Self-Publishing with ALLi
The Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors provides a comprehensive guide for indie authors.
Episodes
ALLi Campaigns Manager Matty Dalrymple talks with Michael Pietrobon, founder of Canadian book design and self-publishing company Foglio, about budget-friendly ways to add audio to eBooks without producing full audiobooks. They discuss using sound effects and leitmotifs to enhance stories, technical standards for eBook production, sourcing free audio, AI clean-up, and creating interactive enhanced eBooks. Michae...
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss whether media liability insurance is worth the cost for memoir authors and explain how it differs from errors and omissions coverage.
Other questions include:
- What printers offer special features like sprayed edges and foil for print books?
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway reports on a coordinated bot attack that hit indie authors using Shopify, leaving some with unexpected fees and limited recourse. He also covers new and proposed legislation across the UK, EU, and US, including the UK’s Online Safety Act, concerns over enforcement of the EU AI Act, and the US White House's pro-tech AI action plan—all with implications for author righ...
On the Publishing for Profit stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Joe Solari investigates why Amazon book launches no longer deliver lasting results. He explains how the algorithm now favors steady reader engagement over quick sales spikes—and how understanding this shift, along with the rise of AI-powered search, can help authors thrive in the new publishing landscape.
Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Se...
My guest this episode is Cheryl Carpinello, a retired English teacher from Colorado who writes books based on Arthurian legend and ancient history to help reach reluctant young readers. She draws on more than 20 years of classroom experience and brings her stories to life through school visits and workshops. Cheryl is also part of an international author consortium that offers support and collaboration for indie writers.
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explains a major development in the lawsuit against Anthropic, where a judge has allowed authors to proceed as a class in claims tied to piracy—potentially leading to significant damages, but only for those with timely registered U.S. copyrights. He also covers a Senate hearing questioning tech’s use of copyrighted works and a new Kindle Colorsoft model that reinforc...
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, Dale L. Roberts talks with J. Kevin Tumlinson about building a personal author brand that attracts loyal readers. They explain why branding is about human connection rather than logos, how your mindset can shape your writing career, and how to create a brand that grows with you. The conversation includes practical tips on finding your voice, taking smart risks, and building ...
On the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Orna Ross and Joanna Penn talk about the creative process behind poetry and short fiction. They reflect on how they decide what form a piece should take, how emotion and memory shape their work, and why writing short can sometimes be harder than long. They also discuss editing, publishing, and why indie authors have the freedom to write what matters to them.
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On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway covers Spotify’s expanded audiobook options, Meta’s refusal to support the EU’s AI code of conduct, and the fast-approaching deadline for the $100,000 Novel Prize. He also highlights new data suggesting the romantasy trend still has years of life, especially in emerging subgenres.
Sponsors
In this episode of Self-Publishing with ALLi, Anna Featherstone talks with Stuart Grant, founder of the Digital Authors Toolkit, about how authors can use augmented reality (AR). The discussion covers what AR is, how it fits into the publishing process, and practical, affordable ways for indie authors to experiment with it. Real-world examples and tools help illustrate whether AR is a good fit for a particular ...
My guest this episode is Tracy Cooper-Posey, a prolific author with nearly 250 books across multiple genres and three pen names. She began in traditional publishing, switched to indie in 2011, and now runs a family micro-press. Originally from Australia and now based in Canada, Tracy writes everything from romance to science fiction to thrillers. She has continued to write and publish despite serious health setbacks.
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway discusses allegations that the bestselling memoir The Salt Path misrepresented key facts, reigniting debate over truth in nonfiction. He also examines Globe Scribe, a new AI translation tool claiming human-level results, and reports on the closure of serial fiction platform Radish after struggling to compete with Wattpad.
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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...
In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A podcast, hosts Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black discuss how to find a developmental editor for a nonfiction book that covers complex, controversial, or specialized subject matter.
Other questions include:
- How long should it take to design a book cover, and should the designer read the manuscript?
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explains how the Meta ruling favors tech companies but leaves the door open for future cases that could benefit authors. He also covers Cloudflare’s new tool to let publishers charge AI firms for content scraping and reports on a bestselling author’s move to take control of her rights outside traditional publishing.
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What does it really take to build a lasting author platform in 2025? In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, host Dale L. Roberts chats with indie author Kerrie Flanagan about what it means to grow and sustain an author brand in today’s crowded publishing world. From mastering the tools that matter to balancing multiple genres under different pen names, this conversation offers practical insights for authors looki...
My 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.
Find more author advice, tips, and tools at our Self-publishing Auth...
On this episode of the Self-Publishing News Podcast, Dan Holloway explains how the European Accessibility Act will impact authors selling into the EU, with practical tips on accessible formats and why EPUB matters more than ever. He also covers a major U.S. court ruling against Anthropic for scraping copyrighted books—while still declaring its AI-generated content fair use.
Spons...
In this episode of the Production and Distribution stream of the Self-Publishing with ALLi podcast, ALLi nonfiction adviser Anna Featherstone speaks with Brad Andalman, co-founder of Vellum, the popular book formatting software used by thousands of indie authors. They discuss Vellum’s origins, its evolution, and how it fits into the book production process—especially for authors looking to maintain control, streamline workflow, and...
ALLi Director Orna Ross unpacks the first court ruling on AI’s use of copyrighted books and why it matters to indie authors. She explains how the judge balanced “fair use” with pirate copying, then walks through ALLi’s Four Cs—consent, compensation, clarity, and curiosity—to show authors where the real battles lie. Along the way, Ross offers clear steps for safeguarding your work, engaging readers, and keeping your creativity alive...
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