This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca discuss the major changes coming to Audible and ACX, including the new royalty model and updated enrolment requirements for audiobook authors. They explore what these changes could mean for indie publishers, the growing opportunities in wide audio distribution, and why authors may want to think beyond Audible. Alongside the industry discussion, there's plenty of SPS banter covering podcast microphones, pop filters, romance conferences, and the ever-changing publishing landscape.

Key Talking Points

• Audible's new royalty model and ACX enrolment changes
• What indie authors need to know about audiobook distribution updates
• Exclusive versus wide audio strategies
• Direct audiobook sales using platforms like BookFunnel
• Spotify's increasing presence in the audiobook market
• Concerns around royalty transparency and reporting
• Why authors need to remain flexible as publishing evolves
• SPS banter about podcasting, microphones, and author life

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com Use code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions.
• ACX: https://www.acx.com
• BookFunnel: https://bookfunnel.com
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• The New Rules of Book Discovery PDF

Episode Summary

James and Cissy tackle a "bits and bobs" episode covering the changing indie publishing landscape, with a focus on Amazon's evolving AI-driven algorithms and what authors need to do to stay discoverable. They discuss why clear genre signalling, strong metadata, covers, blurbs, titles, and reader expectation alignment are becoming more important than ever. The conversation also touches on pricing psychology, the value readers place on author access and premium offers and the importance of stepping away from mental work with physical hobbies.

Key Talking Points

• Why Amazon's AI and algorithm changes may reward authors who clearly understand and serve their ideal readers.
• The importance of aligning covers, blurbs, titles, keywords, characters, and genre promise to create a strong reader experience.
• Why authors should audit their books and metadata rather than panic about the flood of new AI-generated content.
• Pricing psychology and why readers or clients may value products more when the price reflects that value.
• The benefit of switching off from mentally demanding creative work by doing something physical and absorbing outside writing.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Becca Syme: https://betterfasteracademy.com
• https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/barnes-and-noble-james-daunt-ai-books-b2978925.html
• https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQCMNE/
• https://vm.tiktok.com/ZNRtQD3nA/
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/spslive
• SPS Live 2026 Party: https://www.learnselfpublishing.com/party-on-the-boat

James and Cissy are joined by PR expert Isabelle Knight to discuss why authors are not just selling books, they are also building a brand readers can connect with. Isabelle explains how indie authors can identify their own author story, understand what sets them apart, and use that foundation across websites, newsletters, social media, events, and publicity opportunities. The episode also touches on Amazon's AI categorisation issues, Meta ad frustrations, upcoming romance conferences, and why professional author presentation matters more than ever.

Key Talking Points

• Why author branding starts with understanding your own story and what readers associate with you.
• How to identify what makes your books distinct from others in the same genre.
• Why readers connect with the emotional truth behind your books, not just the plot or trope.
• How indie authors can use their author story across bios, websites, newsletters, social media, podcasts, festivals, and events.
• Why marketing should align with both your ideal readers and what you genuinely enjoy doing as an author.

Links & Resources Mentioned

• ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
• Build Your Author Brand / Isabelle Knight: https://buildyourauthorbrand.com
• Romance Writers of Australia Conference: https://romanceaustralia.com/pages/events
• Romance Writers of New Zealand: https://www.romancewriters.co.nz/event/2026-rwnz-conference-registration/
• Self-Publishing Show Live: https://selfpublishingshowlive.com