show episodes
 
Tune into our podcast twice weekly. The Self-Publishing Advice & Inspirations Podcast posts advice episodes on Fridays and inspirations on Sundays. The four advice streams are: Beginning Self-Publishing (with Melissa Addey and Dan Parsons), Member Q&A (with Michael La Ronn & Sacha Black), Latest News (with Dan Holloway and Howard Lovy) and Advanced Self-Publishing (with Joanna Penn and Orna Ross). The two inspiration streams: Inspirational Indie Authors in which Howard Lovy interviews an ins ...
 
Chris Jones teaches authors to think like publishers and promote like marketers. Each week, he highlights a different facet of the writing and self-publishing business. His goal: to equip authors and writers with the tools they need to get the recognition they deserve. Past guests have included Joanna Penn, John David Mann, Toby Neal, JV Crum III, Nathan Chan, and Mark Minard.
 
Join journalist Kirk McElhearn as he interviews writers of all kinds about their processes, routines, and how they use Scrivener, the app dedicated to long-form writing. In the first half of the show, writers share their experiences and their different approaches to getting words down on the page; in the second half, they get into the specifics of how they use Scrivener to help them. Whether you’re a Scrivener user or just interested in writing, this podcast has something for you.
 
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show series
 
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss how to make more money than the average author. Anecdotal evidence indicates that authors who take self-publishing seriously earn more, on average, than authors who are exclusively trade-published. As ALLi conducts research into indep…
 
Joanna Penn combines her talents as a thriller author with her skills in marketing to have a successful writing career. Her latest book is Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways. Show notes: Joanna Penn Pilgrimage Pilgrimage Kickstarter The Way Paulo Coelho, The Pilgrimage Check Grammar in Your Scrivener Projects with ProW…
 
My Kickstarter campaign for my travel memoir, Pilgrimage, funded within minutes and raised over £26,000 (over US$31,000) for a niche book in a new market. In this episode, I share my lessons learned and tips for a successful campaign. In the intro, I mention the 6 Figure Author Podcast, The Writers Well Podcast, and Reid Hoffman's new Possible podc…
 
My guest this episode is Melissa Addey, who you may already know as the campaigns manager for the Alliance of Independent Authors and co-host of the Beginners Self-Publishing podcast. But Melissa is also an accomplished indie author, herself, focusing on historical fiction. She also uses her expertise to help other self-published authors find their…
 
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: A new ALLi Income Survey will reveal just how much indie authors really make. Also, the US Copyright Office issues ruling on AI-generated text, and how Silicon Valley bank failures impact your author business. News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss these and other storie…
 
Episode 159 / Do you want to connect with readers and create a new income stream that’s consistent and independent of the giant corporate tech companies? Join us as we talk with Emilia Rose and Michael Evans of Ream.ink about how to create a subscription for your readers. 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout i…
 
If you want a long-term successful career as an author, you need to learn the craft and the business of writing. Joseph Nassise talks about his writing process, how he diversifies his business across different publishers, different products, and different technologies, as well as how he is embracing new options for his books. In the intro, Draft2Di…
 
My guest this episode is Jess Lohmann, an author who draws attention to animal rights through her books for young adults. Also, for adults, she focuses her business on ethical marketing. Jess managed to take an uninspiring marketing career and change it to one that reflects her values. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored b…
 
What are the legal implications of publishing an unauthorized biography? That is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black. Other questions include: Help! Amazon canceled my preorder! How do I get reviews for my books? Are Scrivener or Jutoh suitable apps for indie authors? If my poems are pri…
 
We all use tools to help us improve our skills, and in this episode, Leanne Leeds explains how she uses the generative AI tool, Sudowrite, to write better books and serve her readership more effectively. In the intro, OpenAI launches GPT4, and how it can be used for accessibility with Be My Eyes. Other tools include ProWritingAid's Rephrase, and up…
 
Episode 158 / Do you want to change genres, but aren’t sure if your readers will follow you? Dark romance author Maria Luis shares how she brought her contemporary steamy romance to her new dark romance books. We also delve into reader expectations and moving away from a rapid release schedule. Maria’s website: www.marialuis.org 💜 🎙 Become a suppor…
 
Writers and readers are a diverse bunch, and we all want to do our best to make sure our content is accessible to all. But how do we do that when it seems like a huge (and time-consuming) challenge for an individual creator? Jeff Adams gives some tips for getting started. In the intro, making as marketing [Ryan Holiday]; Enter awards but make sure …
 
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the seven signs of writing resistance and block. As you plan your creative expansion and set about putting your plans into action, you will meet resistance. This is inevitable, part of the process, and not a personal weakness or a sign…
 
In today's Beginners Self-Publishing Podcast: soft launching a book. Thanks to movies and a narrative perpetuated by trade publishers, debut authors fixate on big book launches, characterized by perfection and fanfare. The reality, however, is that many experienced authors stagger book launches, choosing not to fire all cylinders at once for a vari…
 
Episode 157 / Romance author, screenwriter, and educator Ines Johnson joins us to talk about why pacing is so important when crafting your novel as well as self care, direct sales, and her new podcast, Ines Johnson is Having a Breakdown. 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode! https://wishidk…
 
What are the core fundamentals of a successful independent author business? How can you focus on writing, as well as sell more books, and stay healthy? Prolific fantasy author Lindsay Buroker shares her tips. In the intro, YouTube gets into audio-only podcasts; Seth Godin's book marketing for The Song of Significance; How to make more money than th…
 
My guest this episode is Michael Webb, who writes YA Fantasy books, but attracts readers of all ages. Michael has a great deal of advice for other authors on how to successfully write, launch, and market a debut novel and keep the momentum going for subsequent books. ALLi's Inspirational Indie Author Podcast stream is sponsored by Kobo Writing Life…
 
Episode 156 / Do you want to get your book into other languages? This week Sara and Jami dive into the various options available to indie authors for translations, including licensing your rights to a publisher and doing it yourself (project-managing the translation of your books). 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a …
 
Write and publish what you want, get paid every day for your books, and control your customer data and relationships. It's possible if you sell direct, as Pierre Jeanty talks about in this interview. In the intro, the author income survey [ALLi]; publishing clauses to avoid [Writer Unboxed; Writer Beware]; copyright registration for AI-assisted com…
 
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the three models of independent publishing. They are volume publishing, engagement publishing, and craft publishing. Each model comes with its own priorities and values that affect every aspect of the publishing process, from productio…
 
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: Amazon changes its ebook returns policy, much to the relief of authors. Also, Substack allows private, curated audiences. And in the Tech Corner, humans strike back against AI. News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss these and other stories making the news this month in i…
 
After many years of people saying, “AI can never be creative, AI could never write fiction (i.e. make things up), it's now evident that the generative AI tools make a lot up — and we need to be aware of the potential ramifications. How can we use the tools to achieve our creative purpose in an ethical manner, and understand that we need to curate, …
 
Episode 155 / You can hook readers with a few words or a concept when you use tropes. Romance and non-fiction author, Jennifer Hilt, shares tips on how to recognize tropes, how to bake them into your writing to make marketing easier, and how to twist tropes so they’re fresh for both readers and authors. Author website: www.jenniferhilt.com 💜 🎙 Beco…
 
How can you create a universe big enough for multiple series? How can you co-write successfully? How can you pivot your business model to achieve your creative, financial, and lifestyle goals? Martha Carr talks about these things and more. In the intro, Simon & Schuster is back up for sale [Reuters, Episode 662 with Jane Friedman]; The New Gatekeep…
 
My guest this episode is Karen A. Chase, who began her career in advertising and marketing before she had an epiphany one day and decided she wanted to contribute something more lasting to society as an author. But she also uses her background to help other authors navigate their way through the many roads to marketing their work. ALLi's Inspiratio…
 
Subscriber-only episode 🎉 In our first bonus episode for subscribers, we share the best and worst advice we've received when it comes to writing craft and book marketing. As with everything, your mileage may vary. The writing practices, tactics, strategies, tips, and ideas we share are specific to us--what's worked and what hasn't. Take into accoun…
 
Unlimited marketing is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Orna Ross. Other questions include: If you had $10,000 to spend on marketing, how would you spend it? What are your tips for publishing a 900-page book? Can you give a refresher on the benefits, pros/cons of using IngramSpark? Where can I fi…
 
Episode 154 / Swag can be a great way to engage with readers. Hybrid young adult author and BookBrush COO, Dana Claire, shares how to create swag that will help you contect with readers and stand out in a crowded marketplace. Author website: https://www.danaclairebooks.com/ 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout…
 
How can you embrace book marketing as a creative part of your author business? How can you effectively market your backlist over time? How can you tap into ambition and drive your author business onward and upward? Honoree Corder talks about all this and more. In the intro, Draft2Digital add a new library marketplace [D2D]; Running a publishing hou…
 
On the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy talk about where to spend your time, energy, and money. Indie publishers juggle many roles as they write, publish, and market their work, plus hold down other jobs to pay the bills. Sometimes, it can seem overwhelming. In this episode, Orna an…
 
In today's Beginners Self-Publishing Podcast: book formats and distribution. When average readers discuss the book trade, many tend to have a one-track mind focused on print books and physical bookstores. The truth, though, is that books have much more potential in terms of formats and distribution. In this episode, ALLi Product Marketing Manager D…
 
Episode 153 / Cozy mystery author Traci Andrighetti joins us to talk about how changing her covers, going wide, and collaborating with other authors on a series have been game-changers for her writing career. Links: 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode! https://wishidknownforwriters.com/sup…
 
Who are the Choctaw people and how can authors write authentic Native Americans in their books? How can we research diverse characters and include a diverse cast without worrying about cancel culture? Sarah Elisabeth Sawyer talks about how her Choctaw heritage influences her books. In the intro, the Pilgrimage Kickstarter is done — thanks to all ba…
 
My guest this episode is Maryann Reid, who writes women's fiction aimed at an African American audience, and she found success with that formula at St. Martin's Press for a decade. Then the economic downturn happened in 2008, and she had to rethink everything. She came out the other side with a new voice as an indie author. ALLi's Inspirational Ind…
 
In this month’s Advanced Self-Publishing Podcast ALLi Director Orna Ross and Enterprise Adviser Joanna Penn discuss opportunities for indie authors in 2023. The rise of AI tools, the growth of the creator economy, and the emergence of previously underrepresented writers and genres mean 2023 looks set to be an exciting year to be writing and publish…
 
After decades as a corporate executive for a financial services firm, Bill Thompson retired and became a bestselling author of archeological thrillers. Show notes: Bill Thompson My Second Act: Bestselling Novelist Bill Thompson's books Kindle ebook royalties Kindle Unlimited royalties Kevin Kelly, 1,000 True Fans Daniel Silva books Learn more about…
 
Episode 152 / Olivia Hayle, author of contemporary romance, joins us this week to discuss how her shift to focusing on what her readers want in both her writing and her promotion helped her author career. Oliva’s website: http://oliviahayle.com 💜 🎙 Become a supporter of the podcast! We can’t wait to give you a shoutout in a future episode! https://…
 
What are the benefits of selling direct? Why might using your face to advertise your books be a good idea? What might be the future of selling direct? Steve Pieper talks about these things and more. In the intro, ACX lowering audiobook prices, Chokepoint Capitalism, Audiblegate, Copyright valuation [Dean Wesley Smith]; courses on copyright; Happy […
 
What do you need to consider when writing travel memoir? How fear of judgment and fear of failure are real issues even for established authors, and more in these selected excerpts from interviews with J.F. Penn around Pilgrimage: Lessons Learned from Solo Walking Three Ancient Ways. In this episode, I talk about: I have a […] The post Writing Trave…
 
In this Self-Publishing Conference Highlight, Penny Sansevieri discusses the seven ways to build direct connections with readers. You’ve probably heard the term “super fans” thrown around a lot. But how do you go from having casual readers to activating the super fan connection? By the end of this session, you will learn how to build more connectio…
 
How can you use AI tools to ethically and responsibly create in whatever sphere you love? What are some of the tools and why are creative direction, voice, and taste, so important? I discuss these issues and more in a solo introduction and an interview with Oliver Altair. In the first 28 mins of the […] The post The Importance Of Confident Creative…
 
Episode 151 / Do you want to write a memoir? Joanna Penn joins us to share her lessons learned about writing memoir and other nonfiction. Joanna is a discovery writer and shares how the structure and content of the book evolved. We also delve into overcoming fear around Kickstarter and launches as well as what’s on the horizon for authors related t…
 
How can small, daily habits make you more successful as an author? How can you use the 80/20 rule in your author business? How can you create multiple streams of income when you sell mostly print? Marc Reklau shares his tips in the interview. In the intro, my Kickstarter for Pilgrimage is live!; Spotify's promotion […] The post Multi-Six Figure Boo…
 
My guest this episode is Millicent Eidson, a retired public health veterinarian and epidemiologist who worked for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention along with state health departments. Now she's the author of the Maya Maguire microbial mystery series, which seeks to make public health and climate change understandable and even entertai…
 
Today on the Self-Publishing News podcast: Experiments with Midjourney and ChatGPT. ALLi News Editor Dan Holloway and News and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Apple turns to AI for audiobook narration, and many authors are up in arms over a children's book written and illustrated by AI. Howar…
 
Episode 150 / Cozy and romance author Kate Baray joins us this week to talk about how she focuses on productive longevity and creates a sustainable author career. Show notes: Kate’s unusual path to being an author Why it’s important to tune out writing and craft advice that doesn’t apply to your genre or your personality type Kate’s method of tryin…
 
Do you sometimes just ‘know' when a story is right? Does something ‘click' during the writing process and suddenly things make sense? Do you lean into your curiosity and emotion when it comes to writing and marketing? If yes, you might be an intuitive writer, as Becca Syme explains in this interview. In the intro, […] The post Intuitive Writing And…
 
Cover plagiarism is one of the topics covered in this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black. Other questions include: In the United States, should I register my copyright to send ARCs to readers? Does ALLi offer access to scriptwriters? My contract with my literary agent is scheduled to close in forty-five days. Can I self…
 
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