ABOUT US
OUR STORY
Hi! We're Jonathan and Renee, the owners and operators of Smart Publishing.
We started Smart Publishing after I, Renee—the one telling this story—self-published my first book.
A year earlier, my husband, Jonathan, had published his first book through a publishing company that most of his peers were using. The process wasn’t great; he was already overwhelmed, and the editor kept sending his manuscript back with additional requests and notes that didn’t make sense to him. When it finally launched, all his marketing efforts came up short because he didn’t achieve Amazon Best Seller status. As it turns out, his categories hadn’t been selected well.
Jonathan admits he’s “not a writer,” so when I saw him become a published author—a longtime dream of mine—I knew I had no excuse. I set out to write my book and completed my manuscript in four months. Not knowing where to turn, I contacted the publisher he had used. Each time I spoke to them, the price went up. It left a bad taste in my mouth, so I resolved to figure out how to do it all myself. Not only did I learn the ins and outs of the start-to-finish publishing process during that time, but I also achieved Best Seller status in all three of my book categories before noon on release day.
After that, I was on fire with a newfound passion for publishing. I became a go-to resource for others frustrated with their publishers. After saving several authors from missing their opportunity to hit Best Seller status due to bad advice from their publishers, Jonathan and I resolved to form Smart Publishing.
Our aim is to be the independent publishing company that goes to bat for our authors. There are too many "vanity" publishers out there that price-gouge while offering subpar service.
At Smart Publishing, our authors are like family, and we treat their books like our own. That’s also why we limit who we work with. Because we provide high-touch service firsthand, we make sure we’re a good mutual fit and that we’re not balancing too many projects at once.
So don’t waste any more time thinking about writing a book "someday." Connect with us, and let’s see if we’re a match so we can get your book in front of all the readers whose lives it will impact.
MEET JONATHAN & RENEE
Jonathan Lautermilch
CEO
Jonathan Lautermilch is the CEO of Smart Shark, the parent company of A.R.I.A. CRM and Smart Publishing. A seasoned entrepreneur with more than a decade of experience, he has a track record of helping businesses grow through strategic staffing, training, and process development. As the founder of A.R.I.A. CRM, he developed a platform designed to streamline customer relationship management for companies of all sizes.
A bestselling author, Jonathan has written books like Groomed for Greatness and the Real Talk series. He also hosts two successful podcasts: Real Talk with Real Fit Pros, which spotlights leaders in the fitness industry, and Real Talk with Real Business Pros, where he interviews experts from a variety of fields.
His work has been featured in outlets such as Thrive Global, Billion Success, Shoutout LA, Enterprise League, and Authority Magazine. Outside of his professional achievements, Jonathan is a devoted husband, father, and Kingdom Builder, living by the belief that life should be lived with purpose and intention.
Renee Lautermilch
Chief Editor
Renée Lautermilch co-founded Smart Publishing with her husband, Jonathan, to help aspiring writers become bestselling authors through a white-glove, end-to-end publishing process from concept to publication.
In addition to her publishing work, Renée is the author of several bestsellers, including Leading Through Love and Real Talk With Real Business Pros. She brings over 20 years of business leadership experience in sectors such as healthcare, education, fitness, and hospitality.
Her academic background includes a bachelor’s in human resources, an MBA, and an M.Ed. in instructional design. Renée's professional journey has also earned her international recognition as Learning Leader of the Year from the Learning and Performance Institute and top recognition from SHERISE Women in L&D. This blend of experiences informs her approach as an editor and publisher, allowing her to mentor authors effectively and help them navigate the writing and publishing landscape with confidence.
Passionate about sharing knowledge, Renée is dedicated to guiding aspiring writers as they pursue their goals, fostering a supportive environment for growth and success.
LET'S GET YOUR BOOK OUT
IT'S TIME!
Our high-touch service means we can’t work with everyone. Share your book idea with us, and we'll schedule a time to see if you're a good fit for our author family.