Guardians of Light series, publishing, Publishing companies, Writing

Firefly of Immortality being published!!!!

April 12, 2016 No Comments

firefly chapter break

COMING IN AUGUST through FAT-LIP PRESS!

Firefly of Immortality

There is a war going on between angels. It isn’t a war as one would think that is inscribed and written down in various religious texts throughout the world: angels versus demons. No, this war is much bigger than that. Demons were a creative word enlisted by God. No this war is purely between angels and the fallen angels. God has wiped out the existence of the Divine Mother after she, not Satan or Lucifer, took the fall for darkness out of love not hate. She took half of her children with her, half of the angels of the Summit, that selflessly went with her, and they all fell.

Even though the fall stripped them of their light, it did not strip them of their grace. They are still angels until they let the darkness of the universe seep into their heart. God, whose chosen name is Alpha, had hoped that this would happen sooner rather than later to all of the fallen. He deceived humanity over their existence. Once she was erased from the minds of mortals, the Dark Mother, Lilith, and God come to a compromise of who the Garden of Eden shall belong to.

Every 1,000 years an angel will be sent to earth from God to go to the family designated as the Guardians. This family holds the secret to the Garden of Eden and the angels are trying to swindle away the knowledge for God. Lilith and her army of fallen angels are devising a plan to return to heaven to receive their light back the fallen ones were stripped of when they selflessly fell with their Dark Mother. Lilith sends her own fallen angels to protect the family.

Every 1,000 years, the same soul is reincarnated, Sophie, a soul of an angel that gave up her true love, her twin flame, Incaendiel, to get them back into heaven. Sophie leads a normal life from birth until her 18^th birthday where she finds out the stories her grandmother had told her growing up were true. She battles throughout the story to hold on to the feelings she feels for Incaendiel, even as she has memories of her affair while locked away from all the angels while in the Summit. Incaendiel battles what he has for millenniums, whether she will love him before her 19^th birthday, or if she will fall for the angel sent from Alpha. He grapples with her human form falling for angels other than him and then has to deal with her angelic soul falling for another angel as well. The darkness is consuming him, and if it succeeds, they will both be lost to the light forever.

Each reincarnation pulls her further away from his love and closer to handing the Garden of Eden over to God. The love these two share outrank the love and power held by God himself. The consummation of their power is the only key to reaching the Garden of Eden, which is the only gateway for the fallen angels back into heaven.

Love, power, and vanity all come together in this novel as we see the showdown between angel and fallen angel, God and Goddess, brothers and sisters in arms fighting against one another. We see the power of love and the power of brotherhood as those angels of the light fall to help their forsaken brothers. In the end, love will banish and conquer the evil God of Creation and return the light back to the fallen, which was rightfully theirs to begin with.

Publishing companies, Writing

Publishing Companies active on Social Media

March 16, 2016 No Comments

Some may think this is a good thing. A big time publisher favoriting your tweet or liking a post on your facebook page; you end up giddy and excited right? What about small publishing companies? YES, someone likes my book summary! No. As of late, I had submitted my novel and a couple short stories to a company that was rejected. I am fine with that. I then posted about one of their contests where the last short story I submitted to was declined. It didn’t make me angry. Their professionalism did. See Changing Rules of a Contest post submissions deadline for more information on that.

I stumbled across a woman in one of my writing groups that was quite upset with the results of this contest. Many were because of the noted change after submissions. I told her I had blogged about it and even updated the blog with information the company provided (to further damage their reputation). They have commented in every group that I posted the blog or commented about the situation. THAT in itself is unprofessional. Writing groups are safe havens for authors to vent about their rejections or errors they have found in the publishing industry. To have a owner of a publishing company reply in a writing group as the publisher and stalk from group to group from either tip offs it was in there or he was already in the group unknown (he added himself to one group “And just so happen the latest post was the issue above”).

I felt like I couldn’t even vent about an experience without having the publishing company slam more information about the contest down my throat. Is this good syntax or bad? Should publishing companies stoop to social media and invade your personal space with their guidelines to the submissions and tell you to vent to them if you have an issue or problem. No! I made the mistake of mixing friendship with business as I had friended the owners of this group. Hell, I have even promoted their publishing company in my blog posts and on social media. No, I did not do it to gain favoritism. They are a new company and word of mouth spreads fast. I have blogged about other companies and will continue to do so for company spotlights. But, you do not come into writing groups and defend your company. Do you see Little, Brown, and Company infiltrating Facebook group or replying to Tweets about them if someone vents about rejection or company policies? No!

I think the point I am getting to is unless it is your group and the people of the group know that you are a publisher, free play. Do not go to other groups to dig yourself a hole. It’s bad character and looks bad on your publishing company. If someone vented in a group about my future publishing company, I am not retaliating. Hell, the day after I made my website public for it I was put up on absolute write website and they trashed my company. I myself did not reply, but my co-publisher did. I let it fly-by and waited it out and by and by the trashing came to an end.

In conclusion, it’s not always a good thing when a publishing company stalks your posts. They could be stalking for a completely different reason. They should not be allowed to talk about their publishing in a writer’s group that is solely for educating writers (that is promoting). When I vented about my experiences just opening the website up for my company, I never mentioned a name and told members to pm me for information. That is proper etiquette. Not as soon as you join the group introduce yourself as being the owner of a new publishing company and then proceed to infiltrate yourself into someone’s post because it was about your company. They do not want to hear from you! You rejected them! You are rubbing salt in their wounds.

I ended up having to block the owner. It was bad enough he joined one group and replied, but in another group he copied his statement and replied. I left his writing group, unliked his publishing company page, blocked him, and feel like I have to be on edge of someone running back and telling him “Oh she is talking about the company!” I didn’t mention the name in this blog, in the previous blog, and only when prompted did I answer on group posts. The second response in a different group didn’t even warrant their name! It is what it is. I will be removing the company from my blog list. I do not want my readers going to them when they have poor professional skills (and that is not my opinion alone).

Publishing companies, Writing

Changing Rules of a Contest post submissions deadline

March 15, 2016 1 Comment

I recently partook in a writing contest for an interactive anthology/book. The rules were to write between 1,500-2,000 words a fantasy piece that, if chosen, could be broadened into a 10k word submission. The rules were 5 submissions would be chosen to vote upon post submissions. After the deadline ended at 12 am last night, I received an email where the publishing company said after receiving a numerous amount of submissions they had changed the number of chosen submissions. Great? No, as opposed to raising the number of submission granted to be voted on, they lowered it from 5 to 3. *UPDATE: The publishing company replied to a comment abut this on a thread in a different writing group. All submissions were supposed to have been showcased for voting. Does this make it better or even worse that they went from all submissions to just 3? They claimed it would have taken too much room on the voting page. If you do a small summary of each book to choose from with an excerpt, no it would not have. You can make it go to separate pages as well.* This bothered me a bit. First off, if you run a contest on your publishing company page with definite submission guidelines and rules after the submissions are submitted, you cannot change those rules. This is not only bad syntax, but if like me, authors will be less likely to submit again. Why change the rules? If you had more submissions than you thought, you raise the number of allotments for spots to vote not decrease them.

Mind you, this is the second contest I have entered into with this company. I was staking out a third one for an anthology submission for a “Legends” contest that dealt with myths or urban legends of society. I am no longer submitting to this contest after the previous contest had been changed post submissions. The contest ran for two weeks. I had taken a sabbatical from writing and when I realized the deadline was over last night, I hurriedly wrote my submission piece and put it out to my beta readers. If changes to the number of submissions chosen were to have been made, they should have been made when they realized the number of submissions entered. Why didn’t they change it past week 1? I came in on the very last day and they had not changed. It does not bother me my submission was not accepted. This is not the point of this post. The point of my post is to be wary of publishing companies who change contest rules AFTER the contest has been over and done with and all submissions accepted.

Also, if presenting a contest, there should be some sort of rule where previously published authors of the company should not be able to enter into the contest (one of the winning entries was one of their own published members of the company). You aren’t hosting contests to promote your own writers. This is a chance for other writers to have a chance at the winning spotlight. I myself have not been published by this company, however, I am being published in an anthology with a separate company. When things like this arise with companies, it always sets off red flags for me. I am nearly finished with my short story for the next contest they are having, however, I am holding off on it for a different anthology now. I was extended an invitation by another small publishing company to submit my stories to.

I am not complaining I didn’t receive a spot on the voting line. I am complaining, however, that two opportunities for writers to receive a voting poll for their stories was overlooked by the company. Rule of thumb for writers is to always trust your gut. I was wary to submit a novel to them (that was thankfully turned down after speaking with other people regarding the company). I was even more hesitant to submit one of my short stories that was declined as well for an anthology. This third contest spelled out everything I need to know about them and why my gut was itching at the back of my mind not to submit to them. I have always been cautious when it comes to my writing and submitting it to people. I do know I will follow my gut from now (it has yet to lead me astray).

For those of you interested in an anthology contest, go to this website for submissions:

Between the Lines

I have become acquainted with the owner of this small press and quite frankly, their personality speaks to me better than others I have met on social media.

Here are the guidelines for submissions:

“Great writer! Highly recommend. Will be using again.”

Between the Lines Publishing is looking for submissions for its first annual anthology. The publication will focus on the liminal world. Do you have a poem, flash, or short story with a liminal theme? This can be anything dealing with the world between worlds in time, space, gender, etc.

If you are interested, please send questions or submissions to submissions@btwnthelines.com.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: 1 August 2016

Anthology will be released: 31 October 2016.

All authors will receive a print copy with the ability to purchase additional copies at discounted price.

Authors retain full rights.

Previously published (you must have full rights) and multiple submissions accepted.

All of these experiences I have as an author are building me for my experiences as a publisher when my company actually takes full launch! Thank you for your time. I would list the company, but I don’t want to completely obliterate their reputation. They are just starting off, been open for a year, but hopefully their strategies hone in better than what they are currently. As of now, I will no longer submit to them until they can prove they have pulled themselves together and their rules do not change post submissions.

Publishing companies, Uncategorized

Why a Big company?

December 29, 2015 No Comments

While running across fans, and writers alike, I have been asked why I choose to want a big company as opposed to a small publishing company. My answer is simple. I live in rural Virginia. We have one main chain of bookstores here: Barnes and Noble. Barnes and Noble recently changed their book product policy as to what they carry in store. They no longer do POD (print on demand) books. Most small publishing companies are POD. Big companies are more on the side that the book makes it into the store and on the shelves. It’s a simple reason, and most would consider vain or conceited, but I want to be able to walk through a book store and find my book on a shelf.

The more well known the name of the company, the better it is that you won’t be duped like vanity publishers like to do. Don’t get me wrong, not all new companies are like that. I have started doing blogs on god companies to keep your eye on including new ones. It doesn’t take but like $500 for someone to start their own publishing company, but the money, effort, and time to invest in with authors is what costs in the end. This is where vanity publishers come in and try to get authors to pay for their things upfront. Basically what you could do yourself in self publishing for FREE they want you to pay for. This is a red flag!!

After my name gets out there from published material, I do plan on opening a publishing company. This will be for the indie writers and with a higher profit margin on their behalf. They should be able to make nearly as much money as if they self published themselves. WE will see one where everything goes in life =]

Publishing companies, Uncategorized

John F. Blair Publisher

December 26, 2015 No Comments

1406 Plaza Dr.

Winston Salem, NC 27103

(336) 768-1374

Fax: (336) 768-9194

email: editorial@blairpub.com contact Carolyn Sakowski

www.blairpub.com

John F Blair Publishing Company specializes in regional books, with an emphasis on nonfiction categories such as history, travel, folklore, and biography. Fiction submitted should have some connection to the Southeast. They don’t publish children’s books, poetry, or category fiction such as romance, science fiction, or spy thrillers. No collections of short stories, essays, or newspaper columns.

Unsolicited manuscripts accepted.

Nonfiction proposals should include a cover letter, an outline or introduction, up to 30 pages of text (preferably the opening portion), a brief market analysis, and a biography of the writer, including publishing credits and credentials in the field.

Fiction proposals should include a cover letter, a synopsis, the first two chapters (or first 30 pages), and a biography of the writer, including credits and credentials.

Both email and snail mail acceptable. Please type either “Nonfiction submission” or “Fiction submission” in the subject line of the email. Paste your entire submission into the body of the e-mail. E-mails with attachments will be deleted unread. For snail mail include SASE for reply or return of manuscript.

Royalties are paid along with a negotiable advance. Response time is 2 months to 6 months.

Sample of what they are interested in but not limited to

contest, Publishing companies, Uncategorized

Black Lawrence Press

December 23, 2015 No Comments

Manuscripts can be submitted through various writing contests throughout the year. Submit your complete manuscript on the website. Link below

Black Lawrence Press

Established 2003. The press seeks to publish intriguing books of literature- novels, short story collections, poetry collections, chapbooks, anthologies and creative nonfiction.

They publish 15-20 books/year, mostly poetry and fiction. Manuscripts are selected through open submission and competition. Books are 20-200 pages, offset printed or high quality POD, perfect bound with 4 color cover.

They pay out royalties and respond in 6 months

SUBMISSIONS CALENDAR

The Big Moose Prize: December 1 – January 31
Open competition, novels

The Hudson Prize: February 1 – March 31
Open competition, poetry and short story collections

The Spring Black River Chapbook Competition: April 1 – May 31
Open competition, poetry and fiction chaps

Open Reading Period 1: June 1 – June 30

The St. Lawrence Book Award: July 1- August 31
First book competition, poetry and short story collections

The Fall Black River Chapbook Competition: September 1 – October 31
Open competition, poetry and fiction chaps

Open Reading Period 2: November 1 – November 30

Black Lawrence Press accepts submissions exclusively through our online submission manager, Submittable. We are not able to accept submissions via email or postal mail. Please see individual contest and open reading period pages for specific guidelines and information.

All manuscripts should include a title page, table of contents, and when appropriate, an acknowledgments page. Manuscripts should be paginated and formatted in an easy-to-read font such as Garamond or Times New Roman. Take note of the length guidelines specified on Submittable for each category. Please include a brief bio or something about yourself in your cover note on Submittable.