Publish & Prosper

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...

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...

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 metadata Route and triage manuscript submissions  Track version changes and content updat...

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:  🔮 Print-on-demand will become as important to the publishing supply chain as other tech solutions over the years...

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 sales How traditional publishers are adopting print-on-demand solutions Why building community is more importa...

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...

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 comeback How creators are publishing, selling, and distributing magazines Different types of magazine products  Watch this episode on YouTube...

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...

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 b...

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: 🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Understanding your different content channels and how they support each other 💡 How to build an effective content strategy (and why it’s essential that you do) 🧰 Making good use of the tools and resources at your dispo...

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:  🕸️ The Monstrous Cover Art Mockup 👻 The Proof Possessed by Problems 🔪 The Beta Reader Butcher Listen now, or watch the full episode on YouTube …if you dare. Dive Deeper 🕸️ Monstrous Cover Art Mockup Ep #21...