I’m so happy to have Lesley as my guest today. She’s a woman after my own heart. Read her entertaining bio and find out where this prolific writer gets her ideas.
What I’ve Learned about Small Presses
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| Lesley A. Diehl |
Last February I moderated a panel on small presses at the Florida MWA Sleuthfest Conference. Most writers with small publishers agree their presses give them a lot of personal attention. What may surprise some is that they also can provide a writer with detailed information abut how to make a manuscript stronger. Recently, a press provided me a list of changes they thought would improve my work. This was done without my having signed with them. I can’t imagine a large press taking the time to do this.
For most small presses, no agent is necessary. The small press is open to the first-timer, willing to take a chance on a good story from an unknown. Their response time to a query may take only hours or days, and they often get back on a full read in weeks or months. They respect their authors. Most welcome the author’s input on both front and back covers of the book.
They are, as one author put it, “nimble on their feet” or, in the words of another, “bolder than the biggies,” able to respond quickly to industry changes. Most are POD, so one’s book stays in print, and, from my standpoint, POD is the preferred green approach to printing books.
Small presses vary in any of the above aspects. Some provide good publicity and promotion support, others less. Writers should carefully research a press and be honest with themselves about what they are looking for. One member of my panel went from a small press to self-publishing, indicating that if he had to do all the promotion, selling and publicity himself, he found no reason to use any publisher. That topic generated a heated discussion from both panel and audience members. Be honest with which one of these styles will work best for you.
For more detailed information by writers themselves, pop on over to my blog http;//anotherdaught.blogspot.com and read March’s posts.
Lesley retired from her life as a professor of psychology and reclaimed her country roots by moving to a small cottage in the Butternut River Valley in upstate New York. In the winter she migrates to old Florida—cowboys, scrub palmetto, and open fields of grazing cattle, a place where spurs still jingle in the post office, and gators make golf a contact sport. Back north, the shy ghost inhabiting the cottage serves as her writing muse. When not writing, she gardens, cooks and renovates the 1874 cottage with the help of her husband, two cats, and, of course, Fred the ghost, who gives artistic direction to their work. She is author of several short stories and of two mystery series, both featuring country gals with attitude: the microbrewing mystery series set in the Butternut Valley and this rural Florida series, Dumpster Dying and Grilled, Killed and Chilled. For something more heavenly, try her mystery Angel Sleuth. She invites readers to visit her on her blog and website.
Website: www.lesleydiehl.com and blog http://anotherdraught.blogspot.com
Check out Lesley’s books:
Lesley,
Great post on small presses! I can't say enough good things about them. As a first time novelist, seeking an agent who will find you a home with a BIG publisher is like searching for "The Impossible Dream." At least, that was my experience.
I'm grateful every day for the small publisher who decided to take a chance on "Mixed Messages." As a matter-of-fact, I've just sent him the sequel, "Unfinished Business." Fingers crossed!
I'm with you, Patricia. I found my first small publisher about three years ago. Since then I've signed manuscripts with others and have found all of them easy to work with, like having a family supporting your efforts.
I've had some bad experiences with small publishers, but I'm now with two I love. Both have their strong points and are very different from one another.
I love your 'Small Press Friday' series. Keep them coming, Kathleen!
Thanks Buddy, and thanks to all the talented writers who've contributed. Initially, I'd planned for the series to last until the end of the summer, but each week I get a tidbit of valuable information. Today, Lesley reminded writers to "be honest with themselves about what they are looking for."
That thought will stay with me today and for a long time!
This really and truly is what I love about the small presses. I think anyone working with books is doing so out of love, but there is something special about the small presses. They take the time to work with writers and help them to develop. The large presses often bring you money and a fan base, of course, but the small presses can do this too and there's that personal feeling to it. The books I read from small presses are interesting in a way that they aren't in the large presses. They are less homogenized and more willing to play with form and content. There is less fear and more trial. If the occassional book leaves me a little flat, I'm usually left with the impression that it does have its own fan base out there somewhere.
Nice post, Lesley. I couldn't agree more – small presses are nimble enough to weather the recent and future storms the publishing industry throws around. And as John pointed out, they are willing to take chances. You'll read some creative books, books that can't easily be shoved into categories. Do you think a large press will take a chance on a pirate romance novel? I don't think so. But will a small press give it a second read? Yar, I be thinking so!
http://www.themummiesofblogspace9.com
Thanks for your fine thoughts about small presses, Lesley. Although small presses have long been considered a "hobby" or a last resort for many writers, the truth is that the small presses have been here since Gutenberg, and that makes them more established than the New York Literary Establishment. For that matter small presses have been around longer than New York itself. The brave publishing that comes out of adventurous small publisher has been an inspiration to me.
I decided early on not to get lost in the shuffle of a major publisher, to submit to being ignored, neglected and pressured for numerically acceptable sales. Some people thought at the time that I was not confident in my work and not aggressive enough to play with the big boys. But, my philosophy has always been "You can't promote what doesn't exist." Get something out there to sell and build from there. That means not spending a decade trying to attract the attention of an agent and big publishing house.
I agree with you, Lesley. When I was marketing my book, most agents wouldn't take on an unpublished writer. I have friends who lost contracts with big presses because they didn't "sell enough books." How many is enough? Small presses help writers live out big dreams by giving them a chance and keeping their books in print longer. And small press authors don't have to sell a zillion copies to stay on.
I think you've made a valuable point, John. The books from a small press feel fresher and are more interesting because they are not cookie cutter, but, as you say, play with form and content.
You are so right, and, for some of us, we can't afford a decade of waiting to get in print or we'll be selling from our caskets!
That's what it's all about, being able to live out our dreams, big or small. My books will be around long after I'm not.
In so many ways, small presses have so much more leeway, and it seems that in so many ways the author and publisher have a more personal relationship. Good blog, Lesley. I agree with everything you've said.
Marja McGraw
Small presses think outside the box, which is a great thing. After all, it's all about being and thinking creativity.
Well stated, Lesley. Your comment about checking out the small press before getting involved is spot on. I once signed on without checking out the publisher first. Mistake. Fortunately, I was able to get an "undo" and all came out fine. I strongly believe in the small press. But, some are better than others (naturally). Do a little checking first.
Thanks for an excellent post.
Yes, I think it is the same as it always has been though: it depends on the press. Their response times are heartening, and they interfere less in your writing style as they are not trying to make it fit a particular subhouse of their own main house. Well, on the whole. I've just had an experience of having a famous e-press make me take out two important characters' points of view so that my thriller has now become a romantic suspense. But on the whole, my experience with three small presses (both paper and e-presses) has been very favourable. I wouldn't waste my time any more with the big houses employing as first responders young graduates whose writing knowledge can be written on my thumb, nor do I appreciate that l-o-n-g wait while my book languishes and almost expires.
Small presses suit me, but they are not for all. My crit partners began with big presses which have now folded, and there but for the grace of God… I'm thankful I haven't had that heartache.
Lesley is so savvy yet relaxed that I am thinking more and more that I would like to sit on her back porch with her, sip lemonades and watch the river run through her garden in its Butternut Valley as we discuss small presses. Nice job with the interview, Kathleen and Lesley.
Thanks for sharing on what could be the small press experience. It's wonderful to be a writer in an age where there is so much choice in publishing. No need to languish! Another great post, Lesley and Kathleen.
When I read Lesley's bio, similar thoughts occurred to me, too, Marta. I love kicking back in Florida, although it's been a couple of years. It would be nice if we could all drop in on Lesley and enjoy a brew. But I guess we'd better ask her first.
It's nice to see that some of you visit every Friday. What a great group of authors you all are!
Join us next Friday for guest blogger, mystery writer Peg Herring. Peg writes The Dead Detective Mysteries.
I also think it's very important to understand that a decision is not always the end. We can recover from bad choices as you did.
It would be great if we all could get together and sit and sip whatever our favorite brew is on my back deck whether here in upstate New York or on my patio overlooking our canal in Florida. I feel I have made some good friends here, so you're all welcome any time you pass through my area of the country. Isn't it great to find people who share your passion for writing?
My first time on this blog. Thanks, Kathleen and Lesley, for this piece on small presses. I published several books in the past with a large press, and my experience was spotty. I worked with some great editors, but the rest of it — not so good. Now I've just sold my first mystery to a small press, and it's been great. After being rejected, slightly encouraged, or ignored by 99 (yes, that many) agents, the editor I submitted my ms to actually read the book, edited the first 70 pages and sent it back to me for a revise and resubmit without any guarantee that I'd actually follow through. The personal attention and encouragement lifted me way up. I'm enjoying all my interactions with this company, and the best thing is, they don't buy every right in the world forever and ever. I'll be able to transition to self-pubbing later on and have my books live on, as Lesley mentioned, long after I'm gone.
Thanks again for the article.
Thanks for stopping by,Toby. Glad you found us. And congratulations on selling your first mystery "Death Over Easy."
I had so much fun on this blog. Thanks, everyone, for adding your experiences. Adn thank you, Kathleen, for hosting me and for continuing to look at the small press advanages.
I've printed out your blog on small presses, Lesley, to share with colleagues and students who are marketing books AND for myself. I have a memoir that has suffered many rejections from agents and now I'm headed the small press route. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us. And thanks to Kathleen for hosting you this week.