Spotlight on St. Martin's Press Leaves the Door Open

Last week at the 30th RWA® National Conference St. Martin's Press (SMP) editors Jennifer Enderlin, Monique Patterson, and Rose Hilliard presented a Publisher Spotlight to talk to authors and answer questions.

Jennifer Enderlin started with the emphatic statement that SMP is very interested in discovering new authors. They focus on an author's career long term by offering multi-book contracts and by promoting the author rather than a line. SMP doesn't have lines (they do have the Minotaur Imprint for Mystery).

Backing up their claim of being interested in new authors, each of the editors reported picking up two or three debuts last year. Because they have no lines, they have no slots to fill, but they are always looking to discover something wonderful.

Jennifer Enderlin urged authors to avoid the trend spiral and to write the book they are born to write. She provided three simple suggestions for new authors:
1) Finish the book – new authors need to demonstrate they can, not only start a great book, but finish and polish it.
2) Get an agent – SMP does not require that authors have agents, but they strongly recommended it.
3) Enter contests – they think this is a great way to get editorial attention.

Monique Patterson said that, for her, the most important thing she looks for in a submission is voice. She urged writers to write their voice to the fullest—don't hold back.

Rose Hilliard said she looks for a high concept story, something that can be communicated in one or two sentences and that has a broad appeal. Once she has that, then she looks for a compelling voice.

While all SMP romance editors acquire all subgenres, Rose and Monique expressed more interest in YA, and Monique expressed more interest in romantic comedy and contemporary romance. All three editors said there is nothing in the romance genre they would NOT consider.

If you are unagented, SMP will accept your submission, but be forewarned you will get a much slower response than you would get as an agented author.
• Jenifer Enderlin prefers to see a paper query with the first ten pages of your manuscript.
• Monique Patterson prefers paper submissions and wants to see a synopsis and three chapters.
• Rose Hilliard said that while she will normally look at queries, she is currently way behind and doesn't want to see unagented submissions for at least the next six months.

The editors also said that SMP is all about editorial taste, they don't acquire by committee, so it is okay to query another SMP editor if the first one you try doesn't fall in love with your book.

While none of the editors are specifically looking for sci-fi romance, their openness to discovering something fresh and new bodes well for those of us who write something a little different.

Publisher Showcase ~ Devine Destinies

Hello, Brigaders.

I have the great pleasure this morning of introducing Tina Haveman from Devine Destinies. Welcome, Tina!

Would you like to share a little history about Devine Destinies?

Devine Destinies is an imprint of eXtasy Books. I opened it about a year and a half ago, aiming for readers who want books without graphic sex. There are a lot of writers out there who would love to write under their real name and not hide behind a pseudonym to mask the sexy books they write. Devine gives them the opportunity to do that as we don’t publish erotica.

Who are your key personnel?

Tina Haveman (owner/founder), her fabulous EIC, Jay Austin, her financial manager, Heather, her PR team, Angie and Dorine. Martine and Angie mainly do the artwork. We also have a great stable of editors.

How would you describe Devine Destinies to potential authors?

DD is a friendly house and wide open as yet.

What genres are your primary focus?

We are open to pretty much anything, although DD was started by me with the aim to focus on New Age material. However, we do publish near every genre.

What are the most common reasons a novel (especially a Science Fiction Romance novel) is rejected?

Bad writing, POV issues (head hopping), too many grammatical errors and spelling mistakes to address, a boring story. Underdeveloped worlds. Unbelievable characters and aliens. A story needs to hook me immediately.

What are the biggest mistakes new authors make?

Oozing with self-confidence and playing diva. Bragging about their schooling and/or journalism activities. Claiming they’ll be the next Rowlings and will be our next best seller and then blaming the publisher/editor if their book tanks. Whining at your publisher/editor about lack of sales, not getting rich overnight. An author needs to write for the love of writing. We all have dreams of making it big, but authors need to be realistic. Another mistake is to write a story or two, have it published, find it doesn’t sell, then to give up. I can testify to a number of writers whose earlier books sold diddly squat. Then suddenly they gain a following and start selling better and better. Authors also shouldn’t stick to one genre, especially if that genre doesn’t sell right now. Dabble, experiment, be daring. If you’re a true, born writer, you’ll never give up. And if accepted, the biggest mistake? Thinking the book will sell itself. With every Tom, Dick and Harry and their dog now writing and publishing or self-publishing, it’s a tough world out there. Lack of promotion or giving up on promotion makes for no sales.

What do you look for in a Science Fiction Romance submission?

A well written story that will grip the reader.

What grabs your attention, makes you sit up and want to read more?

A hook. (The first lines of chapter 1 or the prologue).

How far do you read into a submission before you know if the novel is right for you?

The first pages usually already tell me a lot, although I will read on a bit. We’re kind at eXtasy Books and Devine and we'll tell an author where he or she has gone wrong. Sometimes an author is thankful, other times highly insulted. They'll pull a diva on us, send us a rude response etc.

Do you have recommendations or requirements regarding ”heat levels” of submissions?

It depends if they’re submitting to Devine or eXtasy. eXtasy allows high heat levels. At Devine we aim for the mainstream readers who prefer tamer books. Therefore, sensuality is fine, but without all the graphic words and details. No purple prose however. That really turns us off.

Tell me about a few of your favorite/best-selling Science Fiction Romance novels. What really stood out in these stories that made them unique?

Viola Grace is our main science fiction writer at Devine Destinies for now. She’s a bestselling author no matter what she writes, but her science fiction stories top everything.

What are you looking for right now? What kinds of submissions would you like to see pop up in your e-queries? Anything you’re dying to see more of? Steampunk? Futuristic? Space Opera? Any dream novels?

We’re open to anything except non-fiction and biographies. I do urge authors to study the market to see what readers are buying.

Thank you so much for sharing your time with us!
http://www.devinedestinies.com/shopdevine/

Announcing Publishers Week

We've already started some of the planning phase of Publishers Week, but need to nail down some of the details.  The dates have been set as May 17 - 21 and we'd like to assign post days and times according to how many publishers respond. 

For Publishers Week, we'd like SFR Brigade Members to ask publishers to tell us a little about their history, key personnel, what "flavor" of SFR manuscripts they are looking for, how to hook them, what to avoid, tips for submission, etc.  A link to a list of possible questions is included below.

As it stands right now, we have tentative plans for spotlights for these publishing houses by these members:

Carina Press -- Heather Massey
Ellora's Cave -- Barbara Elsborg
Liquid Silver Books -- D. L. Jackson
Mundania -- Arlene Webb via Marie Dees
Red Rose Publishing -- Sandra Stixrude
Samhain -- Sheryl Nantus (Am I right about that, Sheryl?)
Shadowfire Press -- Arlene Webb is waiting on confirmation

I know several of you mentioned in other posts you'd like to contact your publishers so if I didn't include you, I apologize for the oversight.  Please comment below or shoot me an email and I'd expand the list above to include you.

Not sure what to ask?  We've added a PAGE with possible questions.  Feel free to adlib, reduce or expand the list as you'd like. 

If you don't have time to contact your/a publisher this time around, never fear.  We'll do another Publishers Week in the fall (after the summer conference craziness).