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Market News
Virginia Writers Association
Market News is reprinted here with the kind permission of Cindi Myers.
Market News for the Week of January 21, 2007
CatScratch Books, an imprint of CatsCurious Press, is planning a gothic romance anthology to be released in late 2007. They will not accept submissions until March 1, 2007,. but I wanted to let you know about this now so you can start working on your submissions. They're interested in 7,500 to 17,500 word stories with a Gothic romance feel, similar to those of 1960s classic gothic tales. These should be erotic, but not erotica, with no overly graphic sex or gore. Payment is $250 per story, with an additional $50 going to the author of the story chosen to be featured on the cover. Only 7 stories will be selected for this anthology. Guidelines: http://www.catscuriouspress.com/ (Click on the Guidelines link at the very bottom of the page.)
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Kerry Donovan, assistant editor; Liza Schwartz, editorial assistant and Lindsay Nouis, editorial assistant have all been added to the list of acquiring editors for New American Library.
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Belle Books, the successful small press started by a group of authors including Deborah Smith, Sandra Chastain, Debra Dixon and others, is interested in seeing queries for erotica/romantica with Southern settings and/or themes. They're interested in both novels and stories for anthologies. Belle Books specializes in Southern-themed fiction. They have an ongoing interest in stories for their popular Mossy Creek anthologies, as well as novels. For more information and submission guidelines, check them out at http://www.bellebooks.com
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Ballantine Books has announced it will no longer be accepting unagented submissions of any kind. This includes query letters.
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Market News for the Week of January 14, 2007
Gather.com, in conjunction with Borders Books, is sponsoring a First Chapters writing contest. First prize is $5000 and a publishing contract with Simon & Schuster. Through Thursday March 15th, 2007, aspiring novelists will have the opportunity to submit their full-length commercial fiction manuscripts for consideration. Over the course of the competition, the first three chapters of entrants' novels will be posted to the First Chapters Group for evaluation by the Gather community and Editorial team. The community and Gather Editorial team will select five finalists through three rounds of voting. And one Grand Prize Winner will be chosen for publication by a special panel of judges. It's free to enter. See http://firstchapters.gather.com/?ref=brd_week.em
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In the most recent RWA enotes, editors from St. Martin's Press state they are looking for "Novels with characters you root for: heroines and heroes who are smart, courageous, funny, and realistic - heroines you'd want as a friend and heroes you'd want to be alone with! Snappy dialogue, interesting conflicts, prose that makes you want to grab someone by the lapels and say: "you've got to read this." We'd love to find more contemporary romantic comedies, maybe even a fabulous western historical romance. But we're open to anything as long as the reading experience is so intense that the words fall away and it becomes a movie in your mind. Finding new authors is a joy and a thrill for us. We don't buy according to "trends." Trends get over-published very quickly. We buy authors for the long-term. We buy authors for their own, unique voice. We don't have guidelines or tip sheets--the best way to publish with us is to write a book that you love and would want to read. And remember, try to go for the emotional jugular: really funny, or really sexy, or really scary, or really tear jerking. We're waiting to fall in love."
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PublishingTrends.com asked various publishing professionals to comment on trends they see on the horizon for 2007. Among the observations: Scott Watrous, President and Publisher, Globe Pequot, sees a growth in 'micro-marketing' -- marketing to niche audiences and selling books in non-traditional venues. He cites the example of a deli in the Bronx that sold 4500 copies of a cookbook. Michael Healy, Executive Director of the Book Industry Study Group, looks for a growth in digital publishing and downloadable content. Likewise, Malle Vallik, Director, New Business Development, Harlequin, sees growth in both ebooks and audiobooks. Read the whole article.
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Fantasist Enterprises publishes fantasy fiction and illustrated fantasy anthologies. They have an ongoing contest for inclusion in upcoming anthologies. There is no fee to enter one story -- they require $3-$5 for multiple stories. Stories may be up to 10,000 words and must be fantasy. First prize is $150 and 25% of net revenue from sales of the anthology in which the story is included. Second prize is $100 and 25% of net revenue and third prize is $50 and 25% of net revenue. For details, see http://fantasistent.com/CONTESTS/StoryConRules.php
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Market News for the Week of January 1, 2007
Smithsonian Magazine is sponsoring a Dream Vacation Sweepstakes. Share your favorite travel story for a chance to win a dream vacation for two including hotel, airfare and new luggage. Quarterly contest winners will receive luggage, with the grand prize vacation to be awarded in June of 2007. The final entry deadline is May 25, 2007. Find all the details here.
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Think you're funny? Submit your best joke for a chance to win $1000 in an Amazon or Best Buy gift certificate from the Great American Laugh Off Contest. The deadline is January 31, 2007. Entry form.
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If you write sweet romance, both for the inspirational and secular markets, check out By Grace Publishing. This e-book and print-on-demand publisher produces romantic suspense, light paranormal, and romantic comedy in addition to Christian-centered titles. They pay a 50% royalty. In addition to full-length novels, they're open to 5,000 to 15,000 word short stories and 20,000 to 25,000 word novellas. See the writer's guidelines.
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Flash Me Magazine is having a Flash For Big Cash Contest. There's a $5 entry fee. Winners will receive cash prizes and publication in a special PDF edition of the magazine. Stories should be 250-750 words. See the contest rules.
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Esi Sogah and Tessa Woodward are two new assistant editors at Avon Books who are acquiring manuscripts. Esi Sogah loves Regency-set historicals and high-concept African-American romances. Tessa Woodward would like to see historicals set in the Regency and Victorian period.