Interviews with those in the publishing industry
Part of the requirements for a graduate class was to write a large paper and I decided to research the current situation of the publishing industry. The more I learned through research, the more I was amazed at the changes due mainly because of technology. As any writer knows, a writing project takes on a life of its own telling you what to write about.
One of the biggest findings from this project was how stigma is fast changing from self-publishing to big standard publishers. There are only a handful of these big standard publishers in the world.
Part of my intense research involved interviews with significant people in the publishing world, most of whom I’ve known for years. These questions initially pertained to a first publishing idea. This was before the information showed me what I should write about, took on a life of its own. These interviews have much to say however and I believe are significant.
Periodically each interview will be featured here for others to learn from.
Second interview with:
Cheryl Kaye Tardif
Author, Publisher
Imagin Books www.imajinbooks.com Edmonton, Canada
Interview Questions:
1. What elements does an editor, agent, and publisher look for in a manuscript when deciding to take on a first-time author? What makes a manuscript stand out from the crowd? What about things like sentence structure, metaphors, similes, interjected long tangents of exploration, and/or topic or plot?
As the publisher at Imajin Books, I look for a strong opening and exceptional writing skills. Not only do I want to be invested in the characters and plot, I want a work that is highly polished. A manuscript that has already been edited by a professional editor who understand Chicago Manual of Style rules will definitely stand out. A gripping first sentence, first paragraph, first page and first chapter are also something I look for.
For actual writing style, I look for a style that flows, that has a unique voice, and is grammatically correct. The more polished it is, the higher the chance that we’ll say yes. I abhor overused slang and run-on sentences. I also dislike overuse of punctuation like em-dashes or ellipses. I frown at the use of colons and semi-colons in fiction. These are a sign of weakness, in my opinion.
2. What is the planning and the process that goes into publishing a book? Is this different when the author is first-time published?
The book is vetted first by a beta reader to see if we’ll even accept it. Once accepted, it goes to our editor for a full edit. Our editor works with the author on this. I also work with the author on creating gripping back cover text. An ARC PDF is then sent out for advanced review blurbs for the cover and inside review page. I work with our cover designer on a fabulous cover based on my concepts and the author’s input. We also create the author’s page on our site and their book page, plus add their link to the Book List page. Once it is released it is added to the homepage. This is the same for every author, except the author’s page is only created once.
3. What helps a debut novel stand out after being published? What can an editor, publisher, agent do to make a debut novel stand out?
Promotion! Any novel, especially a debut novel, must be promoted everywhere that readers are, especially online. Publishers and agents should tweet, FB, etc everywhere they can.
4. What can the author do to help their debut novel stand out? Is there anything besides writing a great story?
Authors should organize a virtual book/blog tour to help get the word out. The first 30 days are the most important and authors should expect to invest in advertising their book online. They should tweet, FB, blog, set up Author Central profile, and do everything they can to get the word out. To stand out to a publisher, writers should be using social networks for their writing BEFORE they even query a publisher or agent.
5. Do book reviews aide in making a book stand out? How about with sales? Do they matter? Does it matter who the reviewer is or where the review appears?
Reviews do count. The more reviews, the more sales. Any review helps as long as it’s a positive 4-5 star one.
6. Does the size of a publisher make a difference in sales?
Yes. Obviously larger publishers like the Big 4 have much larger marketing budgets to work with, so they can get a book/author noticed in a big way. Smaller publishers do better if they focus on online promotions.
7. Does it matter whether the press is traditional or non-traditional? What are the pros and cons of each?
If a press is “traditional,” they pay advances and royalties. A non-traditional press doesn’t pay advances. They may market in un-traditional ways as well. But it doesn’t matter. An advance is exactly that—an ADVANCE toward your royalties. The only time it matters is if the author wants to join a writing organization that makes it a criteria that advances are paid.
8. Has technology made a difference in what publishers decide to publish as opposed to say 25 years ago? In what way?
Yes. Publishers are publishing shorter novels, single short stories and other works because technology has made it easy to do so.
9. Would you share statistics or an approximate percentage of how many first time authors are published?
I have no idea what the number is for publishing in general. At Imajin Books, about 50% of our authors were debut authors when we signed them.
10. Do you believe first time authors are published more today than 25 years ago? If so, does this lower published book’s caliber?
Yes, there are far more debut authors, and they’re growing every year. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon’s KDP has made it far easier to get published. This adds some competition for publishing companies, but there will always be the need and desire to be published by someone other than one’s self.
August 9, 2013
First Interview with:
James A. Cox
Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review http://www.midwestbookrievew.com
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
phone: 1-608-835-7937
e-mail: [email protected]
e-mail: [email protected]
Established in 1976, the Midwest Book Review publishes the following monthly book publications specifically designed for community and academic librarians, booksellers, and the general reading public.
James published our interview together in his August newsletter and will also place it in his “Jim Cox Report, which he writes for a small press community.
“My perspective is that of a book reviewer and the editor-in-chief of the Midwest Book Review. So from that perspective here are my responses to your questions” – - – James A. Cox
Interview Questions:
1. What elements does an editor, agent, and publisher look for in a manuscript when deciding to take on a first-time author? What makes a manuscript stand out from the crowd? What about things like sentence structure, metaphors, similes, interjected long tangents of exploration, and/or topic or plot?
An author’s writing style can make or break a book. The clearer it’s written the better. The more distracting in what’s written (through poor grammar, typos, run-on sentences, dysfunctional paragraphing, and overused cliches) the poorer the chances for consideration for a review, let alone any positive recommendations to an intended readership.
I rarely encounter these problems with traditional published books from the major publishers. I often encounter them with self-published books coming from Publish On Demand (POD) companies. The reason for this disparity is quite simple. Traditional publishing houses employ editors. Self-published authors usually don’t.
2. What is the planning and the process that goes into publishing a book? Is this different when the author is first-time published?
Self-published authors are the largest group of published writers to suffer from such lacks as proper editing of their material. The second largest problem (and one that can affect any author regardless of whether their work is self-published, published by a small press, or even one of largest and established corporate publishers) is an esthetically substandard cover.
3. What helps a debut novel stand out after being published? What can an editor, publisher, agent do to make a debut novel stand out?
With respect to such ‘middle-men’ as book reviewers, booksellers, distributors, wholesalers, and librarians, it is the accompanying documents in the form of a well designed and written publicity or press release. And specifically with respect to book reviewers — the accompanying cover letter. Often the absence of these documents will doom a book to being passed over in favor of other competing titles that have them.
Also of critical importance (and not just to middle-men but to the intended readership) is the physical appearance of the book — and that means not just the front cover, but the back cover as well.
4. What can the author do to help their debut novel stand out? Is there anything besides writing a great story?
In addition to writing a great cover letter and crafting an effective publicity or press release, the next most important thing is to talk to people whether it is in the form of author signings, media interviews, convention panels, creation of an author’s web site, arranging for reviews, insuring that the book is listing on the major online bookselling web sites such Amazon, as well as any appropriate niche web sites, participating in thematically appropriate (given the nature or genre of the book) on-line discussion groups or chat rooms.
5. Do book reviews aide in making a book stand out? How about with sales? Do they matter? Does it matter who the reviewer is or where the review appears?
Reviews are critical in getting a novel noticed by an intended or targeted readership. Reviews can be done by amateurs (readers) or by professionals (Midwest Book Review; Publishers Weekly; Library Journal; Reader Reviews; etc., etc.). An unknown author with their first title and no track record, needs to garner as many reviews from as many sources as possible — and utilize them to every extent possible in the marketing and promotion efforts. Those efforts range from getting reviews posted on Amazon, to archiving them on the author’s own web site, to quoting them in marketing materials such as publicity or press release.
6. Does the size of a publisher make a difference in sales?
The larger and more established the publisher (the Simon & Schusters of the publishing industry) to larger the marketing budgets to finance such things as media tours and numbers of review copies that can be sent out. Most self-published authors are working on shoestring (or even no-string) marketing budgets. Publicity, promotion, and marketing make all the difference in sales numbers — and bottom line profits or losses.
7. Does it matter whether the press is traditional or non-traditional? What are the pros and cons of each?
For a reviewer, whether the publisher is traditional or non-traditional is irrelevant. That also holds true for the general reading public. Where tradition vs. non-tradition holds sway is in the author being able to get published in the first place, and once published, the resources available to them for marketing and promotion purposes.
8. Has technology made a difference in what publishers decide to publish as opposed to say 25 years ago? In what way?
Technology has made a huge difference in what publishers decide to publish. But even more of an impact is the state of the economy. When the American economy fell of a fiscal cliff back in 1998, the immediate effect in the New York houses (think Penguin Group USA, Randhom House, HarperCollins, etc.) significantly cut back the numbers of titles they were publishing, as well as the print runs for the books they did publish.
At the same time, the POD companies (think iUnverse, AuthorHouse, Xlibris, and dozens more) had a kind of ‘boom time’ increase in authors wanting to turn their manuscripts into books and needed only a check that did not bounce in order to do so.
Then there is the phenomena of the ebook — digital publishing has exploded onto the scene and is already having a critical impact on what and how books are getting published in this country today.
9. Would you share statistics or an approximate percentage of how many first time authors are published?
With respect to the major publishing houses, the percentage is quite small. I would think it to be around 15% based on what I see arrive on my desk seeking reviews. With respect to the POD companies, it would be more like 95%.
10. Do you believe first time authors are published more today than 25 years ago? If so, does this lower published book’s caliber?
Again, with respect to established traditional publishers, fewer first time authors are making it into print. But digital publishers and POD publishers are doing a robust business putting out titles by first time authors — so ironically, more first time authors are being published today than at any earlier period of history within the American publishing industry.
August 5, 2013
A writer friend recommended this article. Kindness isn’t found as much today. It seems cut-throat is more so.
A worthwhile read:
* Article from The New York Times, The Fifth Floor
George Saunders’s Advice to Graduates
By JOEL LOVELL“Because kindness, it turns out, is hard – it starts out all rainbows and puppy dogs, and expands to include…well, everything.
There’s a confusion in each of us, a sickness, really: selfishness. But there’s also a cure. So be a good and proactive and even somewhat desperate patient on your own behalf – seek out the most efficacious anti-selfishness medicines, energetically, for the rest of your life.”
June 14, 2013
* Working on Master’s degree and my current paper is on the world of publishing today. Looking at how things have changed in the last 25 years. Technology made the biggest changes. Thank you to all you’ve graciously agreed to answer my interview questions.
* Reading The Man Who Wouldn’t Stand Up for Fjords Review
March 17, 2013
Met many wonderful and interesting authors, writers, publishers, fans, marketers, editors, professors, artists, reviewers, media designers, permissions companies, publicists, and more at the AWP Conference in Boston March 6-9. The experience is one I’ll never forget, though I’ve been to writer’s conferences and conventions before. The number of attendees was higher than usual this year.
A special thank you to Boston friends, Rachel and Robert, without you our experience wouldn’t have nearly as pleasant. These wonderful friends also took my daughters and I to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (MFA). Though we spent around three hours there, we made it through approximately only one-forth of the museum. The place is spectacular, huge, and educational. http://www.mfa.org/
At Fjords Review. . .
Fjords Review featured many authors who read at Carroll & Sons Gallery. My reading pertained to my work as a book analyzer/reviewer. A well-respected and multi-published author later touched me with her confession. She said she was nervousness about getting her book reviewed. “But after hearing you,” she said. “I feel brave enough.”
I’m not able to review all the requests for reviews. There just isn’t enough time. To really do a good job, I have to limit the number otherwise the quality is effected. In addition, if I feel there is nothing positive to say about the work, I’ll refuse to do the review.
At Leapfrog Press. . .
I’m reading contest manuscripts. The hardest part about this is deciding which ones not to move into the “probably not,” the ”maybe,” and the “good” folders. There are multitudes of good writers out there. If the caliber of writing is high, the editor and I check other points. Does the piece grab from the start? Is the sentence structure and style appropriate? Does the story fit Leapfrog style?
Also researching contest for Leapfrog books to enter.
Also learning marketing. Met and spoke with Lisa Milk Carlou, Leapfrog’s marketer while at the AWP, began application of a few of her suggestions. Thanks Lisa!
Also, met a few Leapfrog authors. One author was Allen Learst, a nice guy.
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At Fjords Review:
Eve Asks
by Christine Redman-Waldeyer
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Fjords Review
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January 27, 2013
New 2013 Issue: Fjords Volume 1 Issue 4 Body , 
* Learn about Fjords ReviewAbout Fjords (in PDF)
* Meet me and the rest of the Fjords Review staff at the AWP Conference in Boston, 
Massachusetts, March 6-9, 2013
* AWP Conference held at the Hynes Convention Center http://www.advantageboston.com/hynes.aspx
* Fjords is holding an event at Carroll and Sons’ Gallery, not far from the Hynes Convention Center, in Boston on Friday, March 8. Some Fjords staff members will hold discussions. Stop by and hear what Christina Francine says about analyzing and reviewing books. http://carrollandsons.net/news
Fjord Review is a beautiful twice yearly literary journal that presents new visual art alongside new literature, translations, and reviews of written words. The work is broad and is the first journal to publish its authors in strictly audio format. Next year, Fjord Review hopes to publish an issue strictly of Pulitzer Surprise winners. John Gosslee is the editor. www.FjordsReview.com
August 24, 2012
–Congratulations to Mony Dojeiji and Alberto Agraso —
A book I judged is a finalists in two categories. I realized the book was something during the reading.
OTTAWA AUTHORS WIN INTERNATIONAL ACCOLADES
Ottawa, Ontario – Aug 23, 2012 – At an awards ceremony and dinner at the elegant U-Club of Santa Barbara, California, WALKING FOR PEACE, AN INNER JOURNEY by Ottawa authors Mony Dojeiji and Alberto Agraso was named Winner in the Action/Adventure category of the 2012 Dan Poynter Global Ebook Awards. They were also Finalists in the New Age category and received Honourable Mention in the Religion/Faith category.
The book is Walking for Peace, an Inner Journey and the two categories are in the non-fiction section under Action/Adventure Non-Fiction and the other under New Age. http://walkingforpeace.com
252 category-expert judges evaluated nearly 1,000 entries, in 101 categories, from 16 countries. Winners in each category are published at http://globalebookawards.com/2012-global-ebook-awards-winners.
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