Friday, July 27, 2007

Okay, ask those questions!

I have a final line-up for my August publishing series!

The following ladies have generously and graciously agreed to answer your questions:


Raelene Gorlinsky, Publisher, Ellora's Cave

Tina Burns, Acquisitions Director, Liquid Silver Books

Treva Harte, Co-owner and Editor-in-Chief, Loose-Id

Angela James, Executive Editor, Samhain Publishing


Y'all, I am so excited about this, and totally honored they've consented to give their time to my readers, so let's think of some really good questions!

Leave yours in the comments. As I said before, I'd like to avoid if possible questions like "What are you looking for". But anything about publishing, the publishing process, their feelings on legitimate publishers and what a writer should look for, what they feel sets their company apart, or anything else you can think of, PLEASE don't be shy!

I'll be picking seven questions or so, compiling them on Monday, and sending them along, so don't miss out on your chance! And check back here every Friday starting next week, for their answers.

12 comments:

Jennifer McKenzie said...

This question is regarding the RWA status of Samhain and LooseId especially.
Now that the rules have changed, will you be changing your business plan at all? And if not, how will you help authors create buzz (and sales) at your publishing company?
It has been said that RWA recognition is a HUGE promo opportunity. I'm curious to know where you will go from here.

Tawny Taylor said...

To all four editors: what are the most common mistakes made by authors submitting works for consideration?

BernardL said...

Although conservative non-fiction has a large following, lately I have picked up on a resistance to conservative leaning fiction. Two well known agents even stated such on their Blogs. This is informative, and it means if you write from a conservative perspective, it would be best to seek representation elsewhere. My question is how pervasive is this attitude among publishers and agents? Thanks for your time.

Robyn said...

I was going to ask something but I think I'd rather hear the answer to Bernardl's question. Interesting when you consider the success of the Left Behind series.

pacatrue said...

Let's see. Here are a few. December, feel free to re-write and fix as you see fit.

1) With a primarily digital mode of publication, how do you decide how much to publish? Are all high quality mansuscripts that meet the perceived needs of your customers published, or is there a goal for monthly or annual publications?

2) When would you advise an author to seek publication with a traditional print publisher and when is it in their best interests to publish in digital format? The pros and cons are often debated among authors, and I was wondering how the actual publishers saw these issues.

3) Can you share any sorts of revenue targets you have in mind when purchasing a manuscript? I assume that you need to sell a certain number of copies before the time spent acquiring, editing, and publishing is worth it financially. What is that approximate point? What percentage of manuscripts make this cut-off?

4) Particularly in erotic romance, and even more with short stories or novellas, authors often have to decide between great readership on a free erotic web site but no income and much, much smaller readership with a publisher but with a small income. (I commonly see erotic anthologies which pay $50 for a story.) Should an author choose the official publication route in order to build credentials for that eventual novel sale, or does a wildly popular story on a free site have any merit in selling the author's abilities?

5) By far the most famous epublishers currently are focused on erotic romance. I would guess that far more erotic romance is bought in ebook format than in print. First, is this guess accurate? Secondly, what prospects do you see in the short to mid term for other genres in eBook format? Will we soon see non-romance mysteries or fantasy or manga taking off? Will we see it with your company?

6) I have a manuscript for a erotic romantic paranormal suspense starring Hugo the Were-Alpaca and a famous movie star, Angela Jolee. Angela is fed up with her movie star husband and lost in life until she meets Hugo, a budding author and blog commenter not based upon the author at all, and discovers she can only find happiness when naked with Hugo and using bowls of pudding in intriguing ways. It is complete at 185,000 words and is the first in a series, though it can certainly stand upright and for a long, long time on its own. It is typically ready to be re-read in under 5 minutes. Book 2 features Hugo and Jessyka Albra; book 3, Hugo and Tyla Spanks; and Book 4 explores the possibilities of all four together. You can reach me at ScaryInsaneFreakBoy@RunAwayNow.com

Maybe you should leave question 6 out.

Bernita said...

Is there such a thing as a best seller list for e-books?

Anonymous said...

Ooo, nice one Bernita!

Since marketing and promotion are a shared venture with publishers and authors, what do you see as some of the best venues and tools to establish the name and work of a new writer?

Scary Monster said...

All this and writing too! December, me just don't know haow you find the time to do the things you do. Just getting a short story finished takes me the longest time. Me don't know enough to ask an intelligent question, but me be waiting to see the answers to the nones you think are the finest.

You STOMP, girl!

Kelly Maher said...

Great deal, December!

Now, my question:
What are your thoughts on writers who seemingly hop from one publishing house to the next? What kind of long-term stability are you looking/hoping for in a writer?

Stacia said...

Sorry, Kel, I sent the questions yesterday afternoon. :-(

Treva Harte said...

Kelly, Loose Id is fine with writers who try out publishing houses so long as they realize they have to hustle for ALL of them then.

Treva

Kelly Maher said...

Thanks for answering, Treva! I just saw it :)