The Self Publishing Show
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.
Latest episodes
Jun 28, 2019 • 56min
SPS-180: Writing Romance: The Importance of Rapid Release - with Rosalind James
Rosalind James started her indie author career by writing a romance with a twist - it starred hunky New Zealand rugby players! She talks to us about the importance of not being pigeonholed into one's genre, and why, particularly in romance, rapid release is key to success.
Jun 21, 2019 • 36min
SPS-179: Driving Non-Fiction Book Sales with Amazon ads - with Marc Reklau
Non-fiction indie author Marc Reklau explains how fine-tuning his Amazon ad campaigns helped him to significantly boost his book sales.
Jun 14, 2019 • 51min
SPS-178: Keeping It Clean with Post-Apocalyptic Fiction - with Ryan Schow
US fiction writer and SPF Ads for Author student, Ryan Schow, explains how he finally got to live the dream of writing full-time as an indie author.
Jun 7, 2019 • 45min
SPS-177: What's Working Right Now: Amazon Ads - with Mark Dawson
In the final part of our mini-series on ads, our very own Mark Dawson drills down into the Amazon ads platform, explaining how it can help form a key part of your marketing mix.
Jun 6, 2019 • 56min
SPS-176: What's Working Right Now: BookBub Ads - with David Gaughran
Part 2 of our mini-series on ad platforms, has bestselling author and self-publishing guru, David Gaughran, turning the spotlight on BookBub ads. Are they worth investing time, effort and money in?
Jun 5, 2019 • 58min
SPS-175: What's Working Right Now: Facebook Ads - with Shayne Silvers
In the first of three ad platform-focused episodes, bestselling urban fantasy author and SPF student, Shayne Silvers, explains how mastering Facebook ads helped put his career into overdrive.
May 31, 2019 • 1h 20min
SPS-174: From Star Wars to X-Files: How to Master Worldbuilding - with Kevin J. Anderson
Author Kevin J. Anderson has seen it all. He's written books based on films, written in the Star Wars and X Files universes, seen the ups and downs, gold rushes and bookstore bankruptcies. Through it all, his defining characteristic has been to keep writing. His consistency over time has created a catalog of over 160 books. Tune in for some major league inspiration and advice for both newbie and established authors alike.
May 24, 2019 • 58min
SPS-173: Cops & Robbers: How to Write Realistic Crime Fiction - with Holly S. Roberts
Former detective and USA Today bestselling author Holly S. Roberts explains how to avoid common mistakes writing police procedurals and the importance of getting the police mindset right.
May 17, 2019 • 1h 3min
SPS-172: How to be a Productive Author - with Craig Martelle
He's an ex-Marine, the 20 Books conference series show runner and a prolific writer to boot. It's not surprising that Craig Martelle knows a thing or two about author productivity.
May 10, 2019 • 53min
SPS-171: How to Write Great Escapism - with Suzan Tisdale
Historical romance author Suzan Tisdale explains how to craft scenarios that readers love to lose themselves in.
