A People's Guide to Publishing

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Joe Biel is the founder and CEO of Microcosm, a 25-year-old midlist publishing and distribution company that has sold millions of books. Elly Blue is the editorial and marketing director at Microcosm. Joe is also the author of A People’s Guide to Publishi

Microcosm Publishing


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 18m AVG DURATION
    • 238 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from A People's Guide to Publishing

    Episode 315: How Should Authors Market Their Books? w/ Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 16:52


    Does author marketing have an impact on sales? Can you move the needle yourself, or do you need to rely on your publisher for all of your marketing and outreach? There is a lot of conflicting information out there, and Jane Friedman of the Hot Sheet is back on the pod this week to talk it out with us.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 314: Marketing Your Book | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 7:56


    How do you "make your books get found" (as Joe puts it)? This week it's a throwback to Joe and Elly chatting about marketing your book, search engine optimization, good description writing, and more.If you like this one, check back more for a deeper dive into marketing talk!************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 313: Ben Snakepit Returns to the Snake Pit in 2025 | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 56:27


    Every day for 25 years, Ben Snakepit has drawn a simple, 3 panel comic about his day. There's no overarching plot or theme, just Ben answering the question "what did you do today?" But answering that question daily for half his life (and collecting them in volumes) has led to insights about himself, the world, and what it means to live each day. This week on the podcast, Ben joins Joe and Elly to talk about the comic, punk life, and how the scene has changed.Check out all the Snake Pit comics here: microcosm.pub/snakepit************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 312: How Should a Publisher Pitch a Book to an Author? | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 6:22


    So you're a publisher with a brilliant idea for a writer you want to work with. How do you start that conversation? Is it even worth having? This week on the pod, Joe and Elly share a bit of their experiences on getting authors to write for them, and how it can be structured.************Thank you for listening to the People's Guide to Publishing podcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 311: How do I publish thematically? w/ Jelani Memory of A Kids Co | A People’s Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 12:57


    Readers love knowing what to expect from a publisher. Having consistent theming in your titles can help with discovery, trust, and bringing readers back for more.But how do you find your theme? And what happens if you want to diverge from your theme? Jelani Memory of A Kids Co is back on the pod this week to talk about it!

    Episode 310: How do you market a book publisher? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 9:28


    How do you market your press? It's not just social media and newsletters. Everything from your cover design, format choices,  to who is on your marketing team tells the story of your publisher. Jane Friedman is back to talk to Joe and Elly about staying true to your brand and representing your press.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosm

    Episode 309: Does AI innovate publishing or just add noise? | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 22:52


    AI has been a topic of near-constant debate in publishing the last few years. Is it a great democratizer, making writing, editing, and publishing accessible to everyone? Or is it just adding lower-quality, uncreative slush to the pile? This conversation became even more prominent a few months ago with the launch of Spines, a company that says "harnessing the power of cutting-edge AI, Spines revolutionizes every facet of the publishing journey, including proofreading, formatting, cover design, distribution, and marketing across all major channels and platforms."Yehuda Niv, founder and CEO of Spines, joins Joe and Elly on the podcast this week for a discussion about AI, traditional publishing vs Spines model, and whether or not data actually supports the argument that AI is the great publishing disruptor. ************Thank you for listening to A People's Guide to Publishing!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 308: What is the Impact of Book Bans? | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 10:10


    Book bans have seen an astronomical increase in the last few years. How are they impacting the book industry, booksellers, and publishers? We had the opportunity to chat with book professionals at a recent conference about what alarms them about book bans, their experiences, what kinds of books are banned, and what we can do to fight bans and challenges************Thank you for tuning into the People's Guide to Publishing!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 307: How Should Publishers Manage Overstock? w/ Jelani Memory | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 10:09


    Running out of books is a good thing, actually! Jelani Memory of A Kid's Co is back with Joe and Elly to talk about what to do with excess inventory, donating overstock vs pulping, and how "you can't sell what you don't have" usually doesn't apply to books.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 306: Is Print-on-Demand a Class Issue? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 19:07


    Print-on-demand books have been called cheap, low quality, and the publishing equivalent of fast fashion. But is that true? What are the upsides of publishers using POD? How do publishers know if POD is the right call? Jane Friedman of The Hot Sheet is back to talk about it!************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 305: Why are bugs so cool? w/Karyn Light-Gibson (author of BUG LIFE) | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 45:26


    Just in time for spring, we're talkin' bugs! They're everywhere, whether you like it or not. And they're honestly cool little critters. "Bug Life" author Karyn Light-Gibson joins Joe and Elly this week to talk about entomology, the importance of maintaining bug populations, how the book could have been much, MUCH longer, and fun insect facts.Get Bug Life on our website: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/42401************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 303: How can you teach experts to write a book in a day? w/Jelani Memory | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 13:14


    Jelani Memory (of DK Publishing and A Kid's Co) is back to talk about The Workshop Method, how Kid's Co is able to get subject matter experts to write quality kidlit, often in under a day. With over 200 books under their belt that have been created through the Method, it's a proven successful way to get words on pages to help kids learn.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 304: How do tariffs affect books? | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 9:36


    How will Trump's tariffs affect books? Broadly, not much, especially if you're doing a lot in house, but there are still a few things you might want to know. Fun fact: This episode was originally recorded in 2018, and focuses more on tariffs in China, but time is a flat circle and we've come right around to it being relevant again. ************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 302: How Should You Handle Criticism? w/Jane Friedman

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 19:28


    How do you handle negative book reviews? *Should* you even handle them? What kinds of criticism do you engage with, and what's the best way to go about it? Jane Friedman of The Hot Sheet to chat with Joe and Elly about the pros and cons of critical feedback.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 301: How Do I Identify the Plants in My Path? w/ Maggie Herskovitz

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 33:01


    You likely pass all kinds of plants and herbs in your day to day. But do you know who they are? Where they come from? Maggie Herskovitz can help! Her new book, "An Urban Field Guide to the Plants, Trees, and Herbs in Your Path" recently released, and this week on the pod she joins Joe and Elly to talk about the book's story, cover design, and how she got into plant identification.Grab a copy of "Urban Field Guide" here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/46386

    Episode 300: Unf*ck Your Parenting with Bonnie Scott and Dr. Faith G. Harper | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 42:46


    How do you raise your kids to be functional adults with big hearts, especially in the current timeline? This week on the podcast, Bonnie Scott and Dr. Faith, authors of Unf*ck Your Parenting, join Joe and Elly to talk about the book's journey and what's new, respecting your kid, book bans, and more. Get Unf*ck Your Parenting on our website: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/7026

    guide books writing parenting publishing unf faith g harper your parenting
    Episode 299: How does a press become an imprint? w/ Jelani Memory

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 11:11


    It's episode 300! This week on the pod, Elly, Joe, and Bernie are joined by Jelani Memory of A Kids Co! They talk about taking making your press an imprint of a larger publisher instead of just having it distributed, sticking to your mission during the process, and making your business like a cockroach (unkillable!).

    Episode 298: What tarot spreads will get you through the year? w/Karen Krebser

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 23, 2025 29:24


    Joe, Elly, and Bernie sit down with Karen Krebser, author of "Tarot Through the Witch's Year," to chat about tarot in dark times, how to reconcile your practice with your privilege, tarot spreads for diving the future of publishing, and a bit of the history of tarot.Get a copy of Tarot Through the Witch's Year here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/12781

    Episode 297: How do books get into bookstores? w/Kurtis Lowe

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 16, 2025 38:39


    It's another throwback episode! A few years ago, Joe and Elly sat down with sales rep extraordinaire Kurtis to talk about how reps get books into stores. Learn about cover appeal, sales conferences, how store buyers see the books... and that's just the first five minutes. It's an oldie, but an eternally useful goodie of an episode!

    Episode 296: How Do I Hire Sales Reps?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 9, 2025 9:37


    How does a small press hire a sales rep? Do you even NEED a rep? This week on the pod, Joe and Elly talk about how Microcosm decided to work with reps, and how to find the reps that will work for you.

    Episode 295: What are the 3 Biggest Misconceptions in Publishing? w/Chris Vega

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 2, 2025 10:19


    Chris Vega of Blue Cactus Press is back to talk common publishing misconceptions! Zoning issues, delusions of grandeur, printing—learn what makes us unique (and also just as boring as other publishers).

    Episode 294: What did Taylor Swift reveal about book publishing? w/Jane Friedman

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 26, 2024 10:08


    On Black Friday of 2024, Taylor Swift released "The Eras Tour Book" exclusively through Target. But is it a book? What's the appeal? Who is the audience? Was it unfair to cut out indie bookstores from one of the biggest releases of the year? Jane Friedman of "The Hot Sheet" is back with Joe and Elly to give her thoughts on book-shaped objects.Note: This episode was recorded before the book actually released. Joe's post-release comment— "Since even diehard fans were unhappy with the quality of the book, it's hard to Bielieve the think pieces claiming that celebrities don't need publishers anymore."

    Episode 293: Relationships, Anxiety, and Lamps- A Q&A w/Dr. Faith G. Harper

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 19, 2024 36:41


    This week, we pretend we're one of those "hang out and chat about whatever" podcasts, because it's time for Dr. Faith's long-awaited return to the pod! Join Dr. Faith, Joe, and Elly while they answer reader questions, her upcoming books, surviving the holidays, and more. There are always shenanigans when Dr. Faith comes around, so we hope you have as much fun as we did.(If you're wondering what's up with the "advertisers" Joe keeps mentioning, there are multiple visual gags in the episode, and we highly recommend catching the vlog on our website at microcosm.pub/NewPodcast )

    Episode 292: How Did You Get a New York Times Bestseller? w/ Angela Engel

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 12, 2024 15:23


    For a lot of publishers, landing a book on the New York Times Bestseller list is THE goal. How did a small press like Collective Book Studio end up with a title on the most iconic bestseller list in the US? Angela Engel from had a chance to hang out with Joe for a few minutes at a recent conference to talk tell the story.

    Episode 291: What Makes a Hybrid Publisher a Good Value Chain? w/ Brooke Warner

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 5, 2024 48:27


    This week on the podcast, Brooke Warner of She Writes Press and Spark Press, talks with Elly and Joe about her experience in hybrid publishing, how to tell if it's a good idea for your books, recognizing predatory publishers, and misconceptions about that particular branch of the industry.

    Episode 290: How does an election impact publishing? (with Jane Friedman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 27, 2024 14:50


    How does a major election effect publishing sales trends? Jane Friedman of the Hot Sheet is backto talk about how we're all doing, what's been selling, and what do we think that means. Plus, we touch on the differences between the aftermath of the 2016 election vs this year.

    Episode 289: How do you manage author expectations? w/ Chris Vega of Blue Cactus | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 21, 2024 18:10


    Publisher/author relationships are just like any other relationships— they need care, communication, and understanding. This week on the pod, Chris Vega of Blue Cactus press talks with Joe and Elly about different ways to onboard authors and set expectations, how to resolve disagreements, and more.

    Episode 288: How Can a Publisher Expand Their List Outside Personal Interests?

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 14, 2024 12:27


    Most publishers are most comfortable publishing to their own tastes. And from there, what's popular but familiar. This week on the pod, we tackle the important but somewhat uncomfortable transition of publishing what you know to things that would resonate with your readers but are unfamiliar to you.

    Episode 287: How Can Edelweiss Digital Cataloging and Community Help Publishers? | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 7, 2024 30:51


    Edelweiss! It's a valuable tool for publishers, booksellers, and other industry folks. Buyers use it all the time to research and bring in books to their stores and libraries. How does a publisher break through all the noise, make their products stand out, and make sure buyers are able to easily find what they're looking for?This week on the pod, we're sharing a little bit of a presentation marketing manager (and former bookseller) Abby gave this year on how booksellers and buyers use Edelweiss, and some things publishers can keep in mind as they list titles.If you're interested in seeing the materials on Abby's slides, you can find the video on our website! 

    Episode 286: Is Your Distributor Working?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024 9:22


    How does a publisher know if a distributor is working for them? Odds are, if you're asking that question, they probably aren't! This week on the pod, Joe and Elly give you a few tips on what numbers and data points to look at, how to tell if a distributor is adding value to your enterprise, and revaluating if your contract is getting in your way.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 285: What Publishing Industry Media Should I Read?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 24, 2024 15:00


    There are a lot of publishing industry news blogs, sites, and publications out there. Which ones are worth your time?Jane Friedman of The Hot Sheet is back to chat with Joe and Elly about her favorites, and which ones are best for what publishing news you're interested in.If you're looking for the link Jane references to see her follows, you can find it here: https://substack.com/@janefriedman/readsCheck out the Hot Sheet here: https://hotsheetpub.com/

    Episode 284: What is Vertical Integration?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 7:00


    Vertical integration. It sounds like a fancy business term, but in reality, it means keeping things in-house as much as possible to keep costs low.This week, Joe and Elly (and special guest Bernie!) take a few minutes talk about vertical integration, why we say Microcosm is vertically integrated, and how to decide if it's right for you. 

    Episode 283: How To Design a Book Cover

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 10, 2024 23:29


    Can you judge a book by its cover?We're revisiting another classic episode this week! Joe and Elly talk about cover design, how to make a book cover stand out, and how a cover communicates to its audience.************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosmGet the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: http://eepurl.com/gIXT6vFind us on social media:Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 282: What is book editing (and how do I do it right)?

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 10:56


    Book editing! Surely it's easy, right? Especially if you're someone who has read like, a lot of books. Nope!This week Joe and Elly talk book editing, why it's a technical skill, and how to do it right.

    Episode 281: Why are so many books so mediocre?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 26, 2024 10:55


    A reader asks a very straightforward question— why are so many books so mediocre? Is it a new trend? How do we measure quality?Jane Friedman of the Hot Sheet joins us again this week to find the answers!

    Episode 280: How does being an editor make you a better author? w/ Kandi Zeller | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 19, 2024 43:11


    Being a book editor and an author can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, you have unique insight into how a book is developed before you even get started. On the other hand, you can end up getting in your own way trying to make it "perfect".  And if you're an editor for the publisher of your own book, how do you balance that? We sat down with Disabled Witchcraft author (and Microcosm editor!) Kandi Zeller to talk writing, disability, witchcraft, cookies, and Bettie's Pages. Get your copy of Disabled Witchcraft here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/52482

    Episode 279: How Should a Publisher Manage Their Brand?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 7:43


    Branding tells the consumer who you are, what your vibe is, and (probably most importantly) that you publish books. Past wisdom has focused on authors in the branding and marketing, but the market has since shifted to focus even more on publishers and imprints as the communication point.This week on the podcast, Joe and Elly offer their thoughts and insights on how to get started with your publisher branding.************Thank you for listening to the People's Guide to Publishing!  We post new episodes every Thursday about publishing, authors, and the book industry. You can also listen via your preferred podcast app, or by visiting linktree.com/microcosm

    Episode 278: Where Does the Money Go in Publishing?

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 5, 2024 10:14


    If you hang in certain circles, you'll frequently hear that "Publishers have all the money," which is funny because bookstores get the largest percentage of each sale. But everyone has to pay their staff and operating expenses, and often it's bewildering to watch even the revenues from your bestsellers dwindle into nothingness. So this week on the pod, we look at that illustrious pie chart and talk about how it all disappears so quickly! Please feel free to eat pie during this episode.

    Episode 277: How Can Every Book You Publish Be Evergreen?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 29, 2024 11:36


    The publishing industry invests heavily in the logic that a new book hits hard out of the gate, has a third of its total sales before it's published, a third of its sales in the following year, and the final third gradually across the lifetime of the book, until it gradually saturates and dead stalls. The good news? It doesn't have to be this way! So this week on the pod, we look at how to make books sell forever.

    Episode 276: How do I get my first books in stores and libraries?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 22, 2024 9:03


    You published a few books! Congrats! That's one of the most important parts of being a publisher.But... now what? How do you get your book in stores and libraries? Smoke signals? Pigeons? The answer is, as always, more simple and more complex than you would think. 

    Episode 275: The Burning Rage of a Dying Planet (with Craig Rosebraugh)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 15, 2024 42:18


    Craig Rosebraugh, author of "Burning Rage of a Dying Planet: The FBI vs. the Earth Liberation Front" sits down with us to talk about how he became the spokesperson for the ELF, the FBI faking a book deal to gain intel, and publishing controversial materials.Check out Craig's book on our website.If you have a New York Times sub, here's a link to an article about Craig's experience with the FBI.

    Episode 274: How do you become a neighborhood bookstore? w/Spoke & Word Books

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2024 31:17


    This month for the #BookstoreSolidarityProject, we hung out with Cierra, owner of Portland-local bookstore Spoke & Word! We talked about bookselling, strategic romance and genre placement, and how much of a fan Joe's doctor is of them.Check out Spoke & Word's site: https://www.spokeandwordbooks.com/

    Episode 273: Why Do We Keep Talking About Boxes?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 1, 2024 10:47


    Boxes— they make the book world go round. Why do we have such strong opinions on boxes (and where we get them from? Why is there a cat on ours now? Let us deliver the good word and show off our new boxes.

    Episode 272: What is a Hybrid Publisher? (starring Jane Friedman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 21:15


    What is hybrid publishing? What is it a hybrid between? Halfway between traditional publishing and service providing, hybrid publishers have come to mean a lot of things from a rebranded vanity publishing to a co-investment model with superior royalties and it's often difficult to tell the difference until you are familiar with the players involved. So this week Jane Friedman tackles these difficult questions.

    Episode 271: The All New Henry & Glenn Comic (is back!) starring our tattooed, musclebound rockstars.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 44:50


    Ten years later, the greatest love story every told is back. Featuring an extensive interview with Tom Neely and Justin Hall, we take a deep look at "punk rock Bert and Ernie" where our anti-heroes celebrate toxic masculinity in full color for the first time. Is that Stephen King performing a pet funeral? Is that a joke about Lemmy? How many comic sight gags can you spot in 32 pages? Justin takes a deep look at how his comic students don't know who Henry Rollins or Glenn Danzig are but can appreciate the book's queer themes and social commentary. 

    Episode 270: How Do You Handle Publishing Controversial Material Safely & Sustainably?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 8:36


    Particularly when one comes from a conservative family and has many conversations where their beliefs are challenged, they tend to assume that the publishing landscape works the same way. This week, we answer a reader question about how to publish safely and sustainably despite one's political opinions. ************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 269: What do books and sneakers have in common? w/ CLASS bookstore

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 40:14


    CLASS bookstore is probably the most talked about bookseller in the U.S. in 2024. They know how to build a hype machine and get people talking about them. Publishers pressure their sales reps to get books in there. What is different about them? And the big question—how do they utilize fashion marketing to make books dope?************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 268: What is a Small Press Publisher? (starring Jane Friedman)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 17:10


    During a recent phone call, we asked a partner how she defines "independent publisher" and her answer was "we know it when we see it." "Indie" has grown to mean "dependent on Amazon" and Orwell would be proud. In the past decade, publishing has become overwhelmed by jargon. Well you might say that it goes back much further than that (and we probably wouldn't disagree), but the jargon that is designed to intentionally obfuscate has grown considerably to the point that we have to define things like "small press publisher." ************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 267: What if someone else just published the same book?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 7:21


    It happens all the time. One of our distributed publishers got in touch, horrified and terrified that MacMillan had just published the same book that she did the week before. She thought it would cannibalize her sales. Many authors and publishers keep this stuff close to the chest. Not us. We follow the Paul Hawken school of being your best, individualized self.  ************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 266: Can booksellers increase bonding over Corgis? Janet Geddis of Avid Bookshop

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 13, 2024 50:51


    Publishers often think of booksellers as our frontline marketing force; the people who we outsource our jobs to. This week, Janet Geddis of Avid Bookshop does a great job of outlining the actual role that bookstores play in a daily role. It's more matchmaking than pushing the newest thing on some poor, unsuspecting browser. It's a deep game of familiarity that ultimately results in hilarity of two people of disparate backgrounds relating to each other in the store at the same time. Publishers interested in taking her up on her "Hang out in my store and learn what bookselling entails" offer, get in touch!************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

    Episode 265: How do you organize a Cat Party? w/ Katie Haegele

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 36:05


    Katie Haegele has been passionate about cats for decades. They have been some of the most meaningful relationships in her life. This time around she's organizing other people to share the most touching, heartwarming, wacky, and unbelievable stories about the behavior and emotional range of cats in her eighth book, Cat Party!************Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast!  Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.comMore by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.netMore by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0EABB2040D281C9CFind us on social mediaFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishingTwitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmmInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub************

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