Publish & Prosper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt examine the rising popularity, significance, and value of backlist titles in the publishing industry. We consider why back catalogs are bigger and better than ever, what this means for the future of the industry, and how indie authors and publishers can make the most of their own backlist title trends. Tune in wherever you get your podcasts, and watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren examine the content and strategies that inspire one-time customers to become devoted, loyal fans of your brand. Give your customers, readers, fans, and casual visitors a reason to come back again and again and again…

In this episode, Lauren is joined by Lulu's Education & Community Manager and YouTube expert, Chelsea Bennett! We sit down for a deep dive conversation about using YouTube to connect with your audience and support your brand, talking through ideas like:▶️ Why and how we approach YouTube as its own channel▶️ Using video to set audience expectations and build trust▶️ Recognizing the long-term value of video contentAnd of course, how to stay authentic while still being strategic! Listen now to learn more, or experience the video episode as the internet intended: on YouTube! Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren continue the conversation they started in Episode #128 and dig into the cost involved in selling direct. Learn more about what expenses you should account for as you launch, maintain, and grow your ecommerce store, including:

In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore the top five most popular ecommerce platforms in the market today. We review Shopify, WooCommerce, Wix, Squarespace, and BigCommerce, taking a look at: 

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore two different methods of bringing your books to life: traditional offset publishing and modern digital printing. We break down:

In this episode, Lauren gives a crash course in marketing strategies used by one of the most successful marketers of our generation: Taylor Swift. Matt's here too. Tune in for 13 lessons on audience building, pre-launch marketing, product marketing, and repeatability, straight from the mastermind's playbook! Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube.Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren look to the past to see if they were right about the future! Way back in December 2025 we suggested 6 trends we expected to see in the publishing industry this year… 6 months later, we're checking in to see whether or not our visions are manifesting into reality.

In this episode, Lauren & Matt explore how authors can use AI to buy back their most valuable resource: time. Generative AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity can't replace human creativity, but they can give you more time to be creative by helping you streamline your…

In this episode, Lauren and guest host Paul, Lulu's Sr. Marketing Manager, examine an often overlooked element of indie publishing: making your book accessible to all potential readers.Accessibility isn't just a performative buzzword; it's a smart strategy to help you reach new readers, connect with existing fans, increase your discoverability, and future-proof your content.Listen, watch, or read along with the episode transcript (accessibility!) to learn more about:

In this episode, Lauren & Matt shine a light on a nightmare that keeps many indie authors awake at night: an unceremonious account suspension from Amazon. What do you do when you're forced to rebuild your author brand from the ground up? How will leaving Amazon impact your audience, your discoverability, and your promotional efforts? Is there anything you can do to safeguard yourself from unexpected excommunication? Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren reveal the workflows the Lulu team has been refining for years, built to grow, scale, and streamline content marketing. Whether you're writing your next book, producing a podcast episode, or scheduling a simple social media post, reframing your approach makes your work easier and gives you back time to do more of what you love. Listen as we break it down into these steps: 1️⃣ Creation2️⃣ Production3️⃣ Distribution 4️⃣ Marketing5️⃣ Sales6️⃣ Fulfillment7️⃣ InsightOr watch the episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt gleefully share data from a recent Pew Research Center report confirming what we already knew: print books are alive and well. We unpack the survey results and what they mean for us, indie authors, and the publishing industry as a whole.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren examine the ways book marketing has changed in an AI and algorithm-driven world. We identify a few of the biggest shifts we've seen, like prioritizing trust signals over keywords, and share our insights into:

In this episode, Lauren & Matt share strategies for how to get your readers and fans to help sell your books for you! We break down the importance of building a dedicated audience around your brand, review the different ways authors and entrepreneurs mobilize their fans, and offer up tips for putting these ideas into action. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren break down the elements of a print book. We review exterior and interior design choices, explain how different elements fit together, examine variance in print copies, and share tips for how to avoid confusion between your digital designs and print book. Dive in from the beginning for a complete crash course in print book design, or skip ahead to learn about:[7:00] – Exterior Book Design (Trim Size, Binding Type, Cover Finish)[18:11] – Interior Book Design (Paper Types, Ink Types)[26:01] – Print Variants  [33:08] – Fitting Design Elements Together[37:49] – Designing for Print vs. Digital[43:43] – Understanding Print Variance[53:55] – Being Proactive with Your Book Design[1:03:58] – Episode Wrap UpTo maximize your print book mastery, we recommend watching this episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren successfully cons Matt into talking about fanfiction again. This time we explore the recent shift in the way traditional publishing approaches fanfiction, and the new trend of openly acquiring popular fanfiction like Manacled and All the Young Dudes. Learn more about the legality of publishing fanfiction, how these practices have changed in the last few years, and what we think this says about the future of the publishing industry. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share strategies for how to find, research, and hire the best possible freelancers to help you bring your book to life. Whether you need help with editing, formatting, designing, or marketing, these guidelines can help you assemble your dream team for long-term publishing success! We talk through steps like: Understanding different types of freelancers The three best places to start your search (and research)Narrowing your pool of applicants to a shortlist of top candidatesListen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

Whether you're traditionally published or self-published, the mechanics behind distributing your book to online and brick-and-mortar bookstores are the same. But for indie authors doing it on their own, it's imperative that you get the details just right. So in this episode, Lauren & Matt embark on an exciting adventure through the retail distribution cycle! We talk through: 

In this episode, Matt & Lauren reflect on their recent trips to two dramatically different events: London Book Fair and Sponsor Games.One is an international event attended by over 33,000 publishing industry professionals from around the world; the other is an intimate, interactive gathering of content entrepreneurs dedicated to learning how to secure brand deals and sponsorships.Attending these two events back-to-back highlighted the overlap and discrepancies between two types of creative audiences, so we're asking the questions:

In this episode, Matt sits down with Emily Bair, Lulu's VP of Business Development to explore how brands, publishers, and creators are using print products. Emily shares her insights on topics like: Why more businesses are revisiting and rethinking print productsThe “aha moments” when print-on-demand solutions clickWhat authors and creators can learn from these larger brands and businessesListen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore the rapidly rising trend in indie authors signing major traditional publishing deals. The real plot twist? These days the authors are the ones with the negotiating power and leverage. We talk through:

In this episode, Lauren & Matt have a conversation exploring why print needs to be part of your creator strategy. We consider the current state of digital content, influenced by algorithms and AI, and how content entrepreneurs can use print books to better establish their brand longevity and legacy (and, of course, to make money). Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore three different ways creators can get started selling direct, and the tools you'll need along the way! Learn about:

In this episode, Lauren sits down with Lulu's Chief Technology Officer Christoph Kepper! Christoph shares his insights into what makes Lulu a publishing technology powerhouse, and his vision of an accessible, sustainable future for publishing.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

Manual fulfillment works…until it doesn't. In this episode, Matt & Lauren break down the risks and realities of manually packing and shipping orders, signs it's time to update your existing solutions, and the backend automations that can help you successfully scale with your growing sales. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt discuss how entrepreneurs are using Lulu's suite of APIs to build brand-first book businesses. We break down how savvy creators can use API integrations to automate, personalize, and scale their printing and fulfillment, and why you may want to do the same.Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

Books can be the product or the tool that helps sell the product…and sometimes even both. In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore how print-on-demand empowers creators and businesses to use books to build their business, earn revenue, generate leads, and fuel brand growth. Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt cover five different types of paid ads that can help you sell more books. We review the pros, cons, and best practices for:

In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate the merits of using social media as a book marketing tool in 2026. Short answer? Yes, social still plays an important role! Long answer? Listen to learn about: Why social platforms should be used for discovery, not as the home base for your entire brand.How to show up with content that adds value and supports your long-term goals.Common mistakes that turn social media into a black hole time vortex. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In December 2025, a sports romance series off Harlequin's backlist, with modest sales and a niche fanbase, exploded into an overnight international sensation when the first two episodes of Heated Rivalry aired on Crave and HBO Max. New fans scrambled to get their hands on copies of the six-book series and were quickly disappointed by the realization that the titles were sold out everywhere. What could Harlequin have done to meet the unexpected demand and avoid unknown losses in book sales? What can other publishers and authors do to capitalize on the moment? To start, they can listen to Lauren & Matt explore solutions for publishers and authors facing unexpected virality and demand that outpaces inventory supply. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore four different ways publishers integrate AI tools to better support and streamline internal workflows. While we never advocate for using AI as a substitute for human creativity or editorial judgment, these tools can be a great way to help: Clean up and optimize book metadataRoute and triage manuscript submissions Track version changes and content updatesTrack, plan, and modify production schedulesListen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt peer into their crystal balls for a look into the future (or make some very sound projections grounded in knowledge and experience). We take turns sharing our insights and expectations for what's to come in the publishing industry in 2026, including: 

In this episode, Matt & Lauren look back on this year in publishing. We review some of our predictions from 2024 and how those trends impacted the industry in 2025, including: How AI continued to dominate the conversation Why more and more authors and publishers are exploring direct salesHow traditional publishers are adopting print-on-demand solutionsWhy building community is more important than everListen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube! Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren interviews everyone's new favorite author…Matt Briel! Lauren & Matt talk through the experience of writing, editing, and publishing a book. Hear firsthand how Matt developed a writing practice that worked for him, what it was like working with a professional editor and beta readers, and where he found the motivation and inspiration to get his book published. Check out Matt's new book Profit On-Demand: The Creator's Guide to Building a Profitable Business with Print-on-Demand. Watch the video episode, streaming now on YouTube. Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren explore one of our current favorite industry trends: the resurgence of print magazines! We talk through the many ways creators, entrepreneurs, and businesses are using print-on-demand, and: Why print magazines are making a comebackHow creators are publishing, selling, and distributing magazinesDifferent types of magazine products Watch this episode on YouTube!Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt simplify your website down to a single landing page with one goal in mind: selling your book. We talk through reasons why you may choose to build a landing page instead of a full website, what you need to consider before building out your page, and how to use different tools and platforms to build your custom page. Tune in now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the episode on YouTube.Dive Deeper

Celebrate two years of Publishing & Prospering with us! In this episode, Matt & Lauren reflect on two years of podcasting, sharing what we've learned since the beginning, how podcasting has changed the way we create, share, and understand content, and where we see Publish & Prosper going next. Whether you're curious about how a podcast could impact your brand or just want to sneak a behind-the-scenes look at Publish & Prosper, this is for you! Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube. Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren is joined by Lulu's Senior Marketing Manager, Paul Hobday, for an inside look at content strategy with two content marketing nerds. We dive into:

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share three chilling scenarios bound to keep you up at night and our tips for surviving your worst book publishing nightmares! Hear the horrifying tales of: 

One of the biggest benefits of selling direct is having complete control over your fans' customer experience, but even the best entrepreneurs out there sometimes find themselves facing a tricky customer service issue. In this episode, Lauren & Matt share their strategies for providing top tier support for your customers. Whether you're taking preventative measures, planning a proactive approach, or providing solutions to unexpected problems, we're here to help you help your customers. Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren debate and discuss a variety of writing, publishing, editing, and marketing prompts. Hear their insights, opinions, and ideas on topics like: Exclusively Selling Direct vs. Going Wide with Your Book SalesWhich Social Media Platform Would You Use to Promote a Book? What Would You Use to Entice New Email Subscribers? And, of course, a few tangents too. Listen now, or watch the full episode on our YouTube channel! Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt want indie authors to see their books on library shelves! Whether you dream of your hardcover on display in your local public library or hope to find your ebook in digital catalogs nationwide, we're here to help make it happen. Dive Deeper

Tune in for another episode of The Email Marketing Podcast with Laurie & Lauren! In this episode, Laurie & Lauren walk through the steps to prepare for an important email marketing campaign series like holiday sales or a new book launch. We review: Why you should plan ahead for an email campaignYour pre-campaign planning timelineHow to monitor your campaign once it's liveWrapping up your campaign (and setting yourself up for success with the next one)Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren sit down with our friend Lynette Greenfield, author and founder of Limelight Publishing. Learn how Lynette turned her prolific writing career and passion for helping aspiring authors into a successful hybrid publishing company. Dive Deeper

In this episode, Lauren & Matt chat with old and new friends live from the show floor at Content Entrepreneur Expo! Tune in to hear from five industry experts about content creation and strategy, content entrepreneurship, book publishing, and most importantly, the great niche vs. niche debate. 3:42 → Austin L. Church on Writing a Book (and What He'll Do Differently Next Time)18:15 → Lou Mongello on the Value of Community and Authentic Relationships24:41 → Julia Levine on Building Your Content Pillars31:57 → Joe Pulizzi on Making Your Content Entrepreneur Goals a Reality41:48 → Robbie Fitzwater on How to Use Customer Data (and How to Get Even More)

You only get one shot to make a first impression when inviting new guests into your brand–don't scare them away before they even make it to the front door! In this episode, Lauren & Matt share essential tips for capturing attention quickly, maximizing your ‘curb appeal,' and making your first look count. We talk through nailing your elevator pitch, sprucing up your social media real estate, designing an inviting website, and delivering a warm welcome email.  Dive Deeper

In this episode, Matt & Lauren share tips for making the most of your post-launch marketing and extending the sales cycle of your book. We talk through how to maintain the momentum of your brand growth, professional growth, and book sales by: Exploring new ways to approach earned promo opportunitiesReinforcing your relationship with your existing readers or new audiencesInvesting in yourself and your expertise as an author and as a brandUpdating your brand strategy with post-launch feedbackDive Deeper

Reader personas are a powerful tool for understanding your target audience! In this episode, Lauren & Matt explain the value of niching down into your target audience, how to create your ideal reader personas, and applying those to inform every step of your publishing journey. Whether you're still drafting your first book or looking to inject new life into the end of a sales cycle, you have to understand who your readers are. Don't miss Content Entrepreneur Expo, THE event for creators, authors, and entrepreneurs. Visit cex.events to learn more and use promo code LULU100 to save $100 on your ticket

In 2024, Lulu printed almost 57,000 calendars for creators and customers worldwide. In this episode, Matt & Lauren examine why wall calendars are so popular, the ROI on calendars, and different ways calendars can support your brand efforts. We also share calendar ideas for different types of creators, and our tips for making an awesome project. Don't miss Content Entrepreneur Expo, THE event for creators, authors, and entrepreneurs. Visit cex.events to learn more and use promo code LULU100 to save $100 on your ticket

In this episode Lauren is joined by Laurie Shipley, Lulu's Email Marketing Manager, to explore the value of email marketing…beyond just newsletters! Laurie shares insights into growing and segmenting your email lists, using automated emails to increase revenue, and creating personal connections with your subscribers. Don't miss Content Entrepreneur Expo, THE event for creators, authors, and entrepreneurs. Visit cex.events to learn more and use promo code LULU100 to save $100 on your ticket