A snippet about the publisher's experience:
As for myself, on the arts side I received my BA in English and History, and on the business side I did my graduate studies in the Master of Publishing program at Simon Fraser University. This along with my experience in production, marketing, design and editorial gave me drive to jumpstart Engage Books.
This was just one of the reasons I decided to go with Alexis of Engage. (I'll list several). He gave it some thought and gained some knowledge into the industry before he created his venture. In other words, he wasn't just another frustrated writer looking to publish his own tome, like half of the PODs I see out there. In fact, I don't think he writes his own books. Did he have hands-on experience with a large commercial publisher. No, I don't think so. I think he did the next best thing, though--the publishing program. That's a green flag for me
He gave me a very long, detailed structural edit before we even talked about a contract. It was DETAILED--he knew the story--he knew characters, motivation, conflict, arcs, and overall plot. He even asked me to PG-13 the manuscript in certain spots because he wanted it to appeal to a younger crowd as well. Hell, my agent didn't even do this.
In our line, he specializes is SF only. That's me all the way. No other genres--that's his love--it's my life. It was this particular book for Engage, which was the right fit for me. Green light for that.
I had two previous contract offers for this book. I didn't like the conditions/clauses--they stunk. I gave him those examples and told him that I wouldn't stand for anything approaching these conditions. He wrote back saying he would beat thoses deals, and he guaranteed it in writing. I got a promise of high cover price roylaties--with no hidden deductions, a whopping amount of contributor copies, and several other vast improvements (this is pre-contract). The other publishers were not willing to budge one iota on anything. And man, would I love telling you who those crooks were!
Alexis wears out his shoe leather dragging his books to every conference, convention, event, and writing group he can squeeze into his schedule. He's kind of like a young energizer bunny--everything that I'm not. So if he's bustin' keester marketing, that's a little load off my shoulders.
My editor will be a SF author/editor that is competenlty familiar with the genre.
I was not asked for a marketing plan or a friend's list. You would be surprised at how many times I have, and by whom in the past!
Not an author mill. A few select titles to start. I abhor vanity/mills, and that's what I'm seeing out there after 240 publisher submissions in the past four years.
E-book and print simultaneously. (this is becoming pretty much standard anyway).
Now, I think, I'm not too sure about this, but I believe that his classic line came out first with the intention of garnering some kind of legit distribution. I know he's working on that. I believe if he succeeds that the author line might ride piggyback on it. I was never too sure of why he started reprinting classics in the first place. No doublt I'll find out. I do know that he wants his artist to do custom covers for everything--and he's not too shabby--another green flag.
In conclusion, I can only say that every POD publisher out there is pretty damn limited in what they can offer. You can just about lump them all in a big pot--that big pot that says no advance, no distribution, no bookstore placement. It can only be said that you might find a better POD publisher for your work than some other fly-by-night. I'm not saying Engage is for everyone, but for my purposes, they smoked the competition. I realize they're new, but that means I'll be a lead-off title with a little extra push--that's the way I see it anyway. Hell, if it goes bust, I'll be right back her ranting up a storm. I promise.
It can almost be said that POD publishing is a last stop before vanity/mill or self-publication. Dawg knows it's not the commericial gem that the larger houses represent. There are some winners out there that have gone on to reap high acclaim. Will Engage suffer the slings and arrows? I don't know. But I'm willing to cruise along for the ride. For this one.
The important thing is to comparison-shop for something that fits your tastes, temperment and talent. Don't be afraid to TELL them want YOU want, and what your expectations are. This publisher listened to me, worked with me, and knew the difference between what was fair or unfair to an author in a contract.
I'll pop in from time to time to relay the process. If something goes askew, I'll be the first to announce it here with as much honesty as I can.
Thanks for listening.
Tri
