ALLi Blog: The Self-Publishing Advice Blog

Spotify Reports Audiobook Growth; AI Search Summaries Cut Publisher Traffic: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

Spotify is doing well and helping publishers in the process—or so says the latest release from, er, Spotify. Despite the obvious possible messiah complex going on, there are some really interesting and encouraging figures in the report. The catalog of English-language audiobooks now exceeds 400,000, which shows the scale of the operation.

When and How to Hire a Virtual Assistant: Self-Publishing Advice Conference Highlight

In this Self-Publishing Advice Conference highlight, virtual assistant Kayleigh Brindley draws on over 10 years of experience to help authors decide when it’s time to hire support. The session covers how outsourcing tasks like marketing and admin can ease the workload, improve productivity, and free up time to focus on writing. It includes case studies and practical advice on finding and working with the right virtual assistant.

New UK-Based Speakies Awards Offer Audiobook Alternative to the Audies: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

As we celebrate the return of double-digit growth to audiobooks, it might seem strange that there is still really only one big audiobook award. The Audies, run by the Audio Publishers Association, is a huge affair with nearly thirty categories. And of course, it’s open to indie authors. Well, now there’s another contender: the Speakies (surely to become known as the Speakeasies—and if there’s not a Bugsy Malone feel to the first staging, I will be hugely disappointed).

Live Events: What Authors Gain by Showing Up

With so much expert content now available online—through webinars, courses, and virtual conferences—many authors wonder if it's still worth attending live events. The answer, as you'll see below, is yes. But not just for the educational sessions. The real value often lies in the connections you make, the energy in the room, and the unexpected conversations that can shape your career.

Should You Try to Turn Your Book into a Film or TV Series? The Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast Featuring Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, host Michael La Ronn discusses whether it's worth an author’s time to pursue turning a book into a film or TV series—and why it might be more effective to let the industry come to you.

Romantic Comedy Award, Interactive Middle Grade Bestseller, and More: ALLi Member Milestones June 2025

This regular post from the Alliance of Independent Authors celebrates ALLi member successes to inspire our indie author community. Our ALLi Member Milestones, June 2025, celebrate the successes of author members Cliff Lovette, Suzanne Lissaman, Linda Browne, Matty Dalrymple, Michael La Ronn, Kathryn Holme, Mark Leslie Lefebvre, Judy L. Mohr, Brock Stephen Henning, and Debbie Carroll. Congratulations to all those featured in this month’s roundup and to everyone in our community who has hit a milestone!

Unbound Struggles Continue, UK Rejects AI Transparency, and PWC Tracks Job Shifts: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

The ongoing Unbound struggles continue to unfold as more troubling news emerges about the transition from Unbound to Boundless Books. Having made it AI-free through the first half of the week, we end with a round-up of a few stories from the area. First (with a tangential AI link I hadn’t previously spotted), and with thanks to all-round legend Sam Missingham for this highly thoughtful thread on Bluesky, is the latest development in the Unbound/Boundless saga.

Double-Digit Audiobook Growth Returns; Dark Genres Rise; Publishers Embrace Direct Sales: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports a return to double-digit audiobook growth in the U.S., with revenue up 13 percent and over half of Americans now having listened to an audiobook. He also breaks down new data showing a shift in reader tastes toward darker genres—especially psychological thrillers and dark romance—and reflects on how traditional publishers are just now catching on to the power of direct sales and loyal fan bases, something indie authors have long embraced.

US Book Show Highlights Big Books, AI, and the Value of Direct Sales: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

Last week saw the US Book Show, a single-day but large event that comes far enough after other major gatherings—like the London Book Fair—to feel as though a world of water has passed under the bridge since then.

The Truth About Book Promotions (and Why Authors Get It Wrong): Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Dale L. Roberts

Is your book marketing strategy helping you grow—or wasting your budget? In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Dale L. Roberts talks with Emma Boyer, VP of Digital Operations at Written Word Media, about what truly drives successful book promotions. They explore why branding matters, how genre impacts performance, and why waiting to market your book might be the biggest mistake you make. Emma shares actionable strategies around email list building, pricing expectations, and leveraging promotions to boost visibility and connect with readers—whether you have one book or a full backlist.

Dark Romance Leads Book Sales; Scientists Develop Tool to Detect Poisoned Covers: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

I love following reading habits. They’re sociologically interesting and offer valuable insight for writers. The latest Circana BookScan report, which tracks what’s been selling in the United States, shows that dark romance continues to dominate reader interest in the first half of 2025.

Going Local: Authors on the Payoffs and Pitfalls of Hometown Promotion

Going local often provides the surest path to meaningful publicity. Standing in front of a library audience, chatting at a farmers’ market stall, or fielding questions on community radio transforms a distant byline into a neighbor readers can root for. That face‑to‑face connection sparks genuine word of mouth—the signed copy passed to a friend, the snapshot shared on local social media, the casual mention that “the author lives just down the road.”’