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 think this says about the future of the publishing industry.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!

Dive Deeper

💡 Explore These Resources

• NPR | 3 Harry Potter fan fiction authors are coming to a bookstore near you
• Wired | Lots of People Make Money on Fanfic. Just Not the Authors
• Bustle | SenLinYu Reveals How 'Alchemised' & Their Fanfic, 'Manacled,' Came To Be

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #65 | How to Copyright the Copy That You Wrote
• Ep #77 | Lauren Finally Gets to Talk About Fanfiction
• Ep #111 | Plot Twist: Indie Authors are Landing More Traditional Publishing Deals than Ever

💡 Read These Blog Posts

• What Is Fanfiction and Why Does It Matter?
  
  

Sound Bites From This Episode

🎙️ [11:44] “Never have I wanted to jump out of this seat so badly in the two years that we've done this.” – Matt

🎙️ [39:55] “I just think it's all indicative of this bigger sign that, that publishing is moving in this direction of more and more – like, they're looking to indie creators for proven value, for proven audience, for like, we're not taking a risk on unknown, on people that don't have an audience base, people that don't have any kind of proof of concept whatsoever.” – Lauren

💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more.
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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 three best places to start your search (and research)
• Narrowing your pool of applicants to a shortlist of top candidates

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!

Dive Deeper

💡 Explore These Resources

• Lulu’s Trusted Partners & Pros
• Editorial Freelancers Association
• Fiverr

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #8 | Self-Publishing is a Team Sport
• Ep #20 | Do You Need to Hire Professional Editors for Your Book?
• Ep #93 | Tales from the Scrypt: Self-Publishing Horror Stories (and How to Survive Them)

💡 Read These Blog Posts

• Build Your Publishing Team
• How to Choose an Editor

💡 Watch These Videos

• Types of Book Editing and How to Get Them Done
• How to Build Your Publishing Dream Team
• Webinar | Take Your Story to the Next Level with Experts from Lulu and Fiverr
  
  

💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more.
💀 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at luludotcom!
💀 Email us at podcast@lulu.com
💀 Sign up for our mailing list.

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:

🔑 Understanding the key players in the distribution game

📚 The 4 most important stages from book publication to bookstore shelf

🎯 What indie authors need to do to set their book up for success

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or watch the video episode on YouTube!

Dive Deeper

💡 Listen to These Episodes

• Ep #37 | How to Get Your Book Into Indie Bookstores
• Ep #59 | Mastering Book Metadata to Maximize Market Reach
• Ep #68 | Maximizing Your Chances of Discoverability in Generative AI Search
• Ep #90 | How to Get Your Book Into Libraries

💡 Read These Blog Posts

• What the Hell Is Metadata?
• Genres, BISAC Subject Codes, and You

💡 Explore These Resources from the Lulu Knowledge Base

• Global Distribution: The Basics
• Mandatory Print Book Distribution Requirements
• Common Retail Distribution Rejection Reasons
  
  
  

💀 Can’t wait for our next episode? Check out our Resources page for links to our blog, our YouTube channel, and more.
💀 Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at luludotcom!
💀 Email us at podcast@lulu.com
💀 Sign up for our mailing list.