Review: The Alliance Of Independent Authors
As an independent author, I know the importance of finding a good quality writing or publishing resource. Whenever I find one, I’ll review it so you can decide if you want to try it. Today I’m reviewing ALLi, the Alliance of Independent Authors. I originally wrote this post before I published my first book. In the three years since then I’ve grown to appreciate ALLi even more. I’m editing this post on October 3, 2021, to make sure it’s up-to-date, and it’s contents reflect my current status as a published author and knowledge of ALLi’s benefits.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links to ALLi. If you use my links to sign up with them, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Doing this will help supplement my income as an independent author, but you are under no obligation to use my affiliate links.
The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) is a professional author’s association that offers expert advice and vetted resources. But it’s so much more than that. Behind that little logo is a world of information and resources that would take you a lifetime to completely explore. Since it would take to long to go over everything they have to offer, I’m narrowing it down to just my favorite things.
Independent doesn’t mean alone.
I don’t remember where I first heard of ALLi, but I’m so grateful I did. The difference between an independent author and a self-published one is subtle, but they both mean one important thing: You’re on your own. There is no publishing house behind you, with its cover designers, marketing gurus, and editors. There’s just you.
Don’t get me wrong, you are awesome. You can be a successful author all by yourself, but it will be much more difficult and take a lot more time without an ally in your corner.
As an ALLi member you have access to their Facebook group, where any question is answered by knowledgeable and friendly people who get you. They understand because they have been there. They once were writers who agonized over plot and character. They once were authors who worried that their independent titles couldn’t compete with the big publishing giants. They persevered and gained the experience and expertise to beat the odds. And the best part is, they can help you do the same. Just jump in and ask your question. You won’t feel alone for long.
There’s also a huge website with pages for everything from contract advice and publishing rights, to guidebooks and a directory of approved services.
They have experts in everything.
Well, everything writing and publishing related. ALLi is full of experts willing to help. Help with what, you ask? You name it:
Their free guidebooks explain everything from getting your book into bookstores to author rights.
Their Self-Publishing Advice Center has sections on: Writing, Editing, Design, Promotion, and more.
When you know you need to hire a professional, but don’t know where to even start looking, ALLi’s Services Directory, of vetted, ethical professionals, can shine a light to guide you.
Every year, ALLi hosts the Self-Publishing Advice Conference. 24 hours of expert speakers and offers to help your author business.
If all else fails and you just can’t find what you’re looking for, you can always submit your question to the member Q&A. Each month Alli’s director, Orna Ross, hosts a special guest who is an expert in their field, to answer questions live on YouTube. And if you miss it you can simply download it as a podcast later.
They help you save money.
There are three levels of membership, covering everyone from someone who hasn’t published yet to professional authors with thousands of books under their belt. Yes, an ALLi membership will cost some money, but it’s well worth it considering the money you’ll save:
You’ll have access to discounts and deals for everything from editing and design to marketing and coaching.
Their yearly conference gives you access to offers on even more products and services.
My favorite savings: If you use Ingram Spark you’ll save a ton. ALLi membership allows you to wave their fees. As of writing this, that’s $49 for every print book title you upload and any changes you need to make afterward are additional fees each time.
Reputation matters.
There’s nothing like spending years working your butt off to make your book the best it can be, only to be looked down on because you don’t know how to follow traditional publishing conventions, (in other words, your ‘self-pub” is showing.)
The struggle for indie-authors to receive the same respect as traditionally published authors is real, and it probably won’t go away anytime soon. Fortunately, ALLi is one of those groups who are fighting every day to help improve our standing in the author community. One of the ways they do this is by having a Code of Standards, for both their author members and the companies who provide services for them. You can read it here: ALLi Code of Standards.
I am following this example by also following ALLi’s Ethical Author Code (which you can read here) and displaying their badge on my site.
ALLi’s Ethical Author badge
If you’d like to know more, check out ALLi’s member benefits page.
If you’d like to become a member, feel free to use my Affiliate link below. I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps support my author business.
Overall, I give ALLi 5/5 stars.
So:
What do you think of this post?
Have you heard of ALLi before?
Are you self-publishing and think this would be helpful?
If you decide to join I’d love to hear your thoughts on it as well. Feel free to leave a comment below, I read all of them.
Happy reading/writing
