Self-Publishing with ALLi

Welcome to AskALLi, the self-publishing advice podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it's our monthly beginners' self-publishing salon with advice, tips, and tools for indie authors just starting out.

This month, we introduce our new hosts. Jyotsna Ramachandran is the founder of Happy Self Publishing and author of the international bestseller Job Escape Plan.

Iain Rob Wright has written over a dozen novels. He's an active member of the Horror Writers Association and has also written a free self-publishing course for authors.

This Month's Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon Episode

No matter how you like to consume your content, we have you covered. You can listen to the podcast recording, watch the YouTube broadcast, or read the full transcript of this Salon episode below.

Topics discussed this week include:

• Introducing Iain and Jyotsna
• Seven years ago, Iain decided to be a writer because he wasn't happy with his sales job, discovered self-publishing and never looked back.
• Jyotsna quit her full-time job six years ago, tried out different businesses. Discovered Amazon self-publishing and began making money on royalties. Then she found fulfillment in writing her own books
• Visibility is more difficult now than it was six years ago. The space is more crowded.
• Self-publishing is like any other business. Build it from the ground up.
• Don't depend on Amazon for visibility. Get onto podcasts, find places to speak about your book.
• Self-publishing is a great way to work from home.
• Tools for formatting books. Microsoft Word? Vellum? Depends on your needs and budget.
• Give proper instructions to freelance formatters.
• CreateSpace vs. KDP

EP#80: Welcome to AskALLi, the self-Publishing advice weekly broadcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). In this, our monthly advanced salon, Orna Ross, ALLi Director, and Advisor Joanna Penn, of TheCreativePenn.com, analyse the latest tools and trends of interest to experienced indie authors.

Topics discussed this week include:

• An update on Orna and Joanna's personal projects
• ALLi's plans for the London Book Fair
• Changing the name of ALLi's online publishing conference for authors: from "Indie Author Fringe" to "Self-Publishing Advice Conference" ... and why
• An update on Amazon, KDP, and Apple Books, Kobo, Nook, and Walmart
• Complete reliance on Amazon is not a good business model
• Author Earnings Report... is it wrongly named?
• Need for personal branding for authors as Facebook and other organic reach declines
• Joanna focusing more on YouTube in 2018
• Selecting your social media outlet
• Orna finishing ALLi's white paper on Blockchain
• Joanna writing a nonfiction book on how to write a nonfiction book
• Don't put more time into any other website -- including Mark Zuckerberg's -- than you put into your own.

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is one of four regular shows, which include:

• ALLi Member Q&A with Dan Blank and Michael La Ronn
• Beginners' Salon with Jyotsna Ramachadaran and Iain Robb Wright
• Indie Voices - Interviews with Significant Players in Self-Publishing

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, is it time you joined us. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now... go write and publish.

About the Hosts

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author, as well as writing non-fiction for authors. She is also a professional speaker and entrepreneur, voted as one of The Guardian UK Top 100 creative professionals 2013. She spent 13 years as a business IT consultant in large corporations across the globe before becoming a full-time author-entrepreneur in September 2011. Connect with Joanna on Twitter: @thecreativepenn

Orna Ross is an award-winning, bestselling novelist. She also writes poetry and nonfiction and is Director of the Alliance of Independent Authors and the Creativist Club. Her work for ALLi has seen her named "one of the 100 most influential people in publishing" (The Bookseller). Connect with Orna on Twitter: @OrnaRoss

Ep#83: Novelists Jerome Griffin and Orna Ross, ALLi Director, discuss the seven stages of conscious creation as they relate to writing. Understanding the different requirements of each stage from concept to completion can, Orna argues, up your writing speed, ensure you're more likely to finish well, and improve your writing craft.

Topics covered in this author podcast include:

• Vision Phase of writing: Intention, Incubation, and Investigation.
• Making Phase of writing: Drafting and Elaboration.
• Revision Phase of writing: Clarification and Correction.
• Why writers fail to finish and publish their books.
• Three phases of the writing process.
• A linear vs. erratic approach to writing.
• Motivation and Exhilaration to write.
• Skills and mindsets for each writing phase.
• Focusing your mind.
• F-R-E-E Writing.
• Observational Skills.
• Control your inner Critic.
• Collaboration and Teamwork.

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Indie Author Fringe Highlight is one of four regular shows, which include an ALLi Member Q&A, a beginners' salon and an advanced self-publishing salon.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

If you're not familiar with our Fringe event, it's three-times a year, online conference for self-publishing authors, brought to you by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and fringe to the major global publishing fairs; London Book Fair, BookExp, and Frankfurt Book Fair. ALLi brings together the most up-to-date self-publishing education and information available and broadcasts it to authors everywhere. Running 24 sessions over 24 continuous hours allows our members, and other authors round the globe, to attend sessions, no matter where they're located. For more information, visit our Conference Home Page

Now, go write and publish.

Host Bio: Tim Lewis is the author of three Science Fiction novellas and two (soon to be three) short fantasy novels. He is also the host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast as has interviewed over forty authors, experts and marketing specialists about how to produce and market a book. Website: http://www.stonehampress.com Facebook: Facebook/timlewis808 Twitter: @stonehampress Pinterest: stonehampress

EP#82: Welcome to Ask ALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Broadcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This is our monthly Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, with advice, tips and tools for indie authors just starting out. And here are your regular hosts for the beginners' salon: Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn.

The topics covered in this beginners session about Designing your own book cover includes:

• 2017 Reflections
• Using and Leveraging Existing Content
• Finding Writing Efficiencies
• Scrivener 3.0
• Premium Version of Grammarly
• Tracker Box
• Amazon Ads
• Keywords
• Accountability Partners
• Author Platform
• Author Collaboration
• New goals for 2018

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This beginners salon is one of four regular shows, which include a more advanced salon, a member Q&A and a special guest highlight presentation from the Indie Author Fringe, ALLi's free online author conference.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now, go write and publish.

About your show hosts:

Jay Artale is a project manager who swapped corporate life for a nomadic existence as a non-fiction writer. She's written and self-published a series of travel guides, travel writing books, and poetry collections. Jay is also one of the co-organizers of the Indie Author Fringe, an online conference for indie authors who self-publish. Connect with Jay on Twitter: @BirdsOAFPress

Michael La Ronn is the author of over 30 science fiction & fantasy novels and author self-help books. To date, he has published over 1.5 million words of fiction and nonfiction. Since publishing his first book in 2014, he has produced a prolific writing portfolio while raising a family and working a full-time job in the insurance industry. Connect with Michael on Twitter: @MichaelLaRonn

Ep#81: This week we're showcasing the session "5 steps To Building a Successful Author Platform" hosted by Donna Galanti. Even if you don't have a polished draft to publish, Donna will show you what you can do right now to successfully pave the way to an author career before your book is published. Learn how to build a strong author foundation that includes; creating a peer support network, forming relationships with authors in your genre, sharing the wisdom you already have (and may not know it), and connecting with readers via social media (yes, before that book is out!). Creating an author platform takes time and building it slowly can make this overwhelming process not only easy and manageable, but fun! Attendees will come away with the steps to launch their author platform over time before publication.

Topics covered in this author podcast include:

• How to build best followers on social media.
• How to connect with readers.
• How to build your email list.
• How to collaborate with other authors.
• How to position yourself as an expert.

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Indie Author Fringe Highlight is one of four regular shows, which include an ALLi Member Q&A, a beginners' salon and an advanced self-publishing salon.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

If you're not familiar with our Fringe event, it's three-times a year, online conference for self-publishing authors, brought to you by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and fringe to the major global publishing fairs; London Book Fair, BookExp, and Frankfurt Book Fair. ALLi brings together the most up-to-date self-publishing education and information available and broadcasts it to authors everywhere. Running 24 sessions over 24 continuous hours allows our members, and other authors round the globe, to attend sessions, no matter where they're located. For more information, visit our Conference Home Page

Now, go write and publish.

Donna Galanti is the author of the paranormal suspense Element Trilogy and the children's fantasy adventure Joshua and The Lightning Road series. She is represented by Bill Contardi of Brandt & Hochman Literary Agents, Inc. Donna is a contributing editor for International Thriller Writers the Big Thrill magazine and blogs with other middle grade authors at Project Middle Grade Mayhem. She's lived from England as a child, to Hawaii as a U.S. Navy photographer. Donna enjoys teaching at conferences on the writing craft and marketing and also presenting as a guest author at elementary and middle schools. Visit her at www.elementtrilogy.com and www.donnagalanti.com. She also loves building writer community. Check out her 4 Proven Steps to Connect with Readers Right Now (Before Your Book Even Comes Out!): www.createyourawesomecommunity.com

Ep#80: Welcome to Ask ALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This week it's our monthly Member Q&A where ALLi Members' have their most pressing self-publishing questions analyzed and answered. Join your regular hosts for the Member Q&A: indie author's David Penny & Debbie Young.

Summary of our Ask ALLi Self-Publishing Member Q&A Topics:

• Q: How do I stop my margins jumping about when formatting my book in Word?
• Q: How do you position your book in the marketplace when your rebranding and relaunching the 2nd edition version?
• Q: How do you choose your categories when your in a narrow niche?
• Q: How do you market a book if you want to use a pseudonym?
• Q: Should I use a paid service called Indie Book Reviewers website?
• Q: I find Facebook Ads daunting, are there simple resources and instructions available?

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Member Self-Publishing Q&A is one of four regular shows, which include a more advanced salon, a beginners' salon and a special guest highlight presentation from the Indie Author Fringe, ALLi's free online author conference.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now, go write and publish.

About your hosts

ALLi's Technical Manager David Penny is the author of the best selling Thomas Berrington Historical Mystery series set in the final years of Moorish Spain, and before returning to writing full time he worked in education, printing and publishing, and for 25 years ran his own software company. Connect with David on Twitter @DavidPenny_

ALLi's Publications Manger Debbie Young enjoys sharing best practice with our members around the world, as well as running two local authors' groups and the Hawkesbury Upton Lit Fest on her home turf. Small wonder, then, that her cosy mystery series, the Sophie Syers Village Mysteries, is set in a small English village populated with authors and booksellers. Connect with Debbie on Twitter @DebbieYoungBN

EP#79: Welcome to Ask ALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. In a monthly salon type discussion, Orna Ross, Director of the Alliance of Independent Authors and Joanna Penn, of TheCreativePenn.com, talk about the latest tools and trends of interest to emerging and experienced self-publishing authors.

Topics discussed this week include:

• Choosing a micro niche
• Being an Author Entrepreneur
• Money for Writers
• How to create anything
• Successful author mindset
• Embracing business as an author
• The Author business model
• Author mindset
• Creating money and meaning
• The healthy writer
• The Role of creative rest and creative play
• Print on Demand
• ISBNs
• Global Markets
• Author Collaboration
• Writing Partnerships
• 2018 Self-Publishing Trends

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Advanced Self-Publishing Salon is one of four regular shows, which include an ALLi Member Q&A, a beginners' salon and a special guest highlight presentation from the Indie Author Fringe, ALLi's free online author conference.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now, go write and publish.

About the Hosts

Joanna Penn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling thriller author, as well as writing non-fiction for authors. She is also a professional speaker and entrepreneur, voted as one of The Guardian UK Top 100 creative professionals 2013. She spent 13 years as a business IT consultant in large corporations across the globe before becoming a full-time author-entrepreneur in September 2011. Connect with Joanna on Twitter @thecreativepenn

Orna Ross launched the Alliance of Independent Authors at the London Book Fair in 2012. Her work for ALLi has seen her named as one of The Bookseller's "100 top people in publishing". She also publishes poetry, fiction and nonfiction, and is greatly excited by the democratising, empowering potential of author-publishing. Connect with Orna on Twitter @OrnaRoss

EP#78: Welcome to Ask ALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Broadcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This is our monthly Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, with advice, tips and tools for indie authors just starting out. And here are your regular hosts for the beginners' salon: Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn.

The topics covered in this beginners session about Designing your own book cover includes:

• eBook Design Tools
• Image Rights
• Cover Design Awards
• Stock Photos
• eBook Cover Thumbnails

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This beginners salon is one of four regular shows, which include a more advanced salon, a member Q&A and a special guest highlight presentation from the Indie Author Fringe, ALLi's free online author conference.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

Now, go write and publish.

About your show hosts:

Jay Artale is a project manager who swapped corporate life for a nomadic existence as a non-fiction writer. She's written and self-published a series of travel guides, travel writing books, and poetry collections. Jay is also one of the co-organizers of the Indie Author Fringe, an online conference for indie authors who self-publish. Connect with Jay on Twitter: @BirdsOAFPress

Michael La Ronn is the author of over 30 science fiction & fantasy novels and author self-help books. To date, he has published over 1.5 million words of fiction and nonfiction. Since publishing his first book in 2014, he has produced a prolific writing portfolio while raising a family and working a full-time job in the insurance industry. Connect with Michael on Twitter: @MichaelLaRonn

EP#78: Welcome to Ask ALLi, the Self-Publishing Advice Broadcast from the Alliance of Independent Authors. This is our monthly Beginners' Self-Publishing Salon, with advice, tips and tools for indie authors just starting out. And here are your regular hosts for the beginners’ salon: Jay Artale and Michael La Ronn.

The topics covered in this beginners session about Designing your own book cover includes:

- eBook Design Tools

- Image Rights

- Cover Design Awards

- Stock Photos

- eBook Cover Thumbnails

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This beginners salon is one of four regular shows, which include a more advanced salon, a member Q&A and a special guest highlight presentation from the Indie Author Fringe, ALLi’s free online author conference.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven’t already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org. Now, go write and publish.

About your show hosts:

Jay Artale is a project manager who swapped corporate life for a nomadic existence as a non-fiction writer. She's written and self-published a series of travel guides, travel writing books, and poetry collections. Jay is also one of the co-organizers of the Indie Author Fringe, a 3X a year online conference for indie authors who self-publish. Connect on Twitter: @BirdsOAFPress

Michael La Ronn is the author of over 30 science fiction & fantasy novels and author self-help books. To date, he has published over 1.5 million words of fiction and nonfiction. Since publishing his first book in 2014, he has produced a prolific writing portfolio while raising a family and working a full-time job in the insurance industry. Connect on Twitter: @MichaelLaRonn

Ep#77: This week we're showcasing the session "How Authors use Podcasts to grow their Brand" hosted by Tim Lewis. If you're considering starting a podcast to raise your indie author profile and grow your audience, Tim shares the what, why, and when of podcasting for beginners.

Topics covered in this author podcast include:

• What is a Podcast?
• Who Can Launch a Podcast?
• The Basics of RSS Feeds & Podcast Hosting.
• Why you SHOULDN'T launch a Podcast.
• Why you SHOULD launch a Podcast.
• How do you Start a Podcast?
• Podcasting Equipment.
• Choosing Your Podcasting Niche.
• Stereo vs. Mono Audio Tracks.
• Avoiding explicit podcast.
• Avoiding Copyright Infringement.
• Podcast Hosting.
• Options Podcast Ratings and Reviews.
• Building a Podcast Audience.
• Podcast Editing.
• Make it easy to Subscribe on Android.
• Become a Podcast Guest.

Our weekly Self-Publishing Advice broadcast is brought to you by ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. This Indie Author Fringe Highlight is one of four regular shows, which include an ALLi Member Q&A, a beginners' salon and an advanced self-publishing salon.

Find more author advice, tips and tools at our self-publishing advice center, www.selfpublishingadvice.org. And, if you haven't already, we invite you to join our organization and become a self-publishing ally. You can do that at www.allianceindependentauthors.org.

If you're not familiar with our Fringe event, it's three-times a year, online conference for self-publishing authors, brought to you by the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), and fringe to the major global publishing fairs; London Book Fair, BookExp, and Frankfurt Book Fair. ALLi brings together the most up-to-date self-publishing education and information available and broadcasts it to authors everywhere. Running 24 sessions over 24 continuous hours allows our members, and other authors round the globe, to attend sessions, no matter where they're located. For more information, visit our Conference Home Page

Now, go write and publish.

Host Bio: Tim Lewis is the author of three Science Fiction novellas and two (soon to be three) short fantasy novels. He is also the host of the Begin Self-Publishing Podcast as has interviewed over forty authors, experts and marketing specialists about how to produce and market a book. Website: http://www.stonehampress.com Facebook: Facebook/timlewis808 Twitter: @stonehampress Pinterest: stonehampress