How do publishers bring books back into print? w/Jane Friedman | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

July 02, 2026

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!

Learn more from Jane over at https://janefriedman.com

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
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Unfuck Your Wellness: Using Science to Evaluate Acupuncture, Hypnosis, Aromatherapy, Cannabis, and Other Healing Modalities

June 25, 2026

Debunk the junk and get healthy with remedies that work

Learn to discern between science-backed health strategies and harmful health scams from Microcosm’s bestselling author. Dr. Faith Harper, author of books like Unfuck Your Brain and Unfuck Your Body, explores popular alternative treatments like sound healing, mindfulness and meditation, and herbal supplements. She applies the rules of scientific inquiry to each one, asking key questions like: What science do we have? What should we look out for? How do we discern quality? Which claims have merit, which might be possible, and which are ridiculous? She walks you through the body-mind connection, the placebo effect, and how to critically read a scientific study.

In these pages, you’ll find tools to determine for yourself what treatments are worth spending your money on and what will really help you feel better, and learn to advocate for yourself within and outside of the medical establishment. Bolstered by research and sprinkled with swearing, this book celebrates just how damn cool the human body and mind are, putting the power of healing in your hands.

For fans of the podcast If Books Could Kill and anyone who’s fallen down a rabbit hole of internet research and wants help separating fact from fiction.

Make healthy choices and keep reading for an excerpt from Dr. Faith’s latest, Unfuck Your Wellness, available now from out site or a Microcosm peddler near you!

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How do libraries affect book sales? w/Guy LeCharles Gonzalez| A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

June 25, 2026

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.

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
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Writing the Books That You Want to Read w/ J Hunter Bennett | People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

June 19, 2026

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

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
Want to stay up to date on new podcast episodes and happenings at Microcosm? Subscribe to our newsletter!

How to Sell Books to Bookstores, w/Maureen Karb | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

June 04, 2026

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.

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
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Your Book Is Your Business: Money-Making Sales Strategies

June 04, 2026

Call it a hobby, side gig, side hustle, or whatever you’d like—but treat it like a business.

Take your book from a single product you feel like you have to hustle to a foundational piece of your prospering entrepreneurial enterprise with the help of this encouraging, no-nonsense guide to promoting—and profiting from—your writing, whether or not you have a relationship with a traditional publisher.

Joylynn M. Ross is a bestselling author with decades of experience in multiple genres. She shares her insider knowledge of how to treat your writing as a business. She walks you through the nitty-gritty, behind-the-scenes details of literary finances, from finding grants to printing options to cover pricing. Ross’s straightforward, tried-and-true advice is accessible, actionable, and practical, told in brief vignettes readers can easily refer back to, or easily share with others. You don’t need to rely on fast trends, conventional wisdom, or expensive freelance support to make sure your work succeeds and your reach continues to grow.

Don’t be discouraged: Roll up your sleeves and dive in for a more successful publication, a more profitable business, and a more empowered writing community.

Read on for an excerpt from Your Book Is Your Business, shipping now from our site and available everywhere you find Microcosm titles on June 9th.

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Next-Level Ally: How to Support Your Queer and Transgender Friends

June 04, 2026

Speak up, take action, and protect your community

How do you show up for the LGBTQ+ people in your life? You’ve figured out pronouns, you vote, and you don’t say hateful things, but you have a lot of unanswered questions and the strong feeling that you could be doing more. You’re committed to educating yourself, but where to start?

Author and activist Eli Sachse has created a practical guide to being a better friend, family member, partner, colleague, and community member to your trans and queer friends. With anti-queer and trans bias and oppression on the rise, it’s more important than ever for allies to step up with radical empathy. Allyship is a skill that anyone can learn, and Sachse is a kind, clear teacher.

With a focus on direct and effective communication, Sachse has filled this book with real-world examples for everyday people. Learn when and how to speak up at work and online without doing more harm than good. Create more inclusive conversations and challenge misgendering and harmful jokes. Learn to see and question your own implicit biases and assumptions. Celebrate and affirm your friends. Become a better friend, manager, or parent. Volunteer, march, and create true safe spaces. Further chapters advise people working in health and mental health professionals, educators, and law enforcement in how to do better by the trans and queer people they serve.

Read on for an excerpt from Next-Level Ally, shipping now from our site and available everywhere you find Microcosm titles!

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Movie Deals, Book Clubs, & More Book Scams w/ Jane Friedman | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

May 28, 2026

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

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
Want to stay up to date on new podcast episodes and happenings at Microcosm? Subscribe to our newsletter!

Is there a difference between gift & special sales book markets? | A People’s Guide to Publishing

May 21, 2026 — by Abby Rice

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!

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
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What is some good Indigenous Punk? w/ Al Carroll | A People’s Guide to Publishing Podcast

May 14, 2026

Al Carroll is Associate Professor of US, American Indian, and Latin American History at Northern Virginia Community College, and a former Senior Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia. His latest book is “Indigenous Punk: A Definitive Guide to the Native, Aboriginal, and Pacific Islander Metal and Rock ‘n’ Roll Musicians Who Changed Music.”

This week on the pod, Al joins Joe and Elly to talk about Native punk and metal history, his favorite bands (incredible recs galore!), and how the book came together. (and keep an eye on the background for an adorable special guest appearance)

Grab a copy of Indigenous Punk here.

Prefer an audio experience? Listen to the episode on your favorite podcast app.
Get the People’s Guide to Publishing here, and the workbook here!
Want to stay up to date on new podcast episodes and happenings at Microcosm? Subscribe to our newsletter!