The Self Publishing Show
Mark Dawson
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.
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Dec 29, 2017 • 46min
SPF-099: Slave to the Algorithm – with Data Ninja David Gaughran
Champion of indie author justice, David Gaughran joins James at the NINC conference to discuss his start in self-publishing, and what he’s observing lately in the industry. This week’s highlights include: How the fundamentals of indie publishing have not changed since 2011 The importance of different marketing strategies depending on whether an author is in […]
Dec 22, 2017 • 1h 3min
SPF-098: Here’s Johnny! (And Sean) – Inside stories from Two Self Publishing Pioneers
No doubt you’ve heard of Johnny, Sean and Dave, the self-publishing pioneers from the Self-Publishing Podcast, one of the original podcasts focused on indie authors. Today James talks to Sean and Johnny about their two brand new offerings for authors, how things have changed in recent years, and how they will continue to change. This […]
Dec 15, 2017 • 45min
SPF-097: Funding Your Way from the 9 to 5 – with C. Hope Clark
Hope Clark always knew she wanted to write. So by her mid-40s she had retired from her day job and was running a writing business full-time. She talks to James about how she supports other writers to do the same. This week’s highlights include: An announcement about the newest course coming from SPF Hope Clark […]
Dec 8, 2017 • 59min
SPF-096: A Quiet Catastrophe – with John Birmingham
British-Australian author John Birmingham was forced into a crash course on self-publishing when, through no fault of his own, his trad deals disappeared. Luckily for readers, John turned those lemons into a new, lucrative self-publishing career. This week’s highlights include: John’s success as a freelance writer, and his unplanned, rapid switch from trad publishing to […]
Dec 1, 2017 • 58min
SPF-095: How to Defeat Imposter Syndrome – with Katie Cross
Author, mother, and nap-time entrepreneur Katie Cross offers an explanation for why it’s normal for indie authors to struggle with Imposter Syndrome, and also specific strategies for how to deal with it. This week’s highlights include: Katie’s success as a YA author and her move into chick lit via Wattpad What’s working for Katie now […]
Nov 24, 2017 • 42min
SPF-094: A Helping Hand from SPF – with Reedsy’s Ricardo Fayet
James Blatch and Lucy Dawson introduce the Self Publishing Formula Foundation, a partnership with Reedsy, that will help four authors each year to fulfill their dream of publishing and marketing their books. This week’s highlights include: The origins of the SPF Foundation How the foundation works and how to apply What SPF are looking for […]
Nov 17, 2017 • 45min
SPF-093: From Teacher to Writer in One Year – with Cecelia Mecca
Medieval romance author Cecelia Mecca started out thinking she’d traditionally publish her books. A chat with an indie author at an RWA conference changed Cedelia’s mind and a year later she’s a full-time author, working at home and in full command of her author career. This week’s highlights include: Picking up a manuscript after 20 […]
Nov 10, 2017 • 42min
SPF-092: Building a Career in Fantasy – with Michelle Madow
This week’s highlights include: Doing the math and making the transition from traditionally published author to indie Focusing on the genre you love to read Do blog tours work any longer? Outlining in order to write faster Using LeadGen ads to grow Michelle’s mailing list and business Classic marketing copy that still works Resources mentioned […]
Nov 3, 2017 • 1h 11min
SPF-091: Why I Turned Down Seven Figures to Self Publish – with Hugh Howey
This week’s highlights include: Hugh’s beginnings as a writer The search for a publisher … and then a change of heart Re-acquiring rights The increasing empowerment of creative people Negotiating a print-only deal The beginnings of Hugh’s relationship with Data Guy and the Author Earnings reports Resources mentioned in this episode: Selfpublishingformula.com/ads17 Get on the […]
Oct 27, 2017 • 51min
SPF-090: Using BookBub CPM Ads for Profit – with Adam Croft
This week’s highlights include: The basics on how BookBub ads work and how to split targeting Getting on the wait list to use BookBub ads Differences from the Facebook and AMS ads platforms The superior reporting of BookBub ads Using BookBub ads for picking up sales at vendors other than Amazon Resources mentioned in this […]
