ALLi Blog

Parents Reading to Children Declining; AudioNext Conference Highlights Audiobook Trends: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

It is clearly the season for reading surveys. Indeed, this story comes so hot on the heels of the reading habits survey that I had to check it wasn’t a different angle on the same survey. But no, this time we have a survey from HarperCollins and the book data people at Nielsen. They carried out a survey not about the habits of those who read to themselves but about how parents read—or don’t—to their children. The focus: parents reading to children, and how that behavior is changing.

Oscars Open to AI-Assisted Films; Reading Habits Hold Steady; Linktree Adds eBook Sales: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports that the Oscars will allow AI-assisted films starting next year. He also discusses new surveys showing that reading habits remain stable despite headlines, and highlights Linktree’s new feature allowing authors to sell eBooks directly from their bio pages.

Surveys Show Reading Habits Shifting in the UK and New Zealand: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

If you are ever inclined to think the cultural landscape is spiraling out of control into uncharted territory, it can be a grounding experience to stop and actually look at the headlines. And realize that some things really don’t change. Such as pundits pontificating that the novel is dead, or that people’s reading habits aren’t what they used to be “back in my day.”

The Art and Craft of Ghostwriting: Self-Publishing with ALLi Featuring Matty Dalrymple

Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple interviews ALLi Editor-in-Chief Roz Morris about the art and craft of ghostwriting. Roz discusses her path into the field, the range of genres she has worked in, and the importance of preserving the client’s voice. They explore the balance between editing and ghostwriting, the collaborative process, and how ghostwriters often act as informal therapists. Roz also covers payment, time management, spotting red flags, and the rewards of ghostwriting despite its anonymity.

Independent Bookstore Day Celebrates Growing Support for Indies; Linktree Expands Creator Tools: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

It has now passed, but as I write, it is Independent Bookstore Day. This is run annually (I believe on the last Saturday in April) by the American Booksellers Association. Sixteen hundred stores are taking part across America, and the day is a celebration of the important part they play both in the literary and the wider community.

What Authors Need to Know About Taxes on KDP Print Books

Some authors using Amazon's Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) platform are reporting that Value Added Tax (VAT) is being incorrectly applied to their print books. In several cases, books that should qualify for a reduced or zero VAT rate—such as children’s books or books sold in the UK—are instead subject to the standard rate. The result is higher retail prices for readers and confusion among authors.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: M. Jacqueline Murray. From Scientist to Novelist, Exploring Love Across Timelines

My ALLi author guest this episode is M. Jacqueline Murray, who took an unconventional path from medical device marketer to author of a romance series that blends love and quantum theory. Her books feature storylines that challenge genre conventions and feature characters later in life.

Book Excerpt from ‘150 Self-Publishing Questions Answered’

This excerpt from 150 Self-Publishing Questions Answered, written by ALLi’s Outreach Manager M.L. Ronn, offers practical guidance drawn from years of indie publishing experience. You can purchase a copy from our bookstore at selfpublishingadvice.org/books/150. If you’re an ALLi member, you can download this and all of our guidebooks for free—just log in and go to “Publications”.

April 26, 2025
ALLi Editorial
Process 3 & 4: Production & Distribution
0 Comments

Oscars Open to AI-Generated Films and Literary Events Make a Comeback: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

It was inevitable that AI would poke its nose in before the week drew to a close, and here we are (though we also have a delightfully analog story as a counterbalance). You will recall that the Grammys recently announced they would permit music that AI had played a part in creating to be eligible for their awards. This week, the Oscars followed suit, announcing that AI-generated films will be eligible for top honors.

Spotify Recognized for Audiobook Innovation: Self-Publishing with ALLi featuring Dan Holloway

On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on Spotify receiving the BISG Industry Innovator Award for its audiobook efforts, including new tools for indie authors. He also highlights Patreon’s launch of unlimited in-platform livestreaming, a move that supports creators building subscription-based communities. Finally, Dan explores a growing trend in book subscription services: curating and now publishing original content tailored to their audiences.

Patreon Livestreaming and Book Box Publishers Highlight Creator-Led Trends: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

An increasing number of my favorite online creatives are moving more of their content behind a paywall, and new tools like Patreon livestreaming are helping them do it. This applies to YouTube channels, and it also applies to writers and bloggers. Creators are increasingly discovering that the OG of internet art, the 1,000 true fans model, is still a viable way to avoid the twin perils of the algorithm and changing payment models that come with relying on ad revenue, general fee pools, and other forms of reliance on wider platforms.

April 24, 2025
Dan Holloway
News
1 Comment

How Zines Can Boost Creativity and Build Reader Connections: The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast Featuring Anna Featherstone

In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with Rebekah Lambert, a poet, playwright, content strategist, and founder of the Freelance Jungle, about how authors can produce and distribute zines. They discuss how zines give writers permission not to be perfect, offer a low-pressure way to spark creativity, and help both fiction and nonfiction authors deepen connections with readers.