Episode Summary

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca welcome author and former music industry executive Jack Williamson to discuss what authors can learn from the entertainment industry. Jack shares how a career spanning 17 years in music, followed by psychotherapy, inspired his transition into writing fiction, and why storytelling, branding, and understanding genre expectations are essential for building an author career. The conversation explores lessons from the music business, creating immersive reader experiences, writing authentic romance, and how authors can think more like entertainers when launching books.

Key Talking Points

• Jack Williamson's journey from the music industry to indie publishing
• What authors can learn from the music business about building an audience
• Why storytelling is at the heart of every successful creative career
• Writing authentic romance inspired by real-life experiences
• The importance of understanding genre expectations and reader promise
• Building a book launch that extends beyond the novel itself
• Using original music and multimedia to enhance the reader experience
• Branding lessons authors can borrow from musicians and performers
• The value of treating your author career as a long-term creative business
• SPS banter covering football, conferences, and the indie author community

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com