Join ALLi team members Orna Ross, Sacha Black, Matty Dalrymple, Michael La Ronn, Shanaya Wagh, and Dan Holloway for a replay of their SelfPubCon2025 roundtable, which offers practical guidance on today’s self-publishing landscape. The session includes a brief introduction to ALLi and its member services, along with clear, actionable advice on new tools, trends, and strategies to help authors at any stage.
Listen to the Podcast: Navigating New Trends in Self-Publishing
Thoughts or further questions on this post or any self-publishing issue?
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Non-members looking for more information can search our extensive archive of blog posts and podcast episodes packed with tips and advice at ALLi's Self-Publishing Advice Center.
And if you haven’t already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally.
Podcast Summary by Kayleigh Brindley
In this engaging Q&A session from the 2025 Self-Publishing Advice Conference, members of the ALLi team share their collective experience, insights, tips, and strategies for mastering self-publishing in a rapidly changing industry.
As SelfPubCon manager, I had the pleasure of attending this session live back in October, and it’s still fresh in mind. Hosted by ALLi Director, Orna Ross, it features highlights from:
- Sacha Black
- Michael LaRonn
- Matty Dalrymple
- Shanaya Wagh
- Dan Holloway
They cover everything from Kickstarter campaigns to direct sales, offering advice for indie authors at all stages.
Here are my key takeaways for indie authors:
- Kickstarter and Crowdfunding Tactics
Crowdfunding was the real topic of conversation, and Sacha Black emphasized the importance of a visually stunning campaign page.
Her key tips:
- Build a pre-launch follower count to ensure your Kickstarter is successful.
- Work with a designer to create visually engaging campaign pages.
- Promote your campaign early, so followers are ready to back you on launch day.
(Great advice for those thinking of launching their first campaign in 2026!)
- Direct Sales: A Game Changer for Indie Authors
With direct sales THE big trend at the moment, many attendees had questions.
Key insights from:
- Michael: Start small and gradually scale up your direct sales operation to optimize reader engagement and sales.
- Sacha: Use exclusive items and incentives to encourage readers to buy directly from your site. Examples include:
- Signed copies
- Exclusive novellas
- Stickers and bookmarks
Simple, yet effective ideas for indies planning to sell direct.
The key message: Direct sales are not just about transactions; they’re about building connections with your readers.
- Email Marketing: Your Direct Line to Readers
ALLi always stresses the importance of email marketing for building a relationship with your readers. No other platform gives you as much control over reader data.
Tips for beginners:
- Craft compelling subject lines.
- Keep emails short and scannable to grab attention in cluttered inboxes.
- Use reader magnets (like short stories or bonus content) to encourage sign-ups.
- Avoiding Burnout: Self-Care and Personal Wellbeing
Indie authors juggle writing, publishing, and marketing, which can easily lead to burnout.
This advice from Matty and Shanaya stood out to me:
- Focus on the aspects of writing and publishing that bring you joy (for me, that’d be drawing up new characters or creating Pinterest inspiration boards)
- Take breaks, seek support, and remember why you started writing in the first place.
I really like that Sacha and Michael’s points emphasized that personal well-being, both mental and physical, is key to sustaining a long-term career as an indie author.
- Authenticity: A Personal Takeaway
There was so much to take away from this session, but what stood out to me most was the unanimous emphasis on authenticity (this year’s buzzword, I think), and how it’s key to building a community of readers.
Final Thoughts
The ALLi team is incredibly diverse in terms of what they write and how they approach publishing. As masters of direct sales and Kickstarter, and curators of large email lists, together they provide a rapid-fire masterclass in self-publishing.
Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned author looking to expand your reach, the ALLi team's advice offers a comprehensive guide to navigating self-publishing trends.
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If you’d like a transcript of this podcast episode, please reach out to [email protected]
