Brave New Bookshelf Episode 34: Dana Sacco & Bootstrapping Your Publishing Career With AI Tools

In this episode of Brave New Bookshelf, hosts Steph Pajonas and Danica Favorite had the pleasure of chatting with Dana Sacco, a businesswoman-turned-author who has leveraged AI to revolutionize her creative and publishing process. Her journey from an avid reader to an innovative writer is packed with insights on thinking like a businessperson, utilizing affordable tools, and taking strategic risks in the publishing world.

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From Business to Books: Dana’s Unique Path

Dana’s background is deeply rooted in business and technology. She has owned computer stores, coded websites, and built automated business systems. With a knack for marketing and cost-effective promotion, she naturally applied these skills to her writing career.

While she never set out to become an author, Dana’s passion for reading—devouring over 300 books a year—led her to an unexpected path. Last summer, during a quiet period, she began experimenting with AI-assisted fiction writing. What started as a creative diversion quickly turned into a thriving authorial career spanning multiple genres, including cozy mysteries, paranormal rom-coms, and young adult romance.

But what truly sets Dana apart is her entrepreneurial approach to writing and publishing. She applies the same strategic mindset she used in business to every aspect of her creative process, proving that success in self-publishing doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.

A Streamlined, AI-Enhanced Workflow

Dana’s writing workflow is both efficient and effective. She begins by brainstorming ideas using ChatGPT or Claude AI, crafting detailed outlines, character profiles, and scene beats before drafting her stories. She then organizes these elements using tools like Novelcrafter, aligning them with her flowchart-like creative process.

Once the book draft is complete—after plenty of back-and-forth “arguments” with ChatGPT—she formats it using Atticus and generates metadata for platforms like Amazon Kindle Unlimited and Google Play Books. AI also helps her optimize categories and keywords tailored for each distribution channel.

For audiobooks, Dana taps into AI narration tools, utilizing Google Play’s free narration feature for budget-friendly production and 11 Labs for premium-quality voice synthesis.

Bootstrapping a Publishing Career

One of Dana’s core beliefs is that self-publishing doesn’t have to be expensive. Instead of hiring costly editors and designers, she turns to AI tools like Ideogram for cover design and Metricool for social media management. By using free or affordable services and only subscribing to essentials, she keeps costs low while maximizing output.

Her advice to aspiring authors? Stop wasting time on unnecessary tasks! Focus on what moves the needle and leverage affordable tools to streamline the process.

Thinking Like a Businessperson

What makes Dana a standout author is her ability to think beyond the craft and approach publishing as a business venture:

• Audience Building: She connects with readers through BookFunnel promotions and YouTube content featuring free audiobooks.
• Genre Exploration: By analyzing K-lytics reports and ChatGPT insights, she identifies high-potential genres before launching new projects.
• Iterative Experimentation: She embraces trial and error, treating setbacks as opportunities to refine her approach.

Her adaptability has led to unexpected successes, such as transforming a one-off rom-com into a thriving series based on reader feedback.

Essential Tools of the Trade

Dana’s tech-savvy approach relies on a curated set of tools that streamline everything from idea generation to final production:

• ChatGPT: Brainstorming, outlining, market analysis, and content refinement.
• Claude AI: Generating detailed scene beats with long-form capabilities.
• Novelcrafter: Organizing structured story components.
• Ideogram: Professional-quality book cover design.
• Metricool: Budget-friendly social media management.
• Google Play Books’ Free Narration Tool: Zero-cost audiobook production.
• 11 Labs: Premium AI voice synthesis for high-quality narration.

Key Takeaways

Dana Sacco’s story is a testament to how technology, strategy, and creativity can combine to build a successful self-publishing career. Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, her insights offer valuable lessons on making the most of today’s digital tools to achieve publishing success.

• Start Small: Utilize free or low-cost tools before scaling up.
• Experiment Freely: Try new genres and formats—unexpected projects can turn into bestsellers.
• Be Transparent About AI Use: Readers appreciate honesty, and transparency builds trust.
• Write Without Ego: Imperfection is part of growth—each book teaches valuable lessons.
• Think Long-Term: Focus on sustainable growth strategies, such as email lists and content marketing, instead of chasing instant success.

For more insights from this episode, visit the podcast website.