Sunday, June 7, 2009
Submissions Guidelines Are Live
Okay, I admit it: I had fantasies about creating the Best Submissions Guidelines Ever. I’ve always had a bit of a love-hate relationship with guidelines. The part of me that adores structure likes the idea of instructions; the creative part of me is all “it’s the story, stupid”. And, of course, there’s middle-of-the-road me, generously reminding me that the map is not the territory…
Guidelines are suggestions. They’re not supposed to dictate story or tell you how to write your book. Sure, we’re focused on specific genres and sub-genres, but our bigger goal is to find books we love so much, we want to share them with the world. Because that’s really what it’s all about, right?
However…if you have thoughts on how to achieve that Best Guidelines Ever, goal, I am open to ideas. Comment below or send suggestions via our Contact Form.
Some information on the advance and royalties you offer to authors for accepted works would be helpful, as well as how and when payments will be made (on signing, on publication or split) along with how many times you will be rendering royalty statements — annually, quarterly, etc.
Yes, and we should have information about that up fairly soon. Right now, the draft contract is being reviewed by the attorney, so I don’t want to push out information that may be changed or is incorrect. Once it’s finalized, that information will be shared with authors.
Congratulations, Kassia!
I’ve studied your site, and I don’t see whether Quartet is 100% ebooks or if you bring some or all of them out in P.O.D. I’d like to know that.
Also, when you say you have a problem with some sellers DRM issues, is that a veiled reference to Kindle? Are your titles available on Amazon?
Thanks.
Hi Lynnette — We will be offering all books as ebooks with, initially, a POD option as we evaluate our print strategy (it makes no sense to go heavily into print until we have a strong sense of what our readers want). Our titles will be available through Amazon, yes. The DRM issue comes from sellers who, despite our preference, wrap the books in DRM. Vendors like Amazon and Sony use forms of DRM to limit our readers’ ability to read the way they want.