SPS-448: A Glimmer of Hope in the Age of AI with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

SPS-450: How to Work a Conference (Not Just Attend One) with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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

SPS-449: The New Rules of Book Discovery with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] Use code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions. * ACX: https://www.acx.com [https://www.acx.com/] * BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com [https://bookfunnel.com/] * Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive [https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive] * The New Rules of Book Discovery PDF [https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7kmko7kkvgfkv8obiu2q5/SPS-Ep-449-The-New-Rules-of-Book-Discovery.pdf?rlkey=ueisagy7qgkp9qusws5i6ylva&dl=0]

SPS-448: A Glimmer of Hope in the Age of AI with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Becca Syme: https://betterfasteracademy.com [https://betterfasteracademy.com/] * https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/barnes-and-noble-james-daunt-ai-books-b2978925.html [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/ZNRtQCMNE/] * https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQD3nA/ [https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQD3nA/] * Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive [https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive] * SPS Live 2026 Party: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat [https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat]

SPS-447: You Are Your Brand with Isabelle Knight, James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

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 [https://prowritingaid.com/] * Build Your Author Brand / Isabelle Knight: https://buildyourauthorbrand.com [https://buildyourauthorbrand.com/] * Romance Writers of Australia Conference: https://romanceaustralia.com/pages/events [https://willorganise.eventsair.com/2026-rwa/] * Romance Writers of New Zealand: https://www.romancewriters.co.nz/event/2026-rwnz-conference-registration/ [https://www.romancewriters.co.nz/event/2026-rwnz-conference-registration/] * Self-Publishing Show Live: https://selfpublishingshowlive.com

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