by Liz Coursen, Senior Editor
Almost exactly 10 years ago, my first book was published by a traditional publishing house with more than 600 titles under its belt. While I never actually believed that publishers would fight over my book, or fly me to New York and press a six-figure check into my quivering palm, or that a limo would whisk me from speaking engagement to speaking engagement—good thing, huh?—I admit that I did have certain expectations as far as editing and marketing support went, expectations that were dashed, smashed, crushed—you get the picture—by my first try at authorship.
I was and remain deeply unhappy about this “traditional” publishing experience for two reasons.
First, I fought two editorial decisions that were forced on me, but, since this was before the publication of all my “self-editing” books, I really didn’t have the knowledge to effectively carry my point, so, to this day (and, believe me, I hate to say this) I am not proud of my book. Those two editorial decisions still stick in my craw, more than 10 years later.
Second, the publisher forced me to travel to Maine in March (have you ever been to Maine in March?) and then scheduled my book tour the very week that the college in my hometown, which was the subject of my book, was…on winter break. There was nobody there! Now that’s just nuts.
At some point in the process it began to occur to me that I could do better. I could, with some research, not only edit better but I could market better. I could do this myself! And, for 10 years I’ve been doing just that, and, what’s more, I’ve helped other authors do it themselves.
Quality over quantity. At Orange Blossom Publishing, we do not take all the manuscripts submitted to us; in fact, we turn down more than we accept because we want to publish quality books. There’s a relationship that develops when you work with a talented author, and that relationship is important to us, which is probably why our authors come back with their second and even third manuscripts. If we feel we are not a good fit, we’ll say so and not jerk you around.
Narrow focus. Our primary focus is in memoir/autobiography and true-life adventure, with a little bit of fiction, poetry, and how-to books thrown in. We are looking for books that we, as avid readers, want to read. We’re also looking for books that will find an enthusiastic audience.
Proactivity is de rigueur. My friends, authorship in today’s world is not for the faint of heart. If you are a shy, shrinking violet, this is not for you. You just can’t sit on your hands and wait for the world to beat a path to your door, not now. And as far as traditional publishing goes, unless you are rich, famous, or a serial killer (and, if you are a serial killer, go away—we won’t publish you), the chances are slim to none that you’ll find traction with a large traditional publishing house, and, gee, slim just left the building.
(Having said that, if you are hell-bent on being published by a large publishing house, we will research your options and help you through the submission process. Lots of authors, especially first-time novelists, are convinced they are the greatest thing since sliced bread. We understand. And sympathize.)
A partnership. Now is the time for the hands-on, proactive author to take charge of his or her publishing destiny. We will be a part of your team. We will provide you with superior editing, publishing, and marketing guidance. We will show you exactly how the process works, soup to nuts. And you will find that being a published author will be among your most cherished memories.
Download our guidelines and see if you want to talk. We have a process that works. Work with us, and find out what the shouting is all about.