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
Apr 28, 2023 • 52min
SPS-382: You Must Market Your Book - with Honorée Corder
A book can lend kudos to a subject-matter expert, but only if they know how to get them into the hands of readers.
Apr 21, 2023 • 52min
SPS-381: The Wide Appeal of Sapphic Romance - with Clare Lydon
Kindle Storyteller finalist Clare Lydon describes the changing landscape of LGBTQ+ romance novels.
Apr 14, 2023 • 35min
SPS-380: SPS Live! 2023: The Final Line-Up - with Mark Dawson & James Blatch
Mark and James break down the full SPS Live 2023 conference schedule. Tickets available now!
Apr 7, 2023 • 1h 18min
SPS-379: AI Artwork for Authors - with Stuart Bache
Stuart Bache explains the emerging trends in cover design and the potential opportunities – and pitfalls – as a result of using AI artwork for your books.
Mar 31, 2023 • 58min
SPS-378: LitRPG: Telling a Story With Numbers - with Dakota Krout
Dakota Krout runs a seven-figure publishing house for one of the fastest growing genres: LitRPG.
Mar 24, 2023 • 50min
SPS-377: The French eBook Revolution - with Caroline Lutz
Caroline Lutz explains how she makes six figures a year selling books to an exclusively French audience.
Mar 17, 2023 • 1h 1min
SPS-376: Reedsy’s Amazon Ads for Authors - with Ricardo Fayet
Reedsy co-founder Ricardo Fayet delivers useful tips for running effective Amazon Ad campaigns.
Mar 10, 2023 • 48min
SPS-375: The Popcorn Principles: Screenwriting Tips for Authors - with John Gaspard
Having interviewed Hollywood filmmakers on the secrets of storytelling, John Gaspard passes those tips onto novelists.
Mar 3, 2023 • 1h 5min
SPS-374: Angola in my Heart: Writing a Biography - with Margaret Skea
Normally a historical fiction author, Margaret Skea describes the process of switching genre to write the biography of Ruth Hadley.
Feb 24, 2023 • 48min
SPS-373: From Jane Austen to Artificial Intelligence - with Elizabeth Ann West
Author Elizabeth Ann West discusses the lucrative intersection of past stories and future technology for writers. The podcast explores pricing strategies in Jane Austen fan fiction, the challenges and opportunities of fan fiction and public domain works, innovative marketing strategies, AI in writing, and the capabilities of Pseudo Write, an AI co-writer. The conversation also delves into leveraging AI technology like chat GPT as a writing aid and teaching AI at conferences.
