Publish & Prosper

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: 💡 How each printing process works 🔑 Key distinctions between the two  ⚖️ Different reasons you’d choose one over the other 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 When we see both solutions working together And more! Tune in wherever you get your podcasts,...

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 Deep...

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. 🎱 Are more publishers seeing print-on-demand as a competitive advantage? 🔮 Are more authors invest...

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… 🧰 Operations 🧲 Marketing 💰 Sales ⚙️ Production Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the episode...

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 rea...

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 une...

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 th...

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 💡 Pew Research Center | Americans s...

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: 😱 Common mistakes we see authors & creators making 🤩 Proactive moves we see authors & creators making 🤔 Things you can do right now to better pos...

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...

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...

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...

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 thr...

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:  🔑  Understandin...

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 t...

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 products The “aha moments” when print-on-demand solutions click What authors and creators can learn from these larger brands and businesses List...

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: 🔮 How media influences publishing trends 💡 Outdated self-publishing stigmas (and what publishers are actually interested in) 🤔 Why indie authors would wa...

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 epis...

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: 💡 Using direct assisted platforms like Books.by to build a website for you 💰 Selling on marketplaces like Etsy for a hybrid sales approach 📚 Connecting Lulu Direct to your site for true direct-to-consumer sales 🧰 Stocking your toolkit wi...

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 💡 Explore These Resources Learn more about  Wikimedia and Pedia...

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 💡 Explore The...

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 💡 Explore These...

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 💡 Listen to These Episodes Ep...

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: 🔍 Paid Search 🗣️ Paid Social Media Campaigns  📧 Email & Newsletter Sponsorships 🎙️ Pre-Roll & Mid-Roll Ads  📖 Trade Publication Print Ads Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube ! Dive Deeper...

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 tu...