Publishing Companies active on Social Media
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…
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).
1406 Plaza Dr.
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 768-1374
Fax: (336) 768-9194
email: editorial@blairpub.com contact Carolyn Sakowski
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…
1406 Plaza Dr.
Winston Salem, NC 27103
(336) 768-1374
Fax: (336) 768-9194
email: editorial@blairpub.com contact Carolyn Sakowski
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
Manuscripts can be submitted through various writing contests throughout the year. Submit your complete manuscript on the website. Link below
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
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.