The Self Publishing Show

Hosted ByMark Dawson & James Blatch

Mark Dawson is a best selling self-published author on multiple platforms including Amazon and Kobo. He is the author of the John Milton thriller series and its spin-off Beatrix Rose. In addition, he’s written several ‘Soho Noir' novels. Mark’s breakthrough came when he developed a marketing strategy for promoting and selling his books. His swift success enabled him to quit his 9 to 5 job and he has generated gross revenues of more than a million dollars in less than five years.

Mark has become a leading voice in the self publishing industry and he advocates and teaches a strategy based around offering books for free, mailing list development and social media advertising. In 2015, he published the first version of what is now his acclaimed online course ‘Advertising for Authors’. He has also developed a course for writers at the start of their careers – Self Publishing 101.

James Blatch co-hosts the podcast and he represents the first time, wannabe author. James is a former BBC News journalist who is currently writing his first novel.

Between them James and Mark explore the world of self publishing with a focus on actionable tips for new and experienced indie authors.


All Episodes

SPF-078: One Million Sales and Counting: Success in Cross Genre Writing – with bestseller Mel Sherratt

If you’re an author that wants to write across genres but worry about the impact that approach might have on financial returns, you’ll want to listen to this week’s guest, bestselling author Mel Sherratt, who’s achieved in excess of one million sales w…

SPF-077: Secrets from Seventy Novels – with author Tracy Cooper-Posey

Prolific science-fiction and romance author Tracey Cooper Posey discusses how she manages her impressive creative output and the life and living to be made as an indie author.

SPF-076: The Science of Sleep and How It Can Help Your Writing Career – with Dr.Anne Bartolucci

Clinical psychologist and sleep expert, Anne Bartolucci, explains why sleep matters for creatives (including writers), how to improve our sleep to boost productivity and how to work around the procrastination and resistance that plagues so many writers.

SPF-075: Getting Paid For Your Passion – with Creativindie’s Derek Murphy

Serial artist, graphic designer and author Derek Murphy chats to James about his creative lifestyle, including how he finally managed to develop a more productive – and profitable – mindset for his career.

SPF-074: Pursuing an Indie Career with Extreme Prejudice – with author Brett Battles

Thriller author Brett Battles has seen the inside of both traditional and independent publishing. Today he chats with James about making the transition from trad to indie, the tough times and his eventual triumph as a hybrid author.

SPF-073: Getting Ahead of the Curve with an Author App – with Stuart Grant, App Developer

Developer Stuart Grant talks to James about the marketing power of apps for authors and how they can help deepen the connection between author and readers – and help attract new fans.

SPF-072: The Two Million Dollar First Time Author – with Chloé Esposito

UK author Chloe Esposito’s debut novel, Mad, was recently released to much acclaim and has already had its movie rights snapped up by Hollywood. Today James talks to her about the Faber Academy’s writing program,

SPF-071: Riding the Collaboration Express – with author J.Thorn

What happens when you combine one train, four authors and a 19 hour trip from Chicago to New Orleans? Writer J. Thorn talks about the highs, the lows and results of his own experiences of effective author collaboration.

SPF-070: Life After Trad – with indie author Suzy K.Quinn

Author Suzy K. Quinn has travelled a similar road to Mark Dawson’s – going from being a traditionally published writer to becoming an independent author with more control over her books and marketing. Not to mention a larger slice of the financial pie.

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