This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca dive into the next wave of AI tools for authors, focusing on Fable and the rise of agentic AI. They explore how these new tools can ingest an author's entire backlist, create series bibles, analyse metadata, support developmental editing, and become long-term business assistants rather than simple chatbots. Along the way, they share updates on their own writing projects, discuss practical AI workflows, and look at how tools like ChatGPT's new Sites feature are rapidly changing what authors can build without coding.

Key Talking Points

What is Fable and how does it differ from traditional AI chatbots?
Agentic AI and why it's a game-changer for author businesses
Building a series bible from an entire backlist
Using AI for developmental editing and metadata optimisation
Why authors should ingest their content while pricing remains low
James shares how AI is helping him plot Book 5 without writing it for him
Practical examples of AI organising story structure and chapter planning
The real costs of AI-powered publishing workflows
Creating AI "decision filters" to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay focused

Links & Resources Mentioned

ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com
Claude Fable 5: claude.ai - just open claude.ai (or the desktop/mobile app) and pick it from the model dropdown.
Patreon: learnselfpublishing.com/support — where listeners can sign up for the Indie Writers Club Patreon (tiers: Quirky Friend $5/mo, Reliable Narrator $10/mo, Main Character $15/mo).
https://youtu.be/Dd7FixvoKBw?si=dGSQ65NIC9Y7EkEK
https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/fable-download

Andy Weir: Project Hail Mary Author Teaches Writing | How I Write

How I Write

Building An Audience Before Publishing

The AI-powered Podcast Player