The Mythic Mic Podcast

S.2 E.3: Navigating the Publishing Landscape with Books on the Grange

Bethany Amanda Season 2 Episode 3

🎙️ Welcome to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where myths meet modern creativity, stories take flight, and now—authors find their voice.

In this special new Aspiring Author Segment launch, co-hosts Bethany Amanda and Sara Santillan sit down with literary power duo Ben and Lauren Grange, the minds behind Books on the Grange and the creators of the brand-new author community and writing challenge Thirty30—the modern answer to NaNoWriMo.

Ben and Lauren bring over 13 years each of publishing experience across major houses like HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, and Amazon. Between them, they’ve done it all—editing, agenting, marketing, and even helping writers land agents and publishing deals. Now, through their growing online platform (with over 23K followers on Instagram), they’re teaching aspiring authors how to write smarter, query stronger, and build community in a tough industry.

💡 In this candid and inspiring episode, the Granges share the real stories behind the glamor of publishing—from rejection and low industry pay to rediscovering the joy of writing and building sustainable creative routines. They also break down the creation of Thirty30, a supportive, quarterly writing challenge designed to help authors write 30,000 words in 30 days with tools, community, and accountability built right in.

🪶 What if rejection wasn’t the end, but the start of becoming a better writer?
🔥 What if success wasn’t about trends or timing, but persistence?
💻 And what if the next great author community started with a thousand words a day?

This episode is filled with hard-won wisdom, humor, and motivation for every writer determined to make their story happen—whether you dream of traditional publication or indie success.

✍️ IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT…
✨ How Ben and Lauren each found their way into publishing and why they stayed
✨ The realities of low pay, burnout, and creative rejection in the industry
✨ Why social media and author platforms matter more than ever
✨ How Books on the Grange became a go-to hub for writers online
✨ The creation of Thirty30, a seasonal writing challenge designed to revive creative momentum
✨ How community can help writers push through self-doubt and finally finish their stories

📚 CONNECT WITH OUR GUESTS:
📖 Follow Ben & Lauren Grange@BooksOnTheGrange
🌐 Join the Thirty30 Challenge – www.thirty30k.com

🎙️ CONNECT WITH US:
🎧 Follow The Mythic Mic Podcast – IG: @MythicMicPod (temporarily @MythicMic)
💫 Follow Host Bethany Corbin – IG: @BethanyinFantasyland
💫 Follow Co-host Sara Santillan – IG: @the_Magical_Quill

🖋️ Remember: every author starts somewhere—and sometimes, the first step is simply showing up to write.