Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Self Publishing Show

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca are together in Pennsylvania after celebrating the wedding of their friends Lucy Score and Tim. James even had the honour of officiating the ceremony.

There's also exciting news for Lucy Score fans: Things We Never Got Over is heading to the screen, with filming for the Amazon Prime series, titled Runaway, about to begin in Vancouver.

Inspired by Lucy and Tim's own friends-to-lovers story, James and Cissy dive into romance tropes and why they work. Cissy runs through some of the most popular tropes with readers right now, from enemies to lovers and forced proximity to fake dating, grumpy/sunshine, second chance and fated mates. They look at how tropes create conflict and reader expectations, how authors can combine several tropes in one book, and why the same relationship dynamics can be useful well beyond romance.

Key Talking Points

• Why building an audience and strong author business matters before a breakout moment arrives
• Why tropes have become such a powerful part of romance marketing
• How BookTok has helped make readers increasingly trope-aware
• Enemies to lovers and why it remains such a popular trope
• Forced proximity and the "one bed" microtrope
• Combining multiple tropes to build conflict and tension
• Fake dating and arranged relationship scenarios
• Grumpy/sunshine and opposites attract
• Friends to lovers and second-chance romance
• Protective and morally grey heroes
• Fated mates
• Using romance-style relationship dynamics in thrillers, crime, fantasy and science fiction
• Why successful tropes still need believable characters, conflict and emotional development
• A preview of next week's discussion on book promotions and BookBub Featured Deal performance

Links & Resources Mentioned

ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
Discount code: IWC15

SPS Live 2027 TICKETS are now available here is the link for more information: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca have a packed episode of indie publishing news, starting with a significant change to Amazon's preorder rules. Authors can now set up preorders up to 18 months in advance and postpone them twice without penalty – enough to tempt even preorder-phobic James into considering one for his next book.

They also discuss a legal case involving Amazon Ads, Cissy's plans to test a Goodreads giveaway for her upcoming release, and the opportunities for indie authors in the Italian market following James's conversation with the team behind Indieverse in Milan.

Later, Cissy shares an experiment using ChatGPT and Claude to create an interactive, visual experience around the world of her historical romance series. This leads into a wider conversation about AI, reader-facing marketing and the pressure some romance authors feel around using AI in their businesses.

Key Talking Points

• Amazon's new 18-month preorder window
• Authors can now postpone a preorder twice without penalty
• James considers setting up a preorder for his next book
• The North Carolina Attorney General's case involving Amazon Ads
• Cissy's Goodreads giveaway experiment for her September launch
• Goodreads Giveaway Month and whether giveaways are worth testing
• Tracking launch data with Claude
• The Indieverse conference in Milan and the Italian indie publishing market
• Opportunities for English-language indie authors publishing in Italian
• An upcoming SPS conversation about the Italian market
• Cissy's AI-created interactive world-building experience for readers
• Using ChatGPT to create historical inspiration images
• Using Claude to build interactive marketing experiences
• AI as a tool for launch preparation, data and book marketing
• The debate around reader-facing AI use in romance
• Authors deciding their own boundaries and approach to AI

Links & Resources Mentioned

ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com

Indie Writers Club / SPS Support: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support

Down Under Mystery Club: https://ajblythe.com/podcast

Cissy's: Walk the Border  Password: vivian

Big news this week, the first two speakers for SPS Live London 2027 have been announced! Melanie Harlow and Theodora Taylor will be joining us in London.

James and Cissy share the news and talk about when tickets will be going on sale, with Patreon supporters getting first access.

James is also back from his travels in New Zealand and Australia, and there's plenty to catch up on. They talk about the latest changes to Meta advertising and what losing some of the usual targeting and placement options could mean for authors running Facebook ads.

They also return to the conversation around RARE London and its AI policy, look at the growing importance of newsletters for book discovery, and Cissy shares what she discovered after digging into the preorder numbers from her own books.

• SPS Live London 2027 – Melanie Harlow and Theodora Taylor announced as the first speakers
• When SPS Live 2027 tickets will be available
• James's New Zealand writing retreat and trip to Australia
• RARE London and its AI policy
• Changes coming to Meta/Facebook advertising
• Losing some targeting and placement controls
• What the Meta changes could mean for author advertising
• The importance of strong ad creative, blurbs and book pages
• Newsletters and how readers are finding books
• What Cissy learned from looking back at her preorder numbers
• Whether longer preorders actually result in more sales

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• SPS Patreon / Support: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support
• SPS Live London 2027 ticket information will be live in September: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com 

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch checks in from his final day in New Zealand while Cissy Mecca takes us behind the scenes of her upcoming historical romance launch. They discuss realistic launch goals, building an ARC and influencer team, setting a marketing budget, and choosing advertising strategies that have actually worked for you rather than simply throwing money at launch day.

James also shares insights from Written Word Media on how authors at different stages of their careers are approaching AI, plus plans to test different Facebook ad setups and share the results with the SPS community.

• Cissy's strategy for launching her upcoming historical romance
• Setting realistic goals and expectations for a book launch
• Building ARC, street team and influencer support
• Finding and approaching relevant book influencers
• Deciding when to send physical books to creators
• Creating a launch budget that feels sustainable
• Facebook versus Amazon advertising
• Why proven strategies matter more than simply spending more
• James's upcoming Facebook ads testing and challenge/webinar
• Written Word Media's findings on author attitudes towards AI
• James's plans for another writers' retreat in Florida in 2027

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• SPS Patreon / Support: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch checks in from New Zealand with Cissy Mecca to tackle the increasingly complicated relationship between authors and AI. They discuss AI watermarking and detection, the problems authors could face when AI is used for editing or research, and the strict anti-AI rules appearing at romance reader events.

James also reports back from his New Zealand writing retreat, while Cissy shares how she is using AI to build and manage her new reader ambassador hub.

Key Talking Points

• AI watermarking and what it could mean for authors
• The problems with AI detection and false positives
• Using AI for proofreading, research and author business tasks
• RARE's strict rules surrounding AI use
• The growing risk of authors being wrongly accused of using AI
• Research into whether readers can distinguish AI from human-written fiction
• James's New Zealand writing retreat and Facebook ads session
• Using book reviews and AI to identify marketing hooks
• Cissy's new Border Ambassadors reader hub
• Using AI to manage ARC readers, assets and launch teams

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Indie Writers Club / Patreon: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca conclude their two-part conversation with Michael Evans, founder of Creatorwood. They delve deeper into how AI is transforming books into cinematic experiences, discussing the practical realities of creating feature-length films, the current limitations of AI video, and how authors can use visual storytelling to reach new audiences. Michael also shares his vision for the future of AI-powered entertainment and how authors can position their intellectual property for the next wave of publishing innovation.

At the start of the episode, James also announces that SPS Live 2027 tickets will be launching soon and reminds listeners about the exclusive Creatorwood giveaway, with 1,000 free viewings of the AI feature film adaptation of David Viergutz's Scare Mail.

Key Talking Points

• Part 2 of the interview with Michael Evans, founder of Creatorwood
• Turning books into feature-length AI-generated films
• The opportunities and limitations of AI filmmaking today
• Choosing which stories are best suited to visual adaptation
• Building new revenue streams from your intellectual property
• The future of AI-powered entertainment for authors
• Why story remains more important than technology
• Creatorwood's vision for connecting authors directly with audiences
• Announcement of SPS Live 2027 dates and ticket launch
• Creatorwood giveaway: 1,000 free viewings of Scare Mail

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid – https://prowritingaid.com
• Creatorwood: https://www.creatorwood.tv/homepage
• Free Scare Mail viewing giveaway: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/creatorwood 

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca are joined by Michael Evans, founder of Creatorwood, for Part 1 of a two-part discussion about using AI to turn books into trailers, short films and feature-length adaptations.

They also discuss developmental editing, author voice and improving your craft.

Part 2 arrives next Friday, when the giveaway link will be shared. Creatorwood is offering 1,000 free viewings of its adaptation of David Viergutz's Scare Mail, with Patreon subscribers receiving early access.

Key Talking Points:

• How Creatorwood turns books into films
• AI video opportunities for authors
• Book trailers and short-form marketing
• Developmental editing and author voice
• Part 2 and the Scare Mail giveaway

Links & Resources Mentioned:

ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com

Creatorwood: https://www.creatorwood.tv/homepage

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca argue that as AI makes it easier than ever to produce competent books, craft is becoming an author's greatest competitive advantage. They explore why developing a distinctive voice, creating emotionally resonant stories, and continually refining your writing matter more than ever. Alongside the discussion on craft, they also cover the latest AI developments, compare tools like Claude, ChatGPT and Fable, and share practical advice on using technology without losing the human qualities that make readers fall in love with books.

Key Talking Points

• Why craft is making a comeback in the age of AI
• How a distinctive author voice sets your books apart from AI-generated content
• What "voice" really means—and practical ways to develop your own
• Why emotionally resonant writing creates the word-of-mouth every author wants
• The difference between writing quickly, writing slowly, and writing well
• How editors and writing coaches should strengthen your unique style, not standardise it
• Understanding that improving craft looks different for every writer
• The influence of TikTok and shareable reading moments on modern storytelling
• The latest updates from Fable, Claude and other AI tools
• Choosing the right AI subscription and building an effective workflow

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Claude AI: https://claude.ai
• ChatGPT: https://chatgpt.com
• Google Gemini: https://gemini.google.com
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com
• Anthropic: https://www.anthropic.com

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca dive into the next wave of AI tools for authors, focusing on Fable and the rise of agentic AI. They explore how these new tools can ingest an author's entire backlist, create series bibles, analyse metadata, support developmental editing, and become long-term business assistants rather than simple chatbots. Along the way, they share updates on their own writing projects, discuss practical AI workflows, and look at how tools like ChatGPT's new Sites feature are rapidly changing what authors can build without coding.

Key Talking Points

• What is Fable and how does it differ from traditional AI chatbots?
• Agentic AI and why it's a game-changer for author businesses
• Building a series bible from an entire backlist
• Using AI for developmental editing and metadata optimisation
• Why authors should ingest their content while pricing remains low
• James shares how AI is helping him plot Book 5 without writing it for him
• Practical examples of AI organising story structure and chapter planning
• The real costs of AI-powered publishing workflows
• Creating AI "decision filters" to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay focused

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Claude Fable 5: claude.ai - just open claude.ai (or the desktop/mobile app) and pick it from the model dropdown.
• Patreon: learnselfpublishing.com/support — where listeners can sign up for the Indie Writers Club Patreon (tiers: Quirky Friend $5/mo, Reliable Narrator $10/mo, Main Character $15/mo).
• https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?si=dGSQ65NIC9Y7EkEK 
• https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/fable-download 

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca welcome author and former music industry executive Jack Williamson to discuss what authors can learn from the entertainment industry. Jack shares how a career spanning 17 years in music, followed by psychotherapy, inspired his transition into writing fiction, and why storytelling, branding, and understanding genre expectations are essential for building an author career. The conversation explores lessons from the music business, creating immersive reader experiences, writing authentic romance, and how authors can think more like entertainers when launching books.

• Jack Williamson's journey from the music industry to indie publishing
• What authors can learn from the music business about building an audience
• Why storytelling is at the heart of every successful creative career
• Writing authentic romance inspired by real-life experiences
• The importance of understanding genre expectations and reader promise
• Building a book launch that extends beyond the novel itself
• Using original music and multimedia to enhance the reader experience
• Branding lessons authors can borrow from musicians and performers
• The value of treating your author career as a long-term creative business
• SPS banter covering football, conferences, and the indie author community

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca dive into the latest AI developments, including changes to Claude's subscription tiers and what they mean for authors using AI in their daily workflows. They also discuss TikTok marketing, the risks of AI-generated recommendations being manipulated, and why authors need to think critically about discoverability in an AI-driven world. Cissy shares an update on her upcoming fantasy romance launch, including cover design, budgeting, and building a comprehensive launch strategy, while James reflects on book formatting mishaps, marketing lessons, and England's World Cup campaign.

Key Talking Points

• Claude's new subscription limits and what they mean for authors
• Comparing Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools for writing and business tasks
• How AI-generated recommendations can potentially be manipulated
• Why authors should stay informed as AI changes search and discoverability
• TikTok marketing tips and understanding how the algorithm works
• Cissy's upcoming Black Sails of the Border fantasy romance series
• Cover design investment and the cost of illustrated covers
• Building a launch strategy using AI alongside proven marketing methods
• Launch planning, advertising, newsletter swaps, and budgeting
• James shares a formatting mishap that surprisingly didn't affect book sales
• Why readers often notice story over formatting imperfections

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Cissy Mecca: https://meccaromance.com

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca reflect on The Self Publishing Show Live 2026 and discuss what happens after the excitement of a conference ends. They explore the importance of reviewing progress at the halfway point of the year, assessing business goals, and deciding what to focus on for the remainder of 2026. The conversation covers productivity, TikTok marketing, author accountability, using data to make better decisions, and feedback from SPS Live attendees. James also shares plans being considered for future SPS Live events, including more hands-on workshops and potentially expanding the conference format.

Key Talking Points

• Why a mid-year business review is essential for authors
• Assessing goals, progress, and priorities for the second half of the year
• Using data and metrics to make smarter publishing decisions
• TikTok marketing and deciding where to focus your time
• The challenge of balancing creativity with business planning
• SPS Live attendee feedback and highlights from the event
• The possibility of adding a third day to SPS Live
• Ideas for future hands-on workshop and implementation sessions
• The value of accountability and sharing plans with other authors
• Avoiding overwhelm by focusing on a small number of key objectives
• Homework: James & Cissy's Mid-Year Author Check-In Questions:
• What number are you proudest of from the first half of 2026?
• What did you stop doing, and was it the right decision?
• What is your Q3 pivot — what are you going to do differently?

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• SPS Live Digital Ticket & Replay Access: https://learnselfpublishing.com/digital
• Cissy Mecca Romance: https://meccaromance.com
• Two Authors' Podcast: https://youtu.be/QhYcucRQeBw?si=yPfqRHW_P4INK1RI

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca reflect on SPS Live 2026 and the Cambridge Retreat, sharing their biggest takeaways from the event and the sessions that made the biggest impact. From direct sales and BookVault strategies to AI workflows, reader engagement, advertising, TikTok marketing, and writing for commercial success, the pair discuss the practical lessons authors can apply immediately to their own publishing businesses. The episode serves as a post-conference debrief, highlighting the trends, tools, and mindset shifts that are shaping the future of indie publishing. 

Key Talking Points

• Key lessons and standout moments from SPS Live 2026 & The Cambridge Retreat
• Direct sales opportunities and simplifying fulfilment with BookVault
• Using AI to streamline author businesses and administrative workflows
• Building AI projects and systems rather than relying on individual chat prompts
• Advertising strategies and improving marketing effectiveness
• Why consistency beats chasing viral success on TikTok
• Reader engagement, newsletter performance, and audience growth
• Writing for commercial success and understanding reading-age expectations
• The importance of clear, accessible writing ("Saxon over Latin")
• Practical actions authors can take immediately after attending a conference
• How successful authors focus on implementing ideas rather than collecting them 

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• SPS Live 2026 Digital: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive-digital 
• BookVault: https://bookvault.app
• Tammi Labrecque: https://newsletterninja.net
• Gunning Fog Index — estimates how hard a piece of writing is to read.
  The formula is:
  Fog Index=0.4×(wordssentences+100×complex wordswords)\text{Fog Index} = 0.4 \times \left( \frac{\text{words}}{\text{sentences}} + 100 \times \frac{\text{complex words}}{\text{words}} \right)Fog Index=0.4×(sentenceswords​+100×wordscomplex words​)Where:
  Words per sentence = total words ÷ total sentences
  Complex words = words with three or more syllables, usually excluding proper nouns, familiar compound words, and common suffix forms.
  So in plain English:
  Fog Index=0.4×(average sentence length+percentage of complex words)\text{Fog Index} = 0.4 \times (\text{average sentence length} + \text{percentage of complex words})Fog Index=0.4×(average sentence length+percentage of complex words)Example:
  If a passage has:
  • 120 words
  • 6 sentences
  • 12 complex words
  Then:
  Average sentence length = 120 ÷ 6 = 20
   Percentage of complex words = 12 ÷ 120 × 100 = 10
  0.4×(20+10)=120.4 \times (20 + 10) = 120.4×(20+10)=12 So the Fog Index is 12, meaning the writing is roughly suited to someone with a 12th-grade / late secondary-school reading level.
  
  

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Sissy Mecca record live from SPS Live in London, surrounded by more than 500 authors from around the world. They share the atmosphere from the conference floor, discuss some of the standout sessions, and chat with special guests including volunteer coordinator Adrian Wills, Draft2Digital's Dan Wood, and Doug Pratt and Nick Harvey from the Two Indie Authors podcast. Topics include fandom building, direct sales, the future impact of AI on publishing, conference networking, and the power of community within the indie author world.

Key Talking Points

• Behind-the-scenes insights into running SPS Live
• The vital role volunteers play in creating a successful conference experience
• Building author fandom and reader loyalty beyond the ebook
• Lessons from Damon Courtney's "Taylor Swift Method" presentation
• Why direct sales and special editions continue to grow in importance
• The value of author conferences for networking and learning
• How the indie publishing landscape is changing through AI
• Why authors need to understand AI, even if they choose not to use it
• The increasing importance of reader relationships and community building
• Dan Wood's perspective on industry trends and adapting to change
• A conversation with Nick Harvey and Doug Pratt about podcasting and the indie author community
• The unique atmosphere and energy of SPS Live compared to other industry events

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Draft2Digital: https://www.draft2digital.com
• BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com
• The Two Indie Authors Podcast
• Vellum: https://vellum.pub
• SPS Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca share practical advice on how to work a conference rather than simply attend one, ahead of SPS Live in London. They discuss how authors can prepare in advance, choose the right sessions, network confidently, ask useful questions, and turn conference inspiration into real action afterwards. The episode also covers author scams, AI discoverability, changing AI tools, and how writers can use conferences to build meaningful connections and long-term career momentum.

Key Talking Points

• How to prepare before arriving at a conference
• Why authors should treat conferences as an investment
• Choosing sessions based on your current goals
• Making the most of panels, Q&As and speaker access
• Networking naturally without feeling awkward
• Why generosity and genuine curiosity help build stronger connections
• How to take useful notes and turn ideas into action
• Avoiding post-conference overwhelm
• Staying alert to scams targeting authors
• AI discoverability and why metadata, niche positioning and FAQs matter

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• SPS Live 2026 schedule: https://learnselfpublishing.com/schedule 
• SPS Live digital ticket: https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive-digital 
• Meta's subscriptions: https://www.meta.com/en-gb/help/subscriptions/960854640235758 

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca discuss the major changes coming to Audible and ACX, including the new royalty model and updated enrolment requirements for audiobook authors. They explore what these changes could mean for indie publishers, the growing opportunities in wide audio distribution, and why authors may want to think beyond Audible. Alongside the industry discussion, there's plenty of SPS banter covering podcast microphones, pop filters, romance conferences, and the ever-changing publishing landscape.

Key Talking Points

• Audible's new royalty model and ACX enrolment changes
• What indie authors need to know about audiobook distribution updates
• Exclusive versus wide audio strategies
• Direct audiobook sales using platforms like BookFunnel
• Spotify's increasing presence in the audiobook market
• Concerns around royalty transparency and reporting
• Why authors need to remain flexible as publishing evolves
• SPS banter about podcasting, microphones, and author life

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com Use code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions.
• ACX: https://www.acx.com
• BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• The New Rules of Book Discovery PDF

Episode Summary

James and Cissy tackle a "bits and bobs" episode covering the changing indie publishing landscape, with a focus on Amazon's evolving AI-driven algorithms and what authors need to do to stay discoverable. They discuss why clear genre signalling, strong metadata, covers, blurbs, titles, and reader expectation alignment are becoming more important than ever. The conversation also touches on pricing psychology, the value readers place on author access and premium offers and the importance of stepping away from mental work with physical hobbies.

Key Talking Points

• Why Amazon's AI and algorithm changes may reward authors who clearly understand and serve their ideal readers.
• The importance of aligning covers, blurbs, titles, keywords, characters, and genre promise to create a strong reader experience.
• Why authors should audit their books and metadata rather than panic about the flood of new AI-generated content.
• Pricing psychology and why readers or clients may value products more when the price reflects that value.
• The benefit of switching off from mentally demanding creative work by doing something physical and absorbing outside writing.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Becca Syme: https://betterfasteracademy.com
• https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/barnes-and-noble-james-daunt-ai-books-b2978925.html
• https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQCMNE/
• https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQD3nA/
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive  
• SPS Live 2026 Party:  https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat

James and Cissy are joined by PR expert Isabelle Knight to discuss why authors are not just selling books, they are also building a brand readers can connect with. Isabelle explains how indie authors can identify their own author story, understand what sets them apart, and use that foundation across websites, newsletters, social media, events, and publicity opportunities. The episode also touches on Amazon's AI categorisation issues, Meta ad frustrations, upcoming romance conferences, and why professional author presentation matters more than ever.

Key Talking Points

• Why author branding starts with understanding your own story and what readers associate with you.
• How to identify what makes your books distinct from others in the same genre.
• Why readers connect with the emotional truth behind your books, not just the plot or trope.
• How indie authors can use their author story across bios, websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, festivals, and events.
• Why marketing should align with both your ideal readers and what you genuinely enjoy doing as an author.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Build Your Author Brand / Isabelle Knight: https://buildyourauthorbrand.com
• Romance Writers of Australia Conference: https://romanceaustralia.com/pages/events
• Romance Writers of New Zealand: https://www.romancewriters.co.nz/event/2026-rwnz-conference-registration/
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://selfpublishingshowlive.com

James and Cissy dive into the growing world of direct sales, Etsy stores, and special edition books, exploring how indie authors are expanding beyond Amazon and turning their books into premium gift products. They also discuss the importance of professional branding photography, why readers increasingly connect with authors personally, and the latest Meta AI lawsuit involving pirated books used for training AI models.

The episode features a detailed behind-the-scenes look at James's new Cold War-themed Etsy shop experiment, complete with slipcase box sets, MI6-style packaging, collectible golf balls, and premium gifting ideas inspired by the "gifting economy." Meanwhile, Cissy shares her experience with duplex paperback covers, sprayed edges, Etsy merchandise, and building collectible reader products around her romance worlds.

Key Talking points:

• Why professional author photography matters more than ever
• Building an author brand in the AI era
• Readers buying into the author as much as the books
• The Meta AI copyright lawsuit involving pirated books and LLaMA training
• Direct sales and Etsy as a growing opportunity for indie authors
• Turning books into collectible gift products
• BookVault duplex covers and special editions
• Creating reader merchandise tied to fictional worlds
• Using Etsy as a discovery platform for new readers
• SPS Live updates and upcoming sessions on direct selling

Resources mentioned: 

• ProWritingAid – use code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions: https://prowritingaid.com/
• SPS Live 2026: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• SPS Party 2026: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat

James and Cissy welcome former Milwaukee police sergeant and author Patrick O'Donnell to discuss his new book, Police Stories: The Rookie Years, and the real-life experiences behind his writing. Patrick shares gripping stories from his early days on patrol, including a near-shooting, a fatal stabbing case, and the realities of policing that often get misrepresented in fiction. The episode also covers indie authors being excluded from a new publishing prize, questions around Amazon's algorithm and Kindle Unlimited, and how writers can use expert communities to make their crime and police procedural details more authentic.

Key Talking Points

• The New Adult Book Prize and why excluding indie authors feels especially frustrating given indie publishing's role in building the genre.
• Ongoing questions around Amazon rankings, Kindle Unlimited borrows, page reads, and whether indie titles are being pushed down in the charts.
• Patrick O'Donnell's police career, from rookie officer to sergeant, and how those experiences shaped his nonfiction and fiction writing.
• A powerful real-life story from Patrick's rookie years involving a knife suspect, a fatal stabbing, and the emotional reality of first responder work.
• How the Cops and Writers community helps authors get police procedure, crime scenes, law enforcement culture, and investigation details right.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Cops and Writers Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters
• Patrick O'Donnell – Police Stories: The Rookie Years: Available on Amazon
• Indie Writers Club / support page: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support
• LaunchPad course is open for enrolment: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/launchpad

James and Cissy break down one of the most overlooked (but powerful) parts of your book: front and back matter. From prologues and epilogues to marketing strategy, they explore what actually works for readers and what might be quietly losing you sales. Expect honest takes (including a strong stance on prologues!), practical tips on optimising your back matter for conversions, and smart ways to turn your book into a reader-retention machine. Plus: writing retreats, live events, and a few unexpected tangents along the way.

Key Talking Points

• Why front matter should be minimal and never get in the way of the reader diving into your story.
• The truth about prologues (and why many readers skip them entirely) vs when they can work.
• How epilogues (especially in romance) can add value and even drive reader engagement.
• The importance of a single, clear call-to-action at the end of your book to maximise conversions.
• Smart strategies for back matter marketing, including bonus content, newsletter signups, and reader retention tactics.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Indie Writers Club (join for retreats & community): https://learnselfpublishing.com/support
• AI Summit: https://aisummit.indieauthortraining.com
• Writer Retreat (New Zealand – August): Indie Writers Club
• Self-Publishing Show Boat Party (London) 11th June 2026:  https://learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat

James and Cissy dig into Draft2Digital's newly announced fees, including a one-off activation charge for new accounts and a yearly maintenance fee for low-earning accounts, and discuss why the reaction from authors has been so strong. They explore what the change says about the growing pressure of AI-generated low-quality uploads, the real cost of running author-facing distribution platforms, and whether small fees are now becoming unavoidable across the industry. Alongside that, they revisit the wider AI debate in publishing, discussing why some authors continue to resist the technology while others are embracing it for admin, analysis, and workflow support. The episode also touches on BookVault special editions, upcoming events, and James's AI translations webinar.

• Draft2Digital's new pricing model, including the $20 activation fee for new accounts and the $12 annual maintenance fee for authors earning under $100 a year.
• Why Draft2Digital's decision is tied to the growing problem of AI-generated low-quality uploads and the cost of filtering them.
• The continuing debate around AI in publishing, including resistance from some authors and the argument that readers, not gatekeepers, will ultimately decide what succeeds.
• The difference between low-quality AI "slop" and thoughtful, professional uses of AI in business processes and publishing workflows.
• BookVault box sets, special editions, and how premium physical products can create new opportunities for authors selling direct or at events.

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com
• AI Translations Webinar: https://learnselfpublishing.com/translationswebinar
• Indie Writers Club / support page: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support
• BookVault: https://bookvault.app

James and Cissy continue their exploration of how AI is transforming the business side of self-publishing, focusing on practical workflows that help authors save time and make better decisions. They also discuss planning for Self Publishing Show Live, including shaping the agenda and what attendees can expect from this year's event. Alongside this, the conversation highlights how authors can use AI as a powerful assistant for admin, marketing, and organisation - gaining efficiency without sacrificing creativity.

Key Talking Points

• How AI can streamline everyday author admin tasks and reduce time spent on repetitive work.
• Building simple AI workflows to improve productivity and decision-making.
• Discussion around The Self Publishing Show Live, including agenda planning and event expectations.
• Why authors should focus on using AI as an assistant rather than a creative replacement.
• How efficiency and better systems can give authors a competitive edge in a crowded market.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions)
  https://prowritingaid.com
• Self Publishing Show Live 2026: https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• Self Publishing Show Live Boat Party: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat
• Indie Writers Club Patreon: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support

James and Cissy explore one of the most practical uses of AI for authors: analysing advertising, sales, and marketing data to make better business decisions. James shares how he used Claude to review Facebook ads, KDP income, and reader engagement data, while Cissy explains how she used AI to assess years of BookBub performance and identify the best strategy for future promotions. Alongside the data discussion, they touch on the ongoing debate around AI writing, why detection remains unreliable, and how authors can focus on using AI as a powerful backend assistant rather than a creative replacement. The episode also includes a mention of James's upcoming webinar on improving AI translations.

Key Talking Points

• How authors can use AI to analyse Facebook ads, KDP sales, and reader engagement data in seconds instead of spending hours in spreadsheets.
• Cissy's use of AI to evaluate BookBub results over time and identify which price points, formats, and titles perform best.
• Why AI can be a game-changer for admin, reporting, and decision-making even for authors who do not use it to write fiction.
• A continued discussion on AI writing, including why detection tools are unreliable and why the market may ultimately decide what readers want.
• Details of James's upcoming webinar on AI translations and why first-pass translation tools still fall short for fiction.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
• Free AI Translations Webinar: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/webinar

James and Cissy unpack two major controversies affecting authors this week: a traditionally published author dropped over AI writing accusations, and a literary agent's viral TikTok telling writers to stay away from the London Book Fair. Together, these stories highlight growing tensions around AI, gatekeeping, and who the publishing industry is really for. Alongside the debate, the episode blends in personal reflections on writing routines, burnout, and the realities of balancing creativity with business, offering a grounded look at what it means to be an author in today's rapidly shifting landscape.

Key Talking Points

• The fallout from a publisher cancelling an author over suspected AI use and what this means for trust in the industry.
• A literary agent's controversial TikTok telling writers not to attend the London Book Fair and the wider issue of gatekeeping.
• Why authors are increasingly feeling "under attack" from multiple directions, including AI scrutiny and industry attitudes.
• The ongoing challenge of balancing writing time with business demands, stress, and productivity.
• Personal insights into author life, including burnout, routine disruption, and staying consistent in a demanding creative career.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com

James is recording from the Irish Publishing Show on St Patrick's Day, James and Cissy reflect on the changing state of indie publishing, the growing pressure of AI-driven discoverability, and the realities of building a sustainable author career in a more mature market. They revisit the ongoing debate around low-quality AI-generated books on Amazon, discuss why AI detection tools are unlikely to solve the problem, and explore how authors are adapting across indie, hybrid, and traditional paths. The episode also takes a more personal turn, with a thoughtful conversation about reading habits, the books that turn children into lifelong readers, and how authors can use AI in practical, reader-focused ways, including personalised book recommendation quizzes.

Key Talking Points

• James shares insights from the Irish Publishing Show and London Book Fair, including how the indie publishing space feels more mature and less boom-driven than in previous years.
• A deeper look at the AI discoverability problem on Amazon, especially the impact of low-quality AI-generated books flooding categories and search results.
• Why Amazon is unlikely to separate or reliably detect AI-written books, and what that means for indie authors going forward.
• A discussion about how readers are made, including the books that first hooked James and Cissy, and why "reading is reading" at every age and level.
• Cissy explains how she's using Claude and AI tools to build practical reader experiences, including a quiz that helps visitors find the right entry-point book from her catalogue.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
• Mecca Romance (reader quiz mentioned): https://meccaromance.com

James and Cissy discuss new marketing insights and mindset strategies for indie authors navigating an increasingly complex publishing landscape. From experimenting with BookBub ads and improving AI-assisted translations to analysing breakout success in romance adaptations, the conversation explores how authors can stay competitive in a crowded market. Cissy also shares a creative direct-to-reader marketing tactic, sending postcards to readers, as a way to build stronger audience relationships beyond digital platforms. The episode concludes with the hosts' "Three Things" mindset practice, a simple daily habit designed to help authors maintain perspective, gratitude, and motivation in a challenging creative career.

Key Talking Points

• How BookBub ads and promotional pricing strategies can create long-tail sales effects beyond the initial campaign.
• Lessons learned from improving AI-assisted translations and the impact of higher-quality translations on international book sales.
• Why certain romance stories and adaptations suddenly explode in popularity — and what authors can learn from those breakout successes.
• Creative marketing experiments, including sending postcards and physical mail to readers to build stronger audience connections.
• The "Three Things" daily mindset practice: identifying something that made you happy, something that moved your work forward, and something you're looking forward to.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions)
  https://prowritingaid.com
• AI Translations Course https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
• BookBub Advertising Platform https://bookbub.com/ads
• James Blatch's donation link: http://jamesblatch.com/marathon 
• The Self Publishing Show 2026 https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• Heated Rivalry: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35495073/

James and Cissy reflect on conversations from a recent indie author mastermind in Savannah, Georgia, where the biggest topic on everyone's mind was discoverability in the age of AI. With thousands of new titles flooding platforms like Amazon KDP every day, the hosts explore how authors can adapt - from optimising metadata for AI search to expanding audiobook distribution and experimenting with platforms like YouTube. The episode culminates in a bold proposal: introducing a publishing fee on KDP uploads to discourage low-quality AI-generated content and improve the reader experience.

Key Talking Points

• The growing discoverability crisis on Amazon as AI enables massive volumes of low-quality books to be uploaded daily.
• Practical strategies authors can use to improve AI discoverability, including consistent blurbs, Google Books previews, and optimised author websites.
• Why expanding audiobook distribution beyond exclusivity, including platforms like Spotify and YouTube - may become an important discovery tool.
• The importance of deep Amazon categories and metadata optimisation to help books surface in searches.
• James' controversial proposal: a refundable publishing fee for KDP uploads to reduce AI-generated "content farms" and improve reader experience.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com 
• Reedsy (research on AI discoverability mentioned): https://reedsy.com
• Draft2Digital (library distribution discussed): https://draft2digital.com
• AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations 
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive 

James and Cissy dive into the evolving AI conversation, reacting to viral commentary about whether artificial intelligence will truly replace white-collar jobs and what that means for writers. They explore the difference between superficial and deep AI usage, the economics behind tech industry messaging, and how authors can adapt rather than resist. They also discuss the irreplaceable value of in-person author events, relationship building, and why conferences continue to be career accelerators in an increasingly digital industry.

Key Talking Points

• A viral "Stay Human" TikTok challenges the narrative that AI will eliminate white-collar jobs, reframing it as investor-driven hype rather than economic inevitability.
• Why authors won't be replaced by AI but may be replaced by authors who use AI effectively and strategically.
• The difference between shallow AI use and deep, professional integration (including translation workflows and creative production).
• Why in-person events accelerate learning, build trust, create lifelong industry friendships, and often spark the biggest career breakthroughs.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Social Media Examiner – AI Explored Podcast: https://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/ai-explored/
• https://www.tiktok.com/@kelly_boesch_ai_art?_r=1&_t=ZN-94CQZzFmP4g
• Author Nation: https://authornation.live
• Self-Publishing Show Live (London conference): https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• Irelands Publishing Show: https://www.indienetworkevents.com From learnselfpublishing.com

Episode Summary

James and Cissy welcome Robin Bennett Freebairn back to the show to discuss how he's successfully expanded his nonfiction "birth year" book series into the gifting market via Etsy. Robin shares how selling direct through a marketplace platform has rapidly grown into a major revenue stream, now rivalling Amazon income and explains the practical realities of becoming not just an author, but a retailer. From managing stock and print runs to offering gift wrap and personalised editions, this episode dives deep into how indie authors can future-proof their businesses by building human connection, diversifying platforms, and embracing direct sales.

Key Talking Points

• Why Etsy is proving to be a powerful platform for gift-focused books, with largely organic growth and strong margins.
• The mindset shift from author to retailer - managing stock, customer service, fulfilment times, and repeat buyers.
• Profit breakdown: hardback pricing strategy, production costs, Etsy fees (significantly lower than Amazon), and upsells like gift wrapping and personalisation.
• How direct sales create stronger reader relationships and "superfans" through exceptional customer service.
• Diversifying beyond Amazon as protection against AI disruption and platform risk and building a sustainable family-run publishing business.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Etsy (Marketplace discussed): https://www.etsy.com
• BookVault (Print-on-demand service mentioned): https://bookvault.app
• Short Run Press (UK short-run printer referenced): https://www.shortrunpress.co.uk
• Self-Publishing Show Live (June London conference): https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive 

The Self-Publishing Show enters a new era as James Blatch officially introduces his new co-host, romance author Cecilia "Cissy" Mecca. In this wide-ranging conversation, they explore Cissy's indie journey, from mediaeval romance to paranormal and contemporary pivots, her decision to consolidate pen names, and the realities of building a sustainable author career. The episode also dives into the latest AI controversy in the romance world, discussing reader backlash, industry adaptation, and why platform-building may matter more than ever in an AI-powered marketplace.

• Official introduction of Cecilia "Cissy" Mecca as the new co-host and what she brings from the romance genre perspective.
• Cissy's indie origin story: discovering self-publishing through conference connections and following the Learn Self Publishing LaunchPad roadmap to leave her teaching career.
• The pros and cons of genre pivoting, combining pen names, and choosing creative fulfilment over strict niche strategy.
• The New York Times article about Coral Heart and AI-written romance books and the strong reaction from romance readers and authors.
• Why adapting to AI, strengthening reader connection, and building direct platforms (mailing lists, community, in-person events) will be critical for authors moving forward.

• ProWritingAid (sponsor & discount code IWC15): https://prowritingaid.com
• NotebookLM by Google (research & synthesis tool discussed): https://notebooklm.google.com
• Learn Self Publishing - Launchpad course https://www.learnselfpublishing.com
• The New York Times article with Coral Heart https://www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/business/ai-claude-romance-books.html?unlocked_article_code=1.KlA.cf39.OMbDGgPwsUjy 

James Blatch returns after an 18-month hiatus to relaunch the Self Publishing Show and outline its new direction. In this solo episode, he reflects on why the show paused, what changed during that time with the Indie Writers Club, and how the podcast will evolve going forward with a new co-host. James also shares his clear, pragmatic stance on AI in publishing, discusses AI translations for authors, and previews upcoming projects, courses, and live events for the indie publishing community.

Key Talking Points

• Why the Self-Publishing Show went on hiatus and what's changing to make it more sustainable and community-focused going forward.
• Lessons learned from the Indie Writers Club podcast, including community-building, industry discussion, and practical craft conversations.
• James' position on AI in publishing: embracing AI as a tool while calling out unethical practices and adapting to industry change.
• A deep look at AI translations for authors, including why first-pass AI translations aren't enough and how a multi-pass workflow improves quality.
• What's coming next: a new co-host reveal, future guests, Self-Publishing Show Live updates, and expanded community offerings.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (sponsor & discount code IWC15): https://prowritingaid.com
• Indie Writers Club (podcast archive): https://indiewritersclub.com
• ProWritingAid Novel Beginnings competition: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-beginnings
• AI Translations for Authors waitlist: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
• Self-Publishing Show Live (London conference): https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive

James talks to Joe Solari, the man responsible for the world's largest gathering of indie authors and Darren Hardy, from Amazon KDP, who is the most listened to guest we've ever had on the show.

Nick Thacker VP of Author Success at Draft2Digital joins James to dive into what's new and what D2D can offer the self publishing world.

James talks to Marco Moutinho from Dibbly, a content creation platform, which can help you with freelance services. Dibbly also offers an AI tool 'Kip' that has some fantastic features to offer the indie author.

This week James talks to bestseller Suzy K Quinn and editor Adam Strange from Kevin Anderson & Associates, who brings a wealth of knowledge and experience on editing to the show.

Join James and Carlyn Robertson from BookBub talking about what's new at BookBub and what BookBub can offer.

A fast emerging aspect of indie marketing is direct selling. Bookvault have risen quickly to the top of many authors go-to suppliers for print-on-demand, especially for those special editions that can be extremely good for your bottom line.
This week's show features a chat with Bookvault's Alex Smith.

Vellum is the gold standard for editing your book ready for publication.

Listen as James Blatch talks to Brad West about tips for preparing your book

Listen as James talks to Mike Hourigan who is the Vice President of Marketing at Written Word Media, where he brings more than 15 years of digital marketing expertise to the table.

Join James and the numbers man, Alex Newton from K-lytics who digs beneath the Romantasy data and explains current trends

Join James Blatch and Stuart Grant from Digital Authors Toolkit and also the highest rated web designer on Reedsy, as they discuss the future of Author websites, direct selling, and how you can make your website stand out.

Join James and Victoria Gerken from Podium Audio as they discuss how audio is exploding the world of publishing and providing authors with another income stream

Join James Blatch and Chris Banks as James reveals the speakers and sponsors attending the Self Publishing Show Live in London 2024 and Chris talks about what's new at ProWritingAid and AI, but making sure you add the human touch.

Join James Blatch as he takes on a hot topic of the moment, AI, and how it impacts authors and creators. Should you be afraid or accepting of this new wave of technology? 

Tune into this week's episode of the Self Publishing Show to hear more from Michael, including whether selling direct would be preferrable to selling on Amazon, why he chooses to publish his audiobooks exclusively on ACX, and why consistency in magic and worldbuilding rules is key for any kind of Fantasy story.

Marc Reklau went from struggling writer to earning seven-figures, all by applying the same self-help advice he writes about in his books.

Tired of tweaking your Amazon Ad keywords? Let Merch Jar automate the process for you.

From novelist to tabletop game creator, Paddy Finn explains how he created a seven-figure company in an industry where the players come up with the stories.

Danica Favorite describes the benefits of releasing wide with PD and how you can have a say on the future of AI in publishing.