JOIN
Our Advisors
ALLi Advisors are self-publishing experts who offer trusted advice to our organization and its members.
-
-
input to the ALLi team that can be incorporated into ALLi strategic and tactical plans
-
information and advice that can be shared, as appropriate, with ALLi members and non-members
-
Read More
“The big publisher gatekeeper-as-curator is being replaced by readers, as it should be.”
Mark founded Smashwords in 2008 to change the way books are published, marketed and sold. Smashwords has grown to become the leading ebook distributor serving indie authors, small presses and literary agents and The Wall Street Journal has named Mark one of the “Stars of Self-Publishing.” Mark is co-author along with his wife, Lesleyann, of Boob Tube, a novel that explores the behind-the-scenes world of daytime television soap operas.
It was Mark’s experience trying to get Boob Tube published that inspired him to start Smashwords. Mark is a long time angel investor and advisor to technology and media startups and a contributing columnist for the Huffington Post, where he writes about ebooks and the future of publishing.
Top Tip:
“Authors should distribute their books to as many retailers as possible.”
Read More
“The most successful authors aren’t just great writers—they’re strategic business owners.”
Joe Solari assists authors in developing successful businesses as the managing partner of Author Ventures LLC. In his role as a business manager, he supports his private clients, who collectively achieved gross royalties of $22M in 2023, with an average pre-tax profit of 44%. This remarkable success results from implementing disciplined business strategies and maintaining an unwavering dedication to enhancing the customer experience.
Top Tip:
“Instead of trying to master every marketing tactic at once, focus on high-impact, low-effort wins that create momentum. Daily reflection and small adjustments based on real data will drive more sustainable progress than blindly following trends.”
Read More
“Self-publishing is for those with entrepreneurial spirit.”
Jane Friedman has 25 years of experience in the media and publishing industry, with expertise in business strategy for authors and publishers. She’s the co-founder and editor of The Bottom Line, a weekly newsletter offering offering a mix of original reporting, analysis, and curated links. Jane has previously worked for Writer’s Digest and the Virginia Quarterly Review. In 2023, Jane was awarded Publishing Commentator of the Year by Digital Book World.
Top Tip:
“You’re ready to go indie if you understand that it’s like embarking on a new business venture.”
Read More
“The self in self-publishing is actually misleading, as the indie publishing community is the most vibrant and helpful in the industry.”
Ricardo Fayet is one of the four founders of Reedsy, a marketplace connecting authors to the world’s top publishing talent—from editors to cover designers, book marketers, or literary translators. He’s the author of How to Market a Book: Overperform in a Crowded Market and a regular presenter at several prestigious writers’ conferences: NINC, RWA Australia, and The Self Publishing Show Live, among others.
Top Tip:
“Get the basics right. Nothing is as important as your book, your cover, and your book description. Any effort or spend before all these are as good as they can be will be wasted.”
Read More
“There’s so much to learn with self-publishing, and it’s a process that is naturally empowering”
Karen Inglis is an international bestselling children’s author living in London. She writes picture books, chapter books and middle-grade novels. Her international bestselling time travel adventure ‘The Secret Lake’ for ages 8-12 (part of a three-book series) has been enjoyed by over 600,000 children in English and is in translation in 12 languages. Karen has written and presented extensively about children’s self-publishing, both in the UK and at international online events. She has received traditional publishing offers over the years, but for now has chosen to retain creative control over her work. Her non-fiction title ‘How to Self-publish and Market a Children’s Book’ is written under Karen P Inglis.
TOP TIP
“Before starting your children’s story, read around to understand how language, characters, themes and book length/format work for different age groups, then decide which age your story is for.”
Read More
“There has never been a better time for artists to prosper from their art. Self-publishing and its evolving technologies allow writers to make the move from author to entrepreneur. But with that move comes the responsibility to produce professional work using sound business practices.”
Kathryn Goldman is an intellectual property attorney who focuses her practice on the protection and enforcement of copyright and trademark rights for businesses and individuals. She represents creative professionals, writers, artists, photographers, and innovative entrepreneurs. Leaving 30 years in litigation behind her, Kathryn now focuses her work on keeping creatives out of court so they can create more work.
Kathryn runs the Creative Law Center where she teaches creatives and entrepreneurs how to protect their work so they can profit from it. The resources found at the Creative Law Center are concentrated on copyright and content protection, trademark and branding, and business building including the establishment of multiple income streams through licensing.
Top Tip:
“The rights in your creative work are like rabbits. You get a couple and you learn how to handle them, and pretty soon you have a dozen. (hat tip to John Steinbeck)”
Read More
“Awards and story marketing amplify the voices of indie authors everywhere.”
Hannah Jacobson is the founder of Book Award Pro, the company that helps authors get validation for their books. Every year, authors spanning 6 continents win thousands of new awards using Book Award Pro.
As the company’s founder, Hannah’s expertise has been recognized as the leading voice in book awards and author advocacy.
Top Tip:
“Embrace awards and the value they provide your book. Remember that every step of the journey counts. Story marketing is an authentic way to share that journey with your readers.”
Read More
“Independent publishing lets you control your own fate instead of leaving it in other people’s hands.”
Russell Nohelty is a USA Today bestselling fantasy author who has written dozens of novels and graphic novels including The Godsverse Chronicles, The Obsidian Spindle Saga, and Ichabod Jones: Monster Hunter. He is the publisher of Wannabe Press, founder of The Author Stack, cocreator of the Author Ecosystem archetype system, and cofounder of The Future of Publishing Mastermind. He has helped authors raise over $1.5 million through crowdfunding, and raised nearly $600,000 for his own publishing projects.
Top Tip:
“Crowdfunding book projects is a great way to recoup your production costs, perfect your messaging, and build a nest egg for marketing and advertising before your book even hits retailers.”
Read More
“I take pride in being a strategic and futuristic thinker who actualizes positive outcomes for my clients.”
Maggie Marr is a USA Today Best Selling Author of over 20 books, including the beloved and best selling Hollywood Girls Club Series.
She is a former ICM motion picture literary agent; while at ICM she worked on such projects as Meet The Parents, Meet The Fockers, Underworld, Last First Kiss, Bourne Identity, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Game of Thrones, and a host of other books to film and TV projects.
Maggie is a founding member of the Womens Fiction Writers Association (WFWA). She founded Maggie Marr Legal, a boutique intellectual property law practice dedicated to the sales, representation, and legal needs of creatives.
Top Tip:
“Always find an entertainment attorney to review any and all deals for your IP before signing.”
Read More
“Being an indie author is so much more than writing and publishing books. It’s about making real human connections and an impact that’ll echo for generations to come.”
Dale L. Roberts is a self-publishing advocate, award-winning author, and video content creator. Dale’s inherent passion for life fuels his self-publishing advocacy both in print and online. After publishing over 50 titles and becoming an international bestselling author on Amazon, Dale started his YouTube channel, Self-Publishing with Dale. Selected by Feedspot and LA Weekly as one of the best sources in self-publishing of 2022, Dale cemented his position as the indie-author community’s go-to authority.
Top Tip:
“Video is one of the best ways to market your author brand and boost visibility. Use whatever limited resources and time you have to create videos that promote you and your books.”
Read More
“Writing, publishing and marketing non-fiction will empower, energise, expose, frustrate and make you feel entirely alive! It’s such an achievement to see all your hard work end up in book form, and ultimately, in readers’ hands and hearts.”
Anna Featherstone helps authors make an impact. She is the non-fiction advisor to ALLi and loves bringing a different perspective from the Southern Hemisphere to the world of writing and publishing.
With a passion for non-fiction, she is a key judge for the Australian Business Book Awards, as well as the Australian Society of Travel Writers Book Awards. She regularly hosts workshops on behalf of organisations including the Australian Society of Authors and Byron Writers Festival.
She is the author of five non-fiction books, spanning memoir to how-to and her words have appeared in The Guardian and Sydney Morning Herald.
Her title Look-It’s Your Book!: Write, Publish and Promote Your Non-Fiction Book is on the Australian Society of Author’s recommended reading list and she’s currently working on a new title: Built-In Book Marketing which offers authors an innovative, proactive, creative approach to book promotion. She’s a big believer in selling your book, NOT your soul.
Anna is a mentor and author advocate, helping writers at all stages of their book project to avoid heartache, missteps and wasted time and money. Her focus is on gaining momentum and maximising opportunities for your book. Anna has been a longtime member of ALLi, and you might have heard her on some of our podcasts.
Top Tip:
“If you care enough to write a book, care enough to back yourself as you market and leverage it too.”
Read More
“I’m in the business because I love books.”
The Ethan Ellenberg Literary Agency was established in 1984 by Ethan Ellenberg, after completing jobs at Berkley Books and Bantam. Since its inception the agency has represented a wide range of fiction and non-fiction. Its clients include bestselling authors, career novelists, and professional writers. In addition to new and published authors, the agency also represents rights on behalf of Indie Authors, Small and Medium sized publishers and literary estates. The agency is an independent full-service agency with robust sales in subsidiary rights and partnering agents all over the world.
Top Tip:
“No matter what you’ve heard, this business is open to new talent.”
Read More
“Ask not what your bookstore or library can do for you; ask what you and your books can do for your bookstore or library.”
Mark Leslie Lefebve has worked in the book industry since 1992, the same year his first published story appeared in print. Under the name Mark Leslie he has published thrillers, fiction, and urban fantasy, paranormal non-fiction, and he has edited numerous anthologies. His books about writing and publishing (which appear under his full name) draw upon his decades of writing, publishing, and bookselling.
Mark’s more than thirty years of experience includes President of the Canadian Booksellers Association, Board Member of BookNet Canada, Director of Author Relations for Rakuten Kobo (where he created and founded Kobo Writing Life), Director of Business Development for Draft2Digital, and Professional Advisor for Sheridan College’s Creative Writing and Publishing Honours Program.
“Bookstores and libraries have always, and will continue to play a critical role in helping do that most fundamental thing that makes the book industry thrive: connecting readers to writers. Cicero said that a room without books is like a body without a soul. That’s where bookstores and libraries come in. Whether they are online or a physical locale within a community, booksellers and librarians are purveyors of the very spirit and soul of what it is to embrace reading.”
Top Tip:
“There has never been more opportunity, more options, or more tools in the history of publishing to leverage as you create your own unique writer journey. It can be overwhelming, and you might always feel like you’re learning and playing catch-up. We all feel that. It’s part of learning and growing. Your thirst for information, knowledge, and insights into the business of writing can be as powerful as your curiosity and imagination in crafting a good story. Just remember that it’s a marathon, not a sprint, and every step you take to forward yourself as an author are all cumulative towards your goals.”
Read More
“If you can write, you can write funny.”
Comedian, broadcaster, BBC TV and radio writer, nine times BAFTA winner for his Horrible Histories songs – Dave is one of the most respected teachers of comedy writing in the UK.
He has written and self-published numerous non-fiction books including Build A Script, The Complete Comedy Writer, Ready Steady Joke and Funny Up Your Fiction.
When Covid happened he began writing funny novels: Stand Up, Barry Goldman (2021) and Barry Goldman: The Wilderness Years (2023). The final Barry Goldman novel in the trilogy will be published in January 2026.
Top Tip:
“If you want to write a funny novel, read lots and lots of funny novels.”