I realized, when looking back at all the past ‘Ask the Editor’ posts we’ve done, that we’ve never actually had an open ask the editor thread. So, instead of listening to me ramble on about the topic du jour, I thought I’d open today’s post to you.
Is there a burning question you have for the new Executive Editor? Something you’ve been dying to know about Samhain Publishing? Ask it in the comments. I’ll be popping in all day to answer.
I’ll start with a question I’ve heard too many times:
Q. Is it true that only current Samhain authors can submit shorter works – like 12 – 20K-word short stories?
A. Nope. not at all. We will look at any length between 12,000 words and 120,000 from any author – published with Samhain or aspiring to be published with Samhain.
Now it’s your turn… what’s your question?
Does Samhain publish many first time authors?
Do you have any plans to hire more content/copy editors?
Does Samhain publish many first time authors?
All the time. It’s all about the story, so if you’ve written us a good story, we’ll buy it, whether you’ve been published before or not.
Do you have any plans to hire more content/copy editors?
At the moment we’re all full up, so I’m not looking to hire anyone new right now, but that could change in the future, so keep an eye on our employment page…
Hi, Laurie.
This is a great idea. I bet there are so many questions out there. You may regret posting this.
It’s awesome that Samhain Publishing, Ltd. pay authors an advance, but why is that? It seems other small/Independent publishers do not.
Could you also explain the submission process, and how long it typically takes from the arrival of query to acceptance or rejection.
Last one, I promise.
I read that Samhain had plans to partner with Kensington. Since that didn’t come through, are any future plans for Samhain to arrange similar partnerships or other ways to expand on the horizon?
Thanks for the opportunity to ask those questions. I hope I haven’t overloaded your busy day.
xxx
Hayley
What are the SP guidelines/policies on publishing print books? How do they do in the sales/market these days in comparison to e-books?
This is a great idea. I bet there are so many questions out there. You may regret posting this.
I never regret conversations with authors or readers.
It’s awesome that Samhain Publishing, Ltd. pay authors an advance, but why is that? It seems other small/Independent publishers do not.
With any publisher, advances against royalties are on a case by case basis, based on many things. I can’t speak for other small/independent publishers, so, this is only my perspective, but the advance model doesn’t always fit with digital publishing. When there’s a lower (not none, just lower) initial financial outlay, the publisher is able to take more risks on out of the box stories that don’t have an established, guaranteed audience.
Could you also explain the submission process, and how long it typically takes from the arrival of query to acceptance or rejection
Submissions are received by our submissions coordinator who then forwards them on to an editor, based on the editor’s preferences as to subgenre. Most of our editors prefer to see full manuscripts, as it expedites the query process. We try to reply on submissions within 10 to 16 weeks, but it really depends on the editor’s schedule, how many books she has in her folder to review, and her other work.
I read that Samhain had plans to partner with Kensington. Since that didn’t come through, are any future plans for Samhain to arrange similar partnerships or other ways to expand on the horizon?
We do have some very exciting projects in the works right now, unfortunately, nothing I can talk about just yet. But stay tuned, because they’re really cool.
Thanks for the opportunity to ask those questions. I hope I haven’t overloaded your busy day.
You’re welcome.
What are the SP guidelines/policies on publishing print books? How do they do in the sales/market these days in comparison to e-books?
All our books over 50,000 words go to print within one year after digital release.
As for sales, it really depends on the book. We have some books that do better in print than they do in digital, others that do better in digital than in print, so there’s no hard and fast ‘this is how our print program does’ that I can say.
Two questions.
What story or trope you would like to see more of?
Is there a story/trope you’ve seen A LOT lately that you would rather see less of? If so, what?
Ok, I lied.:) One more…
I’m curious about your personal tastes. What stories do you love to read?
What story or trope you would like to see more of?
Personally? I’m dying for a good romantic mystery – a nice juicy serial killer threatening the hero and heroine, or a whodunnit that keeps me guessing. Or just a good contemporary story where the hero and heroine meet and fall in love. Or a menage. Or a good kickbutt urban fantasy. Or something that makes me laugh. Or, well, I just want a good story.
Is there a story/trope you’ve seen A LOT lately that you would rather see less of? If so, what?
I’m seeing a lot of stories that are a series of sex scenes loosely tied together with little attempt at a plot. I don’t want to see any more of those. I need plot and a story and conflict in my romances… not just a few scenes to take a breath ‘til we get to the next in-bed time.
I’m curious about your personal tastes. What stories do you love to read?
Heh, I’ll read pretty much anything. Including the back of a cereal box. In French. (Especially if you can tell me why the French translation for the Corn Flakes motto – Our best to you each morning – is Our best hello. LOL). Lately I’ve been on a huge YA vampire kick – the Twilight Saga, Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy, PC & Kristen Cast’s House of Night, etc. And, I indulged my past over the holidays and re-read the Anne of Green Gables Series. My first love has always been romance – from chick lit to kickbutt. and everything in between.
How necessary is it for an author of erotic romance to have a pen name? There was a post on the blog about selecting a pen name, but I got the sense from it that authors having pen names was almost a requirement. I thought I’d take this opportunity to get some clarification. Is it required, or sometimes required, or perhaps just occasionally strongly recommended (and if so when, and why)?
How is the editing and/or publishing process different at Samhain? And what are the unique challenges your authors have with the process?
If Samhain has rejected a story but since that time the writer has significantly reworked it (say greater than 50%) would a Samhain editor be interested to see a re-submission?
What is the most common story length that you publish?
Thanks for answering my questions Laurie, and in such detail. I look forward to seeing how Samhain changes over the coming months and years, and I wish you all the success.
How necessary is it for an author of erotic romance to have a pen name? There was a post on the blog about selecting a pen name, but I got the sense from it that authors having pen names was almost a requirement. I thought I’d take this opportunity to get some clarification. Is it required, or sometimes required, or perhaps just occasionally strongly recommended (and if so when, and why)?
I wouldn’t say it’s necessary at all. It’s entirely up to you. Many authors choose to use a pseudonym to protect their privacy, or because of job conflicts, or whatever their reason. But each case is different. If you’re okay letting the world know what you write, then go for it!
How is the editing and/or publishing process different at Samhain? And what are the unique challenges your authors have with the process?
I’m not familiar with other publishers’ editing process, so I can only speak to our process. We have a fairly intensive process – our books go through at least two to three rounds of edits between the author and the content editor, and then the manuscript goes to a final line editor for a second set of eyes. I think that this is absolutely necessary to ensure that we’ve given each manuscript the attention it deserves before we release it to the world.
As for unique challenges, I’m not sure there are any. I haven’t heard of any, but our authors are always welcome to contact me if they have any concerns.
If Samhain has rejected a story but since that time the writer has significantly reworked it (say greater than 50%) would a Samhain editor be interested to see a re-submission?
Unfortunately, our policy is that we aren’t able to look at a manuscript once it has been rejected, unless requested by the editor.
What is the most common story length that you publish?
We publish manuscripts from 12,000 words to 120,000 words and everything in between. Looking at our 2009 schedule, the balance is pretty well split among our different lengths, with novel-length coming out just a smidge ahead of the others.
Thanks for answering my questions Laurie, and in such detail. I look forward to seeing how Samhain changes over the coming months and years, and I wish you all the success.
You’re welcome. And thank you.
Hey Laurie,
I’m working on three different books right now and two of them are not romance, one’s a fantasy/adventure and the other’s a suspense/horror… Does Samhain publish more than just romance?
Hi Lainey,
I just noticed your question lurking there at the end! To answer, Samhain does publish fantasy, urban fantasy and science fiction books that are not genre romances, although we still require them to have strong romantic elements.
With other genres we require them to fit more strictly into the romance genre, with the main plot being centered around the developing romantic relationship, and of course a happy ending.
If you have a question about a specific book, do feel free to email the submissions address for further clarification: editor@samhainpublishing.com.
Imogen
(assistant to Laurie M. Rauch)