Askalli: Self-publishing Advice Podcast

Welcome to AskALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it’s our monthly Member Q&A where ALLi Members’ have their most pressing self-publishing questions analyzed and answered. Join your regular hosts for the Member Q&A: Michael La Ronn and Orna Ross. Questions this month include: Is it worth displaying my book at BookExpo? Which is better for book promotion: Bookbub or Goodreads? Which of the assisted self-publishing companies are best for marketing? And More! Also, News Editor Dan Holloway and Howard Lovy bring you the latest self-publishing news. They talk about the expansion of StreetLib, an Unbound book shortlisted for a Folio prize, and an update on copyright protections. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, 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

On the AskALLi Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, Orna Ross and Tim Lewis look at editing. Money spent on editing is not just a necessary investment in your book but also in your writing and publishing future. Every writer needs an editor, but getting the most from your investment can be challenging, especially when you’re starting out.  Orna and Tim explain how to decide which type of edit you need, how to choose the best editors for your books and how to work with them to get the best creative and business return on your investment. Also, on Inspirational Indie Authors Howard Lovy interviews Yvonne Caputo, author of Flying with Dad: A Daughter, A Father, and how his World War II Stories Brought them Closer.  Growing up, Yvonne did not have a very close relationship with her father. A member of the WWII "Greatest Generation," her dad was very brusque with her and did not show very much emotion or affection. That was what was expected of fathers of his generation. They were also expected to simply put the war

Howard Lovy takes a close look at Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today's interview is with Yvonne Caputo, author of Flying with Dad: A Daughter, A Father, and how his World War II Stories Brought them Closer.  Growing up, Yvonne did not have a very close relationship with her father. A member of the WWII "Greatest Generation," her dad was very brusque with her and did not show very much emotion or affection. That was what was expected of fathers of his generation. They were also expected to simply put the war behind them and move on with their lives.  It was not until Yvonne was sixty years old, and her father near the end of his life that he finally opened up about his experiences, both humorous and sad, during WWII and about the nightmares he had ever since. At last, after nearly a lifetime, Yvonne found a sense of closure with her father. It took her about

In this month's Advanced Self-Publishing Salon from the Alliance of Independent Authors, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about the lessons learned and key takeaways for indie authors from The London Book Fair and ALLi's online Self-publishing Advice Conference, including the most up-to-date advice on making and selling books and running a successful indie author business. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Topics discussed this week include: New staff additions at ALLi Orna read her poetry at London Book Fair Lots of buzz about audiobooks at the LBF "Going wide" as an indie author. And more! Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, http://selfpublishingadvice.org. 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. Now, go write and publish! About the Hosts Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author,

In this presentation, author Sacha Black focuses on the creation of villains. Why? Because villains are vital to your novels. They create conflict, drive tension and up the pace. Without a solid villain, your novel will fall flat. In this presentation you’ll learn what clichés and stigmas to avoid, as well as the major factors of villain creation. Sacha says: "Behind every successful hero is a villain. Think about it. Would Metropolis have needed Superman if it weren’t for Lex Luthor and his plans for world domination? I don’t think so. Likewise, think about Gotham and Batman. Would Gotham have needed Batman if it weren’t for the Penguin or the Joker? "There’s a big debate over what’s the most important aspect is when creating your novel, is it characters? Is it plot? It could be either and I know supporters of both those camps. However, I think there’s something even more fundamental than either of those things, and that’s conflict. "Conflict gives your characters an aim and a purpose." Listen to Sacha's pre

Welcome to AskALLi, the self-publishing advice podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week, it's our monthly Writing Salon, where we discuss the craft of writing with author Dan Blank and ALLi Director Orna Ross. This week, Orna and Dan talk about collaboration. For a writer, collaborations can come in many forms: co-writers, coaches, mentors, ghostwriters, editors and accountability partners. But is collaboration for you? And how do you choose the best writing partner?  Also, on Inspirational Indie Authors Today's interview is with Frankie Picasso, an author who just released a book called For Want of 40 Pounds: From Persecution to Perseverance, What Would You do For Freedom? It's the story about her father, the patriarch of her family, who escaped the Holocaust and then went on to become a successful immigrant and entrepreneur. Frankie says the book is about "resilience. independence, freedom, courage. It's about being an immigrant, an entrepreneur, his rise and fall and rise again. It’s ab

Howard Lovy takes a close look at Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today's interview is with Frankie Picasso, an author who just released a book called For Want of 40 Pounds: From Persecution to Perseverance, What Would You do For Freedom? It's the story about her father, the patriarch of her family, who escaped the Holocaust and then went on to become a successful immigrant and entrepreneur. Frankie says the book is about "resilience. independence, freedom, courage. It's about being an immigrant, an entrepreneur, his rise and fall and rise again. It’s about love and family." Inspirational Indie Authors is a biweekly feature within our AskALLi series of podcasts.  Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find k

In this session live from London Book Fair, learn how to publish on Kobo Writing Life platform with KWL’s European Manager, Camille Modifini; how to sell books to libraries and bookstores with book selling supreme Amy Collins, President of New Shelves Books; and how to make sure you have the right mindset, right from the start with one of the most successful indie authors in the world, Adam Croft.  Panel chaired by ALLi Director Orna Ross. 

Welcome to AskALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it’s our monthly Member Q&A where ALLi Members’ have their most pressing self-publishing questions analyzed and answered. Join your regular hosts for the Member Q&A: Michael La Ronn and Orna Ross. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Questions this month include: Should authors get liability insurance? How to make a PDF. Can you display your ALLi badge on your books? Which self-publishing companies are reputable and provide effective service—especially in marketing and promotion? Also, News Editor Dan Holloway and Howard Lovy bring you the latest self-publishing news. They talk about the first winner of the Selfie Awards and other news from the London Book Fair.  Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key inf

On the AskALLi Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, Orna Ross and Tim Lewis look at the topic of using beta readers in your self-editing process. A beta reader is a trusted book lover whose opinion helps you to do a final self-edit on your book before sending it to the editor. But how do you choose the right beta readers? And how do you ensure you’ll get constructive advice on your manuscript and not just a review or opinion? Also, on Inspirational Indie Authors Howard Lovy interviews J. Dianne Dotson. Dianne is both a science and science fiction writer who is publishing a series of books, the first of which is called Heliopause: The Questrison Saga: Book One. And that's where Dianne shines as one of our favorite kinds of science fiction authors--- one who actually knows about science. Howard and Dianne discuss how to find the perfect balance between science and fiction. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice

Howard Lovy takes a close look at Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today's interview is with J. Dianne Dotson. She has written such best-sellers as: Lipids: Facts and Functions, What Are the Main Functions of Cilia & Flagella? And you can't forget the classic, What Are the Primary Functions of Phospholipids? Dianne is both a science and science fiction writer. Obviously, the titles I just listed are examples of her science writing. As for SciFi, she's publishing a series of books, the first of which is called Heliopause: The Questrison Saga: Book One. And that's where Dianne shines as one of our favorite kinds of science fiction authors--- one who actually knows about science. Inspirational Indie Authors is a biweekly feature within our AskALLi series of podcasts.  Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://

In this month's Advanced Self-Publishing Salon from the Alliance of Independent Authors, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn discuss ethics. The need for book reviews, the desirability of bestseller badges, the value in superfast author business models can put a strain on ethics. Sometimes authors make mistakes inadvertently, sometimes we stretch the rules on purpose.  Orna and Joanna look at recent controversies in the community around plagiarism, ghostwriting, reviews, and bestseller listings and ask: how far would you go to ensure your book is successful? The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Topics discussed this week include: Orna previews some changes coming on the ALLi website as we approach our seventh birthday. How do global changes in copyright law impact indie authors? A discussion about a recent ghostwriting/plagiarism scandal that rocked the indie Romance world. Is there a gray area between writing that's your own and something you picked up elsewhere? What are the limits of f

Welcome to AskALLi, the self-publishing advice podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week, it's our monthly Writing Salon, where we discuss the craft of writing with author Dan Blank and ALLi Director Orna Ross. This week, Orna and Dan talk about how to effectively share your work in a way that inspires others to connect and, ultimately, buy. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Topics discussed include Writing vs. marketing: It's a false dichotomy How to lead people "through the gate" and develop an interest in your writing. How to think about the "creative writing" around your book, including cover copy and social media. "Show your work" to your fans as you write the book. How to use different social media formats for different purposes. Quick tips on how to get started on your book; And more! Also, on Inspirational Indie Authors Today the theme is crime, and the human mind. What if you were falsely accused of a murder? Howard Lovy's guest is one of the most-

Howard Lovy takes a close look at Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today the theme is crime, and the human mind. What if you were falsely accused of a murder? Our guest is one of the most-popular authors of British crime fiction today, Adam Croft, who is also a leading self-published author. Inspirational Indie Authors is a biweekly feature within our AskALLi series of podcasts.  Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, 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.  

Welcome to AskALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it’s our monthly Member Q&A where ALLi Members’ have their most pressing self-publishing questions analyzed and answered. Join your regular hosts for the Member Q&A: Michael La Ronn and Orna Ross. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Questions this month include: How can I vet a contract? What raises alarm bells? Is there any advantage in going 50/50 with a publisher? How do I sell publishing rights? How do I negotiate? What steps do I take to publish in KDP? How can ALLi help me market my book? Can I publish a biography when the family objects? Also, News Editor Dan Holloway and Howard Lovy bring you the latest self-publishing news. They talk about the new Selfie Awards and Wattpad's new publishing venture. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog

Howard Lovy takes a close look at Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today the theme is money. Money, and crime, and human nature. The guest is Susan Grossey, who helps prevent financial crimes in real life, and writes about them in her series of fiction, the latest of which was just shortlisted for a Selfie award in the UK.  Inspirational Indie Authors is a biweekly feature within our AskALLi series of podcasts. Listen to the entire podcast here. Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, 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.  

Orna Ross and Tim Lewis discuss the challenges and delights of self-editing for author-publishers. Every author needs to self-edit before submission but when you’re self publishing, there are particular things you need to think about. Tune in to a wide-ranging discussion on this essential topic, including tips and tools and the value of beta readers. Inspirational Indie Authors Howard Lovy introduces a new feature in our podcasts. He takes a close look at some Inspirational Indie Authors. This isn't about their business model, their marketing, or even how many books they've sold. It's about their writing, and what indie authors have to say. Today the theme is money. Money, and crime, and human nature. The guest is Susan Grossey, who helps prevent financial crimes in real life, and writes about them in her series of fiction, the latest of which was just shortlisted for a Selfie award in the UK.  Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.or

In this month's Advanced Self-Publishing Salon from the Alliance of Independent Authors, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn explore the findings of the US Authors’ Guild Survey on author income and issues arising, including the problems with most author income surveys. What are the takeaways for indie authors who want to make a decent income from their writing and publishing? The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Topics discussed this week include: An update from Orna on what ALLi is up to, leading up to the London Book Fair; also, Orna teases some upcoming changes and new programming on the AskALLi podcasts. An update from Joanna on her new ventures in audiobook narration; also, Orna is recording a poetry audiobook and has started an online open mic for poets. A discussion on the Author's Guild Survey on author income. What does it mean? What are its shortcomings, including some of the questionable assumptions it makes about self-publishing. And more! Find more author advice, tips and

In this presentation, Claire Scobie shares her journey of co-authoring a memoir with her mum, Patricia Scobie. Together, they published A Baboon in the Bedroom about an amazing journey across Africa in 2017. Claire shares the experience of collaborating long-distance with a family member (Claire lives in Australia, her mum in the UK) and the power of books to uplift after grief and loss. This segment will help you see how writing & indie-publishing a book with a loved one can bring you closer and give the loved one a new indie author career. This podcast is part of Self-Publishing Advice Conference, an online author conference that showcases the best self-publishing advice and education for authors across the world — harnessing the global reach of the Alliance of Independent Authors’ network. Our self-publishing conference, which runs fringe to Digital Book World, features well-known indie authors and advisors, for 24 sessions over 24-hours, in a one-day extravaganza of self-publishing expertise straight

Welcome to AskALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it’s our monthly Member Q&A where ALLi Members’ have their most pressing self-publishing questions analyzed and answered. Join your regular hosts for the Member Q&A: Michael La Ronn and Dan Blank. The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome. Questions this month include: How do I transfer the copyright of my books from me to my brand new LLC/Corporation/Company? What's the recommended word length for a book description? How does Google Play price discounting work and how should I price my book? For 2nd editions of nonfiction books, do you unpublish the first edition? Do you request that reviews be transferred over to new edition? And more! Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, 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