Reaching Readers: 5 Tips to Optimize Your Indie Author Website
You're an indie author. You have a website, of course. Is it the best indie author website it can be?…
Publishing Conferences & Book Fairs – What’s In Them for Self-published Authors?
Self-published authors often wonder whether they can justify paying substantial entry prices to publishing trade and book fairs. Two of…
Build Your Mailing List! 5 Ideas That Really Work by DuoLit
With all of the hats you wear as an indie author, have you ever wondered how in the world you’ll…
Advice Podcast: Three Trends for 2026 — Transformation, Trust, and the ‘Agentic’ Shift with Orna Ross and Joanna Penn
Orna Ross and Joanna Penn compare notes from the indie front line, drawing on Jo’s new novel and her renewed focus on business basics for ALLi’s Indie Author Lab at the London Book Fair, alongside Orna’s shift to Substack and a clear-eyed look at what is changing fastest for authors. In this forward-looking conversation, two self-publishing veterans unpack agentic AI, the challenge of staying discoverable in a sea of content, and how permission-based audiences, reader trust, and real-world connection can make authors harder to replace.
Audio Interview: The Editorial Process for Short Fiction Contests with Matty Dalrymple and Polly Campbell
Author and podcaster Polly Campbell joins Matty Dalrymple to explore how writing contests can sharpen a writer’s editorial skills. Polly discusses the fast-paced revision process required for short fiction contests, how to make every word count, and why tight deadlines can lead to more focused, confident writing. She also shares practical strategies for structuring quick edits, choosing impactful details, and balancing creativity with polish—all lessons that can strengthen any writer’s craft.
Audio Interview: Elevating Indie Book Design
ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with book cover designer Rachel Valliere about improving indie book design through a crucial but often overlooked tool: the creative brief. Rachel explains how a well-crafted brief helps authors communicate their vision clearly, including technical details like trim size, binding, and cover text. They discuss how understanding genre conventions, using design elements intentionally, and navigating image and font rights contribute to professional indie book design.
Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Mark David Gerson. Award-Winning Writer Publishes Across Genres, Coaches Others, and Champions the Power of Story
My ALLi author guest this episode is Mark David Gerson, an award-winning author of more than twenty books spanning fantasy, memoir, and writing guides. He once avoided writing, but eventually embraced it—and now helps others do the same through his coaching, workshops, and books. He’s also a screenwriter and visual artist who sees writing as both a creative and spiritual act.
Exploring Alternatives to Amazon and Meta Ads: The Self-Publishing Featuring ALLi Member Q&A Podcast Featuring Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, host Michael La Ronn discusses whether there are effective alternatives to Amazon and Meta ads for authors who want to reach readers but are reluctant to support those platforms.