Askalli: Self-publishing Advice Podcast

On this Creative Self-Publishing stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Orna Ross explores the seismic shifts in publishing over the past five years, from AI innovations and subscription models to the rise of indie authorpreneurs. She delves into the new challenges authors face in a crowded, tech-driven market and uncovers the exciting opportunities that will transform how indie authors publish. Looking ahead, Orna shares her vision for the future, where creativity, technology, and community reshape author-publishing. Sponsors This Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast is sponsored by Orna Ross's Creative Planning Program for Authors & Poets. If you’re feeling daunted by the enormity of your writing and publishing goals, or overwhelmed by your to-do list, or you’re just not sure what way forward is best, Orna can help with a proven planning process devised specially for writers. All our ALLi podcasts are proudly sponsored by Bookvault. Sell high-quality, print-on-demand books directly to reader

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway examines a major survey of over 13,500 authors, revealing strong opinions on AI license deals. The findings show widespread support for transparency and compensation, with most authors preferring licensing bodies over publishers to manage these agreements. Dan also explores the implications for indie authors relying on platforms like Amazon and Spotify. 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

In this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Dale L. Roberts talks with Andrea Jo DeWerd, a book marketing expert, about the essentials of author branding and marketing. Andrea explains how to create a memorable brand, build a cohesive author presence, and use social media effectively. She also discusses boosting book sales through in-person events and community engagement, debunks common marketing myths, and offers practical tips for public speaking and identifying the right opportunities for 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. Aft

My guest this episode is Sylvia Bourgeois, who writes stories featuring strong, unconventional women set against the natural beauty and industry of the Pacific Northwest. A former heavy equipment operator and project manager, Sylvia uses her unique life experiences to craft compelling historical fiction. Her latest novel, Here, Now, takes readers on a journey from 1920s Seattle to a remote logging camp in British Columbia. I spoke to Sylvia about how her childhood, career, and creative process have shaped her work—and how she juggles a demanding day job with her passion for writing. 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 royaltie

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway examines Spines, a new AI-powered self-publishing service claiming to revolutionize the industry with faster and cheaper book production. He also discusses the growing dominance of AI startups in publishing, OpenAI’s latest legal troubles, and revelations about the true size of the audiobook market, which may be far larger than official figures suggest. 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

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, ALLi's nonfiction adviser Anna Featherstone talks with Michael Hanrahan, founder of Publish Central, about ways authors can save money when outsourcing publishing tasks. They cover topics such as reducing editing costs by improving your manuscript, making cost-effective printing decisions, managing contracts, and understanding what’s truly necessary for distribution. 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. Now, go write and publish!  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 Bookvaul

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explores major developments in audiobooks, including Amazon Music's move into the market and Spotify's new deal with Bloomsbury. He also discusses ByteDance and Microsoft's ventures into publishing, with ByteDance focusing on BookTok-friendly genres and Microsoft aiming to speed up the publishing process. With tech companies increasingly disrupting the industry, Dan examines what these changes mean for authors. 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 num

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews Karen Inglis, a best-selling author and ALLi's children's book adviser. They explore the author’s role in creating children’s picture books, working with illustrators, managing costs, and choosing trim sizes and print quality. Karen also highlights the importance of perfecting the story and having clear contracts with illustrators. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center. 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,

My guest this episode is Douglas Vigliotti, author of Aristotle for Novelists: 14 Timeless Principles on the Art of Story. In this book, Douglas adapts Aristotle’s Poetics for modern novelists, breaking down the ancient principles that have shaped storytelling for over 2,000 years. He explores how these ideas apply not only to fiction but also to the stories we live every day. 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 year

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway examines the European Union's AI Act Draft Code of Practice, focusing on its impact on copyright, transparency, and data use in AI training. He also reports on the growth of self-publishing, with over 2.5 million books self-published with ISBNs last year—a 7.2 percent increase—and discusses how the new measures aim to protect authors from unauthorized use of their work by AI platforms. 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. Fi

The Alliance of Independent Authors hosts a discussion on the decision-making process behind whether to pivot or quit on a project. Eight indie authors share strategies for recognizing when a project may not be working and provide guidance on pivoting to optimize both profit and creative potential. This session offers practical advice to help authors navigate indie publishing challenges and turn creative setbacks into financial success. Featured Authors: Anna Sayburn Lane (Crime Fiction), N.J. Adel (Dark Romance), Mark Hayden (Urban Fantasy), Jennifer Hilt (USA Today Bestselling Author), Jennilynn Wyer (Award-Winning Romance), Nicholas Harvey (USA Today Bestselling Suspense), Octavia Randolph (Historical Fiction), and Kory Shrum (USA Today Bestselling Author). Sponsored by Bowker. 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-pu

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reflects on the passing of publishing influencer Mike Shatzkin and his impact on the industry. He also discusses Amazon’s decision to close its Kindle Vella serial fiction program and what it means for authors, and examines the tech industry’s stance on AI and creativity as shared at TechCrunch's Disrupt Conference. With tech startups promoting AI as a democratizing force, Dan explores the tension between creative freedom and the potential impact on traditional creative livelihoods. 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 w

Award-winning indie author Todd Fahnestock reveals the secrets to building a successful personal brand and connecting with readers in this insightful interview. From mastering in-person sales to harnessing the power of storytelling, Todd shares key strategies for branding and promoting your books. Curious how email marketing and newsletters can boost your reader loyalty? Todd breaks down his best practices while emphasizing the importance of authenticity and learning from failure. Discover what it takes to craft a compelling author journey in today's competitive landscape. 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

 My guest this episode is X. Ho Yen, a science fiction author whose work challenges traditional genre boundaries. X draws on a career in aerospace engineering and his own experiences with neurodivergence to create what he calls 'realism-based' science fiction. He avoids typical tropes in favor of narratives grounded in complex human challenges. 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

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses the alliance between Andreessen Horowitz and Microsoft against AI regulation, ElevenLabs' new app that converts text to audio, Amazon’s Kindle Color launch, and Collins Dictionary’s word of the year, "brat." 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

In this Self-Publishing with ALLi episode, Nonfiction Adviser Anna Featherstone and Outreach Manager Michael La Ronn discuss ISBNs and why indie authors should consider owning them. Michael shares practical tips on buying, managing, and using ISBNs across book formats, with a focus on how this choice impacts professionalism, distribution, and control over your work. 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. Now, go write and publish!  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 spo

In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether it’s possible for indie authors to achieve the print quality of traditional publishing when using print-on-demand services. Other questions include Should authors share royalties with mentors in exchange for marketing help? How can indie authors manage metadata consistency across different platforms? What are best practices for selling foreign translation rights? How do ad conversion rates impact the effectiveness of BookBub campaigns? What legal considerations apply when referencing other authors’ characters? What steps should I take to reclaim my rights from a traditional publisher after a limited-term contract? 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

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway shares highlights from the Written Word Media Indie Author Survey, examining the factors behind authors’ financial success. From top-performing genres to effective marketing and cover design strategies, Dan reveals what’s driving higher earnings. He also discusses the strong role Kindle Unlimited plays for top earners and the importance of mailing lists for boosting engagement and sales. 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.

This week on the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Tiffany Yates Martin, editor and founder of Foxprint Editorial. Tiffany shares her insights on balancing the art and business of writing, adapting to market changes, and overcoming challenges like perfectionism and imposter syndrome. She also discusses how authors can find fulfillment by aligning their values with their goals. Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our self-publishing advice center. 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 a

My guest this episode is Delaney Diamond. Born in the U.S. Virgin Islands, Delaney had a career in business before transitioning to writing full-time. Since 2011, she has self-published over 50 contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels. In our conversation, Delaney talks about how she’s managed to become such a prolific author, reveals her marketing secrets, and tells of how she helps other authors by offering consulting services. 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