James Blatch - Decoding the Self-Publishing Formula for Author Success

The Publishing Performance Show

James Blatch is a former BBC Defence Reporter, BBFC Film Examiner, and author of military aviation thrillers. His reporting career included coverage from HMS Invincible during the Operation Desert Fox build-up, Kuwait's Ali Al Salem allied air base, the Arctic Circle, and the UK air offensive during the Kosovo Conflict in 1999. James is also the co-founder of the Self Publishing Formula and organizer of the Self Publishing Show Live conference.
In this episode:

• James' journey from BBC reporter to novelist
• How his defense reporting experience influences his writing
• The inspiration behind his first book "Final Flight"
• Using NaNoWriMo to kickstart writing
• The value of working with a book coach
• Understanding the "why" behind your writing
• Plotting techniques and book structure
• Marketing strategies for self-published authors
• Success with German translations
• Organizing and running the Self Publishing Show Live conference
• The importance of networking for authors
• Thoughts on traditional vs self-publishing
• Advice for new authors starting out

Resources mentioned:

• NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month)
• Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody
• BookBub for book promotions
• Self Publishing Show Live conference

Book recommendations:

• "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" by Jessica Brody
• "On Writing" by Stephen King

Connect with James Blatch:

• Website: jamesblatch.com
• Self Publishing Formula: selfpublishingformula.com

Connect with Teddy Smith:

• @teddyagsmith
• Website: https://publishingperformance.com/
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1. Introduction to the show and James Blatch (00:00:00)

2. James discusses his background and inspiration for his first book (00:01:47)

3. Explanation of NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) (00:02:23)

4. Discussion of using a book coach (00:05:47)

5. Importance of understanding your "why" for writing a book (00:08:28)

6. How James' BBC reporter experience influenced his writing (00:09:56)

7. Discussion of plotting techniques and book structure (00:19:22)

8. Marketing strategies, focusing on mailing lists and Facebook ads (00:23:28)

9. Success with German translations (00:26:10)

10. Use of book promotion services like BookBub (00:29:20)

11. Overview of the Self-Publishing Show conference (00:31:48)

12. Importance of networking for authors (00:35:33)

13. Favorite speakers from the conference (00:38:28)

14. James' thoughts on traditional vs self-publishing (00:41:17)

15. Advice for new authors starting out (00:42:37)

16. James' current and upcoming book projects (00:46:18)

17. Book recommendations for aspiring authors (00:47:37)