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"I'm presently with a small press, Zumaya Publications, which I absolutely adore, but one of my dreams is to have Harlequin (Red Dress Ink baby!) pick me up for one of my hen lits. The reason? I really feel that these books would fit into their line...now if they only think so!" --Dorothy Thompson, editor of The Writer's Life and author of ROMANCING THE SOUL. "I would have to say Harper-Collins. They have a solid reputation and they are well respected in the industry. Also, if I signed with them, I believe I would have some serious pr and marketing behind me and that's one worry I don't want to have to deal with. There is also the security of knowing that this company has been around for awhile and there is little danger of it folding, unlike some of the smaller houses or the indie pubs." --Linda Rucker, author of WHAT THE HEART WANTS. "Although any "real" print publisher associated with a New York City house would be ideal to me, I'd feel I'd arrived if I was picked up by Simon and Schuster. They have several branches, including the popular Pocket Books paperback books, and the company has been around for decades. It's not going to fold, and if an author can arrive there, they have truly arrived. One of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark, publishes with them, and to be printed in a house that just finished one of her tales would truly be an honor. Until then, I'll have to dream. However, having had non-fiction published by Arcadia Publishing, I must say I've worked with a wonderful publishing company, and the people there treat me with dignity and respect. I cannot say that for some of the "On Demand" publishers I worked with. I will never self-publish again. --Avie Townsend, author of WINTER MOURNINGS. "When I was a child, I used to write my own children's books. I remember admiring the Bantam books that I had, and wanting one of my books to be published by them. For some reason, I was always infatuated with the Bantam logo, and it still has a lot of meaning to me today. Although I believe Bantam has merged with Random House, and that would be a fine publisher as well." --Kathy Strelow, author of HEAD CASE: A ROCK AND ROLL NOVEL and WHIPLASH "Well, since you asked...I suppose National Geographic would be my "dream" publisher. Decades ago, their exotic locales whisked this small-town boy to places I couldn't yet pronounce. They planted the seed, and wanderlust sprouted and has led me to explore 90+ countries myself. They're still challenging me even today. Since I now write my own true travel adventures set in far-flung places like Tibet and Africa, they seem like a "natural" match. National Geo Traveler seemed to like my photos enough to give me some photo awardsso maybe, just maybe, there's still hope." --Brandon Wilson, author of YAK BUTTER BLUES: A TIBETAN TREK OF FAITH. "Linda Delgado, author of Islamic Rose Books says her dream publisher is the unique and professionally progressive publisher, Muslim Writers Publishing (MWP) at www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com (site under construction until April 15) MWP shares book production costs with its authors and the authors keep all net profits. Authors get help creating a Marketing Plan before their manuscripts begin book production and the Marketing Plan is evaluated by a marketing consultant who provides feedback to the authors. This unique approach helps prepare the authors for marketing and promoting their books months before the book is published." --Linda Delgado, author of ISLAMIC ROSE BOOKS "My "dream" publisher would probably be St. Martin's. They're Sherrilyn Kenyon's publishers. I love her stuff, and since I also write hot, fantasy romances, seems like they'd be the best bet for me!" --Jeanne Barracke, author of SILVER FIRE. "My dream publisher doesn't exist. I will have an editor I have an excellent relationship with, one who understands me, and likes my books. I will receive at least 30% of the cover price of my books. My cover art will be gorgeous, and I will be consulted about it. Somebody else will write my blurb for me, which will contain no spoilers, and no cheapening of the content inside. My publisher will distribute my books worldwide, in mass market paperback and e-format, so that everyone can have a copy. My publisher will take out TV adverts for my books, will arrange appearances on TV and radio and bookstores, and will do it all in a nice, tidy two week slot that I can put aside for that purpose. My publisher will also book me into the relevant hotel rooms and supply a driver or transport, since I don't drive and I'm terrible at making travel arrangements. Well, I have some of that, but not all of it. And I doubt I'll ever have it all!" --Lynne Connolly, author of HARLEY STREET and THE CHEMISTRY OF EVIL "I don't think I have a single dream publisher. Many of them I could name would be publishers that handle someone I love to read personally. That would be the why aspect. Working in a company with authors that are on my auto-buy list works well for me. St. Martin's handles several I like, like Sherrilyn Kenyon. So does Luna (isn't their line-up stellar?), Dorchester (Christine Feehan), Berkley (Robin Owens), Random House (Jane Graves), TOR, Baen, Del Rey (now, we're getting into the really famous names in straight SF/f)... But, it's not all NY publishers, either. For example...Mundania Press LLC, who have just signed one of my anthology shorts and is taking a look at one of my novels, is home to Piers Anthony, has just signed FIVE former NYT Bestsellers from the 70s-90s for their full backlists PLUS new books in the series, AND were in negotiation for Andre Norton when she passed away. With any luck, her estate will tell the agent to take the deal. I would hate to see her backlist lost. Hurt me! Tell me I am in a lineup with the greats of SF/fantasy. Tell me that Piers might choose to reissue Incarnations of Immortality under the same company I'm joining! But, that's me. It amazes me that I get to work among the greats." --Brenna Lyons, author of almost sixty books. "My Dream Publisher, hummm...A house that values its writers and shares their career visions and goals. Which I guess tranlates into being on the same page on how much promotion will be done, who the marketing target is and what kind of sales they are hoping for. That way the writer and the house are working together as a team, and it's a win win. Good communication, too. In a perfect world, a nice fat budget to send me on a country-wide book promo tour, and a couple of interviews (Ophrah, Regis and Kelly come to mind)...yeah, I know I'm dreaming, but go big or go home, somebody once said. (Donald Trump, maybe)". --Nancy Darryl, author of HERE LIES LOVE "My dream publisher is one of the small-imprint Lit. Fic. labels that has the capability to cater to each writer and the needs of each book while also backing up the book with the marketing clout of a major house. My current project is kind of a Yann-Martel-meets-Donna-Tartt coming of age work. So I hope to find a publisher that specializes in those kinds of works. But then again, I'm like the rest of you: my dream publisher writes me huge advances, few edits, and a fifty-city, worldwide book tour. ;-) All without an agent. ;-)" --Michael DeVault, author of ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY |
Welcome to a special section of our magazine where you, the writer, have a chance to voice your thoughts and opinions on topics related to the writing industry. Each month, we will post a new question and if you would like to participate, send your thoughts/opinions to thewriterslife@yahoo.com with the words "Writers Speak Out!" in the subject line and we will post your thoughts/opinions as they come in. These posts are in no way the opinion of the editor of The Writer's Life and exclusively of the authors noted. Please keep your thoughts/opinions under 300 words. You may include a link to your website or published works and your thoughts/opinions will be published on this page. The editor of The Writer's Life will not publish statements that are derogatory in any manner. |
"Who is your dream publisher and why?" |
The Writer's LIfe |
www.thewriterslife.net |
One of Writer's Digest Magazine's Top 101 Websites |
-- CONTENT -- |
"I'm presently with a small press, Zumaya Publications, which I absolutely adore, but one of my dreams is to have Harlequin (Red Dress Ink baby!) pick me up for one of my hen lits. The reason? I really feel that these books would fit into their line...now if they only think so!" --Dorothy Thompson, editor of The Writer's Life and author of ROMANCING THE SOUL. "I would have to say Harper-Collins. They have a solid reputation and they are well respected in the industry. Also, if I signed with them, I believe I would have some serious pr and marketing behind me and that's one worry I don't want to have to deal with. There is also the security of knowing that this company has been around for awhile and there is little danger of it folding, unlike some of the smaller houses or the indie pubs." --Linda Rucker, author of WHAT THE HEART WANTS. "Although any "real" print publisher associated with a New York City house would be ideal to me, I'd feel I'd arrived if I was picked up by Simon and Schuster. They have several branches, including the popular Pocket Books paperback books, and the company has been around for decades. It's not going to fold, and if an author can arrive there, they have truly arrived. One of my favorite authors, Mary Higgins Clark, publishes with them, and to be printed in a house that just finished one of her tales would truly be an honor. Until then, I'll have to dream. However, having had non-fiction published by Arcadia Publishing, I must say I've worked with a wonderful publishing company, and the people there treat me with dignity and respect. I cannot say that for some of the "On Demand" publishers I worked with. I will never self-publish again. --Avie Townsend, author of WINTER MOURNINGS. "When I was a child, I used to write my own children's books. I remember admiring the Bantam books that I had, and wanting one of my books to be published by them. For some reason, I was always infatuated with the Bantam logo, and it still has a lot of meaning to me today. Although I believe Bantam has merged with Random House, and that would be a fine publisher as well." --Kathy Strelow, author of HEAD CASE: A ROCK AND ROLL NOVEL and WHIPLASH "Well, since you asked...I suppose National Geographic would be my "dream" publisher. Decades ago, their exotic locales whisked this small-town boy to places I couldn't yet pronounce. They planted the seed, and wanderlust sprouted and has led me to explore 90+ countries myself. They're still challenging me even today. Since I now write my own true travel adventures set in far-flung places like Tibet and Africa, they seem like a "natural" match. National Geo Traveler seemed to like my photos enough to give me some photo awardsso maybe, just maybe, there's still hope." --Brandon Wilson, author of YAK BUTTER BLUES: A TIBETAN TREK OF FAITH. "Linda Delgado, author of Islamic Rose Books says her dream publisher is the unique and professionally progressive publisher, Muslim Writers Publishing (MWP) at www.MuslimWritersPublishing.com (site under construction until April 15) MWP shares book production costs with its authors and the authors keep all net profits. Authors get help creating a Marketing Plan before their manuscripts begin book production and the Marketing Plan is evaluated by a marketing consultant who provides feedback to the authors. This unique approach helps prepare the authors for marketing and promoting their books months before the book is published." --Linda Delgado, author of ISLAMIC ROSE BOOKS "My "dream" publisher would probably be St. Martin's. They're Sherrilyn Kenyon's publishers. I love her stuff, and since I also write hot, fantasy romances, seems like they'd be the best bet for me!" --Jeanne Barracke, author of SILVER FIRE. "My dream publisher doesn't exist. I will have an editor I have an excellent relationship with, one who understands me, and likes my books. I will receive at least 30% of the cover price of my books. My cover art will be gorgeous, and I will be consulted about it. Somebody else will write my blurb for me, which will contain no spoilers, and no cheapening of the content inside. My publisher will distribute my books worldwide, in mass market paperback and e-format, so that everyone can have a copy. My publisher will take out TV adverts for my books, will arrange appearances on TV and radio and bookstores, and will do it all in a nice, tidy two week slot that I can put aside for that purpose. My publisher will also book me into the relevant hotel rooms and supply a driver or transport, since I don't drive and I'm terrible at making travel arrangements. Well, I have some of that, but not all of it. And I doubt I'll ever have it all!" --Lynne Connolly, author of HARLEY STREET and THE CHEMISTRY OF EVIL "I don't think I have a single dream publisher. Many of them I could name would be publishers that handle someone I love to read personally. That would be the why aspect. Working in a company with authors that are on my auto-buy list works well for me. St. Martin's handles several I like, like Sherrilyn Kenyon. So does Luna (isn't their line-up stellar?), Dorchester (Christine Feehan), Berkley (Robin Owens), Random House (Jane Graves), TOR, Baen, Del Rey (now, we're getting into the really famous names in straight SF/f)... But, it's not all NY publishers, either. For example...Mundania Press LLC, who have just signed one of my anthology shorts and is taking a look at one of my novels, is home to Piers Anthony, has just signed FIVE former NYT Bestsellers from the 70s-90s for their full backlists PLUS new books in the series, AND were in negotiation for Andre Norton when she passed away. With any luck, her estate will tell the agent to take the deal. I would hate to see her backlist lost. Hurt me! Tell me I am in a lineup with the greats of SF/fantasy. Tell me that Piers might choose to reissue Incarnations of Immortality under the same company I'm joining! But, that's me. It amazes me that I get to work among the greats." --Brenna Lyons, author of almost sixty books. "My Dream Publisher, hummm...A house that values its writers and shares their career visions and goals. Which I guess tranlates into being on the same page on how much promotion will be done, who the marketing target is and what kind of sales they are hoping for. That way the writer and the house are working together as a team, and it's a win win. Good communication, too. In a perfect world, a nice fat budget to send me on a country-wide book promo tour, and a couple of interviews (Ophrah, Regis and Kelly come to mind)...yeah, I know I'm dreaming, but go big or go home, somebody once said. (Donald Trump, maybe)". --Nancy Darryl, author of HERE LIES LOVE "My dream publisher is one of the small-imprint Lit. Fic. labels that has the capability to cater to each writer and the needs of each book while also backing up the book with the marketing clout of a major house. My current project is kind of a Yann-Martel-meets-Donna-Tartt coming of age work. So I hope to find a publisher that specializes in those kinds of works. But then again, I'm like the rest of you: my dream publisher writes me huge advances, few edits, and a fifty-city, worldwide book tour. ;-) All without an agent. ;-)" --Michael DeVault, author of ANYTHING BUT ORDINARY |
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