Authorpreneurship

For more information, contact Matty at matty<at>mattydalrymple<dot>com.

Red Flags and Rip-Offs: How Authors Can Spot & Avoid Scams

Authors—especially those navigating the indie publishing world—are frequent targets for scammers. From vanity publishers to fake contests and phishing emails, these bad actors prey on our passion and our pocketbooks.

In this eye-opening session, discover the tactics scammers use to lure in writers and gain practical tools for spotting and avoiding fraudulent offers, misleading contracts, and scams that could destroy your author career.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to identify red flags in solicitations, publishing offers, and agent outreach

  • The SALSA Test for identifying phishing emails

  • Key contractual terms that could jeopardize your rights and royalties

  • How to respond to questionable offers—and when not to respond at all

  • Trusted resources for vetting services

  • Where to report scams and seek redress

Who Should Attend

  • Indie authors at any stage of their publishing journey

  • Traditionally published authors exploring self-publishing options

  • Writers preparing to publish their first book

  • Author service providers and industry professionals who want to stay informed

  • Anyone who has received a suspicious message and wondered, “Is this legit?”

Instructors

This 60-minute seminar is facilitated by Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, or Michael La Ronn of Author Level Up.

The Cover Story: Combining Creativity and Conversion

The successful indie author knows when to engage fellow professionals to support their work, and cover design is one of those areas where we authors, as wordsmiths, should engage specialist professionals. However, becoming an educated student of cover design will not only help you work effectively with your cover designer but is fun as well!

In this webinar, we will explore ...

  • The value a cover design professional brings to the process

  • How your cover is a “visual keyword” for your book

  • Why bucking genre conventions undermines your goal of reaching your ideal readers

  • How to collect the materials you’ll need to create a spec for your designer

  • How to find and work effectively with your designer, making the process pain-free for you both

  • How to control the costs of this potentially pricey part of the publishing process

  • How AI factors in, even when you’re working with a human design professional

Publishing Tips for Frugal Authors

Learn cost-effective strategies for editing, formatting, and design to create professional, market-ready books that maximize quality while minimizing expense. Perfect for indie and hybrid authors.

"Clear, comprehensive and full of excellent advice."

"This was an incredibly detailed and robust presentation. I really appreciate all the effort that went into this, and the slides make it easy to go back and review all the shiny nuggets of wisdom! "

Overview

Professional doesn’t have to mean pricey. Author and publisher Matty Dalrymple shares practical strategies for producing top-quality books while keeping costs under control. Learn how to prepare your manuscript to reduce editing fees, format ebooks and print books on a budget, choose the right cover design approach, and make smart use of tools and professional services. Whether you’re publishing your first book or your fiftieth, you’ll walk away with actionable tips to deliver market-ready books without overspending.

Description

Delivering a professional, market-ready book doesn’t have to drain your wallet. In this session, author and publisher Matty Dalrymple shares practical strategies to help indie authors produce top-quality work while controlling costs—without cutting corners that matter. Drawing on insights from her Ann Kinnear Suspense Novels and Shorts, Lizzy Ballard Thrillers, and nonfiction books for authors, Matty covers every stage of the publishing process, from editing and formatting to cover design and promotion.

Attendees will discover how to balance quality and frugality by making smart use of tools and services, partnering effectively with professionals, and recognizing when to invest for the greatest return. They’ll leave with a toolkit of actionable ideas to maximize impact on any budget.

What You’ll Learn

  • Editing Efficiency – How to prepare your manuscript so paid editors can focus on high-value improvements, and how to choose the right type and level of editing for your goals

  • Formatting on a Budget – Free and low-cost options for creating polished ebook and print interiors, plus tips for avoiding costly reformatting fees

  • Cost-Effective Cover Design – How to select between DIY, pre-made, and custom options, work productively with designers, and repurpose design assets for promotional use

  • Smart Use of Tools – Maximizing the value of free and paid tools (and knowing when not to buy), plus tips for avoiding “shiny object syndrome”

  • Frugal Marketing Materials – Creating compelling promotional assets without overspending, and knowing when AI tools can help—and when to avoid them

  • Author Business Mindset – How to evaluate return on investment (ROI) for every dollar and hour spent, and how to tap into membership benefits, discounts, and vetted service providers

Who Should Attend

  • Emerging and experienced indie authors who want to publish professionally without overspending

  • Traditionally published authors exploring hybrid or fully independent publishing

  • Authorpreneurs looking to improve ROI on publishing investments

  • Writers preparing to publish their first book who want a clear, cost-conscious path from manuscript to market

 

Pitching for Promotion: Getting the Gig with Podcasters, Bloggers, and Other Promoters

Learn how to land and leverage interviews, reviews, and blog features by crafting standout pitches, delivering value, and building lasting relationships with promoters and their audiences.

"Wow! I appreciated the way you summed up the options (DIY or hiring out), and gave relatable examples. I worked in public relations and was on the receiving end of many pitches from media producers. Great presentation!"

Overview

“Pitching for Promotion: Getting the Gig with Podcasters, Bloggers, and Other Promoters” teaches authors how to land valuable promotional opportunities and turn them into lasting connections. Using proven strategies from her own career as a novelist, nonfiction author, and podcast host, Matty Dalrymple guides you through finding the right outlets, preparing standout pitches, and delivering the kind of value that makes promoters eager to work with you again. This session is packed with actionable tips to help you connect authentically and maximize every promotional appearance.

Description

Much like pitching to agents or editors, pitching yourself to podcasters, bloggers, and reviewers requires strategy, preparation, and a focus on mutual benefit. In this session, Matty Dalrymple walks you through a practical, repeatable process for identifying the right promotional partners, tailoring your approach to their audience, and crafting pitches that stand out. You’ll learn how to decide whether to DIY your outreach or hire a pro, how to make it easy for promoters to say “yes,” and how to follow through in ways that build credibility and deepen relationships. You’ll also discover how to promote and repurpose your appearances to maximize the return on your investment of time and effort.

What You’ll Learn

  • How to find and assess potential podcast, blog, and review opportunities

  • Criteria for deciding whether to pitch yourself or hire a professional publicist

  • How to research and understand a promoter’s audience and goals

  • Steps to prepare before you pitch, including social media engagement and content review

  • A template for crafting a concise, compelling, and personalized pitch

  • Professional follow-up etiquette and best practices for delivering on your commitments

  • Strategies for promoting and repurposing your appearance for ongoing value

  • How to nurture relationships for future opportunities

Who Should Attend

  • Indie and traditionally published authors seeking to expand their reach through free promotional channels

  • Authorpreneurs looking to build long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with content creators

  • Writers preparing for a book launch who want to secure media coverage without overspending

  • Authors at any career stage ready to increase visibility by connecting authentically with podcasters, bloggers, and reviewers

Pitch Perfect: Leveraging Podcasts & Video Interviews to Reach Your Audience

Are you looking for ways to build your brand, share your expertise, and expand your reach—all without the time and expense of travel? With the growing popularity of video interviews and podcasts, you can now connect with broader audiences from the comfort of home. Matty Dalrymple, host of hundreds of episodes of The Indy Author Podcast and guest on dozens more, will share practical tools to help you effectively pitch yourself, promote your work, and build meaningful connections. In this session, you’ll learn how to:

  • Identify the best platforms and outlets for your message.

  • Craft an authentic and memorable pitch.

  • Foster lasting relationships with hosts and audiences.

Through step-by-step guidance on preparation, engagement, and adding value beyond the recording, this class is ideal for authors, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to enhance their visibility, credibility, and influence in today’s digital landscape.

 

Engage Your Audience In Person and Online

You have information to share, and you have the knowledge to back up your message. But excellent content alone is not enough to deliver an excellent presentation. The techniques you apply to share your material will determine whether your audience’s attention is riveted to you or drifts to their social media feeds. And presenters need two important sets of presentation skills: the ability to engage an audience in person as well as in a virtual environment. Finally regardless of the format, they must be prepared to handle the Q&A portion of their presentation effectively and gracefully.
 
Matty Dalrymple, The Indy Author, has delivered dozens of talks, including presentations at Writer’s Digest annual conferences, the Alliance of Independent Authors SelfPubCons, International Thriller Writers CraftFest, Book Brush’s BookMARCon, the Fiction Marketing Academy, the Fictionary Community webinars, the Authorpreneur Summit Down Under, the Carolina Writing Workshop, the Women in Publishing Summit, the Pennwriters annual conference, and many more. (Go to https://www.mattydalrymple.com/events.html for a full list.)

What You’ll Learn

  • Creating Compelling Material – Explore different approaches for sharing your material, and the pros and cons of each.

  • Engaging Your Audience In Person – Master the techniques for engaging your audience at in-person events, including how best to use your voice, your body language, and your position in relation to the audience to draw them into your presentation.

  • Engaging Your Audience Virtually – Learn how to overcome the challenges of engaging an audience on a virtual platform and to make the experience as compelling for them as if they were in the room with you.

  • Handling the Q&A – Learn how to engage in an interactive Q&A session that will ensure your audience gets their questions answered in a structured, productive manner.

Who Should Attend?

  • Authors early in their speaking careers who want to arm themselves with the best practices for engaging an audience

  • Experienced author-speakers who want to brush up on their skills and learn a few new tips and tricks