What Writing Over 30 Books Has Taught Me About Surviving the Second Draft
In our Partner Spotlight series, an ALLi partner takes over the ALLi blog to share their expertise, experience, and hard-won…
Can You Really Revise or Retire a Book You’ve Already Published? Yes. Here’s How.
There's a quiet power indie authors have that rarely gets talked about: the book you've published isn't fixed. Not the…
Book Excerpt from ‘Creative Self-Publishing:’ What Does Success Look Like?
Welcome to a new monthly feature on the Self-Publishing Advice blog, where we highlight standout titles from ALLi’s library of self-publishing guidebooks. This month, we’re featuring an excerpt from Creative Self-Publishing, written by ALLi Director and Founder Orna Ross. You can purchase a copy of the book in our bookstore, or, if you're an ALLi member, you can download this and all of our guidebooks for free in the Member Zone—just log in and go to “Publications.”
Should Your Books Have Content Warnings? Authors Weigh In
When Rachel Thompson writes about trauma, she knows firsthand the power of words to heal—but also to harm. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she’s experienced how stories can evoke deep emotions, sometimes unexpectedly. That’s why she includes content warnings (also known as trigger warnings) in her books. “Books have the power to move, challenge, and heal,” she said. “But they can also evoke difficult emotions. Including a trigger warning is a way to extend care and consideration to our readers.”
Planning and ‘Pantsing’: How to Blend Structure and Spontaneity
Planning and pantsing are often seen as opposites, with planners carefully outlining every chapter and scene, while pantsers prefer to "fly by the seat of their pants," discovering the story as they write. However, many authors find that a hybrid approach—combining elements of both planning and pantsing—works best, offering a balance between structure and creative freedom.
From Childhood Bookworms to Indie Authors: Early Reading Habits Spark Lifelong Passion
For many authors, the love of reading starts in childhood, shaping their imaginations and fueling a lifelong passion for storytelling. As the host of the Inspirational Indie Authors podcast for the Alliance of Independent Authors, I’ve had the pleasure of asking writers from diverse backgrounds about their early lives and whether reading and writing were always part of their journey. What’s remarkable is how, no matter where they grew up or what path they initially followed, they all shared a deep connection to books from a young age.
Creating Courses from Nonfiction Books
Creating courses from nonfiction books is a growing strategy for authors to expand their reach and impact. Advances in online learning tools and platforms have made it easier for self-publishers to transform their books into engaging educational experiences, generating additional income and fostering deeper connections with readers. Success depends on a clear understanding of the new technologies and best practices that have emerged since we last covered this topic in 2017.
How to Plan Your Self-Published Book: Guidance for Plotters and Planners
There are different ways to get started when writing a book. Some authors prefer to write spontaneously, seeing how one action leads to the next as they write. These authors are often described as ‘Pantsers’ meaning they write ‘by the seat of their pants’! We’ll be covering this writing approach in a future blog. In this post we’re looking at the plotter (or ‘planner’ for non-fiction) approach, with advice provided by ALLi partner member 1106 Design.
Referencing for Non-Fiction Indie Authors: ALLi Ultimate Guide
From why citations matter, to avoiding copyright infringement, this post will give you the key information you need to apply referencing and citation techniques to your non-fiction books.
How to Plan and Release a Second Edition of Your Self-Published Book
In this post from the Alliance of Independent Authors, we are joined by guest blogger Karen Williams, bestselling book mentor, author of 10 books and a TEDx speaker. Karen shares her advice and experience on releasing a second edition of a self-published book; answering key questions and recommending what you should consider. This post focuses on non-fiction books.
Should I Copyright My Book? Your Indie Author Copyright Questions Answered
In this Alliance of Independent Authors post we'll explore some common indie author copyright questions. From whether copyrighting your work is even necessary, to whether using a trademarked name in your book is possible. If these FAQs get you thinking, you’ll find more information about ALLi’s book 150 Self-Publishing Questions Answered at the end of this post.
How to Self-Edit Your Novel: What You Can Learn from Professional Editors
Paying for an editor is a big but extremely important part of the publishing process. Today, we hear from Alliance of Independent Authors partner member Amelia Winters on what you can learn from professional editors.