The Alliance Independent Authors

LIVE MEMBER WORKSHOP: Sell More Books - Book Promotion Workshop
2026-06-25 19:00 - 20:00 (Europe/London) | SelfPubConnect
ALLi’s Sell More Books: The Definitive Guide to Book Promotion is officially here!
To celebrate the launch, we’re running an exclusive member-only LIVE series where we break the book down chapter by chapter, giving you the chance to understand the framework at a deeper level and, most importantly, apply it directly to your own work.
Each session will:

Walk through chapters in a focused, practical session

Help you apply the promotion framework to your own books and goals

Answer your questions so you can work through any challenges in real time

This series runs monthly throughout the summer and beyond, so it’s something you can come back to as your promotion evolves: a regular check-in to make sure what you’re doing is really working for you.
Questions can be asked live via the chat, or submitted in advance in the comments.
A replay will be available for members who can’t attend live.

PODCAST DROP: Pop-Up Books: The Production Reality Behind Books That Move, Fold, and Function
2026-06-24 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Most indie authors know print-on-demand. Pop-up and movable books inhabit a very different world — one of hand-assembly, specialist printers, and minimum print runs that make the economics unlike anything in standard publishing.
In this episode, Anna Featherstone talks with Kelli Anderson, paper engineer and author of Alphabet in Motion, about what it actually takes to bring a movable book to life. They cover the manufacturing process, working with printers, using Kickstarter to fund a 25,000-copy print run, and where a curious author might begin if this form is calling to them.
The Production & Distribution podcast stream is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press

PODCAST DROP: Inspirational Indie Authors interview
2026-06-21 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-10 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-04-26 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Dive deep into personal stories of indie authors, understanding their pathways to success, challenges faced, and lessons learned.

PODCAST DROP: Latest Self-Publishing News with Dan Holloway
2026-06-19 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-12 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-06-05 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-29 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-22 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-15 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-08 13:00 - 14:00, 2026-05-01 13:00 - 14:00 and 1 more date | ALLi Podcast
A breakdown of the week’s most significant self-publishing news, providing insights, implications, and in-depth analyses.
The Self-Publishing News Podcast stream is proudly sponsored by PublishMe—helping indie authors succeed globally with expert translation, tailored marketing, and publishing support. From first draft to international launch, PublishMe ensures your book reaches readers everywhere. Visit publishme.me.

LIVE: New Member Orientation
2026-06-18 19:00 - 20:00, 2026-05-21 19:00 - 20:00
This live session is an introduction to ALLi and a chance for you to learn how to make the most of your membership, including how to access and use your benefits.
Your host, Ross Lynch, ALLi’s Global Community Lead, will:

Provide an introduction to your ALLi membership, including how to access and use your benefits
Outline what new members often focus on first, and where to go for help and support
Give a short overview of ALLi as an organisation and our role in the indie publishing community

The session ends with a live Q&A, focused on membership and getting started. More detailed or technical questions will be directed to the most appropriate resource or team.
Questions can be asked live via the chat, or submitted in advance in the comments.
A replay will be available for members who can’t attend live.

PODCAST DROP: Strengthening Your Story - Developmental Editing for Children's and YA Fiction
2026-06-17 13:00 - 13:30 | ALLi Podcast
On this episode of the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast, Howard Lovy is joined by Amelia Ross who has spent nearly twenty years studying and writing fiction for children and young adults.
As a freelance developmental editor based in Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains, she helps kidlit and YA authors strengthen big-picture elements such as plot, tone, conflict, point of view, theme, characters, and setting.
Listen in!

LIVE MEMBER WEBINAR: The End of Open Access? Draft2Digital, AI, and a New Era for Indie Authors
2026-06-09 19:00 - 20:00 | SelfPubConnect
The End of Open Access? Draft2Digital, AI, and a New Era for Indie Authors
When Draft2Digital announced activation and maintenance fees this month, the indie community erupted. Now Orna Ross, founder of the Alliance of Independent Authors, sits down with D2D’s Kris Austin for a frank conversation about what these fees really mean, whether they will actually deter content farms or simply burden legitimate authors–and whether indie authors deserve better communications and consultation processes from their publishing services.
With changes on other platforms also, the open-access era of indie publishing looks to be giving way to one of fees, floors, and compliance layers. Change are being framed as a response to AI but each lands on authors without warning, never mind consultation. What lies ahead for indie authors who stay with Draft2Digital? And what does the new era ask of indie authors and the platforms that serve them?

PODCAST DROP: Inspirational Indie Authors interview with Michael Maloof
2026-06-07 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Michael Maloof is an award-winning thriller author whose Kate Preacher series draws on his background in technology, global travel, and training with elite military and intelligence professionals. His novels combine tactical realism, emotional stakes, and cinematic action, following a former CIA analyst through conspiracies that span continents.

PODCAST DROP: Does social media still sell books in 2026?
2026-06-03 13:00 - 13:30 | ALLi Podcast
In this episode of the Self-Publishing Advice Podcast, Orna Ross takes a clear-eyed look at what social media can — and can’t — do for indie authors in a landscape that has changed beyond recognition.
Listen in for tips on how to audit what social media truly costs you in time, money and creative energy; a comparison of the top ten platforms for authors in 2026; and questions that point you to the right platform for you or enable you to decide whether social media is worth your time at all.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Marketing & Promotion Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Bookfunnel. Do you have reader magnets, ARCs, and direct digital sales? Want to join multi-author promotions? Thousands of authors trust BookFunnel for seamless delivery and real human support. Visit BookFunnel.com.

PODCAST DROP: How One Indie Author-Illustrator Approached the Kids' Graphic Novel Market
2026-05-27 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Episode details coming soon.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Production & Distribution Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press – Your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family.

PODCAST DROP: Editing & Design with Howard Lovy
2026-05-20 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
The early stages of publishing can shape everything that follows.
This podcast stream looks at how to approach those first steps with care, applying proven practices that support the quality of your work and help it connect with the right readers. From refining your foundation to keeping your audience in mind from the start, it’s about setting your book up well before it reaches the world.
A thoughtful look at what it takes to begin strong.

PODCAST DROP: Creative Self-Publishing with Orna Ross
2026-05-17 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Creative planning doesn’t have to mean rigid schedules or burnout.
This podcast stream explores a practical approach to shaping your writing and publishing plans, setting intentions that feel meaningful, and building goals you can actually stick to. It’s about finding a balance between structure and creativity, so you can keep moving forward without losing momentum.
Tune in for another informative session with Orna Ross!

PODCAST: Publishing for Profit Advice
2026-05-13 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Transform your passion into profit. This podcast helps you balance artistry and entrepreneurship, guiding you every step of the way.

PODCAST: Marketing & Promotion Advice
2026-05-06 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Join host Orna Ross as she interviews the brightest minds, experts, and insiders in the writing and self-publishing business. Get actionable insights to help you level up your author brand and reach more readers.
The Marketing & Promotion podcast stream is proudly sponsored Bookfunnel

PODCAST DROP: Pivoting to a New Genre, Limited Company Woes, POV Issues, and More
2026-05-03 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
Got questions about your self-publishing journey? You’re not alone, and this month’s Self-Publishing with ALLi Member Q&A has you covered.
Join Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black as they tackle a fresh batch of real-world author questions. From figuring out how to market nonfiction without feeling salesy, to navigating a genre pivot when your writing takes a new turn, they dig into the stuff many indie authors quietly struggle with.
They also get practical. If you’re publishing through a limited company and staring at the KDP tax interview wondering what goes where, you’ll want to hear this. And if you’ve ended up with multiple covers for a series and aren’t sure how to choose, they break that down too.
It’s honest, useful, and straight to the point, with insights you can actually apply.
Tune in and see if your question is answered.

PODCAST DROP: Real-world production and distribution decisions from best-selling author, Andrew Griffiths
2026-04-29 13:00 - 14:00 | ALLi Podcast
In this episode, ALLi’s Non-Fiction Advisor Anna Featherstone is joined by Andrew Griffiths, a best-selling small business author to unpack the real-world production and distribution decisions behind his successful books.
From choosing between traditional publishing and self-publishing, to making deliberate design and print choices, Andrew shares how those decisions influence perception, pricing, and reach.
The Self-Publishing With ALLi Production & Distribution Podcast Stream is proudly sponsored by Gatekeeper Press – Your partner in premium independent publishing. Empowering authors with expert guidance, 100% rights, 100% royalties, and global distribution. From editing to marketing, their all-inclusive services help you publish professionally and confidently. Gatekeeper Press — Where Authors Are Family.

LIVE PARTNER WEBINAR: Grow Your Book Business with Customization and Direct Sales with Lulu
2026-04-28 19:00 - 20:00
It’s more important than ever for authors to own their content and audience. With Lulu’s Print API, you can create a library of personalized books, journals, and planners for your readers and sell them directly from your website. No inventory, no upfront costs and no losing your customers to third party retailers.
In this ALLi Member only session, Lulu’s Education & Community Manager, Chelsea Bennett, will explain the benefits of customization and direct sales, and share some user cases and steps to get started.
If you’re looking for a competitive edge for your author or publishing business, this may be it!
Key takeaways:
1) How to utilize customization to grow your business
2) How direct sales can help build relationships with readers
3) What to know before you get started
Join us live and bring any questions you have about Lulu for our closing Q&A.
See you there!

LIVE: Wellbeing Session - The Comparison Trap
2026-04-23 19:00 - 20:00
Do you track your sales obsessively? Feel a pang when you see another author succeeding? Struggle to know whether your progress is ‘enough’?
This session is for you.
Hosts Dan Blank and Sarah Begley will unpick the anxiety that comes with tracking sales, watching others succeed, and measuring your own progress honestly.
We’ll open with a f-r-e-e-writing prompt to get you grounded, then explore together:

Imposter syndrome and the highlight reel problem
How to look at your numbers without them defining you
The difference between useful data and harmful obsession
Reframing what ‘success’ means for your specific author path

The session is gently structured to balance reflection with open conversation. Bring your challenges, your comparisons, your inner critic – and let’s work through it together.
The chat facility is open throughout. You’re welcome to share as much or as little as feels right. Participation is encouraged, never required.
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These sessions are part of ALLi’s ongoing commitment to author mental health and wellbeing. All members welcome.
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Meet your hosts…
Dan Blank is the founder of WeGrowMedia where he helps writers develop a human-centered approach to marketing and reaching their audience. He is also the author of Be the Gateway: A Practical Guide to Sharing Your Creative Work and Engaging an Audience.
Dan has worked with thousands of writers, and amazing organizations who support creative people, such as Penguin Random House, Sesame Workshop, Hachette Book Group, and many more.
You can find Dan at https://WeGrowMedia.com, his weekly newsletter at https://danblank.substack.com or on social media @DanBlank.
Sarah Begley is ALLi’s Member Support Manager and a passionate advocate for the wellbeing of business owners. As a content marketer and VA, she takes the marketing and administrative weight off her clients’ shoulders, because she knows first-hand how easily that load can overwhelm the joy and creativity that drew them to their work in the first place.
You can find Sarah at https://virtualmissbegley.com or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahabegley/
