Michael La Ronn runs ALLi's Member Q&A podcast
Below are some helpful ALLi resources for indie authors, as mentioned in our guidebooks, to supplement your learning and keep up to date. Almost all the resources here can be found on this website. For a full guide to ALLi resources, see our most recent Ultimate Guide to Indie Author Resources
ALLi Members: the ebook editions of all our books are yours, free of charge in the member zone of the ALLi Member website. Just log in and navigate to Advice –> Guidebooks.
Below you'll also find blog posts, podcast episodes, and videos on a range of topics, inspired by the questions you most often ask ALLi about self-publishing.
- AskALLi’s blog articles. These take two forms. Long “Ultimate Guide” posts that cover a key topic comprehensively, with case studies and the most up to date research. Or shorter individual case studies and opinion pieces that are generally 500 words or less. Quick reads so you can learn what you need to learn and move on.
- AskALLi’s podcast episodes. These are about 30 minutes in length—perfect while doing chores or on your commute to work. They also contain transcripts if you want to read/scan.
- Ask ALLi Live Video: We also capture our podcast video live on Facebook and YouTube, so you can watch and join in, if you dare! Do dare… as it means you can ask your questions live. ALLi’s videos are between 15-30 minutes as well, so they’re a short time commitment for long-term information.
And don't forget to check out ALLi's Partner Member Directory to find your next publishing professional.
Enjoy, and have fun digging into the content!
Michael
WRITING
READ: ALLi's most current writing advice blog articles about the craft of writing great books
Writing a Book / Writing Craft
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Self-Publishing Beginners Salon Podcast: Top Tips on Writing a Book with Iain Rob Wright and Jyostna Ramachandran
Should I write to market or write my passion?
READ: Write to Market (Book) by Chris Fox (considered to be the quintessential book on the topic for self-published writers)
How do I outline my book?
WATCH: 10 Ways to Outline Your Novel by Michael La Ronn on the Author Level Up YouTube channel
What is NaNoWriMo and should I try it?
READ: How to Get Ready for NaNoWriMo & Why by ALLi Blog Editor Debbie Young
WATCH: The Official NaNoWriMo YouTube Channel
Productivity
Help! I have writer's block!
READ: 5 Kinds of Writer's Block and How to Cure Them by ALLi Member Jenny Alexander
What’s the best writing app to write my book?
WATCH: Writing App Reviews (Playlist) by Michael La Ronn on the Author Level Up YouTube channel
How do I balance writing, work, and family life?
READ: Finding More Time to Write by ALLi Member Louise Tondeur
I'm burned out. What do I do?
READ: How to Fend Off Indie Author Burnout by ALLi Blog Editor Debbie Young
LISTEN/WATCH: How to Scale Your Author Income Without Burnout by Orna Ross and Joanna Penn on the Advanced Self-Publishing Salon Podcast
What's the best way to deal with rejection?
READ: How to Deal with Rejection and Criticism as an Indie Author by ALLi Creative Advisor Mark McGuinness
EDITORIAL
READ: ALLi's most current blog articles on editing your book
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon: Editing Process & Options Explained with Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn
How do I choose the best editor?
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners Self-Publishing Salon: Choosing the Best Editor for Your Book with Orna Ross and Tim Lewis
How can I learn to self-edit better?
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners Self-Publishing Salon: How to Self-Edit a Book with Orna Ross and Tim Lewis
What’s the best way of working with an editor?
READ: How to Create and Use a Style-sheet to Keep the Details in Your Book Consistent by ALLi Blog Editor Debbie Young
COVER DESIGN
READ: ALLI's most current blog articles on cover design
What defines a good book cover?
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners Self-Publishing Salon Podcast: Secrets to Good Ebook Cover Design with Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn
READ: 8 Pet Hates in Book Cover Design by various ALLi Members
What’s the process of working with a cover designer?
READ: The Importance of Design & Formatting (Book) by ALLi Partner Member JD Smith
WATCH: How to Get Book Covers on All Budgets (YouTube playlist featuring ALLi member Paul Teague that chronicles his adventures in getting book covers designed every way possible to share the pros and cons)
Where do I find a cover designer?
ALLi Service Ratings Directory for reputable designers: https://www.selfpublishingadvice.org/ratings
Reedsy (ALLi Partner Member): http://www.reedsy.com
Upwork: http://www.upwork.com
99designs: http://www.99designs.com
Do I need a contract with my cover designer?
CHECK OUT: Sample agreement between an author and a cover designer by ALLi Member and cover designer Derek Murphy on the CreativIndie Blog
What if I want to design my own book cover?
LISTEN: AskALLi Beginners Self-Publishing Salon Podcast: Designing Your Own Cover with Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn
If I design my own cover, how do I come up with design ideas?
CHECK OUT: ALLi Design Advisor Joel Friedlander's ebook Cover Design Awards on The Book Designer Blog
FORMATTING
READ: ALLI's most current blog articles on ebook and paperback formatting
What are the elements of a properly formatted book?
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners Self-Publishing Salon: How to Format Your Ebook and Paperback Like a Pro with Iain Rob Wright and Jyotsna Ramachandran
What tools do you need to format a book?
READ: How to Choose the Best Software for Print Book Design byALLi Partner Member Sarah Juckes
What's the best way to include images in my book?
READ: Preparing Images for Your Book by ALLi Design Advisor Joel Friedlander
What order should I arrange my front and back matter?
READ: The Book Blueprint: Expert Advice for Creating Industry-Standard Print Books (Book) by ALLi Design Advisor Joel Friedlander
READ: Parts of a Book Explained: Front Matter, Body, and Back Matter by ALLi Partner Member Reedsy on the Reedsy Blog
My book’s file size is really large and Amazon is deducting big delivery fees from my sales. How do I reduce my book’s file size?
READ: Are You Losing Money on KDP Delivery Fees? by ALLi Watchdog John Doppler
Should I create a large print edition of my paperback book?
READ: Why Publish a Large Print Edition of Your Book? Plus Tips on How to Do It by ALLi Author Enterprise Advisor Joanna Penn on The Creative Penn Blog
READ: How to Print Dyslexia-Friendly Books – and Why by ALLi Member AA Abbott
ADDITIONAL FORMATTING RESOURCES
READ: ALLi Member (and Microsoft accredited trainer) Ian Hooper's visual article on 6 Tips to Help Indie Authors Format Print Books with Word and his other article on How to Format an Ebook Using Word
READ: How to DIY a Nonfiction Index (Part 1) by ALLi Member Denise Gaskin and Part 2
READ: Typesetting Terms that Indie Authors Need to Know and Understand by ALLi Partner Member Amie McCracken
DISTRIBUTION
READ: ALLi's most current blog articles on the distribution of audio, ebooks, and print books
KDP Print vs. Ingram Spark: which is better for paperback distribution?
READ: Why Indie Authors Should Use KDP Print & Ingram Spark Together to Self-Publish Paperback Books by ALLi Blog Editor Debbie Young
Should I put my books in Kindle Unlimited?
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Self-Publishing Fiction and Nonfiction Salon: Go Exclusive or Wide: Which is Best for Your Book? with Boni Wagner-Stafford and Adam Croft
How do I get my book into bookstores?
READ: How to Get Your Self-Published Book into Bookstores (Book) by ALLi Blog Editor Debbie Young
How do I get my book into libraries?
READ: How to Get Your Book into Libraries by ALLi Member Anne Merrick
What is an ISBN, and…?
READ: Everything the Indie Author Needs to Know about ISBNs for Self-Published Books by ALLi Member Giacomo Giammatteo
Audiobooks
Should I produce and audiobook, and how?
READ: Audiobook Royalties: To Share or Not Share? An Indie Author & a Professional Narrator Answer the Question by ALLi Member Anna Castle
MARKETING & PROMOTION
READ: ALLi's most current marketing & promotion blog articles
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon: How to Market Your Book with Tim Lewis and Jyotsna Ramachandran
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Self-Publishing Fiction and Nonfiction Salon: Book Blurbs, Book Hooks! with Orna Ross, Boni Wagner-Stafford and Adam Croft
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon: How to Use Podcasting to Market and Sell Books with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Self-Publishing Fiction and Nonfiction Salon: Book Branding and Author Branding with Orna Ross, Boni-Wagner-Stafford and Adam Croft
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon: Choosing the Right Pricing Strategy with Tim Lewis and Jyotsna Ramachandran
RIGHTS SALES & LICENSING
READ: How Authors Sell Publishing Rights (Book) by ALLi Director Orna Ross and ALLi Legal Advisor Helen Sedwick
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon: How to License Your Publishing Rights with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon: What Copyright Means for the Independent Author with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn
LISTEN/WATCH: AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon: Copyright Matters with Orna Ross and Rebecca Giblin
READ: Independent Authors' Copyright Bill of Rights, a groundbreaking manifesto by ALLi Director Orna Ross
LISTEN TO ALLi ON-THE-GO
Make the AskALLi podcasts part of your writing life while you're commuting, at the gym, doing chores, or when you just need some writing advice inspiration. You don't have to be a member to soak in the free information we offer.
With a large network of monthly shows that cover virtually every aspect of publishing, there's something for everyone.
AskALLi Members Q&A and Self-Publishing News
AskALLi Advanced Self-Publishing Salon Podcast
AskALLi Self-Publishing Fiction and Nonfiction Salon Podcast