The Self Publishing Show

Mystery author Niki Danforth submits her title 'Searching for Gatsby' to the BookLab experts for input on her writing, cover design and book description.

In the week that the Self Publishing Formula Podcast gets rebranded as The Self Publishing Show, Mark reflects on a major achievement as an indie author in 2018.

Getting advance reviews from a team of readers should be a key part of your book marketing strategy. Craig Tuch of Hidden Gems explains why and how ARC teams are great news for authors and readers.

Don't think you can make a living writing non-fiction? Take a look at Joseph Alexander. He amassed a huge amount of tablature material whilst teaching his guitar students, and wanted a way to share it. Now, thanks to self-publishing, he's running a seven-figure publishing house.

Within months of completing the Ads for Authors course, fantasy author Shayne Silvers realised a life-long dream of becoming a full-time author. Hear how it all came together for him and how the same approach could work for other indie authors.

In this special masterclass edition, Mark provides key advice and insight on the latest tips and tricks that are currently working in the Amazon ads space.

Indie author Octavia Randolph explains how the smart use of Facebook ads helped build readership (and sales) of her historical Norse fiction books.

Find out how teacher Jean Grainger turned student in order to become a bestselling indie author.

Instagram is the hottest multi-generational social media platform out there. Bex Gorsuch explains how writers can exploit it to boost their author business.

Million selling author L.J. Ross sits down to talk about taking a leap out of her first career and into writing. Spoiler: it worked out pretty well for her.

Video is another way authors can reach out to their audiences and build relationships with new readers. James chats with two authors who are doing just that via YouTube and live streaming service Twitch.

Best selling sweet romance author Anne-Marie Meyer talks about learning the ropes of writing, the importance of nailing your genre, and balancing writing with parenthood and marriage.

In this third edition of the SPF Book Lab, SPF friends Stuart Bache, Bryan Cohen and Jennie Nash put on their white coats and safety glasses to help paranormal romance author Gretchen S.B. improve her cover, book description and narrative structure.

Husband and wife team, James and Jeanette Hunter, talk to James about getting started as an indie author, learning about book marketing, and then transitioning to publishing others' books.

Tina Dietz explains how audiobooks of your novels can be used to increase income for your author brand - and not just through direct sales.

The SPF team look at three key services for hosting and designing an author website that'll help you sell more books.

SPF's very own Mark Dawson provides a rundown of the key tools needed to help make your indie author career a successful one.

Indie author Adam Croft returns to the podcast to share his thoughts on the importance of mindset for authors, and how the right approach in this department can have a hugely positive effect on a writer's career and business.

Book coach Jennie Nash talks to James about how writers who are stuck or frustrated can finish their books with the aid of an accountability partner in the form of a book coach.

It's the final part of our Thrillerfest 2018 special with a slew of successful authors - including Jack Reacher creator Lee Child - discussing their craft and the implications of publishing in the digital age.

In the second part of our series of interviews from ThrillerFest 2018, James talks to legendary television producer and writer Lynda La Plante (Prime Suspect and Widows), author of the next iteration of the Murder, She Wrote series Jon Land, and former combat pilot turned thriller author Michael Byars Lewis.

In the first of a 3-part series devoted to this year's Thrillerfest in NYC, we catch up with some stellar names who attended the event including bestselling thriller authors Karin Slaughter & Peter James as well as horror writer J.D. Barker.

In the second and final part of our series on self publishing children's books, author Karen Inglis explains how her experiences have allowed her to help other writers in the same space market their books.

Author Laurie Wright on how she overcame the challenges of self publishing and marketing her children's books.

In this second BookLab edition, author of Nordic fiction, Helena Halme, receives the professional feedback treatment from industry pros.

Collaborative authors Rhett Bruno and Steve Beaulieau discuss their unique way of co-authoring books, both science fiction and non-fiction.

Non-fiction author Kam Knight shares his experiences being a self-published author writing from the road while he travelled the world.

Writer, film producer and script consultant, Paul FitzSimons explains how to go about adapting your novel for life on the screen.

In this special edition of the podcast, tune in to a Marketing Q & A with Mark on all things self publishing. Find out how to deal with ad platform changes, find new readers and gen up on fresh marketing tactics with one of the world's most successful indie authors.

Retiree David Penny talks about his return to writing after a thirty-five year hiatus and shares his strategy for making a mid-five-figures per year income from his very niche historical mysteries.

Author Pip Reid explains how she used Pinterest to significantly increase her book sales.

In this special Masterclass edition of the podcast, Mark explain how authors can deal with recent changes to the Facebook platform.

The first three recipients of Self Publishing Formula's Foundation scholarships about their writing, book marketing, and future career hopes.

Non-fiction author Molly McCord shares her breakdown of the types of bad reviews authors can receive and how to deal with them.

GDPR is heading our way soon and it's going to have implications for every indie author business. Find out exactly what you need to know - and do - from SPF's expert legal eagles.

Independent author and publisher Jasper Joffe talks about the success his publishing house has had using a model very different to the traditional one.

Self published author John P. Logsdon introduces the ReaderLinks service, a unique new tool to help indie authors track and fine tune the marketing of their books.

Ian Sutherland returns to the podcast to share what's working and what isn't for authors on Twitter, and how to maximize your reach on the social media platform.

Web designer to bands like Nine Inch Nails, Pink Floyd and David Gilmour, and authors like Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling) and Mark Dawson, Dave Stansbie discusses the important elements of an author site, and how to work with a designer.

James talks to fellow aviation fan, and pilot, Owen Zupp about how and why he's turning his father's aeronautic exploits into popular non-fiction books.

In this first episode of the BookLab, author David Berens gets professional feedback on his cover, book blurb and Look Inside content from industry experts (and SPF friends) cover designer Stuart Bache, copywriter Bryan Cohen, and editor Jenny Parrott.

Thriller author Ernest Dempsey shares his road to indie author success, including some of the bumps along the way.

James talks to NOLA romance writer Maria Luis who quit her marketing job and now makes three times her previous salary via her books, thanks in part to the Self Publishing Formula courses. This week's highlights include: The details on Maria's strategic plan to leave her day job and make a living writing The […]

Returning guest, Cecelia Mecca, talks to James about using Facebook Live broadcasts, with both groups and pages, to increase engagement with readers. This week's highlights include: Mark discusses his move into KU and the experience he's had An announcement about the next enrollment period for the SPF 101 course Dealing with technological jitters re: […]

James talks to serial entrepreneur Chris Ducker about the Rise of the Youpreneur and why self-published authors fit this business model perfectly. This week's highlights include: Building a business around yourself Why Chris chose to self-publish Rise of the Youpreneur The economic longevity of being a Youpreneur Why self-published authors are the ideal Youpreneurs […]

Mark and James discuss how even beginning authors can gather reviews for their books, and why this matters. This week's highlights include: The chicken and egg problem for new writers trying to get book reviews How to avoid Amazon removing your reviews The benefits of an Advanced Reader team Getting your readers enrolled in your […]

Kobo's Senior Manager for Author performance, Christine Munroe, talks to James about the advantages of reaching world markets with Kobo that other retailers do not reach. This week's highlights include: On Kobo's background and beginnings The idea of buying ebooks in a brick and mortar bookstore The reality that we're still in a growth phase […]

Book cover designer to the stars (John Le Carre, Stephen King and more) Stuart Bache talks to James about the new course he has put together to help authors design their own professional looking book covers. This week's highlights include: Why book covers matter so much Considering genre when designing a book cover Mistakes authors […]

Indie author community superstar Joanna Penn talks to James about putting a focus on improving her health and creating a sustainable long-term career as a writer. This week's highlights include: Joanna's collaborations and full production schedule in 2017 Making changes to prevent author-entrepreneur burnout Joanna's break-up letter to sugar Being truthful and vulnerable about health […]

Demon coder and indie author Damon Courtney talks to James from the NINC conference about starting and running BookFunnel, an ever-evolving service that continues to support self published authors to get their books into customers' hands. This week's highlights include: How Damon came up with the idea for BookFunnel How BookFunnnel solves several problems for […]