Howard Lovy, Author at The Self-Publishing Advice Center

The Future of Short-Form Audio — Part I: How Spoken Is Helping Authors Turn Stories into Streamable Content

Short-form audio and AI-generated audiobooks are emerging as a major new frontier for authors. As listening habits shift and production tools become more accessible, new platforms are stepping in to meet the demand.

Author Jules Horne on How Writers Can Use Deliberate Practice to Build Skills and Confidence

I'm more of a pantser—someone who figures things out on the page rather than planning every move. But when I heard that Scottish author and writing coach Jules Horne had applied the concept of deliberate practice—something musicians and athletes have used for generations—to writing, I was intrigued. Her book, Deliberate Practice for Creative Writers, argues that focused, bite-sized exercises can help writers build their skills more efficiently than just grinding through another draft. In this Q&A, I ask her how it works, how she uses it herself, and how writers like me might apply it without giving up spontaneity.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Annie Fox. Former Educator Writes Fiction That Helps Young Readers Find Themselves

My ALLi author guest this episode is Annie Fox, an educator and author who writes for young adults. She talks about how her background in human development shapes her fiction, why she chose to go indie, and what it really takes to reach readers in a crowded market. Her work explores identity, belonging, and what it means to find your people.

Interview with Sacha Black on Launching Her Own Fulfillment Center

Indie author and entrepreneur Sacha Black has taken the concept of self-publishing to the next level by launching her own fulfillment center. Rather than relying on print-on-demand services like Amazon or IngramSpark, she now prints books in bulk, stores them in a dedicated space, and ships them directly to readers.

March 17, 2025
Howard Lovy
Process 3 & 4: Production & Distribution
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Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Joshua S. Narins. Former Cinematographer Brings a Visual Edge to Literary Fiction

My ALLi author guest this episode is Joshua S. Narins, a literary fiction author based in New England. Before turning to writing, he spent two decades as a cinematographer, specializing in aerial, underwater, and second-unit film work. Now, he brings that visual storytelling sensibility to his fiction, crafting character-driven narratives with a sharp, cinematic edge.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Sharon Hague. Lawyer and Egyptologist Brings Ancient History to Life Through Fiction

My ALLi author guest this episode is Sharon Hague, a lawyer and Egyptologist who writes speculative historical fiction about ancient Egypt. Growing up at sea and traveling the world shaped her imagination, leading her to blend history and fiction in her award-winning Ancient Egypt series. We’ll talk about how she balances fact and fiction.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Jane Buckley. Author From Northern Ireland Uses Fiction to Help Readers Understand the Troubles

My ALLi author guest this episode is Jane Buckley, an author from Derry, Northern Ireland, who writes about the Troubles based on her own experiences. After building a career in London, she returned home and began writing to help others understand the conflict. Her books draw from real events, capturing both the violence and the everyday lives of those who lived through it.

February 16, 2025
Howard Lovy
Podcast
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Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Anne E. Beall. From Market Research to Fairy Tales

My ALLi author guest this episode is Anne E. Beall, an author and entrepreneur who grew a successful market-research firm, then wrote a book that helped grow her business. She’s published a range of nonfiction works, from an in-depth look at the hidden messages in fairy tales to guides on how to find calm and self-compassion through meditation.

February 2, 2025
Howard Lovy
Podcast
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Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Nellie Neeman. Author Pens Thrillers, Clean Romances, and Leads Israeli Writing Community

My ALLi author guest this episode is Nellie Neeman, an author who writes international thrillers under her name and sweet, clean romances as Ellie Hartwood. She uses her thrillers to highlight Israel as a vibrant and resilient country and helps foster a community of writers through her mentorship and leadership.

January 19, 2025
Howard Lovy
Podcast
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Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Angela Yuriko Smith. Bram Stoker Winner Balances Horror Writing, Indie Publishing, and Mentorship

My ALLi author guest this episode is Angela Yuriko Smith, a poet, author, and publisher of Space and Time magazine. She’s a two-time Bram Stoker Award winner, president of the Horror Writers Association, and founder of the Authortunities Hub, where she mentors indie authors.

Top 10 Inspirational Indie Authors Podcast Episodes from 2024

Every two weeks, I host the Inspirational Indie Authors Podcast for the Alliance of Independent Authors, where I interview ALLi members to discover what inspires them and how they serve as inspiration to others. These conversations are a highlight of my month, as I get to talk to authors from diverse ages, backgrounds, and life stories. It’s always difficult to narrow down a top-ten list, as each interview is unique, but here are some of my favorite episodes from 2024.

Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Kevin G. Chapman. Attorney-Turned-Author Finds Success with Patience, Planning, and Award-Winning Thrillers

My ALLi author guest this episode is Kevin G. Chapman, an attorney and independent author who has released a book a year for the last eight years. He explains how patience, planning, and a passion for storytelling have helped him balance a demanding career with writing award-winning mysteries and thrillers. Kevin also talks about his approach to plotting intricate stories and why taking your time can make all the difference.

December 22, 2024
Howard Lovy
Podcast
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