An editor from a new publishing company left a comment on Monday's post. I love it when my peers comment. Especially when they say nice things. Because I'm vain.
She didn't post a link to WiDo's website. Here it is. I'm glad to see that there are some people who aren't afraid to jump into the market with both feet right now. (Personally, I still have my big toe in the market but that's about all I can do right now.)
It isn't clear whether they're looking for books with LDS content or just good clean books. Maybe they could clarify?
The reason I brought this up though, is I'm wondering what your perspective is on the LDS publishing market now.
It's been awhile since Deseret Book and Covenant/Seagull joined together. Several small publishers have closed their doors. Other publishers have cut back on accepting new titles. One publisher seems to be going nuts acquiring new authors, but they're also pushing back release dates.
What has been your experience lately?
Previously/Continuing to be published authors: Are you finding it business as usual? Are your publishers accepting your new manuscripts with the same zeal as before? Is the time from acceptance to release the same? Or has it increased? Have you had to look for a new publisher because yours closed? Are you finding that being published by a now closed publisher gives you creds to get in somewhere else? Or not?
Accepted authors waiting for release: Has your release date been pushed back? By a little or a lot? Or has everything gone forward as planned?
Not yet published authors: Do you feel your chances of being accepted are less than they were a few years ago? Do you feel you've run out of options in the LDS market? Does that make you want to give up on writing for LDS readers? Have you considered self-publishing? How seriously? Would you consider an alternative type of publishing—say, a new publisher who distributed through less traditional methods?
I'm just curious as to the general feeling of those writing for the LDS market right now.
11 comments:
I don't think it's just the LDS market that has these concerns. I hear these questions being asked on every writing website I go to.
My book, "Altared Plans," was originally scheduled to be released in September, but will be in bookstores in July. It was accepted in a month, whereas my first book took 7 months for acceptance. That's just my experience.
I don't think anyone should give up. Publishers need books to stay in business. Our responsibility as authors is to hone our craft and write better books. The more we improve, the more likely it is we'll be published.
The difference between a published and an unpublished author is persistence. If being published is your dream, don't give up.
Lemon Tart was supposed to be released in March and came out in January. My next book in the series was supposed to be out in September, and it will be out in August. I'm curious to see my sales statement, but it seems to me that these books are doing better than any of my others have done.
That said, I know many authors are in a different situation. I'm grateful I'm not there, but wish them the best. And I agree with Rebecca in that now is the time to be sure we're all doing our very best work; if there are less books being published then hopefully it's the very best books.
At the moment, I'm guardedly optimistic on my chances of getting a publisher. I don't feel like the current climate is hurting my chances, anyway. That's nothing but a gut feel at this point, though.
It's Kristine from WiDo responding to the question about what kind of books we're looking for. Our authors are currently LDS writing all kinds of stuff, but we don't limit ourselves to LDS content by any means. We're all about the story-- well-developed, believable characters, and overall good writing. We're especially interested in submissions that would appeal to both LDS and non LDS readers. What really got us started was a little book called Farm Girl by Karen Jones Gowen. It should have been a hard sell but it was a charming story with an appealing design and independent booksellers, especially in the Great Plains States,just ate it up. There's always a market for well-written, thoroughly edited books that tell a story and captivate the reader. But too many publishers are cutting back on the editing and putting stuff out there that's blatantly in need of further editing. Then blaming the economy because these books don't sell. Give readers a great read, and who cares whether the characters are Mormon, Baptist, Jewish or Islam--the books will sell.
I just got my first book accepted. It only took them a month from the first time I submitted to get back to me with a resubmit request. I tinkered and resubmitted and then it took about four months for them to say they accepted it and it was in budget. And now it's been almost two months since that. Honestly, though, I'm in no hurry. I'm just happy they liked it and I can bide my time. I'm almost ready to start my third manuscript and I'm more focused on that because the characters are getting loud. And very distracting. It takes my mind off of the wait.
And I'm with an LDS publisher, btw.
My novel, Lockdown, was originally supposed to be released in February and was pushed back to March, but I don't know that the change was economy related or because March was a better fit for both my schedule and the publisher's spring line. (And like Josi, my latest book seems to be selling better than any of my previous novels.)
With that said, the submission process seems to have slowed down some, but from what I've heard, my publisher is still looking for and accepting well-written manuscripts.
I know my publisher/distributor said they are needing to cut a percent of their distribution items and are dropping a lot of clients.
It does make me worry more about the chance of getting another book published.
As an avid reader, I hope ya'll keep on writing just as fast as you can, so I can gobble up your work! I believe that as long as there are book-lovers out there, there will always be great demand for your writings - recessions, depressions and all. It seems that people have loved books since the dawn of time. (At least that's what is clear by what the heroines in half the LDS books tell me. They're always reading, soaking up a good book! hehehe:)
I'm a new author and I'm sending my manuscript to the smaller LDS publishing companies first. My goal isn't to make a lot of money, I just want to see my book in print and I want people to read it.
I have considered self publishing but I would like the opportunity to share with a larger audience than I feel self publishing can accomplish.
I don't want to be rich,I don't want to be famous. I just want to share my stories.
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