Microcosm Publishing

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. Catch a clip below, and the full episode at Microcosm.pub/newpodcast

How does a major election affect publishing sales trends? Jane Friedman of the Hot Sheet is back to talk with Joe and Elly about how we’re all doing, what’s been selling, and what we think that means for the next few years. Plus, we touch on the differences between the aftermath of the 2016 election vs 2024’s election. Full episode below, or find the audio at linktree.com/microcosm

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. Watch the full video below, or at Microcosm.pub/NewPodcast Listen on your favorite podcast app at linktree.com/microcosm

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. Find the full vlog on our website at https://microcosm.pub/NewPodcast Listen on a podcast app at linktree.com/microcosm

Is Your Distributor Working? | A People's Guide to Publishing

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. Catch the full episode at https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/10/is-your-distributor-working-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/ Prefer an audio experience? linktree.com/microcosmm

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. And for a fun added bonus, watch as Joe slowly drifts further and further out of frame. Catch the full episode here, or on our blog at https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/10/what-is-vertical-integration-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/ Or listen to the audio at linktree.com/microcosm

Today on the pod: Book editing! Surely it’s easy, right? Especially if you’re someone who has read like, a lot of books. This week Joe and Elly talk book editing, why it’s a technical skill, and how to do it right. Watch the vlogcast here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/10/what-is-book-editing-and-how-do-i-do-it-right-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/ Or listen on your favorite podcast app at linktree.com/microcosm

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 on the podcast to find the answers! Watch the vlogcast here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/09/why-are-so-many-books-so-mediocre-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/ Or listen on your favorite app at linktree.com/microcosm

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 a really cool bookstore. Listen on your favorite podcast app at linktree.com/microcosm Or on our website at https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/09/how-does-being-an-editor-make-you-a-better-author-w-kandi-zeller-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/

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. Listen here: linktree.com/microcosm Watch the vlog here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/09/how-should-a-publisher-manage-their-brand-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/

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. (Links in the comments, because algorithm shenanigans)

Today on the pod: 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. Check out the vlog here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/blog/2024/08/how-can-every-book-you-publish-be-evergreen-a-peoples-guide-to-publishing/ Or listen on your favorite podcast app here: linktree.com/microcosm