SPS-466: Has Digital Narration Come of Age?

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca catch up from opposite sides of Europe, with Cissy joining from Sicily as she prepares for the September 29th launch of her new book.

James shares news from Learn Self-Publishing, including plans for a brand-new course, Self-Publishing Pathway, which will replace Launchpad and be built from the ground up for today's publishing landscape. He also reveals details of the Orlando writing retreat taking place in March and teases a major industry announcement coming on October 8th.

The main discussion turns to AI audio, as James shares his latest experience using ElevenLabs to create an audiobook version of his novella Desert Venom. They look at how much AI narration has improved, where AI-narrated audiobooks can currently be distributed, and the cost and practical considerations for indie authors.

Cissy also gives an update on her upcoming book launch, including ARC readers, Meta preorder ads, Amazon Ads and her new Vanguard reader group. She shares how she's using Claude and ChatGPT to analyse years of sales, newsletter and BookBub data to help shape a more data-driven launch strategy.

Key Talking Points

• The new Self-Publishing Pathway course and the future of Launchpad
• The Orlando writing retreat in March
• A major Learn Self-Publishing announcement coming October 8th
• James's experience creating an AI-narrated audiobook with ElevenLabs
• Where authors can distribute AI-narrated audiobooks
• Human narration versus AI narration and the cost of producing audio
• Cissy's September 29th book launch and ARC reader strategy
• Meta preorder ads, Amazon Ads and the new Vanguard reader group
• Using Claude and ChatGPT to analyse historical sales and marketing data

Links & Resources Mentioned

ProWritingAid: https://prowritingaid.com Discount code: IWC15

SPS Patreon / Support: https://learnselfpublishing.com/support

Orlando Writing Retreat Waitlist: https://indiewritersclub.com/orlando

ElevenLabs: https://elevenlabs.io