Posts Tagged ‘publishers’
I’ve had to sit on VERY GOOD NEWS for a few months, so I am happy to share my contract news and publishing story with you.
Many of you know that my sci-fi novella Reenu-You was published in 2017 by Book Smugglers Publishing, a very small press. What many of you don’t know is that in Nov 2018, BSP decided to get out of the publishing business. The two women who ran the press were wonderful and committed publishers, but they realized that after running it for almost six years, they would need to quit their full-time jobs to take the business to the next level.
This left me and all of their other authors without a publisher. Reenu-You became unavailable in any format by Dec 2018. You can imagine how I felt. I was definitely not expecting this turn of events. It had taken me so long to get that story into the world!
Here was my little novella doing well, garnering great reviews, finding its audience, making its way in the in the world and then BAM—it was GONE.
I have since discovered such is the life of tiny presses and the state of publishing. BSP told me that I should approach other local publishers that might be interested in acquiring it. They believed that it would find a good home. I was daunted by their advice, but I believed in the work.
Luckily, I reached out to the wonderful John Hartness, author and publisher of Falstaff Books to see if he was interested in acquiring the rights to Reenu-You. I had met him the year before at a local sci-fi con and when the local bookseller didn’t show, he did me a favor by selling copies of Reenu-You through his booth. In that intervening year, I also met many of his authors and knew that as a local publisher with a wide distribution network, he was actively recruiting speculative fiction authors who were with presses that had folded.
Last year we had a great meeting. He read the novella, liked it and asked me what I was working on. I had looked at his catalog before our meeting and saw that he didn’t have very much horror and so pitched him my idea—a horror novel that takes place in the Great Dismal Swamp. He loved it and said he would buy that and reissue Reenu-You!
I now have signed contracts and can make the official announcement. Reenu-You will re-emerge later this month and I will be delivering a horror manuscript to him in the summer.
Sometimes, life works out better than one can imagine. There’s so much we can’t control about publishing, but we can control or greatly influence things like building professional relationships, being persistent and believing in one’s work
I am incredibly thankful and honored to officially join the author family of Falstaff Books. Before joining, I knew some of the authors by their fantastic works including Samantha Bryant, Nicole Smith, Michael Williams, Alledria Hurt and Jason Gilbert. Now, I know how kind, supportive and generous they are as a community of writers who uplift and support each other.
If you like speculative fiction, please check out Falstaff’s catalog.
I, of course, will keep you updated as this new publishing journey unfolds.
Affirmations-366Days#326
Posted on: November 22, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#326: I gracefully adapt to the changing demands of the publishing industry.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#302
Posted on: October 29, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#302: Writers speak at readings, at conferences and to agents and editors. I cultivate strong presentation and communication skills.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#298
Posted on: October 25, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#298: I meet mentors and advocates who encourage my work and create writing opportunities for me.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#242
Posted on: August 30, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#242: I radiate success and self-assurance when speaking with editors and publishers.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#214
Posted on: August 2, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#214: I look for opportunities to build positive working relationships with editors and publishers.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#191
Posted on: July 10, 2016
Affirmations-366Days#191: I affirm that publishers and editors offer me fantastic writing opportunities.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations, about the creative process, during the next 366 days.
Affirmations-366Days#7
Posted on: January 7, 2016
People often act intimidated with regard to publishing. People relentlessly believe that publishers don’t need or want them. Publishers exist because of the creative input and outpouring that comes their way…and they appreciate books and writers. Repeating the old story=reinforcing the story=doing nothing new towards being published.
SARK, Juicy Pens, Thirsty Paper: Gifting the World with Your Words and Stories and Creating the Time and Energy to Actually Do It
Affirmations-366Days#7-Editors love my content and pay me to publish my work.
For new readers, here’s why I’m committing to writing affirmations during the next 366 days.
This affirmation feels bold. But, why not affirm a truth? Publishers and editors would not exist unless there were writers! I also want to affirm that that editors and publishers love discovering new writers, that’s partly why they are in this business. The possibility of discovering people, whose words they love, is what gets editors to their desks each day.
The Practice of Creativity 