tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post1501064717972278414..comments2024-03-28T11:25:39.068-04:00Comments on Jungle Red Writers: Small Press--Huge Opportunity!Jungle Red Writershttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16646429819267618412noreply@blogger.comBlogger23125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-81061731268069338892011-09-06T01:27:37.152-04:002011-09-06T01:27:37.152-04:00I've been keeping an eye on small presses for ...I've been keeping an eye on small presses for awhile now, and the one that seems most interesting at this time and in this climate is a small outfit out of Austin TX called Tiny TOE Press.<br /><br />Tiny TOE Press is unique because it handpresses its books. This is not only a great way to minimize costs, but it also adds some charm to each copy it produces.<br /><br />Right now they offer 2 great books:<br /><br />The Mosquito Song by M. L. Kennedy http://theopenend.com/bookstore/<br /><br />and<br /><br />Austin Nights by herocious http://www.amazon.com/Austin-Nights-ebook/dp/B004M8S60C<br /><br />They also seem to be looking for new writers.Celinehttp://htmlgiant.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-9206888107770519892011-03-10T23:33:00.429-05:002011-03-10T23:33:00.429-05:00Oh, and Saturday? One writer's reinvention of ...Oh, and Saturday? One writer's reinvention of herself--with wild success! How'd she do it? She'll let you in on it--on Saturday.Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-7950664474281509562011-03-10T23:12:02.871-05:002011-03-10T23:12:02.871-05:00I just can't get over it--you all are wonderfu...I just can't get over it--you all are wonderful! What a group!<br /><br />See you tomorrow for...well, you'll just have to come check it out. But let me just say--a major league author reveals her guilty secret!Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11260163654479620332011-03-10T19:02:34.116-05:002011-03-10T19:02:34.116-05:00The problem Maryann raises of course goes away wit...The problem Maryann raises of course goes away with e-Books. Kaye, is your book in e-Book format? Maryann, is your bookstore able to sell e-books now? Soon??Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-11534488335969749842011-03-10T19:01:26.701-05:002011-03-10T19:01:26.701-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51098433613298571392011-03-10T17:29:04.213-05:002011-03-10T17:29:04.213-05:00Well, since you asked, Roberta, you can see my lat...Well, since you asked, Roberta, you can see my latest blog for some insight into that. :)<br />http://travelswithkaye.blogspot.com/2011/03/interview-of-kate-george.htmlKaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-73182277821560562322011-03-10T17:20:45.643-05:002011-03-10T17:20:45.643-05:00Welcome Kate, and thanks for telling us about your...Welcome Kate, and thanks for telling us about your books and your path. We are in such a state of flux right now--it may well be that what you describe will become more the norm than the exception! I know every one of us here at Jungle Red works like a dog (or a mountain lion) to get the word out about our books--it's definitely expected.<br /><br />And Kate George, Kaye George--wow, are you guys related?Lucy Burdette aka Roberta Isleibhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04660402177299546055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-65864181004629676372011-03-10T15:07:25.418-05:002011-03-10T15:07:25.418-05:00PS. The reason I'm not using my Google account...PS. The reason I'm not using my Google account to post is that my posts seem to keep disappearing<br />It's been that kind of week :o(Maryann Mercernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-58985002632046725602011-03-10T15:06:11.804-05:002011-03-10T15:06:11.804-05:00As a bookseller, I have a question for you. Does y...As a bookseller, I have a question for you. Does your press take returns? I ask, because this can be the biggest problem in getting stores to order. If I go in to our system to shortlist a book because a customer asks for it (or has placed an order), I'm supposed to check that issue. There are several books I've read and would love to sell, but was unable to convince my boss to order...non-returnable. that said, if it's on BN.com I'll find it :o)Maryann Mercernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-18253992307264225032011-03-10T15:03:47.387-05:002011-03-10T15:03:47.387-05:00This is fascinating, thanks. As an aspiring autho...This is fascinating, thanks. As an aspiring author who's a member of writing orgs., been to conferences, pitched to many agents and received plenty of interest that hasn't yet translated into a working relationship, I've been eyeing small presses lately. (Also constantly working to improve the writing itself. Frustration will do that for you, but trying to be responsive to reasons for rejection can also, I'm afraid, push you away from your core strengths if you let it.) Seems like small press publication at least opens doors of opportunity. Would you agree?Linda Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001433214194860481noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-48819603427997161772011-03-10T14:53:40.726-05:002011-03-10T14:53:40.726-05:00I think even NYT bestselling authors are doing at ...I think even NYT bestselling authors are doing at least some of their own online promoting these days. It has become a necessary and unavoidable part of the job. But while it requires a lot of effort, it's a blessing for those of us who are shy (that would not be me:-))<br /><br />And I think the online promotion and the Amazon sales are the key, not, unfortunately, going around in person and selling books to individual stores.<br /><br />Good luck with your book, Kate! It's great that your first sold enough that your publisher is doing a second!Deborah Crombiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01658027347346424733noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-5495067326981397532011-03-10T14:03:05.396-05:002011-03-10T14:03:05.396-05:00Hank, most people wouldn't have written the da...Hank, most people wouldn't have written the dang book in the first place. Or, if they started it, wouldn't finish writing it. Almost everyone I talk to *wants to* write a book.Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-33767266674161569352011-03-10T13:26:18.513-05:002011-03-10T13:26:18.513-05:00It's fascinating,isn't it? What we go thro...It's fascinating,isn't it? What we go through to have a book?<br /><br />Wouldn't most people just say--forget it?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22305528989360703842011-03-10T12:57:31.984-05:002011-03-10T12:57:31.984-05:00Welcome to Jungle Red, Kate, and congratulations o...Welcome to Jungle Red, Kate, and congratulations on your latest book. I grew up in California and consider it another world. <br /><br />I think it speaks to MMP's integrity -- or maybe just good business sense -- that they wait to see how book 1 does before publishing book 2. But what a lot of pressure. It's hard enough to write the book by yourself - on top of that you have 100% of the responsibility for editing and promoting. Author as pioneer - not an easy row to hoe.Hallie Ephronhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04759439029582054503noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-53695414756870080502011-03-10T12:04:41.762-05:002011-03-10T12:04:41.762-05:00I'd say working hard on your craft produces re...I'd say working hard on your craft produces results. Hard work promoting in the right venue produces results. Hard work in the wrong venue is likely a waste of time, unless you count learning lessons as results!Kate George/Bodacious Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17535866071245284381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-57434071376952575472011-03-10T11:50:30.105-05:002011-03-10T11:50:30.105-05:00Oh, Pauline. Does hard work produce results? One h...Oh, Pauline. Does hard work produce results? One hundred per cent yes. On so many levels. Don't you agree?Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-47739637743721068692011-03-10T11:18:16.444-05:002011-03-10T11:18:16.444-05:00Thanks, JRW, for hosting Kate! I've read CALIF...Thanks, JRW, for hosting Kate! I've read CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN' (and MOONLIGHTING, too, of course)and can highly recommend both. I sure hope MMP does a third, too! Bree is a fun character.Kaye Georgehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05596677617002735674noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-75698970653594007892011-03-10T10:49:07.743-05:002011-03-10T10:49:07.743-05:00After working hard to hone one's writing craft...After working hard to hone one's writing craft, a writer now has to learn the business side of publishing and how to practice it. As you point out, Kate, not all writers have the temperament for seeking publicity. You do what you have to, as the saying goes. Good luck with all your promotion endeavors. Do we still believe hard work produces results?Pauline Alldredhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00847008019331163905noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-22339125801444598582011-03-10T09:21:07.875-05:002011-03-10T09:21:07.875-05:00Kate's right, whoever you're published by,...Kate's right, whoever you're published by, word-of-mouth is key. That was a finding from the latest SINC consumer report and also from Digital Book World which I attended. Which is one reason I love chatting up other authors (as well as myself ;-) and going to libraries where one conversation can be multiplied many times over.Rosemary Harrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08033747422699443024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-51440357282274428552011-03-10T09:00:08.634-05:002011-03-10T09:00:08.634-05:00Hi Edith, Yes I had to sell a certain number of c...Hi Edith, Yes I had to sell a certain number of copies of Moonlighting in Vermont before they would even look at California Schemin'. But I think that's understandable. They don't start making money until 400 - 500 copies sell.<br /><br />And yes I get more orders from Amazon than from bookstores - which I think is unfortunate. But it's not entirely MMP's fault. I've contacted many bookstores here in Vermont who say they can't sell local authors, as much as they would like to promote them. Apparently people are looking for bestsellers when they walk in the bookstore? I don't know.<br /><br />And yes I tried to sell to many agents and many editors before electing to go with MMP. Because face it, doesn't everyone want money up front for the years of work?<br /><br />However, from what I understand new authors aren't getting a lot of money or promotion from the big houses either. The benefit would perhaps being IN bookstores across the country, as Jack said, but that's not a guarantee those books will sell without publicity or prominent placement.<br /><br />Word of mouth seems to be the way to financial success, and like everyone else I'm in the dark as the best way to get that started, but I'm not giving up!Kate George/Bodacious Bettyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17535866071245284381noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-77258365932672932762011-03-10T08:37:40.726-05:002011-03-10T08:37:40.726-05:00The problem with promoting small press books is th...The problem with promoting small press books is that people who hear about the book online can't find it when they walk in the book store. Yes, I know. They can order it. But they don't. They buy something else to read right now. That's why they went to the bookstore.<br /><br />Also, no advance means no active membership in Mystery Writers, no major reviews, no panels at many of the mystery conferences. Your promotion is more difficult.<br /><br />Don't mean to be too negative. You're a published author! Congrats. It's just a tough road and you have to be prepared for many slapdowns. Good luck! My body was bruised after two years of it.Jackhttp://www.jackgetze.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-12008072994652770122011-03-10T07:44:45.060-05:002011-03-10T07:44:45.060-05:00Hey, Kate!
Oh, that's intersting, Edith. Yea...Hey, Kate! <br /><br />Oh, that's intersting, Edith. Yeah, what's the scoop, Kate? Although I guess that's essentiallly the same with any publisher...Hank Phillippi Ryanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17420701704169428286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1001156153899984046.post-31155152165496839342011-03-10T07:15:12.976-05:002011-03-10T07:15:12.976-05:00Welcome, Kate. I'm also a California girl who ...Welcome, Kate. I'm also a California girl who moved East, so I'm going to look for your books. <br /><br />A friend is also published with MMP. She says they won't consider her second book until the sales from her first book reach a certain number. Did you have that constraint, too?<br /><br />And had you tried the agent route first without success? I'm curious about why you chose to go with a small press.<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br />Edith<br />http://edithmaxwell.blogspot.com/Edith Maxwellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01388006370860482509noreply@blogger.com