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