I'm a buffoon. In this Facebook age it's all too easy to forget that not everyone's on it. And I know that FB is where we post most of our updates...
Okay, the DC blog is getting kicked back into life. Until it's up and running again, I'll be pasting the weekly updates here.
So, this week's instalment...
"It’s been awhile since I updated. Sorry about that. To quote a friend of mine whom I saw at a signing yesterday: “I’ve been following you on Facebook, and there for awhile, I thought your head was going to explode.” That pretty much covers it.
We have been exceedingly busy getting ready for submissions. We want to be able to do as smooth a job as possible, and in our first week, we’ve had a decent amount of authors submit their work to us for consideration. We’ll be getting back to them as soon as we can. If anyone out there would like to send up a query, please take the time to stop over at the webpage and check out our submissions guidelines. We’re looking forward to reading some great material.
Our books are out now in print form in all wholesale avenues. While the main distributor for Lightning Source is Ingram’s, since they are owned by that company, they have at least nine other wholesale outlets here in the US. These include Baker and Taylor and Partner’s. You can also order them online from either our website or Amazon. In the UK, we have thirteen distributors there that Lightning Source works with, so if there are stores looking for a way to get our books, there should be plenty of places to get them from.
One of the reasons that Kelly figured my head might well explode was that ten days before we opened for submissions, our editor in chief,
Serenity, resigned her post. Her reasons were personal, and she will still be part of the DCP family, simply as a writer. This left me scrambling. I have been blessed in this business, however, to have been able to work with some wonderful people over the years. One of those people has been
Julia Messina.
Julia has a long and busy career in the publishing world. She has spent time in New York and Italy both working as an editor and translator for different publishing houses. I was fortunate to have met her about six years ago when my first book was released. She helped me to build a local following, and worked with me in editing my next couple of books. Over lunch we discussed DCP and what role I would like her to play with us. I am happy to report she has accepted my offer to become our new Editor in Chief. She and Tracie are already working together as a great team to look over manuscripts and pass them on to me for final say. Welcome aboard Julia, and we’re looking forward to working with you for many years to come.
Another note is that we are still growing. While we had to change our legal standing to an LLC, we took on another member of the board after WHC. I have mentioned what a help
Stephanie Schmitz had been to us during the launch. She’s got some great ideas, and has a ton of connections among the writing industry. She’s also a great sale person and even better writer. I’ve seen a couple of her short stories, and have come to the conclusion she’s a good fit for us. So, it is with a glad heart that I welcome Steph aboard as another of our newest board members. Her input has been valuable, and I look forward to seeing her books and manuscripts with the DCP logo on them soon.
And finally, as we are open for submissions, and taking on new writers, I thought it would be a good time to mention that we have signed
Stuart Neild to a contract. We will be releasing his novel S
pring Heeled Jack Awakes within the next few weeks. Right now, Julia is editing the book, and soon after it’s polished up, John Prescott will be getting it ready for print. Welcome aboard Stuart. It’s good to have you as part of the family.
Some folks may be wondering if the books are getting out. If they’re making sales. All I can say is that in our first week of having print books available, I know of a half dozen stores that have placed orders. We’re getting signings booked. In two weeks, John, Sylvia Shults and I have three signings to hit together. So, it’s been an interesting trip in a year’s time. This is just the beginning, and it looks like growth from here.
Now, I’m off to feed the dog and get some more coffee. Hope everyone has a great week, and I won’t be so lax in the future in my posts. We are firing up the blog again, as well as spending more time on the website message board. Stay tuned for more info on those outlets.
~dmy~"
Tune in next week...same bat-time, same bat-channel.