The Self Publishing Show

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
Draft2Digital: https://draft2digital.com
AI Translations Webinar: https://learnselfpublishing.com/translationswebinar
Indie Writers Club / support page: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support
BookVault: https://bookvault.app

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

James and Cissy explore one of the most practical uses of AI for authors: analysing advertising, sales, and marketing data to make better business decisions. James shares how he used Claude to review Facebook ads, KDP income, and reader engagement data, while Cissy explains how she used AI to assess years of BookBub performance and identify the best strategy for future promotions. Alongside the data discussion, they touch on the ongoing debate around AI writing, why detection remains unreliable, and how authors can focus on using AI as a powerful backend assistant rather than a creative replacement. The episode also includes a mention of James's upcoming webinar on improving AI translations.
Key Talking Points
How authors can use AI to analyse Facebook ads, KDP sales, and reader engagement data in seconds instead of spending hours in spreadsheets.
Cissy's use of AI to evaluate BookBub results over time and identify which price points, formats, and titles perform best.
Why AI can be a game-changer for admin, reporting, and decision-making even for authors who do not use it to write fiction.
A continued discussion on AI writing, including why detection tools are unreliable and why the market may ultimately decide what readers want.
Details of James's upcoming webinar on AI translations and why first-pass translation tools still fall short for fiction.
Links & Resources Mentioned
ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
Free AI Translations Webinar: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/webinar

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

James is recording from the Irish Publishing Show on St Patrick's Day, James and Cissy reflect on the changing state of indie publishing, the growing pressure of AI-driven discoverability, and the realities of building a sustainable author career in a more mature market. They revisit the ongoing debate around low-quality AI-generated books on Amazon, discuss why AI detection tools are unlikely to solve the problem, and explore how authors are adapting across indie, hybrid, and traditional paths. The episode also takes a more personal turn, with a thoughtful conversation about reading habits, the books that turn children into lifelong readers, and how authors can use AI in practical, reader-focused ways, including personalised book recommendation quizzes.
Key Talking Points
James shares insights from the Irish Publishing Show and London Book Fair, including how the indie publishing space feels more mature and less boom-driven than in previous years.
A deeper look at the AI discoverability problem on Amazon, especially the impact of low-quality AI-generated books flooding categories and search results.
Why Amazon is unlikely to separate or reliably detect AI-written books, and what that means for indie authors going forward.
A discussion about how readers are made, including the books that first hooked James and Cissy, and why "reading is reading" at every age and level.
Cissy explains how she's using Claude and AI tools to build practical reader experiences, including a quiz that helps visitors find the right entry-point book from her catalogue.
Links & Resources Mentioned
ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
Mecca Romance (reader quiz mentioned): https://meccaromance.com