Howard Lovy
I'm happy to announce the return of my IndieVoices podcast, which will join the excellent lineup of broadcasts produced by the Alliance of Independent Authors. I'll outline what that's about, but first let me tell you a story about how I decided to use my voice in addition to my pen.
For decades as a journalist, I was happy to work in print only. Oh, I did some poor, embarrassing experimentation into local cable-access TV when I was a young reporter in my 20s (I hope those old videotapes have long been erased!), and I spent a short time working for a local TV news channel in Detroit, but for the most part, I've been much more comfortable saying what I want to say in writing. In writing, I don't stutter or stammer, or say “umm.” So, that's just fine with me.
Moving into the Age of the Podcast
Then, in November 2016, a few things converged that changed all that. First, the magazine I edited at the time decided that we should look into this podcasting phenomenon, and I drew the short straw.
So, I worked out a deal with my local public radio station (Interlochen Public Radio in Michigan), went into the studio and launched what I called IndieVoices. I thought it was important to hear from authors and publishers representing communities that were marginalized during the nasty US political campaign.
Indies are more likely to publish voices that are not otherwise being heard.
And I thought it was my duty to help amplify those voices. I packed a lot into that first March 2017 IndieVoices show and in subsequent podcasts, before they ended for a little while.
One Year Later
Now, a year later, I'm happy to be back with IndieVoices for ALLi. My first episode features interviews with a couple of authors who have blazed different paths through indie publishing and written about marginalized communities (LGBTQ and immigrants). And Dan Holloway gives us an update on the news every month.
My broadcast (we are calling them broadcasts now, rather than podcasts because who even owns an iPod anymore?) is a little different from the others in the AskALLi series. I'm a journalist, so I'm more comfortable interviewing authors and letting them do most of the talking.
Also, while the other AskALLi broadcasts focus on the business of producing and promoting an indie book, I talk about content and themes. Nobody wants to hear business advice from me. Trust me.
But, if that's what you want, we have the other shows of indie publishing experts. And they're all amazing.
Who's Who in the ALLi Broadcast Series
- Jyotsna Ramachandran and Iain Rob Wright host the Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, filled with advice for authors just beginning their journey. Jyotsna is the founder of Happy Self Publishing and author of the international bestseller Job Escape Plan. Iain has written more than a dozen novels and is an active member of the Horror Writers Association.
- If you're at a more advanced stage in your development as an indie author, we have the Advanced Self-Publishing Salon, with two amazing authors and businesswomen, Joanna Penn and Orna Ross. Joanna is bestselling thriller author, plus she writes nonfiction advice books for authors. And Orna is, of course, the fearless leader of ALLi, in addition to a poet and author and teacher of creative thinking too.
- Michael La Ronn and Dan Blank host the AskALLi Members' Q&A. They answer questions posed by Alliance members. Michael is the author of over 30 books of science fiction and fantasy and also writes self-help books. Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrowMedia, where he helps writers and artists share their stories and grow their audience.
I'm excited and humbled to be among these great broadcasters as we improve the quality of our shows, and make ourselves available in video, audio, and wherever is next.
Take us with you on your morning commute, while washing the dishes, while you're at the gym, or wherever you want to listen to some voices that will educate and inspire you enough to go finish that book.
#Authors - get the low-down on #ALLi's brilliant new line-up for its broadcast (podcast) series for indie authors about all aspects of #selfpublishing - with @Howard_Lovy Share on X
You make a compelling argument. I’ll be honest, I prefer written articles to podcasts. While it is good to hear someone speak, fleshes the author out as a person, and establishes a connection to the audience, I have a really hard time following an audio presentation. The better a speak you are, the worse it is. I had the same problem with lectures at college. Often the speaker would be talking about something fascinating. I’d start thinking about it, my mind would go off on a trail of semantic ideas…and I’d miss half of the lecture. (rueful grin) This is why I really appreciate the transcripts which come with the podcasts. With them, I can keep track of what you’re saying and return to my point of distraction, if my wayward mind decides to take a stroll with all the ideas you’re giving me. (another rueful grin) Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate the podcasts. It’s good to hear your voices and I feel like you’re more of an acquaintance once I’ve seen you and heard you speak. I still love written articles, though, which I can follow at my own pace (not to mention read in a public place without creating a lot of noise or needing earphones). I hope there will always a place for them.
My alma mater, Wayne State University in Detroit, recently published a list, not of over-used words, but of under-used words. I was amazed to see “eucatastrophe” there. It’s a word coined by Tolkien, and means a devastating event that can be redemptive. With my background in pastoral ministry, the word has a deep meaning to me. I’ve used it to describe my books since they started being published, especially in regard to my Coin of Rulve series. But I used it sparingly because I thought it was a little too esoteric. Lately, however, I’ve been mentioning it in conversations and interviews and found to my surprise that people are quite interested. Perhaps this is because the term references spirituality, but not any specific religion. Is this a topic IndieVoices would be open to exploring?