The Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi) and the agency Toby Mundy Associates (TMA) have come together to create a unique subsidiary rights service for independent (‘self-published’) authors. From 1 January 2015, TMA will begin selling translation and other subsidiary rights for eligible ALLi members.
The Alliance of Independent Authors was set up three years ago by Irish author Orna Ross to support independent authors. Traditionally published herself with Penguin, Orna was an early adopter, discovering the benefits of self publishing for her work, but also discovering the lack of regulation and potential pitfalls in a rapidly growing market sector. In response she established ALLi, a nonprofit organisation, founded and run by indie authors for indie authors. ALLi’s outstanding achievements were recognised when Orna was named “One of the 100 Most Influential People In Publishing” by publishing trade magazine, The Bookseller, alongside people like JK Rowling and Tom Weldon, CEO of Penguin/Random House.
One of ALLi’s key objectives to is raise standards. As author-publishing goes mainstream, more and more of writers are producing books that are indistinguishable in quality from those produced by trade publishing houses. In many cases, they are hiring the same freelance editors and designers. And some indies are going way beyond the standard book, experimenting technologically and artistically. ALLi’s aim is to encourage excellence and success, through example, advice and information – their Book of The Month Award is just one way example of who their are achieving this. While recognising that “quality” is a relative term, meaning different things to different people, ALLi have a Code of Standards and encourage members to aim high and commit to continuous creative development in writing, formatting and promotion. They also offer many opportunities to independent authors in areas like foreign rights sales with partner companies that have been thoroughly vetted, enabling them to grow and develop their work in foreign language territories.
The partnership with Toby Mundy is a ground breaking move that will benefit independent authors considerably. Toby Mumdy comments: ‘It is author-publishers who are driving much of the growth in the publishing industry and many of them are the stars of the future. ALLi’s members are incredibly hard-working and creative and many have achieved astonishing sales of their work in English. It is very exciting that TMA, working closely with our associates at Ed Victor Ltd, will enable these writers to licence their subsidiary rights.’
Orna Ross, Founder and Director of ALLi comments: “Toby was a highly dynamic and creative publisher at Atlantic Books and is already demonstrating the same qualities as an agent. The combination of a young, nimble agency associated with the deep experience of Ed Victor Ltd. gives TMA the drive and verve to make it the perfect rights partner for ALLi. We are delighted to be working with TMA to help eligible members extend their readership and the reach of their books.”
To find out more and join The Alliance of Independent Authors, click the link!