The Self Publishing Show SPS-439: How Readers Are Made with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca
Mar 19, 2026
Recorded from the Irish Publishing Show, they tackle how indie publishing has matured and what that means for author careers. They dig into the flood of low-quality AI-generated books and why detection may not fix discoverability. They share stories about the books that turn kids into lifelong readers. They explore practical, reader-focused uses of AI like personalised recommendation quizzes.
39:46
Use Multi Passes And Human Checks For AI Translations
- If you use AI for complex tasks like translations, validate with multiple passes and human review rather than trusting a single first-pass output.
- James recommends a more labour-intensive multi-pass system to catch nuance, idioms and concealed details in novels.
Indie Publishing Has Entered A More Mature Phase
- Indie publishing has matured since the 2016–2019 boom and now attracts writers who persist for career or craft reasons rather than sudden newcomers.
- James noticed conferences host more seasoned indies and fewer people who “knew nothing” and expected instant success.
Impromptu Hotel Conversation With A Nonreader
- A hotel guest named Sean revealed he had written zero books and had stopped reading, prompting an on-the-spot talk about reading's benefits.
- Cissy used the moment to encourage him to read anything, including comics or audiobooks, as valid entry points.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Recording from the Irish Publishing Show
01:02 • 3min
AI translations vs single-tool claims
04:08 • 3min
Panels, blurbs and conference size
07:25 • 2min
State of indie publishing today
09:48 • 3min
Who publishes and why some stop
12:59 • 2min
Making readers: hooking young readers
15:10 • 8min
Personal reading origins and influences
23:18 • 2min
Accepting all kinds of reading
25:16 • 4min
Low-quality AI books flooding Amazon
28:58 • 2min
Debate over fees and discoverability
31:05 • 4min
AI translations course progress
34:55 • 19sec
Cissy's AI-powered reader quiz
35:14 • 3min
AI usage limits and tool choices
38:12 • 52sec
Outro
39:04 • 37sec
#4665
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Red Mars
Kim Stanley Robinson
Manuel Figueroa
#1944
• Mentioned in 22 episodes
Anne of Green Gables
Lucy Maud Montgomery
Published in 1908, the novel tells the story of Anne Shirley, an 11-year-old orphan girl who is sent by mistake to live with Matthew and Marilla Cuthbert, who had intended to adopt a boy to help them on their farm in Avonlea.
Despite initial reservations, Anne's vivid imagination, talkativeness, and joyful spirit transform the lives of the Cuthberts and the community.
The novel follows Anne's adventures in school, her friendships, and her rivalry with Gilbert Blythe, as well as her growth and adaptation to her new home.
Montgomery infused the work with her own girlhood experiences and the rural life and traditions of Prince Edward Island.
#1250
• Mentioned in 32 episodes
Dungeon Crawler Carl
Matt Dinneman
#121
• Mentioned in 156 episodes
The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.
During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible.
The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.
#178
• Mentioned in 124 episodes
Wuthering Heights
Emily Brontë
Published in 1847, 'Wuthering Heights' is a novel that tells the story of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and the foundling Heathcliff, whom her father brings home to Wuthering Heights.
The narrative, framed by the visitor Lockwood and the housekeeper Nelly Dean, explores themes of love, revenge, and the cyclical nature of life.
Heathcliff's bitter vengeance against those who wronged him drives the plot, which spans generations and delves into the dark, passionate, and often destructive aspects of human nature.
The novel is renowned for its dramatic and poetic presentation, its unique structure, and its vivid depiction of the Yorkshire moors as a reflection of the characters' inner lives.
#798
• Mentioned in 44 episodes
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
J.K. Rowling
The story follows Harry Potter, an orphan who lives with his abusive Muggle (non-magical) relatives.
On his eleventh birthday, Harry learns he is a wizard and begins attending Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
There, he makes friends with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger and together they face the attempted comeback of the dark wizard Lord Voldemort, who murdered Harry's parents and seeks the powerful Philosopher's Stone to gain immortality.
Along the way, Harry must navigate the magical world, confront his enemies, and protect the Stone from falling into Voldemort's hands.
#27472
• Mentioned in 2 episodes
Flight of the Intruder
Stephen Coonts
Flight of the Intruder, written by Stephen Coonts, plunges into the intense experiences of naval aviators during the Vietnam War. The story follows Jake Grafton, a disillusioned A-6 Intruder pilot.
He questions the purpose and conduct of the war.
Grafton and his bombardier, Virgil Cole, undertake increasingly dangerous and unauthorized missions.
They grapple with moral ambiguities.
The book vividly depicts the technical aspects of flying and combat.
It portrays the psychological toll of war on its participants.
It explores themes of courage, loyalty, and the search for meaning amidst the chaos of conflict.
#754
• Mentioned in 45 episodes
Sense and Sensibility
Jane Austen
Published in 1811, 'Sense and Sensibility' is Jane Austen's first published novel.
It tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who, along with their mother and younger sister Margaret, are forced to leave their family estate after their father's death.
The novel explores the contrast between Elinor's practical sense and Marianne's emotional sensibility as they experience romantic relationships and heartbreak.
Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, who is secretly engaged to another woman, while Marianne becomes infatuated with the unscrupulous John Willoughby.
Through their experiences, Austen delves into themes of love, social class, and the balance between reason and emotion necessary for personal happiness.
#80
• Mentioned in 201 episodes
The Hitchhiker's Guide to The Galaxy
Douglas Adams
The book follows Arthur Dent, an ordinary Englishman, whose house and planet are about to be demolished.
He is rescued by his friend Ford Prefect, an alien researcher for the 'Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy'.
Together, they embark on a journey through space, encountering various characters such as Zaphod Beeblebrox, the two-headed, three-armed president of the galaxy, Trillian, a human woman, and Marvin, a paranoid android.
The story involves their adventures on the spaceship Heart of Gold, which has an Infinite Improbability Drive, and their quest to understand the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything, which is revealed to be '42'.
The novel is known for its humor, satire, and imaginative storytelling.
#43
• Mentioned in 263 episodes
Pride and Prejudice
Jane Austen
Published in 1813, 'Pride and Prejudice' is a novel that revolves around the lives of the Bennet family, particularly the second eldest daughter, Elizabeth.
The story is set in the early 19th century and explores themes of love, societal expectations, and personal growth.
The novel centers on Elizabeth's tumultuous relationship with the wealthy and proud Mr. Darcy, whose initial arrogance and reserve gradually give way to a deeper understanding and mutual respect.
Through their interactions, both characters learn to overcome their prejudices and flaws, leading to a transformative journey of self-discovery and redemption.
The novel also delves into the societal pressures on women to secure marriages, the importance of family, and the nuances of social hierarchy during the British Regency period.
James is recording from the Irish Publishing Show on St Patrick's Day, James and Cissy reflect on the changing state of indie publishing, the growing pressure of AI-driven discoverability, and the realities of building a sustainable author career in a more mature market. They revisit the ongoing debate around low-quality AI-generated books on Amazon, discuss why AI detection tools are unlikely to solve the problem, and explore how authors are adapting across indie, hybrid, and traditional paths. The episode also takes a more personal turn, with a thoughtful conversation about reading habits, the books that turn children into lifelong readers, and how authors can use AI in practical, reader-focused ways, including personalised book recommendation quizzes.
Key Talking Points
- James shares insights from the Irish Publishing Show and London Book Fair, including how the indie publishing space feels more mature and less boom-driven than in previous years.
- A deeper look at the AI discoverability problem on Amazon, especially the impact of low-quality AI-generated books flooding categories and search results.
- Why Amazon is unlikely to separate or reliably detect AI-written books, and what that means for indie authors going forward.
- A discussion about how readers are made, including the books that first hooked James and Cissy, and why "reading is reading" at every age and level.
- Cissy explains how she's using Claude and AI tools to build practical reader experiences, including a quiz that helps visitors find the right entry-point book from her catalogue.
Links & Resources Mentioned
- ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions): https://prowritingaid.com
- AI Translations Course: https://learnselfpublishing.com/aitranslations
- Mecca Romance (reader quiz mentioned): https://meccaromance.com