Business & Planning Archives

Opinion: The BookLife Prize for Indie Authors

As independent authors, one of the biggest challenges we face is “discoverability.” In the vast ocean of new books being uploaded onto Amazon every day, launching our own may feel a bit like casting a tiny message in a bottle into titanic waves. In order for our readers to find us, we need reviews—a lot of them—and preferably great ones from well-known and respected sources. With this in mind, Kristan Julius, ALLi author member checked out the Publishers Weekly BookLife Prize. This is her review and experience.

Content Marketing for Fiction and Nonfiction

Content marketing has become a bit of a buzzword in author circles this year. With advertising becoming tougher and more expensive, and Amazon making it harder to get organic sales, authors are looking for other ways to reach new readers, develop a fanbase and ultimately sell books. Author member Rachel McCollin is here to show you how you content marketing for fiction and nonfiction can help.

October 21, 2019
Rachel McCollin
Business & Planning, Process 5 & 6: Marketing & Promotion

What is a Cover Information Sheet?

Every reader has had a book cover catch their eye from the shelves of a bookstore, or even from a long list of Amazon search results. Sometimes all it takes is one glance. But how do you go from twinkle in your eye idea to reader grabbing cover design? Tim McConnehey, founder of Izzard Ink explains how the cover information sheet is central to taking your concept to completed commission.

October 11, 2019
Tim McConnehey
Business & Planning, Process 2. Design & Formatting

Self-Publishing is the Best Solution to Low Author Earnings

Self-Publishing is the best solution to low author earnings and it's time this was more widely recognized in the literary and publishing industries. These days, authorship is a business, not a career a point that Orna Ross, ALLi director discusses today. Literary and publishing industries are failing to recognize this, to the detriment of authors' ability to make a living from their writing.

Reinvent the Path to Success

For many of us, writing is our passion. We chug along writing book after book, convinced we’re following our dreams. Rarely do we stop to ask ourselves whether we’re on the right path. Michael La Ronn did just that, reinventing himself, and in this encore presentation of his cover feature piece from the Q3 2019 edition of The Indie Author, our member magazine, offers five lessons he learned when reinventing the path to success.

Blockchain Technology for Indie Authors Q&A

Recently one of ALLi’s engaged partner members Russell Phillips wrote to us with questions about blockchain technology and its implications for authors. This post details the questions and answers resulting from the questions.

How Indie Authors Can Sell More Nonfiction Books

Paid ads and hard marketing isn't for everyone. But in a pay to play market, what else is there? Maryann Jacobsen, ALLi author member, looks to content marketing to sell more nonfiction books. While nonfiction book marketing strategies may come and go but there is one strategy that still works: writing killer blog posts.

September 30, 2019
Maryann Jacobsen
Business & Planning, Process 5 & 6: Marketing & Promotion

Outside the Box Book Marketing

Let me ask you a question... When was the last time you stepped out from behind the screen and connected – in person – with new readers? In a saturated world, finding fresh ways to market your books and find new readers is increasingly difficult. However, author member Lesley Tither shows us how a little outside the box thinking can create amazing results.

September 27, 2019
Lesley Tither
Business & Planning, Process 5 & 6: Marketing & Promotion, Writing

Are You a Self-Actualized Author?

Having a book published is exciting. In the glow of your excitement, however, you may miss an important fact. Authors are business owners. Your name, work, and brand are a business. Previously, you may have thought of writing as a hobby. No more. To become a self-actualized author, you have to take your business to the next level. Author member Harriet Hodgson tells us about her journey.

SEO for Authors

SEO has an air of difficulty around it. It's fiddly and detailed and confusing. But it doesn't have to be. Rachel McCollin, ALLi author member, discusses SEO for authors bringing you all the tips and tricks you need to master SEO.

How to Get Your Book Into Libraries

While ALLi is working on a new guidebook for indie authors on how to get your self-published book into libraries, where the opportunities are greatest for digital book products, we couldn’t resist this ‘my experience’ post from Australian author and ALLi member Anne Merrick. As Anne tells us, you can get your book into libraries by taking just a few careful steps.

September 20, 2019
Anne Merrick
Business & Planning, Process 3 & 4: Production & Distribution

How to DIY PR for Indie Authors

PR can feel like a mystery to writers. It's done by experts and those in the field or the industry. But author member, Helen Baggott is here to remove the mystery and tell us how we can DIY PR as indie authors.

September 19, 2019
Helen Baggott
Business & Planning, Process 5 & 6: Marketing & Promotion