Come on over to the New Website: AUTHORAPPLETON.com

Monday, July 14, 2008

Taking the Open Door: FLAMING PEN PRESS

Well, my dear readers, after two years of back and forth with AMG Publishers, my proposed novel was shot down at the final stage before contract. Both the acquisitions editor and the senior editor of the house expressed their disappointment to me... and their surprise. Both of them felt the other editors would go for The Sword of the Dragon series.

Some people have expressed sympathy to me for having spent so much time with that publishing house only to be rejected. But their sentiments are not mine. I asked God to close the door to AMG if that was not the best venue for me to release my book through, and He has . . .. So now it is time to move on to the next stage of the publishing process.

I'd made the decision in the last six months to start my own publishing company if AMG did not offer contract for Swords of the Six. During the past year and a half I have researched and studied the process of doing just that. It is complicated and, initially, more financial capital is required up-front. But it also allows me to control 100% of the book rights and keep 100% of the profits.

Many people who have not studied the publishing process will confuse what I am going to do with Print On Demand publishing services (offered through places such as BookSurge and Lulu.com). I will not be following that route. The cost of the books, per unit, is too large for there to be a profit for the author that prints that way.

Traditional publishing houses order 'print runs' from book printers after they hire editors (either in-house or freelancers). They also hire (and I will be out-sourcing for) book design/typesetting. Currently I am in the process of commissioning final artwork, negotiating marketing rights, looking for one more editor (I have two already committed), and planning the first print run.

This Fall I will open Flaming Pen Press and, come Spring of 2009, we will release The Sword of the Dragon--Book 1--Swords of the Six. Flaming Pen Press will launch a website in the near future and I will feed updates on the novel's progress into this blog as things move forward.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Woo hoo! :-) God's hand is so visible in all of this. God is faithful.
~Your Maiden~

Seedshakers said...

"The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps." Proverbs 16:9

It is so comforting to know that God is in control and that His timing is always perfect!! ;)

Oh yes, and send my greetings to Miss Kelley!! :)

Unknown said...

WOW! Talk about cool! I'm sorry that AMG turned SotS down, but what a GREAT opportunity! Good luck!!

M. C. Pearson said...

Hi, I've been a lurker here for a while. My book was also at AMG. They had it over a year, going through two new products meetings...until it was rejected.

Funny, we've been considering the exact same thing as you. I've the book in two different publishers at the moment, so I'm waiting on them.

God bless as you take on this new venture. I'll be checking in to see how it goes! We'll be doing POD if we go for doing our own publishing company...but otherwise I'm in the same boat with ya.

Blessings,

Mimi

Author Scott Appleton said...

Nice to meet you, Mimi! I completely understand the waiting process. AMG's last New Product meeting was the fourth my novel went through. POD is a viable option unless you want to make a living at it... like I do! (: Again, nice to meet you. I have many visitors to this blog but few leave comments.

M. C. Pearson said...

Oh, consider joining my FIRST alliances! We get free review books and tour at the same time. Pais Charos is one of my members. *waves hello* And when your book is ready, you could tour it on FIRST Wild Card Tours for sure. I don't charge anything...and membership is free. I do it as a ministry.

I plan on making a living at it too...like Marcher Lord Press. I've some cool plans in the works.

Unknown said...

*waves to Mimi* Aye, you should join FIRST Scott! Free books are the best, and it would be SO fun to tour your book on it!!

WELCOME TO THE WRITING SITE OF SCOTT APPLETON

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." -Proverbs 16:24

In a world where morality is forsaken and Christ neglected, wholesome books are uncommon. The themes of my writing are love, self-sacrifice, and honor.

I see my generation turning from God to the gods of this world. I see homes torn apart in the pursuit of pleasure and self-gratification. Children are murdered by the millions every year . . . without ever seeing the world outside their mothers' wombs. Through fiction I strive to encourage those who are willing, to stand against these things and be heroes and heroines; chivalrous, gentle, full of righteous indignation, and the fear and love of their Creator.