Samhain Publishing

Digital-First publisher reaches diverse audiences with expanded outreach

International publisher Samhain Publishing® has long been a virtual international presence, with its eBooks and trade paperbacks available around the world. Now the romance and horror publisher is following suit with expanded presence in conferences and trade show participation.

Recent and upcoming conference participation includes:

• Frankfurt Book Fair – Frankfurt, Germany (Oct., 2011)
• World Horror Convention – Salt Like City, Utah (March, 2012)
• RT Booklovers Convention – Chicago, IL (April, 2012) – where they celebrated several nominations for RT Reviewers' Choice Award awards, including winning Best Indie Erotic Romance of 2011 for Jayne Rylon's Morgan's Surprise.
• London Book Fair – London, England (April, 2012)
• Reader & Author Get Together – Cincinnati, OH (June, 2012)
• ThrillerFest – New York, NY (July, 2012)
• Romance Writers of America National Conference – Anaheim, CA (July, 2012)

According to publisher Lindsey Faber, reaching out to readers and authors is one of the hallmarks of the six-year-old publishing house. “It’s important to us to maintain a personal and engaging relationship with our authors and their readers, to listen to what they want and deepen their experience with Samhain,” she explains. “We’re always looking for new opportunities to expand our reach and share the story of Samhain.”

To keep up with Samhain’s latest travels, visit them online at www.samhainpublishing.com, or via Twitter at @samhainpublishing.

Rapid release schedule for new line introduces past romance favorites to new readers

International publisher Samhain Publishing® is helping authors share past romance favorites with a robust new readership, as it launches its new Retro Romance line to eager fan interest. 

According to Heather Osborn, Senior Editor for Retro Romance, the response from both authors and readers has been gratifying. “Many of the great romances of the 1970s, 80s, 90s and even early 2000s are out of print, and never had a chance to reach a digital-savvy audience,” Osborn explains. “At Retro Romance, we are giving these stories a new life and an unlimited future.”

Samhain’s Retro Romance line features five to six new titles monthly, each available in all-digital formats, with fully redesigned covers. Spanning historical, contemporary and paranormal genres, Retro Romance’s newest authors include: Jennifer Archer, Lindsay Chase, Phoebe Conn, Sharon DeVita, Kate Donovan, Sally Falcon, Dawn Flindt, Patricia Hagan, Karen Kay, Joey Light, Tracey Lyons, Lynn Michaels, Debra Mullins, Vella Munn, Janeen O’Kerry, Lynn Patrick, Karen Rose Smith, Alexandra Thomas, and Stella Whitelaw.

For authors who have older titles and want to release them digitally, but don’t care to act as their own cover artist, production assistant, editor, or distributor, Samhain’s Retro Romance line provides an intriguing new opportunity. Samhain takes on the entire process for authors, including scanning print books into digital files, copy editing, formatting into all of the various digital formats, cover art, advertising and promotion. For more information, please visit www.retroromance.com.

March authors Jayne Rylon, Mari Carr and Vivian Arend hit highest ever levels of eNYT and USA Today bestseller lists

Mar. 29, 2012 – Cincinnati–International publisher Samhain Publishing® continued to raise the bar in March, with author duo Jayne Rylon and Mari Carr’s release Western Ties debuting on the eBook bestseller list for The New York Times (eNYT) at 17, on the combined print and eBook NYT bestseller list at 26, and on the USA Today bestseller list at 59.

Just one week later, author Vivian Arend debuted her new release Rocky Mountain Desire at 14 on the eNYT list—the highest position yet for Samhain Publishing. Arend also ranked 24th on the combined print and eBook list, and 60th on the USA Bestseller list.

According to Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing, these records will likely not stand for very long, with 5-7 new titles being released each week. “It’s exciting to see the success of our authors, particularly those who have developed a long-term relationship with their fans by delivering consistently strong work book after book,” she says. “We’re proud to feature such outstanding talent at Samhain.”

The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the eNYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

Don D'Auria (March 22) and Frazer Lee (March 23) will be on Gabriella Hewitt's blog for the March Madness Event discussing the new Horror Line at Samhain and answering questions. 

GabriellaHewitt.com/blog/

Faber takes new position March 1, company founder Christina Brashear remains as president

Mar. 1, 2012 – Cincinnati– International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that managing editor Lindsey Faber will take on the role of publisher for the organization March 1, 2012.

According to company founder Christina Brashear, who will remain as president for the six-year old company, the transition will allow Samhain Publishing to continue its rapid expansion into new markets while enabling Faber to oversee day-to-day operations. “Lindsey has been a critical part of Samhain’s success throughout the past five years, and I’m delighted to announce her new role. As publisher, she will continue to help us thrive as we provide our readers with the best in original eBook fiction.”

Faber points to several new initiatives to fuel Samhain’s growth as a key focus for 2012. “It’s been exciting to be a part of the rapid growth of the eBook industry, and we look forward to strengthening our position through the development and promotion of our authors, dynamic reader-focused events and continued editorial excellence,” she said.

Faber joined Samhain Publishing in 2007 as Editor, and has edited the work of award-winning and bestselling authors that include Lorelei James, Mari Carr, Tessa Dare, Meg Benjamin and Delilah Devlin. Prior to her work with the publisher, she held roles as a technical editor, program administrator and English instructor at the university level. She received her M.A. in English from the University of Cincinnati, and her B.A. in English from Wake Forest University. 

Feb. 21, 2012 – Cincinnati –  As 2012 gets underway, international publisher Samhain Publishing® has announced this year’s list of award-winning and highly original tales of horror releasing through its Samhain Horror line.

According to Don D’Auria, Executive Editor for Samhain Horror, response to calls for submission continues to be strong—as does interest in the growing line. “Horror readers are constantly looking for new stories to read and worlds to explore, and we’re very pleased with the diversity and depth of our 2012 lineup. We believe there is something for everyone to enjoy.”  

Samhain Horror releases two new horror novels each month, with additional author features and information available on their website, www.SamhainHorror.com.  Beginning in January, many of the line’s 2011 releases are now available in trade paperback format as well.

But Samhain Horror isn’t just lurking behind a growing stack of submissions: D’Auria will be representing the publisher, meeting authors and taking pitch sessions at World Horror Convention, March 29-April 1, 2012, where Samhain Horror will be sponsoring the Awards Banquet of the 25^th Annual Bram Stoker Awards^TM competition. 

And D’Auria has additional news to celebrate at the banquet: Samhain debut author Frazer Lee is on the final ballot for the Bram Stoker Awards for Best First Novel, for his work The Lamplighters, available at www.SamhainHorror.com. Additionally, Samhain author Ronald Malfi has been nominated for a novel he published prior to coming to Samhain, Floating Staircase.  “Congratulations to Frazer and Ronald, and we look forward to celebrating our authors’ continued critical success at Samhain Horror,” said D’Auria.

2012 works/authors featured by Samhain Horror include:

·       Bloodthirst in Babylon–David Searls

·       Nightmare City, by Maynard Sims

·       Genesis of Evil, by Nile J. Limbaugh

·       B-Movie Reels, by Alan Spencer

·       Hedge End, by Peter Mark May

·       House of Sighs, by Aaron Dries

·       Wolf's Trap, by W.D. Gagliani

·       Girl Blue, by Alan Nayes

·       The Nightcrawler, by Mick Ridgewell

·       Evil Eternal, by Hunter Shea

·       NightWhere, by John Everson

·       House of Skin, by Jonathan Janz

·       Malevolent, by David Searls

·       Sacrifice, by Russell James

·       The Lurkers, by Kristopher Rufty

·       B-Movie Attack, by Alan Spencer

·       The Narrows, by Ronald Malfi

·       Shadows in the Mist, by Brian Moreland

·       The Fallen Boys, by Aaron Dries

·       Daughter of Evil, by Nile J. Limbaugh

·       The Eighth Witch, by Maynard Sims

·       Amongst the Dead, by David Bernstein

·       AZ: Anno Zombie, by Peter Mark Mays

·       Ink, by Damien Walters Grintalis

International eBook publisher launches advertising campaign on New York’s Times Square Jumbotron

International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced its first foray into Jumbotron advertising – and like everything the 6-year old publisher has undertaken since it burst upon the eBook publishing scene, they opted to do it in a big way: advertising a rotating 15-second spot on the CBS Jumbotron Display at One Times Square in downtown New York City.

The spot, designed by Samhain Publishing and produced by Neutron Media (New York) features several recent releases from the company’s Romance and Horror fiction lines. “We are always looking for innovative ways to reach new readers, and this opportunity seemed like an excellent fit,” explained Christina Brashear, president of Samhain Publishing. “Whether readers prefer eBooks or print books, romance or horror, they can get fiction any way they want it with Samhain.”

The advertisement is scheduled to run from mid-February through mid-April, and may be seen by nearly a half-million tourists and New York residents a day – the estimated daily foot traffic in Times Square.

International publisher Samhain Publishing® has had its share of successful authors throughout its six year history—but in 2011, the publishing house became a regular fixture on the New York Times eBook and USA Today bestseller lists.

Since early last year, the following Samhain authors have been listed on the new eBook bestseller list for The New York Times (eNYT), or on the USA Today (USA) bestseller list:

•     Vivian Arend, Rocky Mountain Haven: eNYT (31), USA (102)
•     Lorelei James, Cowboy Casanova: eNYT (15), combined NYT print/eBook (29), USA (81) **multiple weeks on eNYT list**
•     Tessa Dare, Once Upon a Winter’s Eve (novella): USA (100) **multiple weeks on list**
•     Jayne Rylon/Mari Carr, Eastern Ambitions: eNYT (26), USA (130)
•     Lauren Dane, Once and Again: eNYT (29), USA (102)
•     Lauren Dane, Taking Chase (originally released in 2006): USA (130)
•     Lorelei James, Chasin’ Eight: eNYT (20), USA (83)
•     Shelli Stevens, Flash Point (novella): eNYT (33)
•     Maya Banks, Colters’ Daughter: eNYT (21), USA (114)

According to Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing, the future looks promising for both new and established authors. “Every week, we have authors whose remarkable sales set them up as candidates for the bestseller lists,” she says. Currently, Samhain Publishing releases 5-6 new eBook romances each week. In addition, the company has recently launched a horror line (with 2 new releases monthly, at http://www.samhainhorror.com) and Retro Romance line (with up to 6 new digital-only releases monthly, of romances originally printed in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 00s, at http://www.retroromance.com).

Brashear credits the success of Samhain authors to multiple factors. “We have developed a number of successful promotional efforts and have a robust distribution strategy for our books, certainly,” she explains. “But the main reason for our authors’ success is the high quality of their work, and the enthusiasm of their devoted fans. Without a doubt, it’s an exciting time to be a Samhain author.”

The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

Rocky Mountain Haven, book 2 of the “Six Pack Ranch” series, is only available in eBook format

International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that author Vivian Arend has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list for ebooks (31),  and the USA Today Bestseller list (102) for eBooks and print books, with her eBook romance, Rocky Mountain Haven. The novel is only available in eBook format.

“We couldn’t be more delighted that our first bestseller of the New Year is Vivian Arend,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “She has long been a fan favorite, and we look forward to continuing to play a part in her success.”   

The New York Times’ e-book bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

Lorelei James’ novel, the twelfth in the bestselling “Rough Riders” series, is only available in eBook format

International publisher Samhain Publishing® today announced that author Lorelei James has been ranked on the New York Times Bestseller list for eBooks (15), the combined New York Times print/ebook Bestseller list (29) and the USA Today Bestseller list (81) for eBooks and print books, with her eBook romance, Cowboy Casanova. The novel is only available in eBook format.

“This remarkable achievement will come to no surprise to Lorelei’s passionate fan base,” said Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing. “With this, her twelfth book in the series, Lorelei continues to appeal to both long-time and brand new readers. We’re proud to be a part of her success.”   

The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.