A People's Guide to Publishing

Microcosm Publishing
  • 4.2 (24)
  • BOOKS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Joe Biel is the founder and CEO of Microcosm, a 25-year-old midlist publishing and distribution company that has sold millions of books. Elly Blue is the editorial and marketing director at Microcosm. Joe is also the author of A People’s Guide to Publishing, which distills what they’ve learned over the past 25 years in 416 pages. Together, they distill this knowledge for other publishers and people who simply want to understand the publishing industry. ************ Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast! Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catal... Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catal... More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.com More by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.net More by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.com Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0... Find us on social media Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing Twitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmm Instagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub ************

  1. When should book publishers innovate? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    DEC 18

    When should book publishers innovate? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    "Innovation" is one of the biggest words you hear in just about any industry, especially with the rise of our new AI overlords. It can be so tempting to make big changes just for the sake of making changes!But what is real innovation, and how do you know when it needs to happen? How do you innovate with intention? Is innovation even right for you? Jane Friedman of The Bottom Line is back with Joe and Elly this week to talk about branding, change, innovation, and how to go about it all thoughtfully. (Does "innovation" sound like a word to you anymore?)Check out The Bottom Line here: https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/************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************

    17 min
  2. How do publishers use math to make books? | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    DEC 12

    How do publishers use math to make books? | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    It's another throwback episode!Usually books and math don't mix. The book people sit in one spot, the math in another, with their calculators and abacuses. But Microcosm founder and CEO Joe Biel is a known champion of combining the two!This week on the pod, Joe and Elly talk about the math that goes into publishing, from finances, to calculating print runs, and everything in between.************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************

    8 min
  3. How Can Book Publishers Utilize Bookstore Coop? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing

    NOV 26

    How Can Book Publishers Utilize Bookstore Coop? w/Jane Friedman | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Early episode drop this week due to the holiday!Put simply, bookstore co-op is a tool publishers can use to incentivize bookstores for ordering and featuring their books, or hosting events with their authors. Is co-op right for your publisher? How do you best use it?Jane Friedman of The Bottom Line is back to chat with Joe and Elly about co-op, Microcosm's experience with it, and how to communicate with buyers and reps about it.Check out The Bottom Line here: https://janefriedman.com/the-bottom-line-janes-publishing-industry-newsletter/************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************

    12 min
  4. What is in a good book contract? | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    NOV 20

    What is in a good book contract? | A People's Guide to Publishing Podcast

    It's a throwback episode!Contracts are no one's favorite part of publishing, no matter which side of the table you're sitting on. This week on the pod, we revisit a classic People's Guide to Publishing episode where Joe and Elly walk you through why contracts are important, how to navigate them as an author, and what makes a good publishing contract.************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************

    15 min
  5. It doesn't have to be perfect: Punk, Art & DIY w/Ashley Rowe Palafox | People's Guide to Publishing

    NOV 13

    It doesn't have to be perfect: Punk, Art & DIY w/Ashley Rowe Palafox | People's Guide to Publishing

    It's the 20th-ish anniversary of Ashley Rowe Palafox's original "Barefoot and in the Kitchen" zine! This week on the pod, Ashley joins us to talk about the inception of the zine, how punk helps you let go of perfectionism, and updating the zines for the new collection, "Cook Your Own F*cking Life."Get "Cook Your Own F*****g Life" here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/books/59290Check out Ashley's other works here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/ashley-rowe-palafox************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************

    43 min
  6. We Are Stronger Than Censorship: Book Bans & Empathy w/ Lee Wind | People's Guide to Publishing

    NOV 6

    We Are Stronger Than Censorship: Book Bans & Empathy w/ Lee Wind | People's Guide to Publishing

    This week on the pod, Lee Wind of the Independent Book Publisher's Association is here to talk about the We Are Stronger Than Censorship campaign, book bans, and a few fun side quests like microwaves and 90s movies. For more on the We Are Stronger Than Censorship campaign, click here: https://www.wearestrongerthancensorship.org/To get the stickers, click here: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catalog/artist/we-are-stronger-than-censorship/************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************

    53 min
  7. Marketing and Selling Books on Tiktok Shop, w/ Jane Friedman | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

    OCT 30

    Marketing and Selling Books on Tiktok Shop, w/ Jane Friedman | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

    There are new forms of ecommerce popping up every day, on every website from Instagram and Tiktok to Pinterest. Is selling online through Tiktok right for your books?This week, Jane Friedman of the Bottom Line is back to talk to Joe and Elly about the growing popularity of TIktok Shop, and if she thinks it's worth a publisher's time.************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************

    16 min
  8. Iconic Images, Information, & Accessibility: Designing Book Covers | A People's Guide to Publishing

    OCT 16

    Iconic Images, Information, & Accessibility: Designing Book Covers | A People's Guide to Publishing

    Can you really judge a book by its cover? Absolutely, yes. A lot of work goes into planning a book's cover design— marketing goals, representing the author's work, making it appealing to the target audience, legibility, and so much more. This week on the pod, Joe walks us through the things Joe takes into consideration for designing over covers.Note: For those just listening to audio, there's an accompanying slideshow in the video where Joe is showcasing varying covers! Still valuable info with just audio, but we recommending trying to catch the video of this as well.************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************

    57 min
See All (100)

4.2
out of 5
24 Ratings

About

Joe Biel is the founder and CEO of Microcosm, a 25-year-old midlist publishing and distribution company that has sold millions of books. Elly Blue is the editorial and marketing director at Microcosm. Joe is also the author of A People’s Guide to Publishing, which distills what they’ve learned over the past 25 years in 416 pages. Together, they distill this knowledge for other publishers and people who simply want to understand the publishing industry. ************ Thank you for watching the People's Guide to Publishing vlogcast! Get the book: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catal... Get the workbook: https://microcosmpublishing.com/catal... More from Microcosm: http://microcosmpublishing.com More by Joe Biel: http://joebiel.net More by Elly Blue: http://takingthelane.com Subscribe to our monthly email newsletter: https://confirmsubscription.com/h/r/0... Find us on social media Facebook: http://facebook.com/microcosmpublishing Twitter: http://twitter.com/microcosmmm Instagram: http://instagram.com/microcosm_pub ************

Information

  • Creator
    Microcosm Publishing
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2025
  • Episodes
    100
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2025 Microcosm Publishing
  • Show Website
    A People's Guide to Publishing

You Might Also Like