SPS-438: Bring Back the Mail! with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca

James and Cissy discuss new marketing insights and mindset strategies for indie authors navigating an increasingly complex publishing landscape. From experimenting with BookBub ads and improving AI-assisted translations to analysing breakout success in romance adaptations, the conversation explores how authors can stay competitive in a crowded market. Cissy also shares a creative direct-to-reader marketing tactic, sending postcards to readers, as a way to build stronger audience relationships beyond digital platforms. The episode concludes with the hosts' "Three Things" mindset practice, a simple daily habit designed to help authors maintain perspective, gratitude, and motivation in a challenging creative career. Key Talking Points How BookBub ads and promotional pricing strategies can create long-tail sales effects beyond the initial campaign. Lessons learned from improving AI-assisted translations and the impact of higher-quality translations on international book sales. Why certain romance stories and adaptations suddenly explode in popularity — and what authors can learn from those breakout successes. Creative marketing experiments, including sending postcards and physical mail to readers to build stronger audience connections. The "Three Things" daily mindset practice: identifying something that made you happy, something that moved your work forward, and something you're looking forward to. Links & Resources Mentioned ProWritingAid (Sponsor – code IWC15 for 15% off annual subscriptions) AI Translations Course BookBub Advertising Platform James Blatch's donation link: The Self Publishing Show 2026 Heated Rivalry:

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SPS-438: Bring Back the Mail! with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca is an episode from The Self Publishing Show by The Self Publishing Show.

This episode is 56:57 long.

This episode was published on Mar 12, 2026.

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