A Conversation with Lida
Quillen
Publisher and Founder of
Twilight Times Books
By
Dora Machado
Last week I introduced you to Lida Quillen, founder and owner of Twilight
Times Books, an independent publishing house that publishes critically
acclaimed literary, mystery, science fiction and fantasy books. Today, she
talks about her decision-making process, her take on which books deserve
publication and why, what happens when she offers an author a publishing
contract and her best advice for unpublished authors.
Welcome back, Lida. We love having you
here! You've said before in previous interviews that you are committed to
"providing an outlet for brilliant authors with books that deserve to see
print." How do you decide which books deserve publication?
I prefer literary
works that are exemplary, that transcend genres and/or are beautifully written.
I am *highly* selective as to what I will accept for publication. Out of 300
submissions, I might accept two manuscripts for publication.
A good example of
the type of novel I am currently looking for is Jerome and the Seraph by Robina Williams. This book combines
mythology, classical paintings, quantum physics and the afterlife.
Barbarians at the Gates by Christopher
Nuttall is an exceptional military SF novel.
Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective
by Christine Amsden involves magic, mystery and romance in a coming of age
story.
Gate to Nowhere by Leanna Sain is an
award-winning novel that combines mystery, romance and time travel.
Knight of Flame by Scott Eder is an
exceptional contemporary fantasy.
Reunion by Ken Lizzi is a
post-apocalyptic survival novel that involves parallel worlds.
I’ve often said
that if someone enjoys reading, then they will enjoy most of the books we
publish, whether the book is in their favorite genre, or not. I’ve seen any
number of reviews that say, for example, “I don’t particularly like SF, but I
thoroughly enjoyed Monkey Trap…” or
“I’m not a big fantasy fan but I couldn’t put Cassie Scot down…” or words to that effect.
So you've found a book you love and you've offered
an author a contract. What happens next? What does TT Books expect from the
author? What can the author expect from TT Books?
Normally we bring
out the ebook first and the print book several months later. The cover artwork
can take up to three months to complete. Edits can be simultaneous but figure a
minimum of four months before your book is released as an ebook. We send the
ebook version (pdf arc) around to gather reviews prior to bringing out the
print version.
Also, immediately after the ebook version is
released, I send your book off to an editor (yes, again) prior to print
production. I have found nearly all books, even well-written ones, can use a
bit more polish.
re: editing process. I have an editor go over the
manuscript. Then the file goes back to the author with notations and
suggestions. The author sends the manuscript back to me. I then assign a copy
editor who goes over the manuscript. The file goes back to the author who makes
the changes (or not), then sends the file to me for final edits. At TT Books the
author generally has the last word on changes.
Then, we go through this process all over again for
the paperback versions. The main thing is I need a print galley review copy to
send around to the pre-publication reviewers such as Booklist, ForeWord Reviews,
Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, etc. three or four months prior to the official
release date.
Our initial print runs have been small, 500-750
books, while we test market our books. We can ramp up print runs as needed if
reader demand warrants. For example, we printed 1700 copies of Monkey Trap with an offset printer two
weeks after the release date. Hudson Lake,
had an initial print run of 2500 books.
re: marketing. We feel the most important marketing
tool is to publish first-rate books. Our books have been professionally edited
and display attractive cover artwork by professional artists.
Twilight Times Books is currently listed in the Literary Market Place. Over the past
couple of years, we have accumulated info on several hundred independent bookstores
that are willing to carry books from small press publishers and have been
sending out targeted mailings.
We have an
online media room where members of the media, booksellers and retailers can
download flyers, sell sheets, reviews and chapter excerpts in pdf files
formatted for print. Our catalogue is also available as a download.
Media kits and press releases are sent to major
publications and galleys/advance review copies sent to top reviewers such as American Library Journal, Booklist, ForeWord Reviews, NYT Book
Review, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Washington Post, Boston Globe, Chicago-Sun
Times, Oregonian, Seattle Times, etc.
We gather names and contact info for the Community
Relations Managers for the Barnes & Noble bookstores in regions where our
authors reside and send them targeted promo packets.
We have been sending postcards, flyers and/or
brochures to targeted specialty shops and various book catalogues. Press
releases and news stories are sent to the author's local and regional
newspapers, libraries, bookstores, associations and etc. News stories are
posted online to newsgroups, readers' bulletin boards and appropriate readers
email lists.
What about authors who haven't been published yet? What advice would
you share with authors who are struggling to put their work out there?
In order to be successful, I strongly
recommend that an author is active on social media even before they attempt to
publish their first novel. Readers like to know the “story behind the story,”
so to speak. Fans will enjoy reading about the author’s trials and tribulations
such as finishing the book, signing with a literary agent or publisher, cover
art reveal, etc. Get your fans, book bloggers, etc. involved and invested in
your writing endeavors.
Until a couple of years ago book publicists
used to send review copies to the major magazines and newspapers. Now
publicists send review copies to the major book bloggers.
Find critique partners, Beta readers or pay a
freelance editor to go over your manuscript before you submit your work to a
publisher or before you self-publish.
See you next week!
*****
About
Lida Quillen
Lida E. Quillen is an author, editor, publicist and
publisher. She is the founder and owner of Twilight Times Books, Paladin
Timeless Books and Twilight Times
ezine and current owner of Futures
Mystery Anthology Magazine.
About
Twilight Times Books
The mission of Twilight Times Books is to promote
excellence in writing and great literature. TTBooks is dedicated to enhancing
the prospects of getting great fantasy, historical, literary, mystery, science
fiction and Young Adult books into the hands of readers.
Submission Information
Twilight Times Books will be open to
submissions from February 15th to March 5, 2015. Send a cover letter, synopsis,
first chapter and marketing plan in the body of an email message. The subject
line must begin with ttb or ttbooks.
Contact
Information:
Lida E. Quillen, Publisher
Email: publisher@twilighttimesbooks.com – or –
publisher@twilighttimes.com
Website: http://www.twilighttimesbooks.com/
*****
Dora Machado is the award-winning author of the epic
fantasy Stonewiser series and her newest novel, The Curse Giver, available from Twilight Times Books. She is one
only a few Hispanic women writing fantasy in the United States today. She grew
up in the Dominican Republic, where she developed a fascination for writing and
a taste for Merengue. After a lifetime of straddling such compelling but
different worlds, fantasy is a natural fit to her stories.
When
she is not writing fiction, Dora also writes features for the award-winning
blog Murder By Four and Savvy Authors, where writers help writers. She lives in Florida with her indulgent husband and two
very opinionated cats.
Good stuff, Lida!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Dora, for your insightful interviews. And Lida, it's an honor to have you on MB4 today!
ReplyDeleteGreat Post Dora. It really helps understand the publication process.
ReplyDelete