Poisoned Pen Press

[RejectME]

Hi Folks,

Has anyone out there ever worked with Poisoned Pen, or have knowledge of their editorial process.

Being fairly knew to the 'game', I'm somewhat aware of the agent-publisher relationship and the rejection vs. acceptance processes with the big houses, but as I've decided to seek a small independent house for my first mystery novel, I thought that PPP was a good choice.

After querying, I was asked to send a 30-page sample, which got reviewed and then sent on to a couple readers. I then was informed that the readers found enough promise in the project to have me send them the full mss. to be sent to a couple more readers. Apparently if all of these readers are favorable toward the mss. it goes to four others, and then possibly to the executive editor.

Is this a fairly common practice? I have had a wonderful experience with PPP thus far and was even pleased with some of the harsh criticism I got, as I know it will just make my work better. Do other houses work in this manner, and if there is someone who has experience or knows about PPP, do you know how many full mss. they actually review?

I'm just curious and would love to hear from anyone's insight.

Thanks, :hat

Jay

[Gala]

Are you speaking of the publisher, and also bookstore of the same name in Scottsdale, AZ?

<a href="http://www.poisonedpen.com/" target="_new">Poisoned Pen</a>

I visited that store for a Lawrence Block signing; they get big names in the genre such as Michael Connelly, James Lee Burke, and David Morrell.

I can tell you the store and their author reading/signing/workshop relationship has a good reputation. I've heard nothing negative about the Press--which is significant considering that some authors I (used to) interact with like to slam everything.

PP has a newsletter you can subscribe to which will give you an outsider view of their mentality...they review books from their press therein.


Please forgive if this is info is redundant; at least I can give you the benefit of my personally interacting with the store and newsletter. I had a brief conversation with the woman who ran or worked for the Press when I was there last year...I came away with the impression they consider themselves a "real" publisher.

Good luck.

[RejectME]

I came away with the impression they consider themselves a "real" publisher.

Are you insinuating that they aren't a real publisher?

[wwwatcher]

Quick Gala

Hand this person the addresses of your friends that cut up every publisher and run!!!!!!!!!!!!:ack

Dear Rejectyou
There is a thread for checking whether publishers and agents are reputable. I would suggest you post your question there to get more information.

Watcher

[emeraldcite]

i'm moving this on down to background check. it's spent enough time floating here in novels. good luck with your question, you may find some more info there.

[NancyMehl]

I've been reviewing PPP titles for years. They are a small press, but IMO, one of the best around.

If they want your book - go for it!

Nancy

[CaoPaux]

Still a good indie press. http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/

[J. Y. Moore]

Yikes, she's selling her husband and daughter! Look at the first sentence on the "About Us" page: http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/aboutus/index.php:ROFL: Sorry, couldn't resist. It was the first thing I saw.

J. Y. (Jean) Moore

[the debster]

I live in Scottsdale and have had the opportunity to attend many book signings Poisoned Pen bookstore featuring esteemed authors--many Edgar winners--it is a small store and they recently opened a larger location in mid-town Phoenix. The bookstore and press don't necessarily work hand in hand, although the store does feature the Press's offerings prominently.

Barbara Peters is the owner of the bookstore, her husband is the President of the Press and the one who ultimately decides what is to be published.

It is common practice for PPP ask for the first 30 pages which are then review by 3-4 readers. In the experience of 5 writers I know of, all have received requests to consider their complete manuscripts after this initial acceptance.

PPP is a recognized press by the newly founded International Thriller Writers orginization. This is a major coup. It is reputed as the list those working in the genre will be steering their works for in the future.

Hope this helps.
DJLedford

[NancyMehl]

It is common practice for PPP ask for the first 30 pages which are then review by 3-4 readers. In the experience of 5 writers I know of, all have received requests to consider their complete manuscripts after this initial acceptance.

DJ,

I didn't mention it when I posted about PPP in June, but my novel was submitted to them over six months ago. I believe that it made it through at least the first round. I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear something.

It was encouraging to read your post. I've been a huge fan of PPP for many years now and have reviewed a number of their books. Acceptance by them would mean a great deal to me.

One of their authors, Mary Reed, tells me that the length of time they've been considering it is an encouraging sign. I hope she's right!

Nancy

[the debster]

Nancy:

I think 6 months is adequate time for you to follow up. Perhaps just an e-mail to the editor who gave the acceptance for you to send the full manuscript. As long as you're not demanding or pushy in any way I can't imagine they would put off by your request for an update. It's still considered a small press and you should receive personalized attention.

By the way, is it Mary Lou Reed in Phoenix, AZ you referred to?

DJLedford

[NancyMehl]

Nancy:

I think 6 months is adequate time for you to follow up. Perhaps just an e-mail to the editor who gave the acceptance for you to send the full manuscript. As long as you're not demanding or pushy in any way I can't imagine they would put off by your request for an update. It's still considered a small press and you should receive personalized attention.

By the way, is it Mary Lou Reed in Phoenix, AZ you referred to?

DJLedford

My agent has done that. She was told that my manuscript had been passed along to another reader. That was about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Nancy

[Kristen King]

Does anyone have any experience with Poisoned Pen Press (http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/)? I'd welcome any feedback.

Thanks,
Kristen

[Christine N.]

Nope, but I would note this NOT Poison Pen Press (http://www.poisonpenpress.com) which sells non-fiction,; specifically cookery, costume and non-fiction books based on the domestic areas of the Medieval period and Renaissance periods, and is most certainly legitimate (and nice people too!).

They also sell fantasy books with worlds based on these periods, and are vendors at many SCA events and cons.

[priceless1]

Does anyone have any experience with Poisoned Pen Press (http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/)? I'd welcome any feedback.Thanks,Kristen
If you're talking Robert Rosenwald, then, yes, he's a great guy. We've gotten together a couple times out in his hometown of Phoenix. He has a terrific reputation and wonderful distribution to the libraries and indie bookstores. He's garnering some great NY Times reviews, and is regularly reviewed by all the big names. Wholly legit.

[NeuroFizz]

They (Poisoned Pen Press) looked at a full manuscript of mine some time ago. It was a little off from what they usually publish, but they took a look nonetheless. Ultimately, it wasn't what they were looking for. But, here's the good part. I asked if they ever give feedback, and I got critical summaries from their two readers. I don't know if they routinely do this--I just asked. It was very kind, and very helpful. On the basis of that, I give them my appreciation and respect.

[AmyBA]

I've read manuscripts for them, and from my experience, they've been nothing less than professional, courteous, and a pleasure to work with.

[bfloxword]

I recently read one of the books they published, Fitzgerald's Ruse, and realized that if that book was a 'mystery', then mine was too. So, I sat out to send them an inquiry.

Their web page clearly states they generally do not consider books by authors who have previously been published. I liked that, even though it might have been the opposite of what they intended to say.

Then, I clicked on the link (submissions@poisonedpenpress.com) for sending them an email inquiry, one that actually goes to 'editor@poisonedpenpress.com'. I gave them the bare bones information they wanted and promptly got a reply that I had sent my inquiry to the wrong email, since the one I sent it too can not be used for replies. ???? So, I tried again, changing the addressee to 'submissions@poisonedpress.com' after pulling up the newmail form.

Does anyone know if I have fouled things up?

P.

[CaoPaux]

The mistake wasn't yours. Be sure let them know their sub link misdirects (although one would think they'd wonder why all the subs come to the wrong address...).

[rrosenwald]

I just discovered that there is an error as of 12/9/2009 on our website which we will get fixed shortly. Queries do need to be sent to submissions@poisonedpenpress.com and not to editor@poisonedpenpress.com. The current mailto link for submissions@poisonedpenpress.com is bad. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.

[happywritermom]

I love that book store! We lived in the Phoenix area for nearly five years. I have friends who go there every year just to visit the Poison Pen Book store. They are a very reputable publisher. I spoke with Barbara a few years ago and she asked me to send my manuscript. She ultimately determined that it wasn't really mystery (It's not. It's more like courtroom drama.), but she was so pleasant and encouraging. I hope it works out for you. They really care about their authors.

[bfloxword]

Happy to say that they apologized for the misleading link and answered my question about the statement that they don't solicit manuscripts from previously published authors. They do not, in fact, want new submissions from outside their stable of published authors IF YOU ARE ALREADY PUBLISHED. They do, however, feel they need to refresh their catalog by finding new talent, thus, do not ask for submissions if you are already aligned with some other house.

So, happy to say, they asked for my full manuscript and promised to get back to me in a month, or so. Since I was anxious not to screw this up, I spent many hours microediting again. Yes, I found even more glitches and formatting errors.

Everything I have read here on Absolute Write tells me they are an excellent small publisher. I'll follow up when I get a reply. Wouldn't it be nice? But, I won't expect miracles.

[bfloxword]

not a good fit. Fair enough, it wasn't. Too much local history, not enough mystery. Too much character development, not enough mystery.

Great publisher, very polite, better luck next time.

[c2ckim]

I went to Poisened Pen Press but can't click on submissions, does anyone know what's going on with that? I would like to see what they want and don't want and how long the books should be.
Thanks

[CaoPaux]

Works fine for me: http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines

[c2ckim]

Thanks CaoPaux !

[Traven]

Great, the one day I want to look at their examples of excellent synopses, the link to said synopses no longer works! So, I was going to contact them, but the "contact form" they tell you to use...well, there's no working link to that, either!

Grrr. :(

[CaoPaux]

Great, the one day I want to look at their examples of excellent synopses, the link to said synopses no longer works! So, I was going to contact them, but the "contact form" they tell you to use...well, there's no working link to that, either!

Grrr. :(You're in luck -- Google cache still has the synopses: Silver Lies (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:nsjCUFb_9jUJ:www.poisonedpenpress.com/submission-guidelines/examples-of-excellent-synopses/silver-lies-syn.pdf+site:poisonedpenpress.com&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESiy8AVkBmNpVzXA0IDxJgOAAg28k8sM90Th7UCg zb43dheiCIQlhNwVkNobgb2ZB89_hPAm9BHLT_s5bQBAKO9m9R lj8VtnFnnBVoyWtT_Ik-ZiijD3dyHRV2ikNdsueLWCgx9U&sig=AHIEtbRd_3azfvGjRzLLEET5EVlK7pFHqA) and Relative Danger (http://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=cache:f9zuV3-RBJ0J:www.poisonedpenpress.com/submission-guidelines/examples-of-excellent-synopses/relative-danger-syn.pdf+site:poisonedpenpress.com&hl=en&gl=us&pid=bl&srcid=ADGEESj0Vf0FpK7UkiEXMAQEuM13cH-6rn50ROthjDL3MlZh-DnB9elDsifKw8gqQJCDjdFUD9bE4nKV3IEoptThmvkTtxbZrWm NeLv-RHBTyqHwMObSEtZblcVAXav25bvn5bfEFLJ4&sig=AHIEtbRZgGoCKpyPF9ZzGW1b_X-TOdKV5A)

[Traven]

Thanks! I have no idea how Google cache differs from Google, but am glad you do!

[Brenda Hill]

Happy to say that they apologized for the misleading link and answered my question about the statement that they don't solicit manuscripts from previously published authors. They do not, in fact, want new submissions from outside their stable of published authors IF YOU ARE ALREADY PUBLISHED. They do, however, feel they need to refresh their catalog by finding new talent, thus, do not ask for submissions if you are already aligned with some other house.

I'm not sure I understand. If I've had a couple of novels 'published' by another small online press, does that mean I cannot query PPP?

[c2ckim]

Does this mean because I've had several books published by Rogue I can't submit something to PPP?

[Brenda Hill]

Okay, I reread their guidelines. While they MAY consider writers who've been previously published, they DO NOT consider those who've been self-published or who've had their work available through POD publishing:

# We do not consider self-published or Print On Demand writers.
# We seldom consider writers who have previously been published in print and/or as e-books.

http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines

[PortableHal]

While researching mystery publishers, I came across this note from Poisoned Pen Press (http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines): We do not consider self-published or Print On Demand writers.

I'm not reading this as "We won't consider self-published manuscripts" but, rather, as "If you've self-published anything, don't bother submitting to us. Ever." Do you read it the same way?

[MartinD]

While researching mystery publishers, I came across this note from Poisoned Pen Press (http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines): We do not consider self-published or Print On Demand writers.

I'm not reading this as "We won't consider self-published manuscripts" but, rather, as "If you've self-published anything, don't bother submitting to us. Ever." Do you read it the same way?

That's how I read it, too. Their submission guidelines state they don't want to read manuscripts from self-published writers, e-published writers, POD writers and so on.

On the other hand, they seem open to new unpublished-anywhere authors and they have a good rep.

[MumblingSage]

Okay, I reread their guidelines. While they MAY consider writers who've been previously published, they DO NOT consider those who've been self-published or who've had their work available through POD publishing:

# We do not consider self-published or Print On Demand writers.
# We seldom consider writers who have previously been published in print and/or as e-books.

http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines

Peculiar business. At the library where I used to work I found two books by one author: one was from Publish America, the second (and more recently published one) was from Poisoned Pen. An exception to this rule? Or was she accepted on before this clause was added? Either way, I'm happy for her.

[Donna Pudick]

They can give very good critiques if they are so inclined. They want exclusives, though, which may put off some really good authors.

[teacherwriterkl]

Hi all. Thanks to everyone who contributes. These postings are very informative and have helped me a lot.

I have a question for anyone who has published with Poisoned Pen Press ... what has your experience been from the moment you signed your contract, on through the publishing process, and beyond to marketing and selling your book(s)? Positives, negatives, I'd love to hear more.

I have a manuscript with them right now that advanced to the second and last stage of review. So, I need to be patient and wait for several more weeks to find out if it's thumbs up or down. In the meantime, I would like to learn more about what others may have to say. Thanks again. Glad to be included :-)

[Estes Collier]

I am thinking about submitting to Poisoned Pen Press; what, exactly, do you mean by the "second and last stage of review"? Can't help you with your original question, but just curious. I assume your book with them is a mystery?

Many thanks. Estes

[jeseymour]

Closed to submissions until May 10, 2011

[teacherwriterkl]

Estes, I just heard from Poisoned Pen Press. They are a bit backlogged and won't be opened to new submissions until June 1st. The final stage of review is where they have readers go through the manuscript and then it's passed on to the editor. The first stage is where it has to be approved by the acquisition's editor. If that happens, it goes on to the final stage. This process may take anywhere from 1 to 2 months, which as many in this business know is not really that long of a wait! As it is, I have another couple of weeks, they tell me ... trying to keep my patience in check :-)

[Traven]

The website still says closed to submissions but also says open to submissions as of June 1, so I chose to believe the latter and submitted!

[Estes Collier]

Teacherwriterkl: I did submit to them and they've had my manuscript for several weeks. They wrote to tell me that I'd hear something from an editor in 6-10 weeks. If I don't hear back by the end of June, I will write and ask for a status report. Good luck to you with your book. Maybe we'll both get lucky here. Estes

[Gravity]

From their submissions page, this struck me as odd:

We seldom consider writers who have been previously published in the mystery genre.

Anyone have thoughts as to why?

[Traven]

From their submissions page, this struck me as odd:

We seldom consider writers who have been previously published in the mystery genre.

Anyone have thoughts as to why?

I think it's their business model. Low costs (maximum advance = $1,000), emphasis on library market (= low returns from bookstores), so they can make a profit on low numbers of sales. Presumably they'd rather not gt involved in higher-stakes advances, shipments to bookstores, etc.

But what do I know?

They are open to submissions again, however, that I know.

[Estes Collier]

It will be another month at least before I hear back from PP Press--they wrote to let me know they are running very far behind. Just FYI to anyone interested. Hurry up and wait!

[ambermg]

I just got a request for a full with them. Now I'm trying to figure out what I should do. I have a query out with another publishing company and it consisted of the query letter, synopsis and first three chapters. PPP is asking for an exclusive. Clearly I can't send PPP my ms until I hear back from the other company but they are a "no response is their response" type of company and it was an unsolicited query so I may never hear back....ugh....Any advice on how I should handle this?

[MaryMumsy]

I just got a request for a full with them. Now I'm trying to figure out what I should do. I have a query out with another publishing company and it consisted of the query letter, synopsis and first three chapters. PPP is asking for an exclusive. Clearly I can't send PPP my ms until I hear back from the other company but they are a "no response is their response" type of company and it was an unsolicited query so I may never hear back....ugh....Any advice on how I should handle this?

Since this was a cold query I think you can go ahead and give PPP their exclusive (verify for how long the exclusive is). As you said, you may never hear from the other pub.

MM

[ambermg]

Thank you, Mary. That's sort of what I thought. :)

[priceless1]

Wow. They wanted an exclusive? I know a few agents do this, but I hadn't heard of editors doing this. As much as I may wish that I could, I'd never ask an author to grant me the luxury of hogging their work, thus granting me unhurried time to read their work.

[Lucky Lucy]

I have a submission in to Poisoned Pen. It is in the second phase where they're reading the full ms and synopsis. I received notice a while that they are backlogged and it will be several months before I hear back from an editor. But this all is okay, I'm almost done my next book!

[Donnettetxgirl]

I got an exclusive request from them for my full just today. Last week I signed a contract with another publisher. I think I'll do just fine with the other publisher, but I'd like to keep the door open with PPP for future queries. I'm trying to decide how best to approach this. Should I send them an email back, letting them know of the contract with the other publisher, but that I would love to query them in the future with other stories? This is my concern, they do ask for exclusive submissions, but a query letter really wouldn't be considered exclusive, would it? So, would it rub them the wrong way if they knew I'd submitted queries elsewhere after submitting one to them? I would think their expectation of an exclusive would come in to play once they've asked to see the full.

I'm probably overthinking this, & should just send them an email. I imagine no response to a request for a full would be the thing that would set them off more than a response letting them know what's going on.

Donnette Smith
www.donnettesmith.com (http://www.donnettesmith.com)

[priceless1]

Just send them an email explaining that you've been offered a contract, but that you'd love to query them later. However, I seem to remember they had a stipulation where only unpublished authors need apply.

A query letter isn't an exclusive. Once someone asks to read the full manuscript, PPP wants the exclusive at that point.

How do they know you submitted to someone else after them? For all they know, you submitted to your publisher before querying PPP. Don't overthink it, you'll lose brain cells. And congrats to you!

[Donnettetxgirl]

Thanks for the advice, Priceless1. I did go ahead & send that email.

As for their stipulation about only taking unpublished authors, my query to them stated I am previously published. Before quiering them, I debated on leaving that part out after reading their stipulations, but I decided that I might as well be honest. If a publisher wants to find out more about an author they're interested in, all they have to do is google.

I think even though they state that only unpublished authors need apply, if they recieve a query they're interested in, it doesn't so much matter if the author is previously published.

I could be wrong about that, but they knew this about me before asking to see the full.

They did ask for exclusivity on the full. And they explained that because of the large increase of submissions, and key players in their process either being out of town, or ill, they couldn't tell me when my ms would be through their process. They did say that if I wanted to submit to other places before submitting to them they'd understand.

If that gives you any kind of indication of how long the wait will be. It's really hard for an author to give exclusivity without having any idea how long they're expected to do so. That's one thing that would have put me off.

Donnette Smith
www.donnettesmith.com (http://www.donnettesmith.com/)

[priceless1]

Bob Rosenwald is a good guy, but I'm not a fan of exclusives because it skews the playing field in their favor while unfairly tying authors' hands for no other reason other than granting them time to read the manuscript without worrying another publisher will beat them to the punch.

[happywritermom]

Anyone else waiting? My novel has been in the reader stage for only a few weeks, but I'm curious as to how long this stage has taken for others.

[happywritermom]

Anyone?

[wonderactivist]

Happywriter, I think it's a good sign. Jessica Tribble requested my full with synopsis a few months ago, but rejected super fast. They look at the synopsis first and mine at that stage was still awful.

Lucie

[happywritermom]

I'm sorry to hear that Wonderactivist, but thanks for letting me know. This is so hard! The editors are also in the midst of judging a contest with results promised at the and of May, so I'm taking that into consideration.

I hope your new synopsis opens more doors!

[TNTales]

They have open submissions and I've read at least one of their books (Drive which was recently made into a movie) and I was wondering if they were legit and if anyone had experience with them.

http://poisonedpenpress.submishmash.com/submit

[wonderactivist]

TNT, they're a top-notch indie press.

Thanks, happywriter. I have had much better responses since fixing my query and synopsis. Once I finally got folks to read the book, I got a solid offer plus an awesome possibility. Kudos to QLH for help on that. Goodluck with PPP.

[happywritermom]

That's great news Wonderactivist!
I got word later yesterday that my novel has gone through the reader stage and is now on the acquisition editor's desk. So any crossing of fingers and toes would be greatly appreciated.
TNTales, Poison Pen Press is well-established and very reputable. Go for it!