Does your ALLi membership feel like a warm hug?
This is a post for members of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) only.
We'd like to know why you joined our alliance and what are the top benefits you get from being a member?
Knowing this helps us to focus our energies so we'd really appreciate if you could take a moment to tell us, in the comments below.
And if there's anything you'd like us to do better, tell us that too.
Thank you for your feedback.
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The Alliance is about standing together in a space that can be divisive and critical. It's about celebrating and supporting each other in the indie author's journey, which is so brand new, it still changes every day. I particularly enjoy the Facebook group at the moment as there are always people willing to share experiences and help others. This is just the beginning - we will see the Alliance do great things!
It's the shared knowledge, and the shared goal of independence in publishing, which are the main benefits for me. Technical details about formatting digital books and promoting them effectively, and financial reminders like making sure USA income is not taxed before it's sent to us. Ask a question and you're pretty sure to find a sensible answer among members because they understand where you're coming from.
For me, the Facebook group discussions have been the most interesting, and I've gained lots of helpful advice and information. The atmosphere is very friendly and easy-going, everybody keen to help others.
By its nature, writing can be a lonely business. At the same time, the publishing industry has never seen so much change in such a short time.
Both of these factors could easily cause overwhelm and make authors never come out of their shell.
ALLi is a safe haven where no question is too dumb to ask and everyone supports everyone else. There is not an ounce of competition between authors, just comradeship, warmth and support.
I advise all authors, whether self-publishing or working with a traditional publisher, to join, connect and share.
For me it's more about being in touch with people who are experiencing all the same ups and downs as you are and being able to share experiences. So, that picture at the top (of a warm hug) is very close to how I feel about ALLi. There is, of course, the added benefit of access to a lot of useful information.
The Alliance makes me feel like an important part in a flood of success rather than a a rain drop hoping to be noticed.
There's a bewildering, often entirely out of date and irrelevant, array of misinformation online for authors considering adding self-publishing to their toolkit. ALLI keeps you up to date with relevant experience and information in a rapidly changing environment. It's the good stuff, all on one place.
That's it! GET MORE. write more. TALK MORE. Then it's not so lonely.
As an author with an manuscript still in development, I debated as to whether joining would pay dividends.
I'm so glad I did!
Not only have I found my editor through the ALLi, but I'm also constantly tagging articles to make use of once I'm ready to dive into those choppy self-pubbing waters.
Thanks, everyone!
I think it's fair to say that as self-publishers, we're collectively up against the establishment from the first moment we had that strange compulsion to go it alone.
Knowing that the route forward might be a much trodden path is one thing, finding it another. Even better is the chance of finding those people who walked before you, and ALLi offers that golden opportunity, and more besides.
It's good to reach out and find good advice with others in the same boat... and unlike other Indie groups I've been in, it hasn't become a constant barrage of self-promotions and pleas to buy each other's books! As with others here, the Facebook discussions are always great, and offering great opportunities to members (like pitching for translation rights or group giveaways) make this a special-- and true-- alliance.
As a new fiction author, I'm finding the sharing of information on the FB page very helpful. It's also encouraging for me to discuss issues with people who are further along than I am. What has worked, what is changing.
I like the friendly atmosphere and willingness to share.
I'm finding the advice of more experienced authors useful. The Alliance has definitely increased my awareness and capability in book marketing.
I published my first Kindle book earlier this autumn and have been overwhelmed by the support of ALLi.
Firstly The Englishman was picked as one of the October reads, and secondly the support from the ALLi Facebook group has been fantastic. The self-publishing learning curve is steep, so for me it's been great to have access to a group of like-minded writers and their advice. Also while sitting alone at home in front of a blank screen, it's been a life-saver to read how others have got on, share problems and good news. Reading latests posts on the ALLi FB group page has become my procrastination task of choice.
The Alliance represents sharing. Sharing of experiences. Of victories and successes. Of failures. Of news—good and bad. Sharing of knowledge and advice. Suggestions and strategies. To me, the Alliance represents sharing in all its many forms and faces. It's a good place to be.
All true - at the moment, at least.
Access to valuable information from industry experts and fellow indie-pubbers who have developed unique insights into this rapidly rising indie revolution.
Being a member of ALLIA has had the unforeseen benefit this year of getting me out and about in public, speaking about my work. In April, I was invited to be on the author panel at London Book Fair for the launch of ALLIA, to talk about "How I Went Indie and Why". Then again, in September, I was invited to speak about epublishing and do a reading from my novel, at this ALLIA event in Scotland:
http://authorselectric.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/newspapers-and-public-readings-by-john.html
So, for me, ALLIA has added quite a dose of SPICE and excitement to my first year of epublishing!
(Not to mention, I got to meet Dan Holloway, Linda Gillard, Joni Rodgers, and Orna Ross!)
The benefits of membership, particularly the Facebook group, have been immense. I've learned so much from other authors & the sense of solidarity has given me more confidence. I've also had the opportunity to share my own experience and tips. There's a lot of give & take, so if you're new to indy publishing, you don't have to re-invent the wheel. The Alliance is a friendly and supportive group and whatever you need to know, someone in the group will be able to advise.
I've recommended joining ALLi to every author I've come across who's serious about self-publishing. To begin with I thought membership would be a luxury. I now think it's a necessity.
I'm right at the beginning of my indy journey. I'm extremely grateful for ALLI's resource recommendations and for the generous sharing of knowledge by more experienced members. ALLI's a wonderful consortium of authenticity in a fast-changing field.
ALLI came along at just the right time - for making me feel like I belong to a peer group of like minded people, many of whom have been traditionally published, but who choose to indie publish. There's so much goodwill here and a willingness to share knowledge. I particularly like the Facebook page.
I joined because Joanna Penn mentioned it in one of posts. All her advice has been golden so I joined. The community is a tremendous resource for indie authors. You can post any question that's on your mind and get great feedback and ideas from others. This is an active and engaged community of authors.
Thank you to our founders!
Peace, Seeley
I enjoy reading the blogs, and I constantly learn new things that improve my understanding of what it means to be an indie author--and how to be a better author. Whenever I get frustrated while trying to get my books noticed, it helps to know that Alli is there. It makes me feel very proud to be a member of an organization that is holding independent authors to a higher standard.
Like many here, I found the self-publishing journey a lonely one when I started out - and even though there was fantastic help via a variety of blog and Twitter posts - as well as the CreateSpace community - I still felt pretty much isolated due to absence of 'ongoing conversation' as much as anything. It was great to be able to attend the launch of ALLI at the London Book Fair - and to meet people in the same boat who were all keen to join with others on this journey. What ALLI has done is to make us all feel part of a team (with some great folk at the helm) and the Facebook page in particular is fantastic for practical, no-nonsense support from and between members.
I belong to several groups that serve the indie-publishing community and this one is by far the best. It's a great mix of people just starting on their publishing journey and those that are more experienced in self-publishing and traditional publishing. In the private Facebook group people are respectful and helpful and I really appreciate that.
I also enjoy the facebook conversations, and I really appreciated the development of a relationship with Jennifer Custer, the translation rights agent, and hope that a similar relationship with an agent that specializes in other media will be forthcoming.
I believe that one of the best things about Alli is the emphasis on the idea that what makes an Indie author is someone who is in control of their career, whether they follow traditiona, DIY, or hybridl routes to publication or not. I do think that authors' careers are going to follow a good many different patterns in the foreseeable future, and an organization like this that doesn't say there is only one way to do this is going to be flexible to keep up with the changes that keep coming.
I joined recently because ALLi offers so much information and expertise on publishing. I wasn't expecting the excellent discussions and links in the Facebook group, or the chance to connect with writers from all over the world. It's a quality group.
I joined the moment I saw the group involved in this alliance. The professionalism and experience of the members is a huge blessing and benefit. I look forward to learning so much from everyone in this group. Thanks for starting this and putting so much out for authors!
I joined on Linda's recommendation and am glad that I did. The f/b loop is invaluable for information and support and the website and newsletter are always interesting. Indie authors now have a professional association to represent them.
Membership of ALLi has personally signified a great leap in the quality of my marketing strategies as a self-published author. The shared information, the knowledge of a shared journey with other self-published or soon-to-be-published authors is invaluable. In the current sea of publishing-sector chaos, in which many “traditional” publishers are foundering under the deluge of new publishing paradigms that the Internet revolution has created, ALLi constitutes a firm beacon of professional quality, fresh ideas and dynamic new directions for authors.
Self-publishing no longer means poor publishing or the delusions of a vanity press, but offers a pragmatic way forward for capable writers with something intelligent to say who wish to reach new readers worldwide. In the brief couple of months during which I have been an ALLi member, I have thoroughly revised my approach to writing, publishing and marketing to adopt a more professional outlook, which can be directly translated into sales and personal success as an author.
Reading the comments above, particularly about the Facebook page, makes me realise that I have probably failed to fully appreciate how interactive this group is, or take advantage of it. So many writing groups are a constant stream of buy this, my latest book, you need this service or this course, that I have tended to hunker down and simply read a select number of Alli blogs of those that engage or inform. And to follow and comment on those.
But what I have noticed is the absence of the self interest and the spirit of real mutual generosity, which is so in contrast to the world of commerce it continues to amaze and revitalise. Writing is both so lonely and so individual that a diverse group ameliorates any fear. That I think is its greatest virtue.
I joined Alli because I am not a skilled marketer. After getting some clear, concise lessons from Joanna Penn, I'm in the process of preparing my novel for a re-release...and plan to do a better job of getting the word out. I've been so impressed with the quality of people here and the level of information that's shared. It's a great community!
Self-published authors have been getting a lot of flack and it's bad for morale, so belonging to a professional organisation that's willing to fight for you and give you support just when you need it, is essential. The best things about membership are - the feeling of being part of a professional group - an authors' union if you like - and the shared knowledge. I've been recommended websites I'd never have found on my own, and been warned of pitfalls I might have fallen into without the advice. And you know, whatever the glitch, or the problem, there will always be someone who knows the answer!
Membership of the Alliance has allowed me to network more freely with my fellow self-publishers and keep abreast of the latest industry developments. And of course benefit from the collective wisdom and marketing prowess of my peers!
At a time when the publishing landscape is changing so rapidly, The Alliance of Independent Authors is a place where the bridgings of the gaps between the new publishing methods and the established publishing methods are taking place and this is fantastic to see and to be a part of. The ear of an established international rights agent and the help of legal advice on contracts if needed are two reasons alone why every independent author should seriously consider joining.
I had two motivies, as an indie author.
I think that professionalism is critical. My first book SAILING DOWN THE MOONBEAM had professional artwork, editing and printing, but I like the idea of being associated with a group that has strong professional credentials.
My second reason is that marketing is the most difficult part of the book business for me, and I need all the help I can get in marketing my novel A FITTING PLACE when it's finished early next year.
I'm a bit of a cheat here, as I've never yet self-published, but having been an established children's author throughout the 90s and into the 2000s, many of my highly regarded books went out of print.
To fight back, I'm in the process of re-publishing these books as ebooks, and the publicity aspect isn't easy. I also have a lot of work that was rejected by mainstream publishers, including a couple of adult novels, which eventually I want to self-publish.
I joined the Alliance for the support and companionship of fellow writers who are self-publishing. One of the most important benefits for me is the information resource I have available. If I have a question about self-publishing I can post it and there's likely someone (or many of you!) who will have useful advice and information for me. That's a very important benefit of belonging to the Alliance. I would love to take part in the local chapter meetings as it would be great to meet with others. But my local chapter is too far from where I live for me to get there on a weeknight. But I can meet with my fellow writers online so I'm not on my own.
I enjoy the interaction between other authors, having spent 20 years as a hermit writer myself. I also have learned a lot about how to and how not to market, how to manage expectations, etc. I have been pleasantly surprised to also see that the Alliance recognizes problems in the burgeoning industry and is ready to speak about them openly rather than simply glazing over the elephants in the room.
I guess I always root for the Underdog, having been one for so many years...tired of the stigma and the supposition that being 'Self-Published' is somehow akin to being a leper. All of us need to stick together and support this new industry where thoughts, ideas and stories can be read and considered for their own merit, not because they are necessarily a 'marketable' commodity.
The Alliance has put me in touch with agent Jennifer Custer to manage Foreign/translation rights for my novel, and I eagerly await to hear news of a possible similar arrangement for us re: film/TV rights. On a day to day basis, it provides advice with regards to publishing, marketing, and social media management, and it a great source for links regarding information on all aspects of writing, and the changing face of publishing.
There is a comradeship found here that inspires confidence and determination to keep on writing. Getting an Alliance membership was the best thing that I could have done to help my writing career.
While I value a number of things, especially information sharing that I feel I can trust (e.g. it is not affiliate-driven or has another agenda), I think above all it's the credibility from being a member. There are not that many quality yardsticks for readers of indie authors yet and if readers can begin to see that by being an ALLi member, this writer must be of a certain standard, then I think that will be of great benefit to me. This is something that publishing houses claim you get from them and not from indie writers: an expectation of quality standards. ALLi can show that this is not true.
There are quite a few indie writing networks, alliances, member groups etc out there. What sets ALLI apart from them is the professional image it projects, which I think comes from the quality look of the website as well as the membership requirements (which maybe can be built on? e.g. members are expected to have a professional approach, such as through use prof editors and cover designers). These things demonstrate that ALLi is about professionalism and credibility, and will be of particular advantage to an indie author if they can be associated with their book when marketing to readers. This is why I am also interested in ALLi associated marketing opportunities such as the Goodreads giveaway. I would love there to be more opportunities such as this.
I've just joined as I'm about to embark on SP in some way. Have two manuscripts in the drawer, one of them ready to go.Been to a couple of conferences. Getting the idea. But don't know which route to choose. Need to learn about all the social networking stuff and marketing as well. I shall come to the London meeting to learn and meanwhile find out how to get on the facebook page which all above recommend.
Look forward to meeting you
HI Sarah, you will have received an email on joining that will have given you the addresses of our closed groups. It's also on all our newsletters. Make sure your email settings are not sending us to spam. The FB member only group is: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ALLIA.Writer.Members/. Let us know if you need anything else and thank you for being a member of ALLi.
Hi there
I joined because I am feeling a bit lost and lonely out here in writer world! Becoming an author is something dear to my heart but terrifying at the same time and it is such a relief to hear of others who feel the same way. It is also daunting how fast the self-publishing world is changing. Am also concerned that these are shark infested waters I am swimming in!
I have been burned by so-called experts tapping into my insecurities and offering the "solution" to my various woes!
Now i am resolved to do my best to only connect with honest and like minded people and the Alliance seems like the right place to be.
sarah
Joining a professional organization that provides tools for growth and educational material on how to succeed is important. I wanted to find a group where there was a supportive environment and encouragement to succeed. Your professional staff and advisers are an impressive group of individuals.
After just releasing my sixth publication, the challenges are always the same - writing a good book, releasing quality work, and marketing for sales. It's an endless cycle of doing it all on our own, of course, because we are indies. However, it's well worth it.
I know this sounds a bit odd, but I like the title too. "Alliance"....feels like we're part of a big force out to change the publishing landscape.
I joined Alli as a Partner member (I'm a Publishing Consultant, offering Editorial, Marketing and Contracts advice) on the advice of a publishing 'gun for hire' called Chris McVeigh, who I met on Twitter and later in person after a Bookmachine event. When I explained that I had just turned self-employed and needed to find authors to be my clients, including indie authors, he introduced me to Orna on Twitter and, impressed by the idea of the Alliance and the people running it, I joined up so as to get my Partner badge on my website. It's really important to me that my badge shows I've been vetted, I'm trustworthy and I'm committed to helping Indie authors make their books the best they can be.
So far, I've not been approached by any authors from this source (though I hope that will change in time) and my only feedback would be that when I set up my profile I found the choices of services I could show a bit limiting, which makes me wonder whether an Author can find me when they need me! Could a filter for Marketing be added (as distinct from Press and Publicity, as I'm not a PR), and I'd love a new one for Contracts - as I'm sure Indie authors will still need to understand and where possible negotiate agreements they enter into.
Good suggestions Janey, we'll pass them on for our next round of website improvements. Thank you for being a partner member and do know that you can reach out to the authors through the Facebook and Google and LInkedIn closed groups for members.
Thanks for the suggestions, Janey. We are currently reviewing the Partner Programme and ways to better link and we will be introducing the new filters you suggest (and two others) soon.
I joined because I hope to join the ranks of published authors. I've just finished the first draft of my first novel and am about to start revising. I started without knowing about the various authors' groups and without any instruction. Therefore, the book was written without any plan in place, just a general idea of what I wanted to write. Now I find that a couple of my characters took over in the middle of the book, my characters have grown (as have I) and my writing skills have also improved. New scenes popped up their heads during the writing. Now I have to revise the earlier chapters in order to foreshadow things that happen later in the book, and update characters so they match physical descriptions, characteristics, etc. that appear at the end of the book. It's kind of bad when your character starts out with blue eyes, and ends up with gray ones. Also it meant doing my research as I went along.
Also, a member of my local writing group signed with xlibris for a book that was to come out Christmas of 2011 and is still not published. I almost signed with iUniverse and you have saved me. Even thought I've told them I decided not to go that route, they still email and phone me occasionally, trying to push me into going with them. Of course, since I don't know how to market I would need their most expensive package.
Now to find the FB page everyone is talking about. Maybe I can learn what I'm doing. Is it possible to get help regarding my WordPress blog page through this group? It doesn't seem as thought I know how to find it at the WordPress site. Or perhaps I just don't recognize what I want when I see it.
Hi Judith, we don't have the resources to give one-to-one advice on blogging or technical issues on your own author website -- but you will find many helpful comrades at the closed, member-only Facebook group: http://www.facebook.com/groups/ALLIA.Writer.Members/, who should be able to point you in the right direction. And we can certainly recommend good partners who will support your self-publishing efforts, including blogging, who are good value-for-money and who deliver what they promise. Thank you for joining and look forward to working with you..
Having just published my debut novel, I felt I needed to be part of an active writing community. I joined the Alliance for that reason and when I found the FB site, I was pleasantly surprised. The wealth and volume of information is staggering and I have foregone posting to my own profile in favour of posting something/replying to a comment on the aLLi FB page. I'm sure the balance will right itself, but the members area is a tad addictive!
The authors/editors/industry experts there are so generous with their time you can't help but share your own experiences with them. If you have a question about something, just pop it in a post and members will let you know if they can help. Plus aLLi are always there to help you promote your work.
I really appreciate the FB group where we share questions, knowledge, experience and real results. I've joined author groups and even 'book lover' groups, but this is the first time I've found a business minded author group. It's not just marketing, though, and how to beat the system, but just how to do things better, what works, and also encouragement for our writing and career. I've also enjoyed sharing what I've learned to help others and get a different perspective on it. The group is just great for my needs - I'm a full time author, which means I work at home. Since I live in the country, I go online to connect with other people and writers.
I'm not sure if there's anything to 'do better.' I have thought of suggesting a critique trade service of some kind, where we can trade first chapters with others to get feedback. I thought of that after Joanna Penn posted a blog post about what makes readers stop reading a preview. Maybe members could be those first readers. Just an idea - I think the Alliance is wonderful as it is.
I joined the Alliance as a Partner member. I'm a freelance editor, proofreader and book indexer. I'd second Janey Burton's comments about helping authors find us 'partners' on the website - we seem to be well buried. I have had one enquiry as a result of being a partner member, but that was someone Orna pointed in my direction (rather than them choosing me from the directory).
Luckily enough, having access to the Facebook group makes the membership fee worthwhile for me.
Could I also suggest that the site offer links to the member directories of all the main editorial professional bodies: SfEP (UK), AFEPI (Ireland), etc.?
Thank you Averill. We are now in the throes of putting together a new partner program that will draw author and partner members closer together. And the suggestion of links to the associations is an excellent one -- now going into the resource pack. Many thanks
I don't visit here often enough, but when I do there's always something interesting to read and mountains of useful advice. Thank you.
I'm a substantive and developmental editor, and I joined as a Partner Member. I first joined ALLi to learn about self-publishing in response to so many questions about it from the authors I work with – I needed to know, at the very least, people, places and companies to whom I could direct them, sure that they weren't going to get ripped off. Now, ALLi is the first thing I recommend. The wealth of the resources, the great discussions, the willingness of members to help each other, are so inspiring. Thanks so much for all you do!