S.2 Ep. 11: Shelf-Made Publishers: How Bindery Books and Tastemakers Are Rewriting the Future of Publishing for Authors
Podcast: The Mythic Mic PodcastPublished On: Thu Nov 06 2025
Description: 🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where myths intertwine with reality, legends come to life, and fantasy is more than just a story!In this episode, host Sara Santillan sits down with Matt Kaye, co-founder and CEO of Bindery Books, to explore one of the most innovative and disruptive ideas in modern publishing: a tastemaker-driven publishing model that flips the traditional system on its head.Matt walks us through his 20-year journey across traditional publishing, Amazon, and Patreon, and how watching creators build massive, loyal, book-loving communities inspired him to ask one radical question: What if the people readers already trust — i.e., bookish tastemakers — became publishers themselves?From Indie authors who never had a platform to books traditional publishers would “never take a chance on” to runaway successes like Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife and House of Frank, Matt reveals how Bindery is creating a new ecosystem where authors, tastemakers, and readers thrive together.This episode is a must-listen for authors, book influencers, industry professionals, and anyone who wants a behind-the-scenes look at the future of publishing.🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…📚 The Collapse of Traditional Book MarketingWhy legacy methods no longer reach readers and how tastemakers organically filled that void.✨ The Birth of Bindery BooksHow a lunch conversation sparked a vision for a publishing model powered by reader trust and community engagement.📣 What a Tastemaker Actually IsNot “influencers” but readers with powerful taste, loyal communities, and the ability to champion books they truly love.🚀 From PitchFest to PublicationHow the Bindery acquisitions process works, why authors retain more creative control, and how tastemakers guide cover design and marketing.📈 Success Stories That Changed EverythingIncluding Destin J. Munden’s Recipes for an Unexpected Afterlife and House of Frank, and how both books took off without the backing of traditional publishing giants.🎨 The Era of Iconic CoversWhy Bindery books look different — i.e., real artists, real creativity, no AI shortcuts, and no trend-chasing copycat designs.🛠️ Building a Platform for ReadersHow Bindery is creating a digital space that goes beyond content by building a true community home for book lovers.📉 What Traditional Publishing Is MissingThe reality of “platform requirements,” the stress put on authors, and why so many incredible books fall through the cracks.💡 The Future of PublishingHundreds of niche imprints run by passionate tastemakers, diverse stories, more risk-taking, and a model where authors finally get the support they deserve.💫 CONNECT WITH US🎙️ Follow The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMicPod (temporarily @MythicMic📚 Hosts: Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland🪄 Sara Santillan – @The_Magical_Quill📖 Explore Bindery Books – www.binderybooks.com and @Bindery_Books✨ If this episode opened your eyes to the future of publishing, don’t forget to rate & review — it helps more readers and authors discover The Mythic Mic!
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