Most things related to publishing insights are focused on the Big 5. They dominate the Indie Next List, most all bestseller lists, and conversation through the industry.Recently, Jim Hanas launched Small Press Insights, which shows which small press titles rank where at Amazon, and the indie bookstore lists, and what upcoming titles are popular. He joins Joe and Elly on the pod this week to talk about their favorite thing- analytics!If you want to learn more about why Jim started the list, you can read his blog about it here: https://www.loureedsnephew.com/p/the-small-press-viewCheck out the Small Press Insights list here: https://smallpressinsights.com/ipc************Thank you for catching 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 People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: https://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

Aw man, a book you love has gone out of print. But it's not gone forever! There are many reasons publishers bring books back from the grave—suddenly hockey romance is popular, or an author becomes online famous, the world got into sourdough bread during the pandemic, or one of many, many other reasons.This week on the pod, Jane Friedman of The Bottom Line is back to talk to Joe and Elly about trendspotting, marketing, rights, and other things that go into consideration when a publisher might want to bring a book back into print!************Thank you for catching 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 People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

There's been a lot of discourse lately about eBooks, libraries, and sales. But are libraries really hurting book sales (and authors' and publisher's bottom lines)? This week on the pod, industry analyst and friend of the 'Cosm, Guy LeCharles Gonzalez, joins Joe and Elly to talk about why publishers and libraries often seem pitted against each other, licensing agreements, and how Baker and Taylor's closure factors in.************Thank you for catching 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 People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: https://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: https://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

This week on the pod, J. Hunter Bennett, author of "More Punk than the Public Library" joins Joe and Elly to talk curating Little Free Libraries, writing the books YOU want to read, and why policing other folks' tastes is anti-punk behavior.Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/62128************Thank you for catching 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 People's Guide to Publishing book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/3663Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/zines/10031More from Microcosm: https://microcosmpublishing.comSubscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://microcosm.pub/newsletterFind us on social media:Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@microcosmpub/BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/microcosm.bsky.socialInstagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pubFacebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing************

You would think that if you publish more books, you'll make more money. But that's not always the case! While expanding your title list might feel like the easiest path to profit, you should also factor in staff time and bandwidth, resources, and retailer overwhelm.This week on the podcast, Microcosm's Marketing and Publicity Supervisor, Daley Farr, joins Joe and Elly to talk about her suggestion for us to publish fewer books, and why the data backs it up.************Thank you for catching 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************

Sales reps are crucial pieces of the book industry puzzle. They are the the ones who help stores find the titles that would be good fits, give feedback to publishers about their title lists, and so much more!This week on the pod, we're back chatting with sales rep extraordinaire Maureen Karb to talk about the process of selling books to bookstores, and what makes a great rep.************Thank you for catching 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************

You open up your inbox and—surprise!— someone wants to turn your book into a movie! Or include it in a book club! Or feature it on a recommendation list! All you have to do is pay a small fee.Oftentimes in book world, if something feels too good to be true, it often is (especially if they want you to pay). This week on the pod, Joe, Elly, and Jane Friedman talk about the common scams authors and publishers are sent, what to look out for, and how to avoid them.Want more publishing insights from Jane? Check out The Bottom Line at www.janefriedman.com************Thank you for catching 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************

Books should be sold to book stores, right? That's it?Eh, not really! There are markets for books everywhere, from your local museum gift shop to the gas station around the corner. How do you find these markets, and figure out what types of books sell at what types of stores? What even IS the difference between a gift and specialty shop? This week on the pod, Joe and Elly dive in!************Thank you for catching 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************

We’ve been honing our software behind-the-scenes for decades, but this is our first public-facing website makeover since 2012! For 30 years, we’ve had a riotously maximalist ecommerce website. And it’s worked—pretty well. But lately, you’ve been telling us what you want it to do better and we’ve been scribbling notes and making plans. This week on the pod, Joe and Elly talk about what went into the decision to rebuild the front end of our website, the cool new search features, and how we've made it even easier for buyers to use.Check out Elly's blog post on our website! Microcosm.pub/Makeover************Thank you for catching 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************

The punks, despite all the best efforts of society and time, are still kicking around, and we love that for them/us. This week on the pod, J. Hunter Bennett, author of "More Punk than the Public Library," joins Joe and Elly to talk about middle-aged punk life, starting a little free punk rock library during the pandemic outside his house on a well-trafficked corner of Chevy Chase, D.C., and more.Get J. Hunter Bennett's book and zines here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/j-hunter-bennett************Thank you for catching 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************