Askalli: Self-publishing Advice Podcast

In this episode of the Advice on Editing & Design stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Johnson of Benetech about the importance of accessibility for authors and visually impaired readers, emphasizing ethical self-publishing and the potential market share missed if authors do not make their content accessible. Michael provides practical tips for indie authors on how to ensure their books are accessible, including the use of technology and proper formatting.  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 pod

My guest this episode is Anna Davidson, who, after years of working as an editor and managing editor, began writing poetry during her recovery from long COVID. She decided to self-publish her debut poetry collection, Poetry for Life and Other Chronic Conditions, to maintain creative control and ensure her work reached readers quickly. 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 more than 35 years and now amplifies the voices of

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses the new deal between OpenAI and Condé Nast, noting that editors and authors were not consulted, sparking concern. He also covers a lawsuit against Anthropic over using pirated works in AI training, highlights Draft2Digital's survey on authors' views about AI, and introduces a blockchain startup called Story, aimed at tracking digital works. Dan wraps up with positive news about rising Kindle Unlimited payouts, signaling a strong outlook for indie 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 f

In this month's episode of Reaching More Readers, Holly Greenland shares new research suggesting that financial investments in marketing do pay off for many self-published authors. But where should you make those marketing investments, and how can you ensure you're spending wisely? Dale L. Roberts and Holly discuss their views and experiences, offering practical tips to help you make informed decisions. 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. Now, go write and publish! About the Hosts 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

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers the FTC's new measures against fake reviews, which could impact indie authors relying on genuine reviews for visibility. He outlines key points like the ban on AI-generated and paid reviews, along with potential fines. Dan also discusses the latest sustainability efforts in publishing and the addition of a gaming category to the Sunday Times Rich List, highlighting the growing link between gaming and storytelling. 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 becom

In the latest episode of the Creating Better Books podcast, ALLi Content and Communications Manager Howard Lovy interviews Hannah Jacobson, founder of Book Award Pro, a company dedicated to helping authors gain recognition through book awards. Hannah discusses the challenges indie authors face in navigating the award landscape, the importance of ensuring the legitimacy of awards, and how her company leverages AI to match books with the right opportunities. She also highlights the growing acceptance of indie authors in the awards industry. 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. The Creating Better Books 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 crea

My guest this episode is Phillip Mottaz, a mystery author based in Los Angeles. Phillip has a unique journey from a small town in Illinois to the sketch comedy scene in Chicago and now to writing indie mystery novels in L.A. His latest book, Deadly Maybe, coming out this month, reunites the famous Gallagher brothers from the band Oasis to solve a murder. We'll talk about how Phillip's love for storytelling began, his transition from improv to mystery writing, and what drives his independent approach to publishing. 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 e

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses Substack's new feature that lets users publish blog posts without committing to a full newsletter, making it easier to connect with readers. He also highlights Spiracle's QR code-enabled greeting cards, which link directly to audiobooks, and Challypop, a platform for micro-influencers in the book community. 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 A

The Alliance of Independent Authors Podcast is undergoing some exciting changes, which Director Orna Ross reveals in this special announcement episode. A new name, new content, and an expansion of the podcasting team to reflect the many faces of ALLi—advisers, ambassadors, and core team—with the aim of bringing you fresh and engaging self-publishing advice, news, and inspirations.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers Amazon's new identity verification requirement for KDP authors, aimed at preventing fraud and improving the reader experience. He also discusses the NO FAKES Act, a U.S. legislation designed to prevent the unauthorized use of people's likenesses and voices, particularly concerning AI and deepfakes. Also, Dan touches on a recent court ruling on the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and its implications for DRM and VPN usage. 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 w

Dive into a candid discussion with author Michael La Ronn as he unveils essential mindset strategies for fostering a lifelong writing habit and a rewarding self-publishing business. Unlock your true potential and increase your book revenue with practical, actionable advice that's simple to implement and absolutely free. Absorb valuable insights from the presentation and watch your writing and publishing journey flourish like never before! 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 Terry Lister, a seasoned solo traveler and author who, after retiring from a successful career as an accountant, has explored over 100 countries. Terry's love for travel began in Bermuda, where he dreamed of far-off places. His books capture not just the destinations but also the cultural and economic landscapes he encounters. 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 more than 35 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.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway talks about Colin Kaepernick's new self-publishing platform, Lumi, which focuses on comics and manga. Lumi aims to make publishing easier by using AI to help creators with the process. Dan also highlights new additions to the Cambridge Dictionary, influenced by social media and reality TV. He touches on the latest trends in ebook and audiobook sales, noting the steady growth in digital audiobooks. The episode wraps up with a discussion on the role of AI in publishing and its potential impact. 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

In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how to make the most of your ALLi membership.  Other questions include: How do I pursue organic search discovery of my book? Can I use the same ISBN for different translations of my book? If I remove my book from Amazon, am I free to do whatever I want with it? Can I include trademarked names in my book? 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. Now, go write and publish! 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. Vis

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers the launch of Created by Humans, an AI rights licensing platform, and the Copyright Clearance Centre's new initiative to include AI permissions in their annual copyright licenses. Dan also discusses the expansion of the Amazon Literary Partnership into Ireland, highlighting its support for a range of literary organizations and the opportunities for authors to apply for the 2025 grants. 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

This month in the Reaching More Readers podcast, Dale L. Roberts and Holly Greenland wrap up their journey around the tips and tricks for email marketing for indie authors. This time, they'll take a closer look at offering “reader magnets,” the importance of testing your mailer systems, and further tips on growing your list. Look back at previous Reaching More Readers episodes for information about why an email list is so important for indie authors and to find out how you can establish your newsletter process. 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. Now, go write and publish! About the Hosts 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,

My guest this episode is Dawn Brookes, a British writer of Cozy Mysteries and a former nurse who worked in healthcare for nearly 40 years. After retiring from nursing, Dawn began writing full-time, drawing on her extensive experience to create rich characters and engaging stories. Dawn uses her life experiences to fuel her writing and is indie because it allows her to connect with readers and build a fan base. 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 more than 35 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.

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses the new COPIED Act, which aims to provide copyright protection for creators in the AI age. This bipartisan bill, introduced in the United States, seeks to ensure that creators can tag their work with metadata to prevent unauthorized use by AI for training purposes. Dan also touches on the implications of AI on creativity, referencing a recent study that highlights the balance between individual originality and collective diversity. 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 la

In the latest episode of the Creating Better Books podcast, ALLi Content and Communications Manager Howard Lovy interviews Kathryn Goldman of the Creative Law Center, a seasoned intellectual property attorney dedicated to supporting independent creatives. Kathryn shares her expertise on how authors can protect themselves legally, from handling defamation risks in memoirs to understanding the rights around using real people in fiction. Kathryn also tackles the nuances of copyright issues in the age of AI and the essential legal knowledge every self-publisher needs to safeguard their work. 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 more than 35 years, and now amplifies the voices of independent author-publishers and works with authors as a d

ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple and Outreach Manager Michael La Ronn share tips for how indie authors can protect themselves from phishing and scams. They provide insight into how phishing works, share advice on recognizing scams, and introduce the SALSA (Sender, Attachment, Links, Subject line, Authentication) method to help authors identify potential threats. Michael also explains the resources ALLi offers, like their self-publishing service ratings and watchdog services, to help authors choose ethical publishing services. They emphasize the significance of community support and being vigilant to safeguard personal and financial information. Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue? If you’re an ALLi member, head over to the SelfPubConnect forum for support from our experienced community of indie authors, advisors, and team. Simply create an account (if you haven’t already) to request to join the forum and get going. Non-members looking for more information can searc