This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca dive into the latest AI developments, including changes to Claude's subscription tiers and what they mean for authors using AI in their daily workflows. They also discuss TikTok marketing, the risks of AI-generated recommendations being manipulated, and why authors need to think critically about discoverability in an AI-driven world. Cissy shares an update on her upcoming fantasy romance launch, including cover design, budgeting, and building a comprehensive launch strategy, while James reflects on book formatting mishaps, marketing lessons, and England's World Cup campaign.

Key Talking Points

• Claude's new subscription limits and what they mean for authors
• Comparing Claude, Gemini, and other AI tools for writing and business tasks
• How AI-generated recommendations can potentially be manipulated
• Why authors should stay informed as AI changes search and discoverability
• TikTok marketing tips and understanding how the algorithm works
• Cissy's upcoming Black Sails of the Border fantasy romance series
• Cover design investment and the cost of illustrated covers
• Building a launch strategy using AI alongside proven marketing methods
• Launch planning, advertising, newsletter swaps, and budgeting
• James shares a formatting mishap that surprisingly didn't affect book sales
• Why readers often notice story over formatting imperfections

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
• Cissy Mecca: https://meccaromance.com