ALLi Blog

Enhancing Creativity with AI Tools: A Guide to Ethical Use for Authors

Creativity with AI is stirring up a lot of opinions in the writing world, especially about whether it has a place in the creative process. But here, we’re not debating if you should use AI—rather, if you do, we’ll look at how to use it effectively and ethically. AI can assist with brainstorming, help organize research, or generate fresh ideas, but it doesn’t replace the need for human creativity and insight.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Sally Clarke. She Brings Martial Arts Stories to Life and Builds Singapore’s Indie Author Scene

My ALLi author guest this episode is Sally Clarke, an author and ALLi ambassador based in Singapore. Sally’s passion for Muay Thai—Thailand’s traditional martial art—inspired her latest book, which tells the story of a young fighter’s journey to overcome the odds. She’s now working to grow the indie author community in her region and support other writers in their publishing journeys.

October 13, 2024
Howard Lovy
Podcast
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Is There a ‘Best Season’ for Book Award Submissions?

In this Alliance of Independent Authors post, Book Award Adviser Hannah Jacobson explores whether there's an ideal season for submitting books to literary awards. She offers insights on year-round strategies to help indie authors make the most of award opportunities and align submissions with their marketing goals.

Han Kang Wins Nobel Prize, AI and Tech Giants Face Landmark Changes: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

We end the week with a quick tour of mostly technology-related stories, but we have to start in Sweden. Huge congratulations to Han Kang on winning the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature.

October 12, 2024
Dan Holloway
News
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Are Your E-Books Ready for the European Accessibility Act? The Self-Publishing News Podcast with Dan Holloway

On this episode of The Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway breaks down what indie authors need to know about the European Accessibility Act and its 2025 deadline. He also explores Canada’s controversial copyright exemption for educational use and its implications, along with the recent MacArthur “Genius” Awards for writers.

October 11, 2024
Dan Holloway
Podcast
1 Comment

MacArthur Genius Awards Spotlight Writers, Copyright Dispute Over Canada’s Fair Use Law Continues: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

Writers are geniuses. We, of course, would happily assert that. But this year’s MacArthur Genius Awards have firmly placed literary talent at the forefront.

October 10, 2024
Dan Holloway
News
0 Comments

Hybrid Publishing: Hype, Hope, Harm, or Handy? The Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast with Anna Featherstone

Some publishers claim to be in the hybrid publishing space when they’re, in fact, service providers or little more than vanity publishers. So, what is hybrid publishing really, and what are the potential upsides and downsides for authors bringing books out under this model? Listen to Anna Featherstone, ALLi’s nonfiction adviser, and Christopher Locke, director of Membership and Member Services for the Independent Book Publishers Association, as they explain what authors need to be aware of when dealing with operators in this space.

AI for Authors: Ethical & Practical Guidelines

When you hear the words "artificial intelligence" it usually evokes one of two responses, either excitement and curiosity at the prospect of new technologies, bringing more books and products to the world, or fear because the only experience of you have of AI are movies like I, Robot, the Matrix and the Terminator. But the Alliance of Independent Authors is here to show you the plethora of opportunities AI brings authors and how to work with AI ethically. This article is brought to you by Orna Ross. With thanks to Joanna Penn, Laurence O'Bryan of BooksGoSocial, Amit Gupta of Sudowrite, JD Lasica of Authors AI.

Publishers Face Urgent Deadlines to Meet EU Accessibility Act: Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway

Publishers aren’t anywhere near as ready for the European Union’s Accessibility Act as they need to be, and even awareness of the Act is far from ideal. That’s the finding from the latest report of Apace, the group set up to keep on top of the industry’s progress toward producing more accessible books.

October 8, 2024
Dan Holloway
News
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Planning for Retirement: Financial Strategies for Indie Authors

When you're an indie author, planning for retirement isn’t usually top of mind. Between writing, marketing, and managing everything that comes with self-publishing, thinking about long-term security often gets pushed aside. But as self-employed creatives, indie authors face unique challenges. Unlike traditional jobs with pensions and automatic retirement savings, authors have to take control of their financial future.

Are Blog Tours Still Effective, Navigating ISBN Updates, Pre-Orders, and More: The Member Q&A Podcast with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black

In this episode of the AskALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether blog tours are still an effective marketing tool for authors and how they compare to other promotional strategies.

TV Appearance, Publishing Debuts, Faith-Based Books, and More: ALLi Member Milestones October 2024

This regular post from the Alliance of Independent Authors celebrates ALLi member successes to inspire our indie author community. Our Member Milestones for August 2024 celebrates the successes of author members Russell Phillips, Donna Galanti, Shamim Yusuf Kalarikkal, Fay A. Klingler, L. S. Westhoff, S. G. Fessel, Sara Sartagne, Rose O'Keefe, and J. A. Cox. Congratulations to all those featured in this month’s roundup and to everyone in our community who has hit a milestone this month!