Congrats to our very own Madeline Smoot!

Miles Ryan was born June 14th 2009. He is healthy, happy and now our youngest member of the company.


Welcome to the family, Miles!

Miriam

Display Comments Add a Comment

The Blooming Tree Press website has been cleaned, fixed and de-hackered!

Yeah!

Thank you for all of your patience.

Miriam Hees

Add a Comment

Hello All,

It appears that a hacker has gotten a hold of our website. We will be taking it down and fixing it so as not to infect any one's computer that comes to visit us on the site.

Thanks you for your patience. We are still here and the website will be back just as soon as possible.

Thanks to everyone who alerted us.

Miriam Hees

Add a Comment

It appears the Blooming Tree Press website has had a ghost move in. We are working to fix that now. Thank you for your patience.

Miriam Hees

Add a Comment

Hello All,



Just wanted to drop a personal note and some news. We are celebrating a few anniversaries here. It is our seven year anniversary of publishing our first book at Blooming Tree Press - and today is my 27th wedding anniversary. Yeah!



All in all I'd say I am a very happy girl!



Also, we have 3 titles about to come out.



1. Lorenzo and the Pirate by Lila Guzman

2. The Kulak's Daughter by Gabriele Goldstone

3. Haven by Beverly Patt



There are 1-2 other titles for the end of the year but I'll announce those later.



Congrats Ladies on your success!



Miriam Hees

Display Comments Add a Comment

Hello All,

Just a quick update. All requested submissions from conference attendees, agents or those we personally requested are still be reviewed. I apologize for the wait. I know it's hard. We have a long standing history of reviewing every submission carefully so this tends to create a back log for you and for us.

Remember than unless we specified to you we wanted an exclusive period to consider your manuscript we have always regarded all submissions as simultaneous. Please feel free to submit your work to other publishers. We feel it would be very unfair to you to have a lock on your submission.

If you have questions you may status query at [email protected]


BTP is working hard and still loving publishing! As always we appreciate you and your words.


Miriam Hees

Display Comments Add a Comment

Morning All!


On April 25th Blooming Tree Press hosted a Boot Camp for writers. This Boot Camp was set up by the Austin Chapter of the SCBWI and was done with absolute precision!

Six members of the BTP staff** had a fabulous time teaching and learning at this intense and very select all day session. Classes included Plotting and Characterization, Working Side-by-Side With an Editor, Getting Your Manuscript Submission Ready, Websites and Blogging as well as one on one critiques.

I was so impressed with the writers and illustrators who attended. They were obviously dedicated to their craft and willing and ready to learn as much as they could.

I want to say a special thank you to Tim Crow, Regional Advisor for the Austin SCBWI and his whole staff. Being a part of functions like this are only as successful as the people in charge. You did a great job!

Miriam Hees


**Miriam Hees -Publisher
Bradford Hees - Editorial Director
Madeline Smoot - Publisher/CBAY Books
Anna Herrington Editorial Director
Judy Brown - Editorial Staff
Jackie Cannon - Editorial Staff

Add a Comment

Hi All!

I just spent a wonderful weekend in Portland with the Oregon SCBWI. I had a fabulous time! I was taken sightseeing, I ate at the restaurant where they filmed the prom scene of Twilight and then best of all I was treated like a queen by the staff, writers and illustrators at the Spring Conference.

I want to say a special thank you to Robin, Judi and the whole staff who worked so hard and treated me so special.

It always invigorates me to spend time with writers and illustrators who still have that burning passion for the craft. Thanks to all of you for filling up my tank.

Miriam Hees

Display Comments Add a Comment

Hello All,

Display Comments Add a Comment

The follow are the submission guidelines for the literary award named "The Bloom Award". This award celebrates the life of Mildred Bloom, Matriarch of Blooming Tree Press.

Mildred Bloom passed away in 2007 at the amazing age of 88, but in those previous 88 years she touch thousands of peoples lives with her generosity, hard work, faith and her never-ending belief that hopes and dreams will always prevail.

So here we go!

This award is for unpublished authors only. Each year's award will consist of a different genre, age group and imprint. This award WILL result in a publishing contract for one lucky winner. (Disclaimer: if all parties can come to an agreement.)


The first Bloom Award will consist of the following:

1. Age Group: Middle Grade.
2. Genre: Mystery/Adventure, Who-Done-It. (Fiction Only)
3. Imprint: "Tire Swing" (our children's paperback imprint)


The following will be required as part of your package that you submit:

1. A Book Proposal
2. A Detailed Synopsis
3. A Detailed Outline
4. An Author Biography (include email address)
5. The First 3 Chapters
(8 ½ X 11 double-spaced pages, 12 point font)


1. Our definition of an unpublished author consists of no previous full length published book in the children's or Young Adult market. Published short stories, poems or magazine articles don't count.
2. Only one entry per person will be allowed.
3. If you make the first cut you will have to be able to produce the completed manuscript immediately. So don't enter if you don't have a completed or near completed manuscript.
4. Manuscript length should be no less than 18,000 words but no more than 40,000 words.
5. If you are the winner you must be willing to promote and market your book to the best of your ability.

Postmarks are as follows:

Submissions begins: May 18, 2009
Submissions Deadline is: October 31, 2009

Please make sure your submission is not postmarked before May 18th or after October 31st.

Please mark clearly on the outside of the package “The Bloom Award”.


Mailing Address:

Blooming Tree Press
P.O. Box 140934
Austin, Texas
78714

Note: All submissions will be read but no material will be returned.

The Winner will be announced no later than December 25th 2009. The winning book will be released each year on Mildred Bloom’s birthday – April 25th. (First release to be April 25th 2011)

For any questions or concerns, please submit those via The Publisher’s Life Blog.
http://www.apublisherslife.blogspot.com/



Thank you for your patience and best of luck.
Miriam Hees
Publisher
Blooming Tree Press

Add a Comment

Hi all,

We have a small change in the care of submissions. As before, we only accept agented submission, submission from conferences we speak at and submission that correspond with awards or contest we are running.

In the past we have returned submissions that were not requested, but we will no longer be doing that. The large number we get each week takes too much staff time to return.

As of April 1st, 2009, any non-requested submission will NOT be returned - they will be recycled.

Thank you for your cooperation.

Miriam Hees

P.S. The final details for The Bloom Award will be announced no later than next week!

Add a Comment

ForeWord Magazine Announces 2008 Book of the Year Award Finalists.

A huge congrats to Judith Mammay for her novel Knowing Joseph being selected as a finalists for ForeWord Magazine's Book of the Year Award!

You go Judy!

Miriam

Display Comments Add a Comment

Dear Friends,

Although we are not yet ready for any submissions for "The Bloom Award" I wanted to give a little more information so you will be ready when we are.

We are setting up a a literary award named "The Bloom Award" to celebrate the life of Mildred Bloom, Matriarch of Blooming Tree Press. This award will be for unpublished authors only. Each year's award will consist of a different genre, age group and imprint. This award WILL result in a publishing contract for one lucky winner. (Disclaimer: if all parties can come to an agreement.)



The first Bloom Award will consist of the following:

1. Age Group: Middle Grade.
2. Genre: Mystery/Adventure, Who-Done-It.
3. "Tire Swing" (our children's paperback imprint)

Add a Comment

Hello All!

I hope all of your Christmas and Holiday was fun and fabulous. Mine was! I can't think of anything better than spending time with family.

As I write this I am thinking of everything that was accomplished at BTP in 2008. 10 titles!!! That is amazing. I'm not sure we had planned on that many titles coming out but they did, they are awesome and we are proud as punch of all of our authors, illustrators and staff.

What does BTP have planned for 2009??? Well, quite a bit I'm sure, but I read something very interesting in a magazine yesterday about a "What NOT to do" list. I won't rewrite the whole thing but basically it was a list of NOT stress, NOT worrying, NOT taking on too much and living a more relaxed and enjoyable life.

For example:

I will not bring my work home with me. I will instead enjoy my friends and family and take the time to work on a hobby I have always wanted to try.

So right now I want to hear from as many of you as possible. Respond with your NOT-to-do list. I'll post them all together before the first of the year so we can all refer to them throughout the year!

Thanks!
Miriam

Add a Comment

Dear Friends,

After much planning on our part and much waiting on your part, we are beginning preparations for the first ever Bloom Award.

Below you will find initial information. Genre, age group, etc. This should give writers who might like to enter the competition a chance to think and plan.

Mildred would no doubt haved liked to read all the entries herself, but she will have to wait and hear the winner when it's done.

We will be setting up a literary award named "The Bloom Award" to celebrate the life of Mildred Bloom, Matriarch of Blooming Tree Press. This award will be for unpublished authors only. Each year's award will consist of a different genre, age group and imprint. This award WILL result in a publishing contract for one lucky winner. (Disclaimer: if all parties can come to an agreement.)


"The Bloom Award" (the first) will be consist of the following:

1. Age Group: Middle Grade.
2. Genre: Mystery/Adventure, Who-Done-It.
3. "Tire Swing" Imprint.

We are still working on the rules and details and time for submission. Please DO NOT send anything yet. It will not be read.

More information will follow in January 2009. Thank you for your patience and best of luck.


Miriam Hees
Publisher
Blooming Tree Press

Add a Comment

I just can't wait to announce that Little Bunny Kung Fu, written and Illustrated by Regan Johnson is one of the six finalist in the 2008 Borders Original Voices Awards for Picture Books!

The announcement came out today (see link below) and of course all of here at Blooming Tree Press are thrilled!

http://news.prnewswire.com/ViewContent.aspx?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/11-24-2008/0004931977&EDATE=

Let's give a big congratulations to Regan Johnson and keep our fingers, toes and anything else we can think of crossed that she will win!

Way to go Regan and Little Bunny Kung Fu!

Thanks,

Miriam Hees and
Bradford Hees (our proud Editorial Director who first spotted Regan and her amazing Bunny!)

Add a Comment

Morning All,

I get this question a lot.

"How is the publishing business going? Are you guys doing all right?

My answer is yes.

Now that doesn't mean we aren't feeling the effects of the economy. Everyone on this planet is as far as I can tell, but we are doing things to make sure that our books keep coming out.

When I read the publishing news there is a constant chatter of how this company and that company is cutting here, trimming there. The number of titles are being reduced in many publishing houses and it's getting harder and harder for authors to sell.

With that said I will say this. Books will always be around. Period.

Blooming Tree Press is making changes by:

• Creating new imprints to produce more affordable paperbacks than hardcovers.


• Offering monthly specials at our Blooming Tree Bookshop.


• Offering big discounts for large orders and classroom sets.


• We are economizing in the office with our supplies.


• How and where BTP staff works.


• The way we do business with the printing companies we use.


• Recycling as much as we possibly can.

We are going to do everything we can to make sure our books are affordable as well as a fantastic read.

So don't stop writing, dear authors. Readers will always demand great stories to read and Blooming Tree Press will be there to give them to you.


Miriam Hees

Add a Comment

Greetings!


Join me in giving a super huge congratulations to Sarah Ackerley and Patrick the Somnambulist!

They made The ABC (The Association of Booksellers for Children) Best Books for Children Catalog 2008!


The ABC Best Books for Children Catalog is a full-color 20 page consumer circular which is distributed through ABC member stores in the fall. The catalog features 225 frontlist and 30 backlist titles, with an annual print run of about 400,000. The catalog is fully vetted, and features bookseller favorites, award winners, and critically acclaimed titles.


You can find an online version of the catalog by clicking on the link below or go to the ABC website for lots of great information.

http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=b09b985a-9f13-413c-9768-a3a6bf1ccf88

I am so proud of you and Patrick, Sarah. I salute you!

Miriam Hees

Add a Comment

Greetings!

I don't know about where you are but in Texas we are starting to feel a touch of fall.

I'm sure many of you are heading straight into winter, but either way it makes me have a different feeling about my day and about what I want to do and read.

For me, iced coffee turns to hot lattes and salads turn to rich soups and hearty breads.

But most importantly I like to curl up in a soft, warm blanket and reach for my stack of yet to be read books.

Today my stack is heavy with, yet to be read, full manuscripts that my hands are just itching for. This is the time of year I do a lot of my personal selections for the coming years of publications.

As far as my personal reading in concerned, I might re-read for the hundredth time Pride and Prejudice or see what's new with one of my favorite romance novelist.

Now it's your turn to Post!

1. What is your favorite book?
2. What new book do you want to curl up with?
3. What is your favorite fall foods?

Have a great Monday!

Miriam

Add a Comment

Dear Friends,


I wanted to drop a line to try and get questions and concerns answered regarding prior submissions to Blooming Tree Press.


First let me say that if we have your submission, and we have not sent you a rejection letter, we DO have interest in your work. That does not necessarily mean we will be able to publish it, but it does mean that we think your work has extreme merit.


As you know, we are a small press with a small staff but we still want to respond to the submissions we request and receive in a timely manner. We have always stated that six months is our nearest timeline for response, so here is what I would like those with unanswered submissions to do.


1. Please note that we are still closed to unsolicited queries or submissions and only take Agented inquiries or submissions from conferences we speak at. This is NOT a call for submissions.


2. If you submitted to us during our unsolicited time (which would have been prior to October 2007) or if you have submitted by way of an agent or as a conference attendee and have not had any response from a submission prior to April 1, 2008, please status query us at [email protected]


3. If you have submitted after April 1, 2008 by way of an agent, a conference or a personal request, please wait until six months have passed and then status query us at the same email address.


Fortunately or unfortunately when a manuscript is impressive enough for us to hold on to it takes even longer in the process. Also remember to always feel free to simultaneously submit any work you have with us. Because of the long publishing process it is the only fair thing to do.


Again, thank you for trusting your words with us and best of luck in your writing persuits.


Miriam Hees

Publisher

Blooming Tree Press

Add a Comment

Hello All!

The online Blooming Tree Bookshop has been out of order with many technical problems. Well, it's finally on the way back to greatness! It still has a few things that need polishing, but all in all it is ready for viewing.

Click on the link below or access it through the Blooming Tree Press website. We are having a sale on many of our titles to celebrate and will continue to put other titles on sale through the new year. Just click on the section called "Specials".

http://bloomingtreepress.com/catalog/index.php?osCsid=a0002d1cbb1b4ec6fbafc84a5cb77bfe

Have fun shopping!

Miriam

Add a Comment

This is a very exciting time for Blooming Tree Press as we announce the opening of CBAY books with its premiere titles The Emerald Tablet, by P.J. Hoover and The Book of Nonsense, by David Michael Slater.

CBAY books (Children's Brains are Yummy!) is the brain child of Madeline Smoot. As owner of this amazing division, Madeline has worked hard to prepare and produce two fabulous middle grade novels which I know will be a big hit!

The Emerald Tablet and The Book of Nonsense are now on sale with their October releases.

Join me in congratulating P.J, David and most of Madeline for this amazing success.

Miriam

Add a Comment

Hello All!

It seems that news for BTP just keeps getting better and better! Next up is the release of The Emerald Tablet by P.J. Hoover on October 21st, 2008.

This is a fabulous book released by CBAY books which is a wonderful part of BTP. Congrats to P.J. Hoover and to Madeline Smoot on the coming success of The Emerald Tablet.

I'm sure that P.J. and Madeline will be more than willing to answer any questions you have about writing and The Emerald Tablet. Ask away!

Miriam

Add a Comment

Morning All!

I want to give a great big THANK YOU to the New Orleans SCBWI for having Madeline and myself as conference speakers this past weekend.

I was treated like a queen! I was impress not only by the city itself but by the quality of writers and illustrators at this SCBWI chapter.

New Orleans gang, you have lots of great talent and it was my honor to be a part of your conference and your city.

Miriam

Add a Comment

Hello All,

Dragon Wishes, by Stacy Nyikos will be released October 23, 2008. We are very excited about this new addition to the BTP family!

I am going to post a link to Stacy's brand new Book Trailer, but I also think now is the time to ask Stacy some questions about Dragon Wishes. How it came to be, how she wrote it, etc. Here is your chance to Ask-The-Author!

The Book Trailer Link is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAPOjGhalG4

Have Fun!

Miriam

Add a Comment