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

James Blatch returns after an 18-month hiatus to relaunch the Self-Publishing Show and outline its new direction. In this solo episode, he reflects on why the show paused, what changed during that time with the Indie Writers Club, and how the podcast will evolve going forward with a new co-host. James also shares his clear, pragmatic stance on AI in publishing, discusses AI translations for authors, and previews upcoming projects, courses, and live events for the indie publishing community.

Key Talking Points:

• Why the Self-Publishing Show went on hiatus and what’s changing to make it more sustainable and community-focused going forward.
  
  
• Lessons learned from the Indie Writers Club podcast, including community-building, industry discussion, and practical craft conversations.
  
  
• James’ position on AI in publishing: embracing AI as a tool while calling out unethical practices and adapting to industry change.
  
  
• A deep look at AI translations for authors, including why first-pass AI translations aren’t enough and how a multi-pass workflow improves quality.
  
  
• What’s coming next: a new co-host reveal, future guests, Self-Publishing Show Live updates, and expanded community offerings.
  
  

Links & Resources Mentioned
• ProWritingAid (sponsor & discount code IWC15): https://prowritingaid.com
• Indie Writers Club (podcast archive): https://indiewritersclub.com
• ProWritingAid Novel Beginnings competition: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-beginnings

• AI Translations for Authors waitlist: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
• Self-Publishing Show Live (London conference): https://learnselfpublishing.com/spslive

From learnselfpublishing.com

In this heartfelt exit interview, Cara Clare reflects on her journey as a co-host of the Indie Writers Club alongside James Blatch. They discuss the significance of the podcast in their personal and professional growth, the exciting announcement of the Novel Beginnings contest aimed at supporting new writers, and the transition to the Self-Publishing Show. The conversation also delves into the nuances of writing spice, the complexity of emotions in storytelling, and the challenges of exploring different genres. As they wrap up, both express gratitude for their time together and the friendships formed through the podcast.

USEFUL LINKS:

PWA Novel Beginnings: https://prowritingaid.com/novel-beginnings

Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15

https://www.prowritingaid.com

 Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.

https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

Takeaways

The Indie Writers Club has reached its final episode after 73 episodes.
Novel Beginnings contest offers significant funding for new writers.
AI struggles with writing spice, leaving room for human creativity.
Emotions in writing should reflect complexity, not just surface feelings.
Navigating genre challenges can be daunting for writers.
The podcast has been a journey of personal growth for Cara.
Writing requires balancing showing and telling emotions effectively.
Friendships formed through the podcast have been invaluable.
Transitioning to the Self-Publishing Show marks a new chapter.
The importance of investing in craft alongside business in writing.



Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Exit Interview Context
02:59 Novel Beginnings Contest Announcement
05:39 Transition to Self-Publishing Show
08:41 Writing Spice and Emotional Depth
11:33 Show vs. Tell in Writing
17:25 Balancing Emotion and Plot
17:41 The Nature of Writing Questions
18:40 Exploring Genre Preferences
19:55 Challenges in Writing Crime Thrillers
21:22 Creating Your Own Rules in Fiction
22:57 The Role of AI in Writing
24:11 Reflections on Personal Growth and Writing
26:14 The Impact of Podcasting on Confidence
28:11 Feedback and Future Directions
29:26 Closing Thoughts and Farewell

In this episode of the Indie Writers Club podcast, James Blatch and Cara Claire discuss the transition of Cara's writing project, 'The Chatterley Affair', into the marketing phase. And delve into a detailed critique of the film adaptation of 'Hamlet', comparing it to the original book. 

The conversation highlights the importance of character development, emotional engagement, and the role of directors and authors in film adaptations, culminating in a discussion about audience reactions and the overall impact of the film.

USEFUL LINKS:

Hamnet 5 Star Review from The i: https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/sobbed-through-hamnet-gut-wrenching-4104154 ($)

I Hated Hamnet (Review) also from The i: https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/i-hated-hamnet-4167808 ($)

Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15

https://www.prowritingaid.com

 Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.

https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

In this third-to-last episode of the IWC Podcast, we will look at the Anthropic (Claude AI) settlement on offer to some authors. We'll explain what needs to happen by you if your name is on the official list and what your options are.

This is the link I refer to in the show:

https://www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/ - this is the only official settlement website.

USEFUL LINKS:
Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15
https://www.prowritingaid.com

Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.

https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support

In this episode of the Indie Writers Club, Cara talks us through her launch strategy for a standalone book (a Chatterly retelling with vampires and spice!).

This is one of the toughest challenges for indies. Our process generally relies on series and readthrough, but with the many options emerging for exploiting your book (translations, special editions etc) might this be a future strategy we can all follow?

**** WARNING - NSFW - WE DO DISCUSS SPICE SCENES ****

USEFUL LINKS:

Join the AI Translations course waitlist:

https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations

Get 15% of annual plans at our sponsor ProWritingAid by using code IWC15

https://www.prowritingaid.com

 Join our Patreon for exclusive access including Live Q&As with James & Cara and your chance to discuss your writing career.

https://www.indiewritersclub.com/support