Being Approached By Publishers

[Guest]

I had some great feedback a couple of days ago, from the editor in chief at New Concept Publishing.

She was very complimentary of my writing and suggested I check out the submission guidelines on her site, with a view to sending something in to her - which she said she'd be delighted to see.

I have checked out the site and am seriously considering it. New Concept Publishing do publish ebooks, but they also publish trade paperbacks.

My question here is: does anybody know of this publisher? Has anybody here had any dealing with them? Books published through them? Anything else anybody might know would also be greatly appreciated.

I know others here have also been approached by publishers. Did any of you further pursue it? Are you glad you did? How has it all gone?

I, obviously, do have an interest in getting published, but I am not sure if this is the way I want to go. I was considering trying to get myself an agent, who would then approach some of the big publishing houses on my behalf. To be quite honest, I don't think my writing (especially the novels) has mass appeal. I think it would only fit into the niche market of erotic horror or the bigger market of horror. New Concept Publishing promote themselves as publishing many genres under the wider umbrella of romance, which my writing certainly isn't. However, if the editor didn't think my writing was suitable, surely she wouldn't have contacted me.

I am going to take my time over this and consider the many options, before I do anything. I am incredibly flattered at being approached this way, though!

Lou

 

[snooper]

I can't really help. I was sort of approached, but I had already bought from the publisher concerned, and they are a niche market so categorisation wasn't difficult.

As to the business side, let a lawyer look the contract over, preferably one who knows the publishing industry.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, Snooper, I'll certainly do that.

So, is that how you got your contract with your current publisher? By contact from them through here, or was it completely seperate?

Sorry for all the questions, I want to do my research!

Lou

 

[Weird Harold]

New Concept Publishing do publish ebooks, but they also publish trade paperbacks.

Unfortunately, the local Library District's datbase is down at this time of the night. Generally when I want some feel for a publisher's relibility and/or selection, I check the library to see what, if anything, they've got from that publisher.

I did discover that the local Library Sytem now offers E-books as well as traditional books -- whenI get that part of my account set up, I'll check and see wh New Concepts has to offer there as well.

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Being Approached By Publishers

Unfortunately, the local Library District's datbase is down at this time of the night. Generally when I want some feel for a publisher's relibility and/or selection, I check the library to see what, if anything, they've got from that publisher.

I did discover that the local Library Sytem now offers E-books as well as traditional books -- whenI get that part of my account set up, I'll check and see wh New Concepts has to offer there as well.

Thanks, WH, I'd really appreciate that.

That's a very good suggestion! I'll do the same thing here, through my local library's database, but I doubt anything will show up here, as they are a US publisher.

Lou

 

[Weird Harold]

Re: Re: Re: Being Approached By Publishers

Thanks, WH, I'd really appreciate that.

That's a very good suggestion! I'll do the same thing here, through my local library's database, but I doubt anything will show up here, as they are a US publisher.

Lou

http://web2.lvccld.org/ Is the Las Vegas/Clark County Library system -- it doesn't require registration to do a search, just for placing a hold rquest or downloading an e-book. The database is up from 0900 to 2100 PDT (GMT-8) most days.

I'm sure other major cities have comparable online databases that google can find for you. (If any library would have something from New Concepts, I'd bet on the NYC library.)

PS: I'm pretty sure that Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble permit srches by publisher as well -- their availibility figures and possible reader reviews might prove useful as well.

PPS: There are no selections from New Concepts in the E-books listings at LVCCLD.org -- in fact there doesn't appear to be a very big selection as yet at all.

 

[CharleyH]

Very cool, Lou. Very cool indeed. Damn, now you got me all excited

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Lou,

For starters, WAY TO GO, GIRL!

If you haven't already checked out the web, here is the link. New Concepts Publishing (thanks to Snooper for catching the error in the original link I posted)


The publishers who have contacted me all asked (demanded) that I stop bothering them. Therefore, I'm not familiar with publishers actually wanting something from me, other than my absence.

How-some-ever, lack of knowledge has never stopped me from giving advice. In addition to what Weird Harold suggusted, you might want to take a look at Publisher's Weekly to see what, if anything, they have on NCP.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[snooper]

If you haven't already checked out the web, here is the link.New Concept Publishing

Sorry, RF, that should read New Concepts Publishing. I just get a fail from the URL you posted.

 

[thenry]

New Concept is actually recommended by "Preditors and Editors." If you browse the site (which, now that you're publishing, you definitey should), you will realize what high praise it is. Have fun.

 

[Rumple Foreskin]

Sorry, RF, that should read New Concepts Publishing. I just get a fail from the URL you posted.

Snooper,

Thanks for catching my mistake. Dropping the S in Concepts wasn't the problem. I must have screwed up the URL while doing the cut and paste. I've fixed the problem and giving Lit's ever alert Snooper unit due praise.

Rumple Foreskin

 

[Guest]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Being Approached By Publishers

http://web2.lvccld.org/ Is the Las Vegas/Clark County Library system -- it doesn't require registration to do a search, just for placing a hold rquest or downloading an e-book. The database is up from 0900 to 2100 PDT (GMT-8) most days.

I'm sure other major cities have comparable online databases that google can find for you. (If any library would have something from New Concepts, I'd bet on the NYC library.)

PS: I'm pretty sure that Amazon, Borders and Barnes & Noble permit srches by publisher as well -- their availibility figures and possible reader reviews might prove useful as well.

PPS: There are no selections from New Concepts in the E-books listings at LVCCLD.org -- in fact there doesn't appear to be a very big selection as yet at all.

Thanks so much for that, WH. There's some good things for me to check out there, which I will do shortly.

Very cool, Lou. Very cool indeed. Damn, now you got me all excited

Thanks, babe! Yep, it's got me all excited, too, but I am trying to temper that a little.

Lou,

For starters, WAY TO GO, GIRL!

If you haven't already checked out the web, here is the link. New Concepts Publishing (thanks to Snooper for catching the error in the original link I posted)


The publishers who have contacted me all asked (demanded) that I stop bothering them. Therefore, I'm not familiar with publishers actually wanting something from me, other than my absence.

How-some-ever, lack of knowledge has never stopped me from giving advice. In addition to what Weird Harold suggusted, you might want to take a look at Publisher's Weekly to see what, if anything, they have on NCP.

Rumple Foreskin

Thanks, Rumps! It's sure got me smiling. I reckon you have been approached by many publishers wanting your work, you're just way too humble to admit it.

I had a good peruse around the site last night and was very impressed. From the research I have done they seem like a good publisher. They've been around for quite a few years, for one thing, which is usually a positive sign.

I'll have a look at publisher's weekly, thanks for that suggestion.

Oh yeah, and I made the mistake of calling them New Concept Publishing in my initial post. Bad form, or what!?

New Concept is actually recommended by "Preditors and Editors." If you browse the site (which, now that you're publishing, you definitey should), you will realize what high praise it is. Have fun.

Wow, that's great! Thanks for that. I've had a quick look at that site and will go back this evening and spend more time there.

Thanks, again, everyone!

Lou

 

[thenry]

Then again, apropos of nothing, I came across New Concepts mentioned in this column (Day 2: Frights of Fantasy). Books published in 2001, at least, were of questionable quality. If they don't offer editing, you might consider getting someone at Lit to read your semi-final manuscript.

 

[McKenna]

Congratulations Lou!

I don't know anything about the Publisher you mentioned, so can't help you there. Do your homework, (which it appears you're doing!) and don't decide too quickly. Let us know what happens!

-McK

 

[Sabledrake]

I'm happy and hopeful on your behalf, Lou sweetie, and glad to see that you're going at this with a degree of caution.

Just from my personal experience, I'd be a little nervous about any agent or publisher that approached me, given how hard it's been to get more than a form letter rejection slip out of the many I've tried.

I got lambasted recently for "shining the cold harsh light of reality" and "stomping on people's dreams" and being "well-intended but negative" in a similar (elsewhere) discussion about getting published, so I won't say more.

Sabledrake
the currently burnt-out and disenheartened

 

[cloudy]

No advice to add, Lou-lou, darlin', but I just wanted to tell you I'm happy as hell for you.

And, I expect an autographed copy of your first book, damnit!

 

[Guest]

Then again, apropos of nothing, I came across New Concepts mentioned in this column (Day 2: Frights of Fantasy). Books published in 2001, at least, were of questionable quality. If they don't offer editing, you might consider getting someone at Lit to read your semi-final manuscript.

Again, thanks for the info. I've never felt the need to use an editor here at Lit, but I do have a couple of writing friends who always proof read my stuff for me, whose opinions I greatly respect. They've both already read the manuscript in question, but will read it again once I'm happy I've completed the editing process.

Lou

 

[Guest]

Congratulations Lou!

I don't know anything about the Publisher you mentioned, so can't help you there. Do your homework, (which it appears you're doing!) and don't decide too quickly. Let us know what happens!

-McK

Thanks, Mck!

I always try to do as much homework as possible with stuff like this, but maybe too much at times. It can become a procrastination tool.

I'll be sure to keep you informed!

Lou

 

[Guest]

I'm happy and hopeful on your behalf, Lou sweetie, and glad to see that you're going at this with a degree of caution.

Just from my personal experience, I'd be a little nervous about any agent or publisher that approached me, given how hard it's been to get more than a form letter rejection slip out of the many I've tried.

I got lambasted recently for "shining the cold harsh light of reality" and "stomping on people's dreams" and being "well-intended but negative" in a similar (elsewhere) discussion about getting published, so I won't say more.

Sabledrake
the currently burnt-out and disenheartened

Thanks so much, Sabledrake.

Your advice and opinion on this means a lot to me. You are someone who I look up to and admire (but, shhh, don't let that out ).

Seriously, you know well of what you speak. There is absolutely no need to worry about me taking what you said there the wrong way. I have been having many of the same thoughts myself, hence my questioning and so on here.

Sorry to hear you are feeling that way yourself at the moment. I can empathise with that very well. I was feeling like that for quite a while over the past few months. I think I've managed to pull myself out of it now. Feedback like the one I mention in this thread certainly helps to do that!

Thanks, again.

Lou

 

[Guest]

No advice to add, Lou-lou, darlin', but I just wanted to tell you I'm happy as hell for you.

And, I expect an autographed copy of your first book, damnit!

Thanks, babe!

Hey, don't go saying things like that! You wanna put a curse on my ambitions, or something.

Just kidding. It goes without saying.

Lou

 

[CrimsonMaiden]

Good luck Lou in whatever you decide. Congrats on getting approached!

 

[boxofrocks]

I want a signed copy too

Otherwise I'll feed your dog biscuits and lock him in your bedroom!!

 

[Ravin the Poet]

I have been here before so I can help. I had the chance to be published. I sent them my work, went through the process and they liked everything. When it came time to sign the contract, it hit hard. They sound very un-professional, and wanted me to shill out $187.00 for some office fee stuff.

I declined there wishes. On another note, I also said no because they would not allow me to take my work else where. If I sent something to them, and suddenly dropped the publisher/agent, they would keep my work.

What I suggest you do, is get a background check on the company, and see if they have a history. Go to a government office for that. And read the fine print, read it twice, three times because that is how people get screwed. Other wise, congrats on your chance.


Ravin
-and maybe pass the company on to me as well

 

[Virtual_Burlesque]

... I don't think my writing ... only fit into the niche market of erotic horror or the bigger market of horror. New Concept Publishing promote themselves as publishing many genres under the wider umbrella of romance....

On the page where they are promoting their new publications they follow each new release with a descriptive genre label.

So far I have found:

Contemporary Romance
Romantic Suspense
Paranormal Romance
Futuristic Romance
Fantasy Romance
Dark Paranormal Thriller
Dark Fantasy Erotica

They even list two as:

Paranormal/Time Travel Romance
Futuristic, Paranormal, and Fantasy Romance

If anybody is even a little bit fond of someone else, in amongst the sex and horror, your story should qualify.

I'd say gofer it!

Good luck!

And keep you hand on your wallet.

 

[Guest]

Good luck Lou in whatever you decide. Congrats on getting approached!

Thanks, Crim! Good luck in your own ventures, too! I was just reading your thread, just go for it, honey!

I want a signed copy too

Otherwise I'll feed your dog biscuits and lock him in your bedroom!!

Of course (you daft lot!).

Hahaha, cheeky!