Podcast
The Self Publishing Show
Hosted by James Blatch · EN
Join James Blatch has he navigates the fast changing world of indie publishing. With the biggest guests in the industry and tips on how to stay ahead of the crowd.
33episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
SPS-454: Launching a New Series
1w ago00:49:13Tap to summarizeThis 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
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SPS-453: Three Questions Every Author Should Ask
2w ago00:50:36Tap to summarizeThis 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
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SPS-452: Lessons from London
3w ago00:39:06Tap to summarizeThis 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.
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SPS-451: Live at The Self Publishing Show
Jun 1200:26:34Tap to summarizeThis 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
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SPS-450: How to Work a Conference (Not Just Attend One) with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
Jun 400:57:27Tap to summarizeThis 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
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SPS-449: The New Rules of Book Discovery with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
May 2801:02:55Tap to summarizeThis 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
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SPS-448: A Glimmer of Hope in the Age of AI with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
May 2100:39:03Tap to summarizeEpisode 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
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SPS-447: You Are Your Brand with Isabelle Knight, James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
May 1400:49:37Tap to summarizeJames 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
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SPS-446: The Boxset Experiment with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
May 700:41:34Tap to summarizeJames 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
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SPS-445: Real Cops, Real Stories, Better Fiction with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
Apr 3000:53:47Tap to summarizeJames 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
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