debut novel, All It Takes, won the BIBA Suspense/Thriller 2024 category. This is the first book in the DCI Caroline Cramer series, with more titles due out later this year. Ali is a strong advocate of using shamanic teachings to break through writing blocks, improve creativity, and increase the confidence of writers who often struggle to see their own talent and worth. She went through shamanic training to help her own writing and confidence and is now keen to help others in the same way. All It Takes is available on Amazon. You can follow Ali on Instagram or on Facebook. She is also currently building her shamanic profile on Instagram @theshamanicstoryteller
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Apr 11, 2025 • 13min

NaNoWriMo Shuts Down, AI Lawsuits Consolidated, and Amazon Adds Kindle Recaps: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that National Novel Writing Month, known as NaNoWriMo, has announced it will not officially take place this November, citing financial and reputational concerns. He also covers the latest in AI and copyright, including the consolidation of major lawsuits against tech companies, protests outside Meta’s London offices, and new research suggesting copyrighted materials have been used to train AI models. Finally, he discusses Amazon’s new AI-powered Kindle Recap feature and questions around whether authors have consented to its use. 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.

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