I first launched my IndieVoices podcast in March 2017 as a way of helping to amplify voices that had been marginalized—politically, artistically, socially, and in many other ways that have tragically divided us recently. I truly believe that everybody with a story to tell should be given the opportunity to tell it and be heard. Indie publishing, of course, has provided this opportunity for these voices to come in out of the wilderness.

So, during the past couple of years, I have focused on interviewing publishers and authors who might have some uncomfortable things to say, but whose voices need to be heard. Criminal justice reform, autism, sex-abuse victims, aging, LGBTQ issues, are just a few of the themes I've featured since I launched the podcast.

In 2019, I'll continue to amplify the voices of indie authors. They should be heard as the world dives into an unknown future.

I'm using this final episode of the year to review what's been accomplished in 2018 and look ahead to 2019. Helping me do this is, of course, my much-more-accomplished and talented co-host, ALLi news editor Dan Holloway.

In this month's episode, we discuss:

• Technology, specifically the rise of blockchain and especially augmented reality;
• Amazon's up and down year;
• The continued growth of ebooks in libraries;
• Audio: both audiobooks and voice first;
• The growth of international markets and opportunities for indies.

And more!

The AskALLi podcasts are sponsored by Damonza: Books Made Awesome.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our Self-publishing Author Advice Center: https://selfpublishingadvice.org, with a huge archive of nearly 2,000 blog posts, and a handy search box to find key info on the topic you need.

And, if you haven’t already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at http://allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now, go write and publish!

About the Hosts

Howard Lovy has been a journalist for more than 30 years, and has spent the last five years amplifying the voices of independent publishers and authors. He works with authors as a "book doctor" to prepare their work to be published. Howard is also a freelance business and technology writer, and is launching a new Jewish-themed podcast on Patreon. Find Howard on LinkedIn and Twitter.

Dan Holloway is a novelist, poet and spoken word artist. He is the MC of the performance arts show The New Libertines Earlier this year he competed at the National Poetry Slam final at the Royal Albert Hall. His latest collection, The Transparency of Sutures, is available on Kindle