Indie Writers Club

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

From learnselfpublishing.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 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 (conference referenced): https://authornation.live
Self-Publishing Show Live (London conference): https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
Irelands Publishing Show: https://www.indienetworkevents.com

From learnselfpublishing.com

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

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.

Show notes: 

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.

Links & Resources Mentioned:
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/bu... 

From learnselfpublishing.com