I spent this past weekend in Charlotte NC. I didn’t see much of the city; I spent all of my time at the Comic Book Convention.
For those of you who have not picked up a comic in a while you may be surprised at just how much they have grown up over the years. For authors- you might be surprised at how much you can learn from them.
My personal love of comics began as a child. I liked the cartoons and of course I read the comic books that went along with them.
DC Sr. VP and Executive Editor Dan DiDio asked a great question: What was your first comic and who gave it to you?
I had to think back to a time and place I rarely like to visit in my mind. But there a memory was indeed found. My grandmother, like most good memories, had given the book to me and it was a Wonder Woman comic. I had the full gear-underoos and all.
As an adult I mainly read Cat Woman and Elektra, again some strong kick-ass women who have not had the best of lives but get out there and make it happen. (Hmmm-much like me-except I am not a villain---or am I? I guess that would be a matter of perspective.)
I digress; the point is that they were kick-ass women. Strong characters that could stand alone, and the love interest only fuels the conflict in them rather than solving all of their problems.
This brings me to the conversation I had with DC Senior Coordinating Editor Jann Jones- who happens to be living my dream life by the way- about the fact that the women characters in comics need to be strong enough to hold their own cover and not because it is booby-licious, but because they rock and both men and women want to read them.
There were more women at this convention than I had seen in years past. My husband who has been to more of them than I have agreed. I don’t think women stop reading comics as they get older, I think comics stop relating to women and that is where Indy comics pop up and fill the gap. But I really want my Cat Woman back. I want Selena to be the hero in her own mind but not afraid to make hard decisions and shoulder the burden of her life as a villain. Villains are the hero’s in their own stories.
I also sat in on several panels and learned a great deal of valuable information from SCAD the Savannah College of Art and Design.
It is no secret to anyone who knows me that I have Veronica Grimm stepping out in October of next year.
After this conference I have not only more to add to her journey- I can see it, visually on pages of a comic book.
My 4 year plan is to be writing and teaching writing full time. I am not sure how this PhD I am working on will play a part but it may at some point come in handy- LOL.
In the meantime I wonder…what was your first comic and who gave it to you? Do you remember?
Monday, June 23, 2008
Thursday, May 29, 2008
2009 Submission Guidelines for Tease Publishing LLC
Submission Guidelines
Step 1: QUERY
A query letter should include the following information:
1. The name
2. length
3. type (genre) of book you are sending.
4. What your book is about.
5. Your qualifications, if any, to write the book.
6. Your name, address, telephone number, website, and e-mail
Include the hook, synopsis (not more then 5 pages), marketing plan (Both electronic and print plans), and your biography.
If you receive a request for your manuscript please be sure to format it in this way:
1. 12 pt Georgia
2. double spaced
3. contact information on 1st page
4. page numbers bottom center
5. justified
6. *** for each scene break
7. page break before a new chapter
8. ONLY .rtf (rich text format) files will be accepted
*Submit to only 1 editor. We all know each other here, if we believe someone else will want it, we will send it to them.
GENRE'S DEFINED
We are looking for mature novels 70-100K
Contemporary
Real world, real life, or so it would seem. These are books people today can relate to, identify with, and recognize.
Erotic Romance
Consensual adult behavior. Don’t go there with illegal actions unless you want your manuscript forwarded to the police. It is a romance, it doesn’t need a HEA (Happily Ever After) but it needs a HFN (Happy For Now) even if they are happy with a new found independence. We seek well developed characters, sex that is part of the plot not just added for the sake of sex. All genres, chic lit, historical, contemporary, etc.
Historical
We are looking for stories set in diverse historical time periods. Time periods include but are not limited to: ancient civilizations up to and including the First and Second World Wars, Viking invasions through the Middle Ages, Elizabethan England to 20th-century families at war. If you have a great take on the 60’s or 70’s we’d be interested to see that too.
Horror:
Put the book in the freezer before I go to bed scary! Can be suspenseful, paranormal, contemporary, but it absolutely mist be spine tingling scary. (Gory and scary are not the same thing. You can have gore, but a carnage fest with no purpose isn’t scary.)
Inspirational
Wholesome entertainment showcasing characters who represent purposeful, faith-driven lives.
Mainstream Fiction and Non Fiction
This includes current events, biographies, memoirs, personal growth, military, relationships, travel memoir, and celebrity biographies/autobiographies. You absolutely must be prepared to show credentials, references, research, and connections to the work if you submit a non-fiction. Get permissions, we will want to see them.
Paranormal
Spans all timelines. This includes but is not limited to shape-shifters, vampires, ghosts, witches, werewolves, tarot, mythological, etc.
Romance
Be sure to note what subgenre your book falls in. These can have varying sexual content but not the frank language of erotica. We are looking for character driven romances. We want to love the hero, relate to the heroine, and feel good at the end of this book.
Science Fiction
Time travel, space travel, futuristic, other worldly, etc. This can include paranormal elements.
Short Stories
Short stories are an art of their own, to put so much into so little of a space. However, we will only accept collections of short stories by one author/writing team.
They can be any genre but must have the same elements required of the genres listed here.
Suspense/Thriller
Action packed, page turning books. Think kidnappings, stalking, murder mystery, psychological suspense or thriller; keep us on the edge of our seats!
Note to potential authors:
We have less than 1% acceptance rate. We have a limited number of books we will publish with the intent of printing each year. Those spots are highly coveted and therefore we want only your best work. We do not sell books off of our website; we link to All Romance E-Books, and/or Fictionwise for electronic distribution.
In short, if you don’t believe in your book enough to take the time to follow our submission guidelines and have someone read through it before submitting, why would we believe in it enough to print, or you enough to follow through as an author with promotions.
If you think you have what it takes to drive your books and sell them, you have a wonderful and successful marketing strategy, you have time and energy to devote to prompting your work, then pick an editor looking for your material and follow the guidelines to the T!
for links to editors check out the Tease Blog!
Step 1: QUERY
A query letter should include the following information:
1. The name
2. length
3. type (genre) of book you are sending.
4. What your book is about.
5. Your qualifications, if any, to write the book.
6. Your name, address, telephone number, website, and e-mail
Include the hook, synopsis (not more then 5 pages), marketing plan (Both electronic and print plans), and your biography.
If you receive a request for your manuscript please be sure to format it in this way:
1. 12 pt Georgia
2. double spaced
3. contact information on 1st page
4. page numbers bottom center
5. justified
6. *** for each scene break
7. page break before a new chapter
8. ONLY .rtf (rich text format) files will be accepted
*Submit to only 1 editor. We all know each other here, if we believe someone else will want it, we will send it to them.
GENRE'S DEFINED
We are looking for mature novels 70-100K
Contemporary
Real world, real life, or so it would seem. These are books people today can relate to, identify with, and recognize.
Erotic Romance
Consensual adult behavior. Don’t go there with illegal actions unless you want your manuscript forwarded to the police. It is a romance, it doesn’t need a HEA (Happily Ever After) but it needs a HFN (Happy For Now) even if they are happy with a new found independence. We seek well developed characters, sex that is part of the plot not just added for the sake of sex. All genres, chic lit, historical, contemporary, etc.
Historical
We are looking for stories set in diverse historical time periods. Time periods include but are not limited to: ancient civilizations up to and including the First and Second World Wars, Viking invasions through the Middle Ages, Elizabethan England to 20th-century families at war. If you have a great take on the 60’s or 70’s we’d be interested to see that too.
Horror:
Put the book in the freezer before I go to bed scary! Can be suspenseful, paranormal, contemporary, but it absolutely mist be spine tingling scary. (Gory and scary are not the same thing. You can have gore, but a carnage fest with no purpose isn’t scary.)
Inspirational
Wholesome entertainment showcasing characters who represent purposeful, faith-driven lives.
Mainstream Fiction and Non Fiction
This includes current events, biographies, memoirs, personal growth, military, relationships, travel memoir, and celebrity biographies/autobiographies. You absolutely must be prepared to show credentials, references, research, and connections to the work if you submit a non-fiction. Get permissions, we will want to see them.
Paranormal
Spans all timelines. This includes but is not limited to shape-shifters, vampires, ghosts, witches, werewolves, tarot, mythological, etc.
Romance
Be sure to note what subgenre your book falls in. These can have varying sexual content but not the frank language of erotica. We are looking for character driven romances. We want to love the hero, relate to the heroine, and feel good at the end of this book.
Science Fiction
Time travel, space travel, futuristic, other worldly, etc. This can include paranormal elements.
Short Stories
Short stories are an art of their own, to put so much into so little of a space. However, we will only accept collections of short stories by one author/writing team.
They can be any genre but must have the same elements required of the genres listed here.
Suspense/Thriller
Action packed, page turning books. Think kidnappings, stalking, murder mystery, psychological suspense or thriller; keep us on the edge of our seats!
Note to potential authors:
We have less than 1% acceptance rate. We have a limited number of books we will publish with the intent of printing each year. Those spots are highly coveted and therefore we want only your best work. We do not sell books off of our website; we link to All Romance E-Books, and/or Fictionwise for electronic distribution.
In short, if you don’t believe in your book enough to take the time to follow our submission guidelines and have someone read through it before submitting, why would we believe in it enough to print, or you enough to follow through as an author with promotions.
If you think you have what it takes to drive your books and sell them, you have a wonderful and successful marketing strategy, you have time and energy to devote to prompting your work, then pick an editor looking for your material and follow the guidelines to the T!
for links to editors check out the Tease Blog!
Saturday, April 26, 2008
GO GREEN
GO GREEN
Blue may be my favorite color but I look good in green. Of course I do, I’m a red-head with fair complexion. Irish. So green is my second favorite, well third I suppose but I don’t count black or white which seem to be staples in my wardrobe.
Of course GREEN is the logo of all this environmental jazz, Go Green, Be Green, Eat Green, Clean Green, drive Green.
And they don’t mind killing a bunch of trees to put out the books on this topic…hmmmm.
So what about those of us, small press authors, small press publishers who have been green all along? As a small press we have the option of using Print on Demand services (which we do) or we can use printing and distributing services that would almost guarantee that our books, like hundreds of others would have their covers stripped and be tossed into the TRASH- not the recycling bin when they time out on the bookshelf in a bookstore.
Now I have said it. I spent a summer working at a bookstore because it was awesome, I love books, and I liked being around other people who loved books, and it brought in some extra funds. I will never forget the day I was told to strip covers, magazines, books, it hurt! I was like, what are you going to do with them? I was told they go into the dumpster. And I was the one who put hem there. It was awful, I mean armful after armful of books and magazines went to the trash. I doubt—I seriously doubt that bookstores have a different approach to this.
More of the mainstream, larger publishing houses are beginning to offer their books through electronic sources as well. I think it is a step in the right direction. I mean an e-reader can hold 100-1000 books depending on their size. I know what you are saying; you might not want to read off of a computer screen. You miss the bookstore, you love the smell of a fresh book. I get it, so do I. So I buy the books I know I will love to read by my favorite authors. I keep them so I don’t mind the price, or the space I have to make for those books.
I like to try new authors, and electronically helps me to 1, save money and 2, I don’t have to find someone to give the book to and hope that they enjoy it if it is a good read, but a one time read for me. I only want to keep books on my shelf that I can go back to time and again and pick up to read. Like comfort food, I have comfort authors. Buying e-books allows me to maybe have an author fling but not deal with the commitment. I worry when I give a book away that it may end up in the trash. I also worry that by buying the book, not loving it enough to keep it, I have only put one in a recycling bin where they may be stripping that book and tossing ten more in the trash behind the bookstore. It is a terrible thing.
So while we are out there pushing the green agenda I think it would help to think about those things we love, books and magazines, and ask ourselves…are we really GREEN?
I am an author, I have print books, I want a major publishing contract with mass distribution, but I do not want them stripping my books and trashing them. I want them to recycle, and I want the publishers to print on recycled paper if they can. I can’t imagine why not.
As for small presses like Tease, and so many others, KUDO’s to us, and to those authors, and owners, books are only printed based on people ordering them. People only buy them because they want it in print. You know as a small press author that the majority of your books go on the keeper shelf. If you go into a used bookstore, there are hardly any small press books to be found, you know why? They are not wasted, they are keepers, and the companies will most likely tell the bookstore to return the entire book undamaged for a full refund rather than the cover for partial. It may cost more to be a small press in the short term, but it is better for the environment in the long run.
So take a look at the people who are already GREEN in a major way. Don’t hink that because they are small, that they are not mighty!
Blue may be my favorite color but I look good in green. Of course I do, I’m a red-head with fair complexion. Irish. So green is my second favorite, well third I suppose but I don’t count black or white which seem to be staples in my wardrobe.
Of course GREEN is the logo of all this environmental jazz, Go Green, Be Green, Eat Green, Clean Green, drive Green.
And they don’t mind killing a bunch of trees to put out the books on this topic…hmmmm.
So what about those of us, small press authors, small press publishers who have been green all along? As a small press we have the option of using Print on Demand services (which we do) or we can use printing and distributing services that would almost guarantee that our books, like hundreds of others would have their covers stripped and be tossed into the TRASH- not the recycling bin when they time out on the bookshelf in a bookstore.
Now I have said it. I spent a summer working at a bookstore because it was awesome, I love books, and I liked being around other people who loved books, and it brought in some extra funds. I will never forget the day I was told to strip covers, magazines, books, it hurt! I was like, what are you going to do with them? I was told they go into the dumpster. And I was the one who put hem there. It was awful, I mean armful after armful of books and magazines went to the trash. I doubt—I seriously doubt that bookstores have a different approach to this.
More of the mainstream, larger publishing houses are beginning to offer their books through electronic sources as well. I think it is a step in the right direction. I mean an e-reader can hold 100-1000 books depending on their size. I know what you are saying; you might not want to read off of a computer screen. You miss the bookstore, you love the smell of a fresh book. I get it, so do I. So I buy the books I know I will love to read by my favorite authors. I keep them so I don’t mind the price, or the space I have to make for those books.
I like to try new authors, and electronically helps me to 1, save money and 2, I don’t have to find someone to give the book to and hope that they enjoy it if it is a good read, but a one time read for me. I only want to keep books on my shelf that I can go back to time and again and pick up to read. Like comfort food, I have comfort authors. Buying e-books allows me to maybe have an author fling but not deal with the commitment. I worry when I give a book away that it may end up in the trash. I also worry that by buying the book, not loving it enough to keep it, I have only put one in a recycling bin where they may be stripping that book and tossing ten more in the trash behind the bookstore. It is a terrible thing.
So while we are out there pushing the green agenda I think it would help to think about those things we love, books and magazines, and ask ourselves…are we really GREEN?
I am an author, I have print books, I want a major publishing contract with mass distribution, but I do not want them stripping my books and trashing them. I want them to recycle, and I want the publishers to print on recycled paper if they can. I can’t imagine why not.
As for small presses like Tease, and so many others, KUDO’s to us, and to those authors, and owners, books are only printed based on people ordering them. People only buy them because they want it in print. You know as a small press author that the majority of your books go on the keeper shelf. If you go into a used bookstore, there are hardly any small press books to be found, you know why? They are not wasted, they are keepers, and the companies will most likely tell the bookstore to return the entire book undamaged for a full refund rather than the cover for partial. It may cost more to be a small press in the short term, but it is better for the environment in the long run.
So take a look at the people who are already GREEN in a major way. Don’t hink that because they are small, that they are not mighty!
Sunday, April 13, 2008
I have mastered the grill!
It is not news to my readers that my hubby is in Iraq. What may be news to my readers is that he is my prmary source of cooking. I had a few friends feeding me, but now their hubbies are home I am forced to do the unthinkable, the improbable, and quite frankly the dangerous! I have caught the stove on fire before (yes, top and oven too) But the grill is totally different. i can monitor the food, I can see where the fire is and where it is going. LOL
I am having a great time cooking at home right now. And that is a shock to everyone including me!
Now I have made friends with the crock pot. I made a roast in there and it didn;t kill me or catch anything on fire.
I am also pretty good with the oven as long as what I put in it has directions like the Kashi pizza's and Nestle Toll House Cookies. I can make either one of those in the oven- no fire, no mess, no problems.
Now for some of you out there this may seem a bit weird, for that I must say:
1. I never said I was normal.
2. You must have skills in the kitchen whereas I do not.
So this deployment has been full of new things. Unfortunately I did not lose any weight this go around. Last time I was depressed and without friends to feed me- I looked great when he came home. LOL
This time I may have even picked up a few pounds.
Oh well,
I'm not hungry.
LOL
Cara
I am having a great time cooking at home right now. And that is a shock to everyone including me!
Now I have made friends with the crock pot. I made a roast in there and it didn;t kill me or catch anything on fire.
I am also pretty good with the oven as long as what I put in it has directions like the Kashi pizza's and Nestle Toll House Cookies. I can make either one of those in the oven- no fire, no mess, no problems.
Now for some of you out there this may seem a bit weird, for that I must say:
1. I never said I was normal.
2. You must have skills in the kitchen whereas I do not.
So this deployment has been full of new things. Unfortunately I did not lose any weight this go around. Last time I was depressed and without friends to feed me- I looked great when he came home. LOL
This time I may have even picked up a few pounds.
Oh well,
I'm not hungry.
LOL
Cara
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Successful Book Signings
There is a thing about book signings when it comes to small press publishers. The author needs to be a whole lot more active in the entire process. See if you are a NY Times Best Selling Author, then of course you will not have to worry about your books being there, your banner posted, or anything of the sort.
For small press on the other hand, you can count on a welcome reception, the bookstores do want you there, but you better be on top of things becasue it is not likely they will be able to rally together 20 iof your books in 2 days.
To prevent a mishap here are some suggestions, take em' or leave em' it is just my personal opinion.
1. Introduce yourself and take a "store copy" of your book along with your buisness card. How do you expect the staff to promote you or tell people you are coming if they haven't read your book, or know who you are to begin with.
2. Ask for the manager/public relations person, or whoever schedules the book signings. Different bookstores have different people who take care of signings. You can book with a manager but if that does not get to the right person to order your books...you get the idea.
3. If possible, see if they will order your books right then. If you are a new author and this is your first event, order 20. That is a reasonable amount andthey will often let you sign up to 10 to keep in stock for those who miss the event. You can aklso ask to buy what is left over at 25 or 30 percent off. This is a good way to get your own personal stock and depending on your author royalty percent, you may actually be better off buying them this way than from your publisher. By getting them to order the books right then, you can also answer any questions they may have when finding the book, and let your publisher know if they encounter any problems.
4. For Print on Demand books it takes aproximately 2 weeks for Lightning Source to get your book to a book store. Becasue you know this information, check back in two weeks to be sure the books are there. Don't schedule a signing for 2 weeks out, always allow an extra week , just in case. For example if you meet with a bookstore on the 1st of March, don't plan a signing until the last week. This is also a quick signing.
5. Give yourself 2-3 months if possible. This will allow time for your book to get into the store and for it to sit on a shelf. You will want it there as you begin promoting your work, and the booksigning. Many small press authors set up signings too fast and then forget to get out press releases and other media prior to the event. Don't underestimate the power of your local newspaper. But they will need time to write up an article and get it to press, a couple weeks may not work if they are already on another feature. But a couple months allows them a chance to work your story in.
6. PROMOTE!
a.)Do not rely on the bookstore to bring you a line of people. If you have never worked in a retail store, much less a bookstore, you have no idea how eventful a workday can be for them. There is stocking, cleaning, reshelving to be done in addition to customers who are happy, and those who are very unhappy. Yes there may be down time in a day, but during that time they will most likely be organizing and cleaning, not thinking baout other things. Then consider how every store has a credit card or a club card the clerk is required to sell. DO you think they are going to remember to tag on your date in addition to all of that? No. SO help them out. Leave a stack of bookmarks or postcards with your book and event date on them. If nothing else they will put it in the bag. Stop by once a week during a slow time to say hello and see if they need anything. You may be surprised to find out they need more book marks, but it is better to find out they gave them all away than to find out the day of your signing htey are all still on the shelf under the register becasue no one knew what they were for.
b.)If your bookstore is in the mall, see if you can't do a display somewhere the week leading up to it. Go to the Mall Managers office and talk to them! If it is not in a mall, hit the local hot spots like coffee shops and stores that carry things your target audience will want then see if they will let you post a modest poster, or leave book marks or postcards.
c.)Contact local media. All of them, news, newspapers, radio, everyone. All they can do is say no, but you may get a yes. You never know until you try!
d.) Advocate for yourself. If you don't get out there and tell people about your signing it is unreasonable and unrealistic for others to do it for you unless you pay them!
7.) Bring Goodies. A jar of candies, pens, stickers, good stuff that people can use with your name and website on it. If you have a newsletter bring a sign up sheet.
Have fun and check back for more tips!
Hope this is helpful to anyone out there.
For small press on the other hand, you can count on a welcome reception, the bookstores do want you there, but you better be on top of things becasue it is not likely they will be able to rally together 20 iof your books in 2 days.
To prevent a mishap here are some suggestions, take em' or leave em' it is just my personal opinion.
1. Introduce yourself and take a "store copy" of your book along with your buisness card. How do you expect the staff to promote you or tell people you are coming if they haven't read your book, or know who you are to begin with.
2. Ask for the manager/public relations person, or whoever schedules the book signings. Different bookstores have different people who take care of signings. You can book with a manager but if that does not get to the right person to order your books...you get the idea.
3. If possible, see if they will order your books right then. If you are a new author and this is your first event, order 20. That is a reasonable amount andthey will often let you sign up to 10 to keep in stock for those who miss the event. You can aklso ask to buy what is left over at 25 or 30 percent off. This is a good way to get your own personal stock and depending on your author royalty percent, you may actually be better off buying them this way than from your publisher. By getting them to order the books right then, you can also answer any questions they may have when finding the book, and let your publisher know if they encounter any problems.
4. For Print on Demand books it takes aproximately 2 weeks for Lightning Source to get your book to a book store. Becasue you know this information, check back in two weeks to be sure the books are there. Don't schedule a signing for 2 weeks out, always allow an extra week , just in case. For example if you meet with a bookstore on the 1st of March, don't plan a signing until the last week. This is also a quick signing.
5. Give yourself 2-3 months if possible. This will allow time for your book to get into the store and for it to sit on a shelf. You will want it there as you begin promoting your work, and the booksigning. Many small press authors set up signings too fast and then forget to get out press releases and other media prior to the event. Don't underestimate the power of your local newspaper. But they will need time to write up an article and get it to press, a couple weeks may not work if they are already on another feature. But a couple months allows them a chance to work your story in.
6. PROMOTE!
a.)Do not rely on the bookstore to bring you a line of people. If you have never worked in a retail store, much less a bookstore, you have no idea how eventful a workday can be for them. There is stocking, cleaning, reshelving to be done in addition to customers who are happy, and those who are very unhappy. Yes there may be down time in a day, but during that time they will most likely be organizing and cleaning, not thinking baout other things. Then consider how every store has a credit card or a club card the clerk is required to sell. DO you think they are going to remember to tag on your date in addition to all of that? No. SO help them out. Leave a stack of bookmarks or postcards with your book and event date on them. If nothing else they will put it in the bag. Stop by once a week during a slow time to say hello and see if they need anything. You may be surprised to find out they need more book marks, but it is better to find out they gave them all away than to find out the day of your signing htey are all still on the shelf under the register becasue no one knew what they were for.
b.)If your bookstore is in the mall, see if you can't do a display somewhere the week leading up to it. Go to the Mall Managers office and talk to them! If it is not in a mall, hit the local hot spots like coffee shops and stores that carry things your target audience will want then see if they will let you post a modest poster, or leave book marks or postcards.
c.)Contact local media. All of them, news, newspapers, radio, everyone. All they can do is say no, but you may get a yes. You never know until you try!
d.) Advocate for yourself. If you don't get out there and tell people about your signing it is unreasonable and unrealistic for others to do it for you unless you pay them!
7.) Bring Goodies. A jar of candies, pens, stickers, good stuff that people can use with your name and website on it. If you have a newsletter bring a sign up sheet.
Have fun and check back for more tips!
Hope this is helpful to anyone out there.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
I changed a headlight and started a yahoo loop
You read right!
It took a while to get the damn thing done but I changed my own headlight bulb. All i have to say is THANK GOD FOR MULTI_TOOLS!
I also started a yahoo loop for NC readers and authors.
The book signing in New Bern made me aware that a lot of stuff goes on around here but no one knows about it. Hopefully enough people will get in that loop over time that all NC literary events will be posted and people can know whats what so if you live in NC, go join ncreadersandauthors@yahoogroups.com
It took a while to get the damn thing done but I changed my own headlight bulb. All i have to say is THANK GOD FOR MULTI_TOOLS!
I also started a yahoo loop for NC readers and authors.
The book signing in New Bern made me aware that a lot of stuff goes on around here but no one knows about it. Hopefully enough people will get in that loop over time that all NC literary events will be posted and people can know whats what so if you live in NC, go join ncreadersandauthors@yahoogroups.com
Monday, February 18, 2008
Small Press Publishing
You think you know, but you have no idea. The world of publishing is a complicated, wild little rollercoaster ride. For those of you out there who may be contemplating the publishing industry here are some words of advice from someone living it.
By no means should you take this as a how to, or anything other than food for thought.
First, DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. Yes, it is going to suck and I mean it is going to be awful to run a publishing company or even self publish and work full time, but you will need that steady income to support your new adventure and your book if you do it yourself.
Second, register your small business if you go that route before you begin doing anything else. Decide on a name and fill out the paperwork with your state agency to acquire a federal identification number. If you self publish, you may want to register your pen name or check with the IRS to see what would be best for you come tax time.
Third, get a network of other people in the industry. This is tough because they are also your competitor so they may not want to share trade secrets. But if you do not know the companies most people are using, you may go another way to end up finding out why those companies are all using the same place. It doesn’t mean you have to follow the leader, but you should definitely try to find out who is in the lead and then try to learn as much about them as a company as possible including who they use for publishing, and any strategies they use to get the books out there.
Fourth, you need to find English people. Not the ones form England though they would do as long as they have an English or Literature degree. Even with these people on your staff, there will by typo’s there will be grammar gremlins that show up in the book after everyone has looked at it 100 times. But having people who specialize in the English language does a wonder for cleaning up a manuscript and making the author take the time to really edit their work.
Fifth, find artists. I mean real artists, people who have taken classes in art, photography, who draw, paint, and are good with computer programs to do the book covers. Book covers are what people see first. Before they read a blurb they see the cover. A cover can make or break a book.
Sixth, Be selective about authors. I am not saying to snub anyone, but I am saying you have to read every single book that crosses your inbox before you accept it to publish. If you don’t find yourself interested in the book, you can’t expect anyone else to either. You can also find a great book out there but the author can’t promote, or wants print but won’t go out in public. Those are all things you need to know up front if you are a publisher. I have turned down good books because the people could not or would not be a public figure even with a pen name away from their local area. You will have to compromise with authors. If they write steamy erotic romance they may not want to do a book signing in their local bookstore where they could be judged by their neighbors. It has nothing to do with them being ashamed of their work, but the fact is that everything you do, everything you write will be judged, and if you have families (especially children) those family members are judged along with you. So don’t give up on someone because they can’t go to the local store, as long as they are willing to go two towns over or the next state over, they could still be a viable print author. Again, it is the job of the Editor in Chief to decide who will or will not make it to the publishing table. It is a hard job. It is the position I hold at Tease Publishing LLC. I have rejected several books, not because they were not good, but because I have to do what is best for the company. An author may think that because you are a small press you will be eager to take anything. In fact, I think some small press are more selective than NY even because a small press does not have the dollars or the distribution volume to play with. Only serious authors need apply at Tease-- that I know for sure.
Seventh, if you are also a writer, like myself, you have to get a grip on your schedule. When I get overwhelmed the first thing to go is my own writing. I get so focused on everything and everyone else I lose sight of why I started this to begin with. Selfishly for myself and my friends. Honestly, that is what we originated from. I have to remind myself that if I can not look at the people I am paying out money for as family, as an investment, then they don’t need to be here. This is not to say that we don’t have our black sheep or that we continue to grow and develop our relationships, but I feel like everyone contributes something to the team. So when I get overwhelmed it is easy for Stella or Tab to say- hey, don’t forget your own work. It is easy for the editors to say, hello…are you working on your book? I appreciate them for that. I don’t actually edit anything. I just select something I think has potential and the editors can scan it to see if it is a decent edit, and if it has potential. If so, then we make an offer. If it needs too much work, then we pass. I trust my editors, they are avid readers and English people.
Eighth, You have to have promotional strategies. Think in the box, out of the box, hell do whatever it takes to get your self out there, as long as it is legal!
Ninth, Never give up, never surrender. Small business takes 3 to 5 years to turn a profit. If you expect to make money in the first year, you may be disappointed. I always wonder exactly how well people who make all this profit in the first year are keeping their books. Are they keeping track of all the little things that ad up. Every ad, every software purchase, every plane ticket, every lunch, every book and magazine to research with, it all ads up quickly. If they are- more power to them. Our motto at Tease is No money, just fame. Because we don’t want to be rich (though it would be awesome) we want to be known authors. We want to be looked at as serious authors and as a serious publishing house.
Tenth, when the publishing gets tough- put it back into perspective. My husband is currently deployed in Iraq and I was having a tough day and things were not working out right. We have been invited to do a major event at Barnes and Nobles in Jacksonville NC in July, and I was stressing over all of the planning that goes into it. He really brought things home by saying, “Well they fired some mortars at us today.”
It is a drastic approach but as an honorably discharged Marine myself, I got it. Tease is not life or death. If I don’t have enough ink pens for two thousand people, we will all get out of the bookstore alive. So instead of being so overwhelmed, I realized that business is tough, it takes a lot of sacrifice, determination, and perspective. I am grateful for the people I am in business with today. We all make a lot of sacrifices and we all put in our best and simply want one thing. Readers, people to pick up our books and be entertained. To find themselves lost in our world for a few hours. This is it. What it is all about. And as long as that is happening—we are successful, one book at a time.
By no means should you take this as a how to, or anything other than food for thought.
First, DON’T QUIT YOUR DAY JOB. Yes, it is going to suck and I mean it is going to be awful to run a publishing company or even self publish and work full time, but you will need that steady income to support your new adventure and your book if you do it yourself.
Second, register your small business if you go that route before you begin doing anything else. Decide on a name and fill out the paperwork with your state agency to acquire a federal identification number. If you self publish, you may want to register your pen name or check with the IRS to see what would be best for you come tax time.
Third, get a network of other people in the industry. This is tough because they are also your competitor so they may not want to share trade secrets. But if you do not know the companies most people are using, you may go another way to end up finding out why those companies are all using the same place. It doesn’t mean you have to follow the leader, but you should definitely try to find out who is in the lead and then try to learn as much about them as a company as possible including who they use for publishing, and any strategies they use to get the books out there.
Fourth, you need to find English people. Not the ones form England though they would do as long as they have an English or Literature degree. Even with these people on your staff, there will by typo’s there will be grammar gremlins that show up in the book after everyone has looked at it 100 times. But having people who specialize in the English language does a wonder for cleaning up a manuscript and making the author take the time to really edit their work.
Fifth, find artists. I mean real artists, people who have taken classes in art, photography, who draw, paint, and are good with computer programs to do the book covers. Book covers are what people see first. Before they read a blurb they see the cover. A cover can make or break a book.
Sixth, Be selective about authors. I am not saying to snub anyone, but I am saying you have to read every single book that crosses your inbox before you accept it to publish. If you don’t find yourself interested in the book, you can’t expect anyone else to either. You can also find a great book out there but the author can’t promote, or wants print but won’t go out in public. Those are all things you need to know up front if you are a publisher. I have turned down good books because the people could not or would not be a public figure even with a pen name away from their local area. You will have to compromise with authors. If they write steamy erotic romance they may not want to do a book signing in their local bookstore where they could be judged by their neighbors. It has nothing to do with them being ashamed of their work, but the fact is that everything you do, everything you write will be judged, and if you have families (especially children) those family members are judged along with you. So don’t give up on someone because they can’t go to the local store, as long as they are willing to go two towns over or the next state over, they could still be a viable print author. Again, it is the job of the Editor in Chief to decide who will or will not make it to the publishing table. It is a hard job. It is the position I hold at Tease Publishing LLC. I have rejected several books, not because they were not good, but because I have to do what is best for the company. An author may think that because you are a small press you will be eager to take anything. In fact, I think some small press are more selective than NY even because a small press does not have the dollars or the distribution volume to play with. Only serious authors need apply at Tease-- that I know for sure.
Seventh, if you are also a writer, like myself, you have to get a grip on your schedule. When I get overwhelmed the first thing to go is my own writing. I get so focused on everything and everyone else I lose sight of why I started this to begin with. Selfishly for myself and my friends. Honestly, that is what we originated from. I have to remind myself that if I can not look at the people I am paying out money for as family, as an investment, then they don’t need to be here. This is not to say that we don’t have our black sheep or that we continue to grow and develop our relationships, but I feel like everyone contributes something to the team. So when I get overwhelmed it is easy for Stella or Tab to say- hey, don’t forget your own work. It is easy for the editors to say, hello…are you working on your book? I appreciate them for that. I don’t actually edit anything. I just select something I think has potential and the editors can scan it to see if it is a decent edit, and if it has potential. If so, then we make an offer. If it needs too much work, then we pass. I trust my editors, they are avid readers and English people.
Eighth, You have to have promotional strategies. Think in the box, out of the box, hell do whatever it takes to get your self out there, as long as it is legal!
Ninth, Never give up, never surrender. Small business takes 3 to 5 years to turn a profit. If you expect to make money in the first year, you may be disappointed. I always wonder exactly how well people who make all this profit in the first year are keeping their books. Are they keeping track of all the little things that ad up. Every ad, every software purchase, every plane ticket, every lunch, every book and magazine to research with, it all ads up quickly. If they are- more power to them. Our motto at Tease is No money, just fame. Because we don’t want to be rich (though it would be awesome) we want to be known authors. We want to be looked at as serious authors and as a serious publishing house.
Tenth, when the publishing gets tough- put it back into perspective. My husband is currently deployed in Iraq and I was having a tough day and things were not working out right. We have been invited to do a major event at Barnes and Nobles in Jacksonville NC in July, and I was stressing over all of the planning that goes into it. He really brought things home by saying, “Well they fired some mortars at us today.”
It is a drastic approach but as an honorably discharged Marine myself, I got it. Tease is not life or death. If I don’t have enough ink pens for two thousand people, we will all get out of the bookstore alive. So instead of being so overwhelmed, I realized that business is tough, it takes a lot of sacrifice, determination, and perspective. I am grateful for the people I am in business with today. We all make a lot of sacrifices and we all put in our best and simply want one thing. Readers, people to pick up our books and be entertained. To find themselves lost in our world for a few hours. This is it. What it is all about. And as long as that is happening—we are successful, one book at a time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
