SPS-446: The Boxset Experiment with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

SPS-446: The Boxset Experiment with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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

SPS-445: Real Cops, Real Stories, Better Fiction with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Cops and Writers Facebook Group: https://facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters [https://facebook.com/groups/copsandwriters] * Patrick O'Donnell – Police Stories: The Rookie Years: Available on Amazon [https://amzn.eu/d/0gMFf9m2] * Indie Writers Club / support page: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support [https://learnselfpublishing.com/support] * LaunchPad course is open for enrolment: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/launchpad [https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/launchpad]

SPS-444: Why Your Matter Matters with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Indie Writers Club (join for retreats & community): https://learnselfpublishing.com/support [https://learnselfpublishing.com/support] * AI Summit: https://aisummit.indieauthortraining.com [https://aisummit.indieauthortraining.com/] * Writer Retreat (New Zealand – August): Indie Writers Club [https://www.indiewritersclub.com/auckland-2026] * Self-Publishing Show Boat Party (London) 11th June 2026: https://learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat [https://learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat]

SPS-443: Draft2Digital's New Charge! with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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. Key Talking Points * 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. Links & Resources Mentioned * ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com [https://draft2digital.com/] * AI Translations Webinar: https://learnselfpublishing.com/translationswebinar [https://learnselfpublishing.com/translationswebinar] * Indie Writers Club / support page: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support [https://learnselfpublishing.com/support] * BookVault: https://bookvault.app [https://bookvault.app/]

SPS-442: Inside the SPS Live Schedule with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Self Publishing Show Live 2026: https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive [https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive] * Self Publishing Show Live Boat Party: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat [https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat] * Indie Writers Club Patreon: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support [https://learnselfpublishing.com/support]