About this episode

James Blatch and Cissy Mecca discuss the impact of new AI tools for authors, focusing on Fable and agentic AI.

This week on The Self-Publishing Show, James Blatch and Cissy Mecca dive into the next wave of AI tools for authors, focusing on Fable and the rise of agentic AI. They explore how these new tools can ingest an author's entire backlist, create series bibles, analyse metadata, support developmental editing, and become long-term business assistants rather than simple chatbots. Along the way, they share updates on their own writing projects, discuss practical AI workflows, and look at how tools like ChatGPT's new Sites feature are rapidly changing what authors can build without coding. Key Talking Points What is Fable and how does it differ from traditional AI chatbots? Agentic AI and why it's a game-changer for author businesses Building a series bible from an entire backlist Using AI for developmental editing and metadata optimisation Why authors should ingest their content while pricing remains low James shares how AI is helping him plot Book 5 without writing it for him Practical examples of AI organising story structure and chapter planning The real costs of AI-powered publishing workflows Creating AI "decision filters" to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay focused Links &…

People in this episode

Host: James Blatch

Guest: Cissy Mecca

Topics covered

• AI tools for authors
• agentic AI
• developmental editing
• metadata analysis
• writing workflows
• self-publishing

Keywords

• AI tools
• self-publishing
• Fable
• developmental editing
• metadata
• writing projects
• ChatGPT
• series bible

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Fable, ChatGPT, ProWritingAid, Patreon

More episodes of The Self Publishing Show

• SPS-455: Lessons From Rock 'n' Roll · July 9, 2026 · 57 min
• SPS-454: Launching a New Series · July 2, 2026 · 49 min
• SPS-453: Three Questions Every Author Should Ask · June 25, 2026 · 51 min
• SPS-452: Lessons from London · June 18, 2026 · 39 min
• SPS-451: Live at The Self Publishing Show · June 12, 2026 · 27 min
• SPS-450: How to Work a Conference (Not Just Attend One) with James Blatch & Cissy Mecca · June 4, 2026 · 57 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Self Publishing Show podcast page.