--Are you a vanity
press?
No, we are not. We
do not have any charges for the author if publishing with us, other than normal
royalty and retailer fees.
--Do you care about
the quality of the writing and the quality of the story, or will you cater to the
"social flavor of the month"?
We would love
beautifully written stories. However, if there is a great story, we are more
than willing to edit, edit, and edit some more. Our goal is most all genres, so
there will be no one topic/genre, other than for possible anthologies that we
round up writers for.
--I
didn't exactly mean how correct the writing was, I mean how beautiful it was.
A beautiful story
will always draw in a reader. We absolutely want those
--Will you publish
something controversial or play it safe?
If it's a good
story, we want it - controversial or not. Readers always have the option to buy
or scroll past.
--Tell me your
marketing strategy for my book, as in what will you do for me I cannot or cannot
afford to do for myself. Will you market my book?
As with ALL publishers,
you are expected to promote. As a new company, it will take us time to get
exposure and trust. However, from the beginning, we have already placed several
people in our marketing areas (who have a combined reach of over 9 million on
various social networks). We will be marketing cover reveals, interviews, meet
and greets, guest blogs, giveaways, and so much more.
--Will my book be in
bookstores, or do you focus on e-books?
It is a process,
however - we have in the works to place our authors in print - and not only in
print, but library availability will eventually be an option as well as a
subscription box service for YTP readers to subscribe and get various authors
delivered to them to try each month (along with swag or other bookish items).
Also in the works is an actual bookstore, brick and mortar, where books will be
available in print (with a library section so that they can even be checked out
- no that wouldn't make money on the library end, but it gains trust and
readers). Your books will also eventually appear in public, prison and school
(if your book is appropriate) libraries.
--What is your
marketing strategy?
We plan to, as all
other publishers also do, have the authors promote their work and be active in
promotional opportunities we send their way. We have a marketing area that will
set up as much as they can to help as well as send out newsletters and press
releases. They will also be available to coach the authors on marketing. In
addition, we are on numerous social media platforms and working with book
bloggers to get your books seen.
--I believe I would
check quality of previous publications (content but actual physical copy as
well- would indicate quality in associates, meaning cover designer, editor,
printing), how well the previous books have sold (maybe as an indication of
marketing strategies - although to be fair this may not reflect actual
capabilities of publishing house) and accessibility (bookstores, ebooks etc).
And of course, contract terms (copyrights, fees, royalties etc)
As a brand-new
company, unfortunately we have no numbers to share. And to be honest, I've been
involved with publishing for twelve years, and sometimes no matter what is
done, marketing can just fail no matter how well it's done, especially at times
when money is being closely watched rather than spent (which is a reason we
plan to also offer subscription boxes - a book or two each month for
subscribers in addition to swag or some other bookish items - sometimes it's
the extra that ends up helping in the long run).
--I'm confused... if
you aren't a vanity press, why are you catering to authors? Won't you have more
than you want asking for you to publish them?
I feel if we don't
work with authors respectfully, it's a no-win situation. I've spoken to many
authors unhappy that they are just a number to their publisher. We don't want
that. We don't want that being new and we don't want that in ten years. We want
to be the publisher that takes a bit more time with our staff and signed
authors. I can't see treating anyone like they don't matter. Writing a book is
hard. Marketing is harder. We need to be a solid team, and in my experience,
you get what you give.
--How do you decide
to publish a book or not?
We have an
acquisitions area, just like most other publishing companies. We have a manager
and assistant and then plan to take on two qualified interns that will report
to the managers. The submissions won't necessarily be judged on grammar and
perfection (so long as the author is willing to work as hard as we are to fix
it) so much as we want a solid story. Tell us a beautiful story and we'll help
you fix it.
--Will the books be
available through the major wholesalers?
Yes, so long as the
content is accepted (some distributors have their own rules that we must
follow). It will be a process and we'll need to start stocking up a library and
such of authors and great books. Since I am in the Phoenix area, I will try to
keep printing local (if it can be done at a good cost) and much of the
distribution I will handle from the office personally, so I know exactly what
is going on. Of course, if we grow beyond what I can manage, I'll hire
additional help or go with a full-scale distributor. I also have a distributor
that works with schools and book fairs willing to promote and host our age-appropriate
products.
--How connected they
are in the industry?
I've been a
published writer under several pen names for over twelve years (though my stuff
won't be coming over to my company). The social marketing staff we have, most
have had accounts at least eight years, with a combined reach of over 9
million. Now, do numbers actually help? Not usually. They're nice to have, show
visits and clicks, etc - but, in the end - 9 million is only great if you can
get all 9 million to buy.
We have plans to be
at libraries, host author events and signings, be in ebook and eventually
print, and have subscription boxes. Again, we can't guarantee reviews and we
can't guarantee a certain number will review or agree to host a tour stop.
However, the more positives we bring, the more the word will spread.
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