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Hello Reader,

This is your monthly round-up bulletin, bringing you the latest from the Self-Publishing Advice Center, my Go Creative! planning programs for authors, and updates and events from the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi). This month we're looking back at The Self-publishing Advice Conference and looking forward to January 2024 planning, with my Kickstarter: Creative Planning for Indie Authors​

Latest self-publishing news

(More below): Spotify Premium Rolls Out Audiobooks in the US – including indies through Findaway Voices. Also, Amazon Takes on Scammers and artists against Stability AI lawsuit has hit the rocks.

Next Event: LIVE Q&A on November 18th

Come along to the next AskALLi LIVE Member Q&A, where Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black will answer your questions about whatever self-publishing issue you're facing. Saturday, November 18th, 7pm London, 2pm New York, 1pm Chicago, 11am Los Angeles. All free and no upsell. Just good self-publishing advice and feedback. Let us know whether you are interested in attending the event here and then watch live in the Facebook event page, on YouTube or on any of our social channels!

Planning Program for Indie Authors & Poets

My Go Creative! Planning for Indie Authors campaign is in its final days, with more than 200 authors signed up for the planners and/or a creative planning program. There are special bonuses for newsletter subscribers who sign up today and all backers get a free, signed print copy of my guidebook for ALLi, Creative Self-Publishing.

Go Creative! planning offers authors a holistic approach to book publishing, a method that fosters productivity, profits and purpose with practices that foster creative flow and fulfilment.

This week, by request, I've added an extra reward, called Kickstart With Me, a six-month program that will start in January 2024, and take you behind the scenes as I apply what I've learned in this campaign to a fiction project that will launch mid-year. I’ll share and explain my choices and invite you to also set up and deliver your own campaign at the same time.

There are rewards for everyone, from those who'd like to give it a try with samples to those who'd like to teach as well as learn the program.

Find out more about Go Creative! planning for authors and "Kickstart with Me" by going to SelfPublishingAdvice.org/planners24​

Final Edition of 2023 Self-Publishing Services Directory

The latest update to ALLi Partner members Directory is now live, the last update of the year. This directory is our showcase of vetted author services that comply with ALLi standards of ethics and excellence, and is available for you to view or purchase.

​View a copy online here or purchase a downloadable PDF copy here.

Planning Workshops

My workshop patrons are currently workshopping how to "Double Your Book Sales" in the last quarter of this year, with a focus on holiday sales, crowdfunding, direct sales and other ways to increase your readership, income and publishing profits. We began with a pre-planning session in August, an assessment and action plan in September, and a session on growing your readership networks last month, all now available in replay.

If you'd like to join us live or in replay as we dive deeper, I'll be wrapping up the program next week and seeing how the group is getting on as it puts plans in action. Go here: https://www.patreon.com/OrnaRoss and select the Workshop Tier.

Below find highlights from ALLi's self-publishing advice and inspirations blog and podcast this month. There's a lot there--just jump into what looks most interesting to you, or what you need most, right now.

Until next time, happy writing and publishing!

Orna

PS: We'd love to have you as a paid-up ALLi member. More about our member benefits here: allianceindependentauthors.org/join​

Latest Self-Publishing News:

​KDP Launches Artificial Audiobook Narration in Invitation-Only Beta​

​UK Publishers and Writers Groups Call for AI Protection as a new Tool Enables “Data Poisoning”​

​How Governments Oversee the Technology We Rely On​

​X to Introduce Two New Payment Tiers as Engagement Declines​

​StreetLib, the Fediverse, and Chaucer – the Latest Digital Tools​

​European Writers Use Frankfurt Book Fair to Demand AI Transparency​

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Advice and Inspirations Podcast:

Subscribe here to never miss an episode: selfpublishingadvice.org/podcast​

​Indie Author Magazine Informs the Self-Publishing Community: Creating Better BooksOn today's Creating Better Books podcast, Howard Lovy features Alice Briggs, creative director for Indie Author Magazine, whose job it is to inform, educate, and inspire the self-publishing community.

​Creative Tips for Crowdfunding: Creative Self-Publishing Podcast​
In today’s episode of the Creative Self-Publishing podcast: Creative Tips for Crowdfunding. ALLi Director Orna Ross has successfully funded her Kickstarter project and has learned a great deal about how to approach a campaign from a creative perspective. "Do it in a creative spirit, especially your first one. You don't know what's going to happen." Listen to more of her advice for those just beginning their crowdfunding adventure.

​Amazon Introduces Virtual Voice Narration: Self-Publishing News Podcast​
Amazon introduces beta of virtual voice narration through KDP as an AI Safety Summit fails to achieve much of substance. Welcome to Self-Publishing News with ALLi News editor Dan Holloway, bringing you the latest in indie publishing news and commentary.

​Crowdfunding Your Book With Kickstarter: Publishing for Profit​

Today on the Publishing for Profit Podcast, ALLi Director Orna Ross and Podcast Producer Howard Lovy discuss Crowdfunding your book with Kickstarter. Orna successfully used Kickstarter to fund her book, Go Creative! Planning Program for Authors & Poets. Howard is getting ready to crowdfund a book on fighting antisemitism. Together, they ask and answer questions on strategies for a successful campaig

​Inspirational Indie Author Interview: Jeff Probst​

Howard Lovy interviews Jeff Probst, who brings a unique international accent to his writing. From California to South Africa to the UK—and whether he is writing about apartheid, being a schoolteacher, or even about the moon—Jeff has developed a unique voice that cannot be categorized.

​Should I Create a Limited Liability Company?​

In this month's AskALLi Member Q&A with Michael La Ronn and Sacha Black: Should I create a limited liability company? If I hire someone to illustrate 3D models for illustrations, do I own the copyright? How can I connect with other ALLi members who are local to me? Is it worth entering my book into a literary contest? More of your self-publishing questions answered.

​Open Up to Indie Authors: ALLi Campaigns Podcast​

ALLi Director Orna Ross and Campaigns Manager Melissa Addey discuss ALLi's advocacy work, specifically the Open Up to Indie Authors campaign which encourages and aids (and occasionally calls out!) the publishing and literary industries to include self-publishing authors in their programs, events, festivals, prizes, listings, and reviews. All indie authors can help with, and benefit from, this campaign. Find out what a difference three of ALLi's author members recently made by opening up a prestigious author-in-residence opportunity.

Self-Publishing Advice Articles

Use the search box to answer your self-publishing questions: SelfPublishingAdvice.org​Button​
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​Book Metadata, Keywords and Amazon Category Changes: Help Readers Find Your Book​
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In today's post we'll give you an overview of the Amazon category changes that impact all indie authors, then run through a reminder of the metadata you need to prepare and keep on top of, including your keywords and that all important book description.

​Book Awards Update For Indie Authors: November 2023​
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As an indie author, you can use your writing and your author platform to positively impact people: individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Today we look at how authors writing with a message can use book awards to raise the profile of their story or cause.

​Embracing a Positive “Money Mindset” for Self-Publishing Success​

The rise of self-publishing has not only brought about creative freedom for authors but also a new personal responsibility for financial control over our own writing careers. Here at the The Alliance of Independent authors, we believe that adopting a positive ‘money mindset’ is critical for embracing this new accountability.

​Producing an Audiobook: A Quick-Start Guide for Indie Authors​

If you’re considering getting started with audiobook production, there are many wonderful sources that can help teach you how. So many sources, in fact, that the vast quantity of info can be overwhelming. Don’t panic! Here you’ll find a big-picture, step-by-step overview of the audio production process from start to finish.

​SelfPubCon23 is Now Over: Highlights and Thanks to All Who Made it Happen​

Over the weekend of Saturday October 21st, and Sunday October 22nd, the indie author community came together for the highly anticipated Self-Publishing Advice Conference (#SelfPubCon23). This year, the conference focused on the theme of "Success Mindset for Indie Authors," featuring a line-up of over 50 speakers who shared their insights and experiences with an audience eager to break down barriers and unlock the keys to indie author success.

​How to Design a Great Book Cover​

This week’s Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) blog brings together top design tips from partner members 1106 Design and Milbleart. From image selection to typography and layout, this book cover guidance will help you create a great book cover yourself or work successfully in collaboration with a designer to make it happen.

​KDP Select or Wide? We Need to Talk About… KU​

KDP Select or wide? Good question. When I have pointed out the dangers of Amazon exclusivity, people have accused me of scaremongering, but research is my strength, and one thing’s for certain, the business scene changes rapidly, often with little warning.