The Mythic Mic Podcast

S.2 Ep. 71: The Book Box Your Dog Has Been Waiting For: Barbara on GildedTail

• Season 2 • Episode 71

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0:00 | 41:11

🎙️ Welcome back to The Mythic Mic Podcast, where special editions fill every shelf, indie authors deserve the spotlight, and sometimes the perfect reading companion has four paws and a wagging tail.

This week, hosts Bethany Amanda and Amara sit down with Barbara, founder and CEO of GildedTail, to discuss the launch of one of the most unique new book boxes coming to the bookish community.

Created for readers who love beautiful books and adore their pets, GildedTail combines exclusive special editions from indie authors with themed reader merchandise and pet products inspired by each featured story. Barbara shares the unexpected journey that led her from leaving an unfulfilling career to building a company centered around two of her biggest passions: books and animals.

From designing custom special editions and working directly with indie authors to creating pet-themed merchandise and building a thriving waitlist before launch, Barbara gives listeners a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to bring a book box from dream to reality.

📚 What goes into creating a truly unforgettable special edition?
🐾 How do you build a book box that includes both readers and their pets?
✨ And why are indie authors at the heart of everything GildedTail does?

Whether you're a special edition collector, an indie author, a devoted pet parent, or all three, this episode is packed with insight, excitement, and plenty of bookish chaos.

🔥 IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT:
✨ The story behind the creation of GildedTail.
✨ Why Barbara left her previous career to pursue her dream.
✨ Combining a love of books and pets into one subscription box.
✨ Supporting indie authors through exclusive special editions.
✨ What goes into designing custom covers, sprayed edges, and collectible editions.
✨ The process of selecting books, artists, and merchandise for each box.
✨ How Gilded Tail plans to continue special edition series beyond the subscription.
✨ Monthly boxes, pet customization options, and reader merchandise.
✨ Building a company with the support of family, friends, and a passionate team.
✨ Upcoming launches, convention plans, ambassador opportunities, and an exclusive Mythic Mic giveaway.

🐶 Plus: Lord of the Rings obsessions, pet adoption stories, collector struggles, and why every book lover deserves a reading buddy curled up beside them.

CONNECT WITH US

🎙️ The Mythic Mic Podcast – @MythicMic
👤 Bethany Amanda – @BethanyinFantasyland
👤 Amara – @Bored_Military_Wife
📚 GildedTail – @GildedTail

✨ If you enjoyed this episode, please rate and review. It helps more fantasy readers and aspiring authors find their way to The Mythic Mic.

SPEAKER_03

Welcome to the Mythic Mike Podcast, where myths, magic, and the art of storytelling collide. Join your hosts, Bethany Amanda and Sarah Santina, passionate authors, book collectors, and champions of the writing journey, as they share the tools you need to write, finish, and publish your own epic tale. From insider tips with best-selling authors to insights from industry experts, the Mythic Mike is your guide to crafting worlds, conquering writers blog, and bringing your story to life. So grab your favorite writing fabric, open that manuscript, and let's turn your ideas into legends.

SPEAKER_00

Now, here are your hosts. Hey everyone, welcome to this episode of the Mythic Mike Podcast. I am so excited to be here today because if you can see me on the screen, um if you're watching on YouTube, you can see my gorgeous sprayed edges in the background. You know that I'm a collector of special edition books. So pretty much every single book box out there I have heard of, I have subscribed to, and I have editions from. And I'm thrilled to tell you that there is a new one coming your way this month. I am just so excited. You and your furry friends are absolutely gonna need this one, Gilded Tail. We are here with the book box owner, Barbara. Hi, Barbara. Thanks for having me. We are so excited. And I have my furry little companion sitting right by me who has tuned in for this episode because I know this is one that our furry friends are going to love too and benefit from. Joining me today as well is my co-host, Amara. Hi, Amara.

SPEAKER_04

Another furry friend here. That was good.

SPEAKER_00

I love this. Well, Barb, can you start off by just telling us a little bit about yourself, who you are, and then, you know, the background that really inspired you to start Gilded Tale as a book boss.

SPEAKER_02

Again, thanks for having me. I'm so excited to be here. And I love your special editions. I love that they're all coronated in color. My closet's that way. So I got so excited when I saw that. But yeah, my name is Barbara. I am the CEO and founder of Gilded Tale. I started this company in October with just brainstorming ideas, and it's it's picked up quite a bit in the past couple months. We launch in August, so we are super excited. My background, I have an MBA with a concentration in project management, and then I also have a bachelor's in supply chain and operation management. So I'm background-wise really well with like supply chain and trying to look for stuff and just finding the newest things. Gilded Hill came out of hating my job, my previous job. I worked for a big pet production company and I just wasn't happy anymore. So I ended up leaving and I came home and I told my husband, like, I gave in my two weeks and I'm I'm done. And he's he was just like, What's next? What are you gonna do? What's the plan? So I was sitting there and I was thinking of what my next thing is. And I was reading my book, and my animals were like jumping all over me and kind of just wrestling in front of me. And I was like, you know, let me look for for something for the pets. Got online, started looking for stuff, like something book related, and I could not find anything. And everything I would find was like $50. And I'm like, my dogs are going to destroy this in like within a couple like hours. Like, I don't want to spend $50 on this one item. So I started brainstorming this idea of books and pets. And, you know, came up with my business plan, showed it to my husband, and he's just like, this sounds amazing. Do it. And for a second, I was like, Are you sure? Are you just are you just supporting me because I'm your wife? And he's like, No, this sounds amazing. He's like, look at all the books you have. You know, you're always looking for new pet stuff for the pets, great things, like do it. So here we are doing it. And we're so excited. We already like have 500 subscribers on our wait list. Over 500. We have over 3,000 followers. It's just, it's a dream, and I'm so excited about it. And yeah, it's my baby.

SPEAKER_00

It's my my new baby. I love that. No, it's so funny you mentioned, you know, searching for pet products related to books because I did the same thing whenever I got into book collecting. I was like, I would love to style my dog with some, you know, like a bandana or something really cute from one of my favorite books. And literally, it's like $40. You can only find them on Etsy, and it's such a limited selection. I, as soon as I heard about your book box, um, and Amara clued me into it, I was like, I need this. I need this. Every pet owner and book lover needs this.

SPEAKER_02

There's so many, like, at least when I'm reading, my dogs always like to curl up next to me or my cats. And it's just like, it just blends in well. And my dog, his name is Gandalf, and you know, Lord of the Rings. We're huge fans of Lord of the Rings. Love the books, listen to them like maybe once every couple years. The movies are like a yearly thing. Like our New Year's thing is watching, watching Lord of the Rings. Same. So that's what we do on New Year's. Like we aren't like the party people sit there and watch Lord of the Rings and just hang out.

SPEAKER_00

I don't know if you need to see behind me, but I literally have like three shelves of Lord of the Rings straight up.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. Yeah. So it's it's just like we named him Gandalf, and I was looking for a bandana or something to put on him, and I just couldn't find anything. So I started like drawing things out and showing my husband, he's like, Oh, that's amazing. That's great. Like, print it. And I was like, Well, why just for me? Like, why not like take this above and beyond? So that's where my idea came from. And then also I have a couple, you know, boxes myself for book subscriptions. So each one of them works a lot with like big publishing companies, big trade companies. I love finding the new stories, like just something different, something new, something nobody's talking about. I am so off trend. I am not a trendy person. My husband's like, oh, wasn't that like somebody said you're off trend? And I'm like, yeah, like this was like probably a couple years ago, and like I'm not, I'm not going with the trend. So we only work with indie authors and indie publishers because we do want to like get their stories out there and just something different because that's what subscriptions boxes started as. I remember when they like first started coming out, my parents would get different coffees from like around the world, and they never knew what they had in their box because it was just always a mystery. And we'd get it and we'd open it, and it was just so exciting because it's like, oh, something different. And that's what we want to do. We want to, you know, show people these new amazing stories and these authors who are doing them because that's where they start. They start with, you know, these small stories and they grow. So I want to help them grow faster and welcome them to our boxes. We've we actually, you know, posted the rep search today, and I have authors reaching out, like, hey, are you looking for new authors? And I'm like, Yes, we're always looking, always like send us your book, let us know. Like, we'll set up a meeting, we'll talk. Like, I I love it. I read every book too. I have a few books I'm behind on, but we already have over 24 authors signed up, is two years worth of books. So at some point we do plan on like adding more books each month, like uh doing just fantasy, doing one just romance, doing one just dark romance, like just different books for each box. But right now we're focused on one box and just making it amazing for you know our subscribers, for our authors, and just each box is gonna have like a pet merch inspired by their story. So we're working on a lot, and I wish I could go into like more detail because it's just so exciting. Uh but like one of the boxes where we have what is like the rope plushy toys for the dogs, another one we have like different things for cats. Each box will allow you to put in one item for a dog. And if you have like me, I have five animals, like add additional items for like each one because they're like your kids. You can't just get one one thing and not get the other one. So like nothing. Yeah, and I I can keep talking about this, but I know you have more questions.

SPEAKER_00

I love that, Barb. Oh my goodness. Well, my book is gonna be coming out late next year, so I'm definitely gonna be submitting it to you all because that would be incredible. Like Sailor Moon-ish, celestial themed box. Just keep it in your radar. I just had my kids watching Sailor Moon the other day. I was like, look, you guys!

SPEAKER_04

It's a classic.

unknown

Yeah.

SPEAKER_04

And I love so much that you're working with indie authors because since I started my arc reading indie author bookstagram journey last year, I've gotten to learn so much, and I cannot believe how much work indie authors have to do. And they deserve all the hype, all the love in the whole wide world. So I love that you guys are supporting them.

SPEAKER_02

It does take a lot of work, and I did not realize how much work it took until I started my own business and starting to build it. And just sitting down and talking to all these indie authors and everything they they like go through to get their books out there to get recognized, you know, all these farmer markets, book events, everything. And if I can help a little, I'm I'm going to help. Like, let me know what you need from me and I'll get it done. So they've been they've been great to work with.

SPEAKER_04

Now I know this book box is for our furry friends and ourselves as well. Can you tell us? You say you have five pets. I don't know how you do it. You're crazy, but in the best sense of way. Can you tell us what sort of animals' names, who they are, personalities, what do we got?

SPEAKER_02

So I I have five pets and I also have two kids. So my hands are pretty full with starting this business and having everything else going on. But I started with three cats. So I a couple years ago, I had a situation going on and I was just struggling. And my husband and the kids went out of town. So there was this post on Facebook about three kittens and they needed a foster home. And I was like, Oh my goodness, yes, I'll take them. Like, of course. Did not tell my husband, drove down to this place, picked up three kittens. He came home and he's like, What are we doing? And I was like, We're offering them. And he's like, like, he knew like we're never gonna give these cats up because we had two young kids at the time, and he's just like, No, like I know you're just saying foster, but you really mean like heath. And I was like, Yeah, yeah. We kept them. Uh so I have a black one named Crowley, and he's named after the character in Supernatural. He's black and he's just he's always our troublemaker. He's always like running up the stairs with like food that he's not supposed to have. Like he he gets us on our toes. And then we have Weasley. We're thinking when he was a kitten, his vocals were like injured or something, because when he meows, it's a very like squeaky meow. It's like the cutest meow ever, so I love when he meows, but he's also very cuddly, and he's just like he's an orange cat, and they're a little thicker, you know. So he he's my baby. Um, and then we have pebbles, who my daughter named, and she's just uh a gray and white cat, and she's she's such a sweetheart. She's more obsessed with my husband and my son than she is with anybody else, but it's fine. And then we have Rowena, who is a great Pyrenees poodle, and she was a runt at the litter, so she's much smaller, she's more poodle-sized, and she's all black with a little bit of white. She's she's beautiful, and then we have Gandalf, who is uh a poodle, and I got him from a groomer my sister used to take her dog to, and he was kind of just gifted to us. So most of my dogs are my dogs were gifted, my cats were just foster babies, and now they're they're my babies. And I'm I'm obsessed with I love that.

SPEAKER_00

I have two Shizus, Taz and Dash. They're sadly getting up there in age. Taz is 16 and Dash is 12. So the the vet bills are a nightmare for these two, right? And they, you know, they were from breeders as well, but I you know, so they weren't supposed to have issues. Um yet I think I, you know, it's it's a really good thing. I have a full-time job to pay for their vet bills. 16's impressive, even 12 impressive. Like, wow. I know. And he the 16-year-old acts so much more energetic than the 12-year-old. Like you would never know looking at him. He is hysterical, just prances, like a like a little prancer. He's adorable. But I I'm really curious, you know, as somebody who does collect special edition books and loves them and every little aspect of them, what is the process like for getting a special edition book ready?

SPEAKER_02

My goodness. Again, like starting this business and not really like knowing how it was going to be and like what everything took, because most of my background is in aviation, aerospace, and it was more manufacturing for that. So nothing book related. So this has been such a learning journey. And my team has been amazing through it all. They deal with me in my crazy ADHD moments where I'm like hyper focused on one thing where I have a million things, and I'm like sending, I think we have like six different chats going on because I always have like something different, and I feel like they need to be separated to like make sure we hit on each subject. So they're like, hey, we have we talked about this in this chat. And I'm like, oh yeah, we did. But it's finding the author, making sure their book fits to what we're looking for. So I read each book because I do want to have these conversations with the author and make like let them know that you know they can trust me. I'm reading their book. I'm taking the time to make sure everything fits into what we're looking for. And then also, like, you have to read the book to know how you're gonna make the special edition. Like, you can't just be like, oh, I'm gonna do this to this and not know what's going on with the book. So we're reading each book, I read them, I share my input, and then I, you know, ask my staff to like read the other like same books. So we all have different opinions. And that's been the fun process is we are all so different, and I have an opinion, and they're like, no, that doesn't work. Like everyone else has different opinions. So we'll find like what we can all agree on. And then we also ask the author, like, hey, this is what we're thinking. Like, what are your thoughts? And some of them provide us their feedback. Some of them are just like, we trust you, do it, do what you think you, you know, you want to do. So we read the books, we talk to the authors, we share our, you know, our mural board, like make sure that we're all online. And then we find the the artist that matches that book. Like one of the books we have worked with is a retailing of like one of our childhood stories. And with that, it reminds me more like cartoon, more lighter, like more just brighter and warmer. So we had to find the perfect artist for this. And it's just like we received like some that were kind of like dark, and we're like, oh, that would be great for like an October book, or this would be great for a Christmas book. So it's just trying to find the right artist to work with. We just had covers custom made. So we all just shared our ideas and gave it to the artists, and they like came up with this beautiful cover. Like, we're so excited. One of our team members cried because she's like, oh my goodness, this is like the first book like we've had custom made for this author. And I'm just so excited. And it's like having a baby, like we put so much energy and time into this, and then it like comes to be, and it's just like breathtaking, and you're just like, Oh my goodness, we did this. Like, it's going so great. So it's just each detail is very specific to what we're looking for in each artist. We had an artist uh post a couple a couple weeks ago, a couple months ago, and we had over 500 artists send us their work. So we have a good like spreadsheet, like with their pictures, you know, their availability, like just everything. So we know like who we're working with. And just like in the authors, we're also trying to look for artists who aren't well known. So just the newest artists, getting them out there too, like working with them. So it's been fun because it's also been like we're learning, they're learning, like, hey, we want this foiled. And they're like, well, how do I foil? And I'm like, oh, we we already know this. We we've already hit this already. So let's let's explain this to you. So it's been so fun, it's so exciting. And just bringing new people into this has just been amazing.

SPEAKER_00

And like Amara said, like, we're we're pretty busy. I love that. You know, it's so funny. Um, because as I mentioned, right, I have my indie book coming out. So I just finished like the cover design, right? And and my artist was like, So are you doing foil? I'm like, I don't know how to do foil. It's like that exact conversation.

SPEAKER_02

Well, yeah, I know, like the first couple books, like the first book we did actually, the artist like wasn't as vocal as we would have liked. Because we did mention, like, we're new, we're like starting off, we don't really know what we're doing with this, and that was it. And we apparently missed a lot of things to give him, so it took longer than what we expected. The next couple artists we've worked with are like, we need this, this, and that. And I'm like, oh my goodness, thank you so much for the heads up. Because here, here's everything. We have it all, we're we're ready. But each one is different, and it's just been a learning curve for us, and it's going great so far. We've learned so much. So we're super excited for August and to have that first box out there to you guys. So we're excited.

SPEAKER_00

So I'm so curious as well. Like the book box is coming out in August. When did you first start thinking, okay, like we're gonna start planning out your first special edition? Because I know it takes so much time, right, to get all the art and to get everything into production. So you must have been working on this for a long time before now.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah. So I started this company. I started the idea back in September when I left my job and then started building it in October, but had it pause it in in November, December, because we lost my mother-in-law and then we lost my grandfather-in-law. So we were as a family struggling to like kind of get over everything and like grieve properly. So in January, once we were a little more settled and after the holidays, I was just like, you know, I need to keep this going. I need to continue because this is this is my dream. And I hired my first person in March because I was like, I'm doing it all. This is a lot harder than what I was expecting. So it started from like January when I started thinking about like, hey, this is what I want to do with this book. And I had read the books. So I was like, okay. And I knew the author. We had numerous conversations about what she wanted in her book and how she wanted it. So started in January, then hired my first person in March, and I was like, hey, this is what I'm doing with this one. She had some input, and we finally sent it ending of March, and it's been in production, and we should receive it the ending of June. So we're like, we'll have it here, everything's gonna be on track. We I already received some pet merch for it. The next one's supposed to come at the end of this week. And then we also have reader merch. So each box is gonna have something different, not just for the pets, but also for the reader. So one box might have a hat, another one candle, a tote bag, just something different. Cause I I love getting different things. I don't want to send like two things after another, like the same thing. It's like, no, like do something different. And also with the pet merch, too. It's not just toys that's where you're looking at like uh cat bulls, colors for dogs, like leashes, just different things because I'm always loosing my leash. I'm always like looking for new pet bulls. Like I would love to match with my pet. I have like certain like animal shirts, and my husband's like, that's what you're wearing today. And I'm like, Yeah, yeah, it has my cat on it. And he's like, All right, babe. And he's amazing, he's so supportive about it all in like my lovely like cat uniforms. I have a cat sweater, like I am obsessed with my animal, so that's why like this is so amazing to me. And I'm like, I can wear these to my events, like I can go out and be like, it's a part of the company, like it goes. So it's it's been fun.

SPEAKER_04

That I'm I mean, I think we all know I'm so excited for this book. So excited that I started working for you. Yes, yeah. And I am I have been loving the process so far. I would love to dive into more information about the box, even though I know a little bit because I'm behind the scenes, but our our listeners may not. What does the structure of the subscription look like? And what animals can uh one choose from?

SPEAKER_02

So we have three different ones. So we're gonna have a book if they just want the book. If you don't have any pets and you just want to get a book, we're gonna have that. And then we're gonna have a book and a reader, because you know, you're gonna get the book and you can also get the merch that we get for the readers. And then we're gonna have the third one, which is, you know, for pets. So book, reader, pets. For the pets, like I mentioned earlier, you can I have five pets. Um I'm going to order probably five items. Who knows? But you'll be able to choose from the dogs. So that one's going to come in different sizing because we we know all dogs are different. Like your dog is much smaller than my dog. So there's gonna be a small, medium, and large. So each toy is gonna be different. It's not gonna be the same toy, it's just gonna be different for that animal because we want to make sure that the toy they get they can enjoy too, compared to like getting a large dog toy that will probably take them a lot longer to chew up than a small one. So each one is going to be different, and then we're gonna have the cat option too. And cats are all almost the same size, so we're doing that, but you can add on to your pets. So you can, you know, pick from a dog and cat, you can pick the sizing for the dog and just continue adding on to your box. We're also going to allow people to donate their animal toys. So if they want to get the animal box and just donate the toy, and you know, you don't have to take the toy, we're doing that. But my goal is to donate the toys we don't use because I my animals were gifted or fostered, and I'm obsessed if I could have more animals, I would, but apparently five's my limit, according to my husband. So for now, for now, I'm sure I can come in some later on for a six. But we'll be donating these toys because I I want to do good in the community. There's a couple shelters I've already looked at, there's a couple people I've already spoken to, foster homes that I'm I will be donating these some of those these toys to.

SPEAKER_00

That's amazing. I I have to say, uh, you know, and I am a huge proponent of, you know, donating, uh, you know, adopting, fostering, all of that. And I love that you're giving back to the community that way. That's incredible, Barb.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, I mean like I said, I keep all these animals, I would, but I can't. So I'm like, let me do something, something else. Let me just donate some toys. And I am ordering extra toys to be able to do that because I want that to happen. I this is my goal, like this is my dream. And if I can give something to these animals, then I'm I'm going to.

SPEAKER_00

That is amazing. And I'm I'm curious. So is this a monthly box or you know, how often will they be shipped?

SPEAKER_02

It is a monthly box. So we consider doing it quarterly, we consider it doing monthly, like, but I love receiving my box monthly, and like it's just it's like Christmas every month. It's so exciting. Like, and then to also have your pets included, like them getting something different every month, like them being entertained while you're reading your book. Like, I received one of the toys last week and I tested it with my pets, and they walk around. Everywhere with it. Like they're fighting for it. They want it. Like it's just been so exciting to see that they love this thing that we created. So we're we're doing monthly. I'm I'm really excited. It takes a lot more work to do monthly, but it's good work. It's like fun. We're we're enjoying it. I mean, at least I'm enjoying it. I don't know if Amara's enjoying it.

SPEAKER_04

Been enjoying it. I've been loving it. I've been seeing all of it. And I don't have a lot of extra income for books, but I make sure to set some aside. And then I'm so excited to get one every single month because it is excited. Like I would rather spend my money on a book than like new wonderwear or something like that. Like settles to a tea team iron. Bethany don't allow. Okay. Speaking of the special editions in every box, will it be a surprise? Will we know beforehand? What can you tease us with?

SPEAKER_02

So my team and I have gone back and forth with this, and it's just been such a funny conversation because we're all so different. There's some that are like a little more bubbly, a little like more romance, others are like more like dark fantasy and like darker than what I like to read. Like our personalities are very different. So with this, it's been like a back and forth discussion. I think we've settled on doing a partial reveal. So not including the name or the pet merch that's going to be included, but doing like the color that the book's going to be, a tiny summary of the book, maybe some quotes from the book. So it's still in discussion how we're going to be letting people know. But I think that's what we've settled on as of today. But we'll we'll see. We still have it until like I think we are revealing our first book in a couple two weeks, I believe.

SPEAKER_00

So we'll see. You'll know, you'll know you make it big whenever Autumn starts spoiling your book box for you.

SPEAKER_01

Yeah. My team's like, look, should we let her know? And I'm like, no, she'll she'll find out soon. We're working, yeah. I love it.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, and I'm sure Barb and Bethany can understand with me being on both of your teams, how crazy I can get. And I've sent like Bethany, like a hundred authors in a month. And Barbara's probably sick and tired of me sending like possible indie authors, like more of these books. I'm just like, I get excited just as much as everybody else does about getting, you know, these special edition books and just helping out authors and getting to know more about them.

SPEAKER_00

And all I see are like all the awesome collab opportunities because we also feature indie authors on the show. So just saying.

SPEAKER_02

Like I love all your recommendations. I'm like searching each one. I have my own spreadsheet. Like, oh Amara like recommended these. Like, can like can I order their book? Can I listen to it? Like, what can I do with it? Yeah. But I've I think I followed most of the ones you recommended already.

SPEAKER_00

So Amara is the back, the best when it comes to you should read this book or you should know this person and this author. So huge asset there.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, she recommended one not too long ago, and I listened to it and I was like, oh my God, it's amazing. I love this. And she's like, yes, a win for me.

SPEAKER_00

I was like, yes. And Barb, I'm curious too, because you're you mentioned that your team all has different reading preferences. So is there a specific genre that you're focusing on currently for this book box? Is it kind of widespread? What does that look like? It's widespread.

SPEAKER_02

So I started with just wanting fantasy. And then people like sent us in some books and there were romance. And I was like, these are amazing. Like I've never been one to read romance. I'm like, get me out of this world, fantasy, nothing that can be too real. I'm all about that. But then I receive these books and I'm like, I've been missing out. Like, what was I thinking? So now it's like kind of expanded. So we I'm I'm enjoying some books that are romance right now. So I'm like, oh yeah, these might have to go in our boxes. But it started with fantasy and then it kind of grew into romance. And then I do kind of like a little bit of dark romance. So it's expanding quite a bit, like with the books we get in. And we allow authors to like reach out to us and like submit their books. And I order their books, I listen to them, I read them, or you know, recommendations. We've had, you know, our team recommend a lot of books. We've had people like reach out to us and be like, Hey, have you heard of this author? Listen to it, thank me later. And I'm like, awesome. Okay. Like today, you know, the one I mentioned earlier, we had somebody reach out to us and be like, Hey, are you still accepting books? Always, always. Like, never gonna say no to a new book.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, I think it really just depends on like who reaches out to you and who you can get in time and whatnot. But speaking of the authors, for anybody who are listening, listen up, everybody. Do you have a certain criteria of what you're looking for? Or is it just something that you can eat up and you just want to read and you're excited? Well, what are we looking at?

SPEAKER_02

So I read each book. And if I ever question, like if I'm ever hesitant on it, I have other team members read it and kind of have a meeting with them and be like, what are your thoughts? Um, there's no real criteria because I know each book is different, each author is different, the way they're written is different. And it's just like, can I eat this book of? Like, how am I feeling about this? Am I feeling anything about this? Like the one Amara recommended, I was like, oh my goodness, like if I could be this like character in this story, like, yes, that's what I want to feel in these books. And I'm sure that's what a lot of readers love feeling in the books. Like they love feeling those emotions. Like, and that's what I want. Like, I want a book that can make me emotional, that can like just tear my soul apart, like just exciting. And that's what we want for each box. So a lot of the books right now we're working with, I'm like, my poor heart, like I don't know how much I can take, but it's been great. You know, we've we received like so many books, so many authors. Like, we're working with some that are just like starting off that just submitted their book, and I'm like, this is great, this is gonna be big one day. And then we've been submitted other books that have already been like noticed and the authors much well noticed. You know, they might be working with a big publishing company already, but that book never got picked up. So it it depends on the author, depends on the book.

SPEAKER_00

I love that. How far in advance are you booking? Right? You mentioned you had like 24 authors, you have like enough for two years. Um so for any authors who are listening, right, who might want to get on your radar, when should they start doing that? Um, versus you, you know, for instance, maybe they have a book out now versus one coming out in two years, when should they put that on your radar?

SPEAKER_02

As soon as they have it available, we have received a couple ARCs. So I'm reading those. Um, and I there's one that I'm reading right now, and I'm like, oh, this is interesting. Like I've I've never read a book like this before. So it's just whenever they're available, like ready to give us their book, whenever they're done and comfortable of how they're feeling about it. Like it's never too early, it's never too late. And we are like moving books around because for Christmas, I don't want to give you a book that like, you know, is horror and mystery and like death. Like that's not really the vibe I'm trying to give for Christmas. And Valentine's Day, you know, you want something a little like more romantic, more Valentine's Day. Like, we're moving books around just so it like blends in well with the month, too, because we want people to be happy on Valentine's Day and during the holidays. We don't want to bring them down. So we we are having a fun time trying to put each book in like the months that they would go well in. One of the books right now, it's heavily based in like the snowy time weather. So we did our research where this book was supposed to be like its location from where the author has it. And it snows in like January and like different months. So we're like, oh, that would be great. So we are doing our research behind the scenes to see like where it would fit. Like if it's snowing and raining, what what timing does this book take place in that like country or place? Fantasy's a little easier to like fit into places, but when it comes to like a little more realistic, we're like, okay, let's if it's in France, we gotta look up this France place and see if it snows or like what area of the month. So we we're having fun reading all these. We're we're trying to find the perfect month for each book.

SPEAKER_00

I love that you get paid to read books and make books that are pretty and make pet toys. This is a dream job, Barb.

SPEAKER_02

It it's been great. I love it. I'm having such a great time. It's been really stressful too, only because I am, I mean, I have been a stay-at-home mom. I have worked full-time, I've like been in different places, but being home and working from home, I'm always like, I can be doing laundry or I need to do those dishes. So it's trying to find like that balance between like work life and family life. That's been like the most difficult thing. But my husband, again, has been so supportive about this whole thing and like journey, and he's like doing the dishes and taking the kids to their events and like waking up early in the morning. So he's like, Hey, you have a meeting at this time, you gotta wake up too. And I'm like, Okay. So it's been it's been great having that support.

SPEAKER_04

Well, that is so cute that he supports you. And like you, when you first mentioned at the beginning of the interview about when you first were like, Hey, I want to start this business, and you weren't sure if like he was just saying it just to float your bow, you know, something like that. But he it generally, it wasn't like a mom answer, you know, how moms are always like, You're perfect, you're amazing, whatever you do, like go for it. Like, no, like it's like it he genuinely was like, Let's talk about it, let me help you. And I I love the assist that he does too. And I know you've mentioned before that he helps you, like with all of the numbers and whatnot. So I love, I love all the stuff.

SPEAKER_02

He's my finance manager. He has his degree in financing, that's what he does for real life. He's a finance manager, so he does make sure all my numbers are correct. And he has been supportive from day one, and that's what I appreciate about him and like my whole team. They've been very like, they don't beat around the bush. And that's what I like. It's he's like, not like, oh yeah, you're gonna be great. He's like, no, come up with a business plan and show me that you're serious about this. Like, if you are, you'll do this and show it to him. And he's like, it looks great, do it. My team's the same way. Like, okay, like this is what you really want to do. Like, show us your, you know, show us what you're envisioning and we'll get this done for you. So it's just having that team and the support has really made this process and like journey so much more enjoyable and less stressful. And that's what I recommend for anybody, like just finding your support team. Because even as like parents, like if you have that village, if you have that support, it makes parenting so much easier. Like you have those people. You have people that will back you up and have your support. And that's where and that's that's what I'm doing. That's what I'm doing too. I'm like, hey, you need my support? You want you you want my approval? Like, show me what you're thinking and we can continue this conversation. I need a village for my dogs. I mean, you can sign me up. I'm I'm totally on board with this. And over to you, Bethany, you're not too too far.

SPEAKER_00

Yeah, you're super close, just a state away. So, oh my gosh. So, Barb, I love this. Uh for people who want to sign up for your wait list, which I already know is like 500 plus people long. So, I'm hoping we can make it even longer. Where can they sign up? And, you know, do you have kind of numbers on stock? Like how, you know, how many people might get off the wait list? Uh are you kind of keeping it small for the first couple books, or what is your strategy there? So we okay, first question.

SPEAKER_02

I'll answer that one. You can go onto our website on Guild Detail, and then there's our link. You go onto our website and just put in your information. I believe it's your name, your email address, and I believe your birthday. And you sign up for the wait list, you'll get a confirmation email and you're signed up and it has a number on there, which number you'll be. So we are starting off with 500 bucks for the first month. Only because I didn't expect to grow so quickly before we even launched, before people even saw anything. Like it was just a huge surprise. So we are gradually like each month growing. So for the first month, we are going to be opening up the subscription list. So you'll receive a code, you'll be able to go to our website, and you'll be able to see the f our website. Like right now, it's being being built, but June 15th is when we open, and those people that are subscribed right now will be able to see it for the first time and go in there, sign up, and I'm so excited. And then we will open up if there's any more remaining spots up to the public. So that would be on July 1st when we plan on opening up if there's any more room available. And then in August, we have ordered 800 bucks. So we're gradually like growing. I'm thinking that we'll be at a thousand bucks before the end of the month with the way it's growing so quickly.

SPEAKER_01

So or I would think so.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah. I'm yeah, I was telling my team like we hit that 500. I'm like, oh my goodness, this this seems like a dream. Like it doesn't seem real. But we do think it's gonna pick up quite quickly. So we'll see if we go over a thousand by the end of the year. Like, I'm my husband's betting me that we are, and I'm like, oh I'm like, I think so the numbers. I I trust him.

SPEAKER_04

Yeah, he knows his numbers. And you guys, I've seen the first book because I'm so lucky and I work for them. I'm not gonna give it away, but all I can tell you is that it's it's beautiful. And I mean, I'm starting my special edition collection. I'm nowhere close to best, but I can't wait to add it to my to my collection. And speaking of the growth of your company and people wanting to join, can you tell us more about your rep program slash ambassador program?

SPEAKER_02

So I have given this to my uh my right-hand person because I have so much going on. Uh currently managing all the contracts by myself because that's my background. So with this, I I'm very little, I just give approval to do what she wants to do. But with the reps, we're doing from July to September, and we're gonna be doing quarterly reps because we always want to bring new people on board and you know, show them what we're doing and who we are. But with the reps, we are doing, I believe it's three ambassadors and seven reps. So they will be receiving our boxes for free, you know, getting all the merch, everything we have. So excited. Um, they'll be the first ones to see the boxes. So once we do have everything, they'll be the first ones to receive everything. So we'll get their feedback before anybody else. I'm very curious how that's gonna go. But yeah, it's it's going to be quarterly, it's going to be 10 in total. We're gonna have somebody manage what they're posting. Well, not really what they're posting, but how it's going to go. I will not be as hands-on as I am with everything else because I do trust my team and I want them to be able to do what they think is best, but I will be watching from a distance.

SPEAKER_04

And by this, by the time this episode goes up, it's ready, y'all. Like, go, go sign up, go apply, post it. I am so excited to see how many people and what they come up with with their posts. Hopefully, tons of animals.

SPEAKER_02

I I am so excited to be like, oh I mean, I am a sucker for animals. I I'm walking down the street and I'll see an animal and I'll be like, come on, come, come home with me. Like, I'll take you home. And my husband's like, no, no, they they have a collar on. You can't do that. I'm like, okay.

SPEAKER_04

Literally, I go to the flea market. Yeah, to support small business, sure, but to mainly see what dogs come out for the day. And like my daughter and I just go up to like every single one. We're like, hey, can we pet your dog? Is that weird but cool?

SPEAKER_02

Like, yeah, no, and like we're doing, we're planning on doing conventions next year. And that's something I'm looking forward to. Um, we have five big ones in total right now, and we keep getting told that there's more and we should go to this one and that one. So we're trying to plan out how we're gonna be attending all these events, but we are also attending pet conventions. So we have one coming up in August, and me and another one of my employees were gonna go. And we're super excited because this is a convention that's held in Las Vegas at Mandalay Bay, and it's huge. Like I know about it because that's where my company used to go to work, my old company. And they would go every year to find like the newest innovation for pets, just find their manufacturing company, like partnerships, like things like that. So I'm super excited to go to that and we'll be posting videos of it because there's there's all these pets that go. So there's pets with like new haircuts, with like colors, like just everything. So I'm obsessed with animals and I'm so excited about that event.

SPEAKER_00

I love that. Barb, for our listeners who, you know, want these indie books, right? But we do have some listeners who are collectors and want to have matching editions. Do you plan to like continue the book outside of the box? Like if there's a sequel.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, that's something we're super excited about doing, is that we do plan on continuing. So we are working with a lot of series because series are amazing and I'm obsessed with series. And I like having different books that like match, like yours, like in the background. I'm obsessed with it. So I'm we are continuing series. We got approvals from everybody that has their series right now to continue doing this. So those are probably not going to be included in a box, but sold separately. So those who do want to collect them are able to. So we we are we are doing that. I'm super excited about that because I, of course, will have each one. Same, I need each one. Yeah, you you have to. And like it's all my defense, I can't like just buy a soft cover and then the next book buy a hardcover. Like, I need one of each. Like, I need if I have these two books, I need to get the hardcovers, I need to get the soft covers. Like it's the same with you know, beautiful special editions. You need the continue of it. Absolutely.

SPEAKER_00

Barb, this has been so incredible. And we have one more piece of information to drop for our listeners, which is a surprise giveaway that we are teaming up to do. So, Barb, we're excited about the giveaway. Do you want us give a little teaser?

SPEAKER_02

Yes. So we launch in August and we will be giving away a book to your listeners. We're so excited. I'm not too sure how the whole process goes. I don't know if you guys want to take lead on like finding a listener and letting us know. But once you guys have a listener who you have picked, the winner, we will be providing that box. So we would just need their information to be able to send them the box. And we would need, of course, your names, your address, and which pet you have, a cat or a dog, if it's a large, small, or medium dog. Like we're so excited though. It's it's an amazing book. It's one of my favorites, and it took us, it's our first baby, so we're super excited about it.

SPEAKER_00

I love it. Listeners, you do not want to miss this giveaway. We will have all of the details on the Mythic Mic official Instagram page. And so if you're interested, please find us over there. We'll have all the details. We will be picking one lucky listener to get this box, and of course, we want to see photos when you get it. Awesome. Well, thank you, Barb. This has been so incredible. I am so thrilled for your box. I personally cannot wait for it. I know it's gonna be high up on my list because I too am a huge supporter and lover of indie authors and stories that we're not seeing in every single other box that's out there where you get multiple special editions of it. So I think this is gonna be so unique and also just something that is so powerful and gives back to the community. So thank you for coming on the show with us today.

SPEAKER_02

Well, thank you for having me. I'm so excited to be able to sit with you and tell you about my lovely journey and about this amazing company we're building. Um, yeah, thank you so much.

SPEAKER_00

Of course. And to all of our listeners out there, please check out Gilded Tale. You're gonna love it. The special editions sound amazing. Amara has personally seen the first one. She can vouch for it. And pet merch to go with books. I mean, I don't even need to say anymore. So please go look at Gilded Tale, sign up, make sure you're on that wait list for whenever it goes live, coming up with the website this month, and you know, for the public in July and the first box in August. And to all of our listeners, just thank you for tuning in, and we hope to see you at the next episode. Bye, everyone.

SPEAKER_03

That's it for this chapter of the Mythic Mike Podcast. But the adventure doesn't end here. Subscribe, leave a review, and follow us on social media at Mythic Mike Pod for updates, giveaways, and all the bookish and writing fun. Want more? Join our newsletter at mythicmic.com for bonus tips, other insights, and behind the scenes magic. Until next time, stay mythical.