The Self-Publishing Advice Center

PODCAST DROP: Latest Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway
2025-10-31 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-17 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-03 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-09-12 13:00 - 14:00 (Europe/London) and 1 more date | ALLi Podcast
A breakdown of the week's most significant self-publishing news, providing insights, implications, and in-depth analyses.
The Self-Publishing News Podcast stream is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me.

LIVE PARTNER WEBINAR: Reaching Readers with Kobo Writing Life
2025-10-30 19:00 - 20:00 | SellfPubConnect
For indie authors, Rakuten Kobo plays a vital role in digital book sales worldwide.
This session will give you insights into Kobo’s non-exclusive subscription program, Kobo Plus, and find out how subscriptions are tapping into a new readership and increasing author earnings.
Plus, learn about the marketing strategies that work and find out what promotional opportunities are available to authors publishing through Kobo Writing Life.
Don't miss this Member exclusive engaging and highly informative session with Tara Cremin, Director of Rakuten Kobo.

PODCAST DROP: Inspirational Indie Authors Interview
2025-10-26 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-12 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Dive deep into personal stories of indie authors, understanding their pathways to success, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

PODCAST DROP: Inside ALLi’s New Book Marketing Guide
2025-10-22 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Book marketing … minus the overwhelm.
In this month’s Self-Publishing with ALLi Branding, Marketing & Promotion Podcast stream, join ALLi director Orna Ross and ALLi editor-in-chief Roz Morris for a behind-the-scenes tour of ALLi’s updated Book Marketing guide, due for release at the Self-Publishing Advice Conference on October 18th.
Learn the important difference between marketing and promotion, how to find and attract your ideal readers, how to pick the channels that are right for you and use simple metrics to know what’s working—without chasing trends or burning cash.
Expect checklists, examples and a clear path you can follow at any stage, whether you’re a debut or a seasoned indie author, all grounded in ALLi’s Ethical Author principles and designed for sustainable results,.
Pre-orders are now live and the e-book is free to ALLi members. Secure your copy and start building marketing momentum today.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Branding, Marketing & Promotion Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Bookfunnel. Do you have reader magnets, ARCs, and direct digital sales? Want to join multi-author promotions? Thousands of authors trust BookFunnel for seamless delivery and real human support. Visit BookFunnel.com.

PODCAST DROP: Members Q&A - Mentors, Color Inserts, and More
2025-10-19 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this month’s episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast stream, Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black answer member questions which include:

Where can I find a mentor?
What are the best review sites for authors?
Where can I create color inserts for my books?
And more!

Tune in to hear the answers to these questions and more insider advice to help you in your self-publishing business.

SelfPubCon25: The Self-Publishing Advice Conference
2025-10-17 - 2025-10-19 | SellfPubConnect
The Self-Publishing Advice Conference, an online author conference for indie authors, run in association with the Alliance of Independent Authors each October.
We’ll have full details soon, but for now, keep the weekend free in your calendar. Expert insights. Implementable strategies. Free to all ALLi members.
Stay tuned for more!

PODCAST DROP: Production & Distribution Strategies of a Six Figure Author
2025-10-15 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this episode of the ALLi Self-Publishing Advice Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with indie author Fiona Tarrabout the production and distribution strategies that helped her grow from her first fantasy novel in 2014 to becoming a six-figure mystery and crime writer today.
Fiona explains how she keeps her production pipeline on track, why her long-term preorder strategy has been so effective across platforms, and what she’s learned about library distribution and audiobook production.
If you’re an indie author looking to bring more strategic decision-making and discipline into your publishing business, this episode is packed with practical takeaways.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Production & Distribution Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press – Your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family.

PODCAST DROP: Building Business Authority Through Books
2025-10-08 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this Self-Publishing With ALLi podcast episode, ALLi Campaigns Manager, Matty Dalrymple, talks with Karen Williams of Librotas about how authors can build business authority through their books.
Karen describes her journey into writing and mentoring non-fiction authors, emphasizing the importance of structure, clarity of message, and preparation. She outlines the benefits of writing authority-building books to enhance credibility and business growth.
The conversation covers different book formats, the significance of aligning books with business goals and brand identity, and best practices for maintaining reader engagement and repurposing content.

PODCAST DROP: Proof is Profitable: Use Reviews, Contests, and Awards to Drive Reader Engagement and Sales
2025-10-05 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
This session, “Proof is Profitable,” will delve into the power of reviews, contests, and awards in establishing social and professional proof and demonstrate, through case studies, how these elements can significantly boost your reputation and drive engagement.
Join Hannah Jacobson, of Book Award Pro, and Edward Trayer of The Wishing Shelf Book Awards, as they present compelling case histories and practical strategies from a panel of award-winning indie authors on:

Utilizing customer reviews to build trust and influence potential readers.
Entering and winning contests to gain recognition and showcase excellence.
Leveraging awards to enhance your brand’s prestige and attract a wider audience.

PODCAST DROP: New Trends in Self-Publishing at SelfPubCon25
2025-10-01 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this special episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Howard Lovy interviews Kayleigh Brindley, conference manager for SelfPubCon25. Kayleigh offers a behind-the-scenes look at this year’s Self-Publishing Advice Conference, which takes place online October 18–19.
She discusses the theme, “New Trends in Self-Publishing,” the decision to spread the event across two days, highlights from the speaker lineup, and details of the pre-conference orientation.
Kayleigh also explains when free access opens on SelfPubConnect, how long replays will remain available, and what attendees can expect in terms of live Q&As, community networking, and practical takeaways.

PODCAST DROP: Inside ALLi’s New Book Marketing Guide (Pre-Order Event)
2025-09-24 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
Book marketing … minus the overwhelm.
In this month's Self-Publishing with ALLi Branding, Marketing & Promotion Podcast stream, join ALLi director Orna Ross and ALLi editor-in-chief Roz Morris for a behind-the-scenes tour of ALLi’s updated Book Marketing guide, due for release at the Self-Publishing Advice Conference on October 18th.
Learn the important difference between marketing and promotion, how to find and attract your ideal readers, how to pick the channels that are right for you and use simple metrics to know what’s working—without chasing trends or burning cash.
Expect checklists, examples and a clear path you can follow at any stage, whether you’re a debut or a seasoned indie author, all grounded in ALLi’s Ethical Author principles and designed for sustainable results,.
Pre-orders are now live and the e-book is free to ALLi members. Secure your copy and start building marketing momentum today.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Branding, Marketing & Promotion Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Bookfunnel.

PODCAST DROP: QR Codes, Mixed Tradpub and Self-Pub Series, Offering Services to Authors, and More
2025-09-21 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this month's episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A Podcast stream, Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black answer member questions which include:

What is the best way to use QR codes in my marketing?
I've trad-pubbed 3 books, and the 4th book in my nonfiction series is self-published. How do I market the series?
What is the proper sequence for publishing my print book with IngramSpark and KDP?
I produce book trailers and want to let ALLi members know about it. How can I do that?

PODCAST DROP: How to Revise or Refresh Your Book Without Breaking Distribution
2025-09-17 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
What happens after you hit publish—but then need to fix, tweak, or rebrand your book or series?
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Production & Distribution Podcast stream, we talk “versioning” for indie authors: from typo fixes to new covers, back matter to fresh editions.
Learn what to avoid, what works, and how to update efficiently.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Production & Distribution Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press – your partner in independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, global distribution, and all-inclusive services. From editing to marketing—Gatekeeper Press: Where Authors Are Family.

LIVE WEBINAR: New Trends in Tools and Tech - Joanna Penn in Q&A with Orna Ross
2025-09-16 16:00 - 17:00 | SellfPubConnect
‘New Trends in Tools and Tech: Joanna Penn in Q&A with Orna Ross’ is an ALLi members-only session exploring what’s next for indie authors. Joanna Penn, ALLi’s Technology & Enterprise Advisor, joins Orna Ross to unpack the latest shifts in writing, book production, smarter marketing stacks, and time-saving workflows. Expect clear guidance on what to test now, what to skip, and how to stay ethical while growing your creative enterprise. Bring your questions and leave with practical, future-proofing answers.
Please note: The replay of this session will not be available immediately but is intended to be featured as part of our upcoming Self-Publishing Advice Conference, taking place 18th & 19th October. This live session offers ALLi members an exclusive first look and the opportunity to submit your questions for feedback during the livestream.
Save the date: Tuesday, September 16th, 8am Los Angeles, 10am Chicago, 11am New York, 4pm London and bring along your questions!
You can ask your questions live using the chat feature or submit them to the comments below in advance, and we'll put them to Joanna for you!

IN-PERSON TICKETED EVENT: Build Your Author Profile and Maximise Earnings Through Effective Marketing with Amazon KDP
2025-09-15 14:45 - 17:00 | Amazon Corporate Office, London, EC2A 2BA, United Kingdom
Join ALLi and Kindle Direct Publishing for this in-person event as Jen Barrett, UK Kindle Direct Publishing Lead, and Darren Hardy, Senior Manager, EU Author Community, share tips to build your profile and maximise your earnings through marketing, utilising new Amazon tools, best practices, and exploring routes to reaching new readers.
In addition, a specialist from the Amazon Advertising team will give insights into successful advertising campaigns on Amazon, and how to set up for success.
After a short break, an author panel will share their personal perspective on what drives their success.
Both sessions will include Q+A, so this is an exciting opportunity to pose your questions directly to KDP / Amazon and high-performing authors on that platform.
Where: Amazon Corporate Office, London
When: Monday, September 15, 2:45pm – 5pm GMT+1
Places are limited to 70, so book early as it is first come, first served.

PODCAST DROP: Inspirational Indie Author - Mo Fanning
2025-09-14 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
This week's Inspirational Indie Author Interview is with Mo Fanning, a Birmingham-based novelist whose contemporary LGBTQ+ fiction blends humor, heartbreak, and hope.
His novels, including Husbands, The Armchair Bride, Rainbows and Lollipops, and the upcoming Ghosted, explore themes of identity, loss, and chosen family, often set against the backdrop of his Midlands roots.
Beyond writing, he produces original music to accompany his books, further expanding the worlds of his stories and connecting with readers through multiple creative forms.

LIVE WEBINAR - Boost Your Author Income: Selling Direct & Special Editions with Bookvault
2025-09-10 15:00 - 16:00 | SellfPubConnect
Join Alex Smith, Brand Manager at Bookvault, for a practical session on why selling direct is one of the smartest moves an indie author can make.
We’ll walk through how direct sales give you more control, higher margins, and a closer connection to your readers.
Plus, we’ll explore how special editions with features such as foiling, sprayed edges, and box sets can add excitement and value to your direct sales strategy.
Perfect for authors who want to take their publishing to the next level.
FREE event for ALLi Members.

PODCAST DROP: An Editor’s Perspective on Picture Books
2025-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this month's Self-Publishing with ALLi Editing & Design Podcast stream, ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Gale Winskill, an editor with over 30 years in the field about the intricacies of editing children's books and picture books.
Gail explains the similarities and differences between editing children's literature and adult literature, highlighting the importance of age-appropriate language and content. She discusses the collaborative process between authors and illustrators, the importance of engaging illustrations, and tips for structural and developmental editing.
Gail also shares insights on the marketing considerations for children's books, the significance of understanding reader expectations, and the benefits of using beta readers.
Throughout the interview, Winskill emphasizes the value of challenging young readers and the potential for creating books that appeal to both children and adults.

PODCAST DROP: Windowing, Anthologies, and Murdering Your Darlings
2025-09-07 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
In their bi-monthly conversational catch-up, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn compare notes on smart sequencing and softer marketing.
Joanna walks through her windowing strategy in publishing her short story anthology, The Buried and the Drowned, and what getting Blood Vintage back has taught her about the submission process.
Orna talks about the joy of bringing everything closer to home, including her part in PoetTown, a local anthology, reshaping her Patreon into a capped, intimate AMA, and starting a new SubStack Making Meaning on the principle of Kevin Kelly’s ‘audience of one.’
They also explore what an Author’s Note can do for reader trust in the age of AI, how to ‘murder your darlings’ in publishing as well as writing, and take a constructive look at truth in memoir through the lens of ALLi’s Ethical Author guidelines (Yes, we’re looking at you Salt Path!).
Tune in to the Creative Self-Publishing Podcast stream for less script, more real talk from two of the most seasoned indie authors in the business.

PODCAST DROP: Inspirational Indie Authors Interview with host, Howard Lovy
2025-08-31 14:00 - 15:00 | ALLi Podcast
