BBC Sounds - Call Jonathan Pie - Available Episodes Listen to the latest episodes of Call Jonathan Pie on BBC Sounds.

He's back!

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand...

Why is nearly all April Fools social content shite?

And I'm only saying 'nearly all' because I have a glimmer of hope there's something clever and funny out there not written by an AI crutched social media manager hitting their content goals for the day.

Or I may just be grumpy?

Post ADHD diagnosis a major change to my morning routine was starting the day with an energy drink. My usual choice is out of stock so I'm trying this because I like the packaging (and the ingredients and reviews).

The only way I get first drafts done is handwritten. It's not a fetish thing it's just easier to find what happens next. When I'm done I read back to a voice app on my phone. That file is sent to dropbox then picked up by Pabbly Connect, transcribed by Whisper AI, and created as a Google Doc.

WooCommerce has an undervalued secure digital delivery feature that's perfect for giving away ebooks / audiobooks as part of a free first in series strategy. I think that's everything?

YOURLS enables authors to build shortlinks to send readers to their nearest Amazon / Kobo website. It's a small but powerful feature because who could be arsed clicking away from the site you were sent to for the one you need only to search for something you're not sure you want?

Mautic is the best email marketing platform that most authors have not heard of and even less want to use. It's packed with features, has a thriving community but the setup is a technical level most writers don't want to tackle. But what if it was easier?

A WordPress website will show off all an author's books (in reading order) link to any or all marketplaces, answer readers questions, host a blog, archive newsletters and help grow a mailing list. Speaking of which.

All this will run on a low cost virtual private server ($50 to $60 a year) and do EVERYTHING an author needs to build an army of readers online.

Here's the author platform setup I've got in my head.

1. WordPress website
2. Mautic email marketing
3. YOURLS for universal links
4. WooCommerce for digital delivery

I've been thinking a lot about what an author needs to build their platform online and if it can be done on a low budget using only open source software.

I'm a 51 year old man on the way to the minor injuries department to have a rubber tip removed from my ear.

And so begins my induction into real life Last of the Summer Wine.

From BBC news. OpenAi complaining about Deepseek stealing its work. Oh the fucking irony.

All TV cookery programs are lies.

What do you get when a Pulitzer prize winning journalist writes Iron Man? Everything. You get everything! This is top drawer hero's journey with Tony Stark having to work harder and smarter to overcome each trial that leaves him a bit wiser but also a bit more broken.

It's a fair discussion to have. If you ask "How is your life better," and you're answered with tangible quality of life improvements then you may have to update your point of view. If that does happen to you please let me know because I'm still waiting.

"We have taken back control!"
Me: How is your life better?
"We have our sovereignty"
Me: ok, but how is your life better?"
"We're stopping the boats."
Me: I get it but how is YOUR life better?"

Tip for my US friends from my (ongoing) Brexit experience. Give it a few weeks, let the dust settle then get the habit of asking 'how is your life better?' It'll take a while to get past the soundbites and slogans but you'll learn to spot the moment the penny (dime?) drops.

Been a while since I completed a book in a single sitting. Chris Atkins 'A Bit of a Stretch' covers his time in prison as part of a 5 year sentence for tax fraud. In the UK we treat dogs better than prisoners*. No wonder almost half reoffend on release.
*It's not much better for staff.

I've just watched a pack of wolves wrap themselves in discarded sheep wool to mask their scent and get closer to their prey.

I did not know that was an actual thing.

First issue of the MoonKnight relaunch hit Marvel Unlimited this morning. It feels like @jedmackay.bsky.social setting up the opener for a new season of the Sopranos. But with superheroes, bitter old gods, and questionable choices. Love it!

A chalk drawing of a demonic sponge bob square pants calling down the sun on a tarmac road.

I came back from the school run to find this warning in my driveway. I feel like the unwilling warmup in a short horror story.

This week's adult ADHD discovery. I fail to sip 500ml glasses of water throughout the day but set alarms to down a 250ml shot of water 8 times a day and I've got no choice but to beat the game.

On the way to school this morning my 5yo granddaughter told me we should have ghosts in books because they could read them to you and tell you what the hard words mean.