Ellen blogged about NY published authors who still publish with small press and listed me as one of the examples.
From the very beginning I pursued small press because I wasn’t writing traditional romance and I didn’t want to wait forever to get my work out there. In the end, it was a twist of fate that garnered me a NY contract first. Funny thing is, although NY was first, it’s looking like that book will hit the public last.
Small press and e-pubs are generally faster, though I have to admit that one e-publisher I’ve been dealing with is going on a year now just with the submission/contract stage. Who knows how long the process will take once we get to the editing/cover art part of it? However, the editor I have makes the wait worthwhile. 
Usually though, the length of time from story completion to print is much shorter than NY. Also, because there is less overhead for smaller presses, they’re more willing to take chances on stories that are outside the norm. When I’m asked to blurb SAPPHIRE, it’s torture. There is just so much going on and it’s so very different. I can’t fit it all in and have it make sense. I knew from conception that it would be a hard story to sell unless I deliberately targeted it for a small press publisher.
Deidre Knight said:
Which explains my recent answers about online writing while on the RWC list. Several of the authors on that loop seemed surprised that I had such a positive outlook on online publishersâ€â€what’s more surprising to me, however, is that other agents are dubious about the medium. Apparently some agents look at it as a lazy format for learning craft, but I have to say I feel pretty impassioned on this topic. I view online writing as a unique way to allow a writer to push the boundaries. To learn that it’s okay to write the risky books, and that if they do, a readership may very well follow. Today’s print publishing market is nothing if not rigid in what it will “tolerateâ€Â, i.e. editors tell me, “We want paranormals, but ONLY if they’re really, really, really sexy. They HAVE to be sexy, okay?†(Actual tidbit of conversation with a publisher in NYC.) What about the sensual, wildly romantic beta hero, who may not think from his ‘nether regions†every time, but might actually use his other head.
And, by the way, I’m sure that Karen Marie Moning wouldn’t mind me sharing that when I first shopped out BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST, many editors told me: “Nobody reads time travel.†Not.
Online writers find a wealth of possibility right now, and I’m betting that in years to come the medium will come to be regarded as the place where certain cutting edge writing forms gained a foothold. Don’t quote me on that or anything, but I believe that freedom in creative pursuit is a powerful thing.
My NY editor Kate Duffy will be teaching a workshop at Nationals called “Life Insurance: Writing for More Than One Publisher”. I agree. Not just for the financial security that comes from getting more of your work out there in a rapid fashion, but also for the emotional support and confidence you can gain as a writer, knowing that your talent is appreciated by more than one individual PTB.
I feel a freedom with the smaller press editors that I don’t with NY. I feel like I can write things and pitch things that are just not going to fly with the NY PTB. I relish that. It inspires a confidence in me that I probably wouldn’t have if I only had one editor to deal with and one publisher. I have 5 editors and if one of them doesn’t like something, there’s a fairly good chance that one of the others will.
At a time in a writer’s career where self-doubt is inherent, I’ve managed to avoid a good portion of that by having so many sales in a row. If you knew me well, like my cps do, you’d know how often I doubt myself and how many mini-panic attacks I can have in one day. I’m really not cut out for this business. I’m just too soft. The “life insurance” of selling to multiple publishers and refusing to rule out small press has been a godsend to me.
I’m intrigued by the title of Kate Duffy’s workshop. Am I the only one surprised that an editor would encourage writers to write for other publishers? I’ve always assumed editors aren’t too thrilled by a writer who signs with another publishing house. Am I wrong?
on April 25th, 2005 at 4:54 am
I’m going to plaster this entry all over my house.
I think—for me—that combining NY print and epubbing is the way to go.
Of course, I’m stuck on the Blaze or Brava, Blaze or Brava question, but the vampire I’m working on finishing up for EC is keeping me busy anyway.
on April 25th, 2005 at 8:32 am
Totally agree about the eggs in multiple baskets thing! Even if you have a perfect working relationship with your editor things can always go down the pan if the publisher’s marketing suits decide that you’re not achieving the sales figures they want. So it makes brilliant sense to give yourself other options.
I just wish I had as many options as you, Sylvia! Me, I share the load with a bit of light web design on the side…
on April 25th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
I wish I knew some web design, Wendy. *g* That would be a handy talent to have.
on April 26th, 2005 at 12:46 am
Same here! I want it all so I think having multiple options is the way to go!:mrgreen:
on April 26th, 2005 at 5:09 am