Also, I did a little stalking (aka checked your twitter) but didn't see who you signed with. I'm just curious. Living vicariously through other writers and all 
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Curiosity Quills Press
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Ha ha. I haven't officially announced yet, because all the paperwork isn't yet done. I will once that is turned in.
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Hi! I'm Michael Shean, and I was one of CQ's first published authors, if not their very first. I can't say much as to the text you're citing - I agree, it's not what I would say - but my experience has been very far from chilly. I've watched CQ grow since day one, and while I haven't always agreed with their process or the directions in which they've gone, the one thing that I believe CQ really does well is caring for their people. Your mileage may vary on everything else, of course. They seem to be really coming together now, at least for a small publisher at such a young phase in their career, and if it's just a perception of a lack of care that's keeping you from submitting I'd really suggest giving them a second look.
Thanks for all that info. That really helps. My publisher closed down so I'm looking around.
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Bonnie I would keep reading the thread. I think there's some merit to CQ and that some of those policies have changed since that time, now they've been in business over a year. "Net" doesn't mean after marketing, etc... it means that they will pay your royalty on whatever the vendor pays them instead of cover price. It's extremely common in small press.
I have seen their contract, and my agent has said it looks good. No, no advance, but much more comprehensive marketing than most small presses I've dealt with. We're still waiting on some other publishers before we decide.
I have seen their contract, and my agent has said it looks good. No, no advance, but much more comprehensive marketing than most small presses I've dealt with. We're still waiting on some other publishers before we decide.
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Net means what the contract specifies it to mean. Excluding vendor fee only is common but not universal
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Yes. Hopefully it means net income, but I've also seen contracts that defined it as net profit. You really need to scan the language carefully.
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Okay, point taken. I have to go and look at the contract they sent me again, but I don't remember it being anything odd or something I wouldn't agree to. I wouldn't agree to 'net being after marketing costs'.
*EDIT* -- double checked the contract they sent. Their net is normal net: "These royalty rates are subject to the actual net sales dollar amount paid to the Publisher received from bookstores, distributors, wholesalers, book-clubs, libraries, catalog marketers, direct sales and all other retail and distribution markets except as noted otherwise in this agreement." (meaning if you make some kind of addendum to the agreement)
Their royalty statement/payment schedule is monthly, by the way, much the way Samhain is set up.
*EDIT* -- double checked the contract they sent. Their net is normal net: "These royalty rates are subject to the actual net sales dollar amount paid to the Publisher received from bookstores, distributors, wholesalers, book-clubs, libraries, catalog marketers, direct sales and all other retail and distribution markets except as noted otherwise in this agreement." (meaning if you make some kind of addendum to the agreement)
Their royalty statement/payment schedule is monthly, by the way, much the way Samhain is set up.
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Well, sadly (and yet not entirely) my revise and resubmit was almost accepted but ultimately rejected (and by that I mean that the editor I was in contact with was convinced but those above were not). I feel honoured to have gotten so close on a first novel having no experience whatsoever. The editor gave me spectacular feedback in the rejection email and actually explained one of the flaws that I had overlooked. I agreed whole-heartedly and decided to tear the second half of my novel away and rewrite it, correcting the earlier mistake. Since I have literally rewritten the second half of the novel, can I resubmit it to CQ from the first step and call it a new submission? Thank you in advance for any advice.
CQ
For PitchMAS, I have received 2 separate partial requests from different reps of CQ. I have responded to neither. My logic: The only books they can get on the shelves are either (1) short story anthologies which conveniently donate some proceeds to animal shelters (clever sales hook there!); or (2) print on demand books that the authors have convinced their local bookstore to sell.
From a friend who turned down their contract offer - they want 50% net profit of all sales and all rights (foreign, domestic, film and sequel).
Now, if they're really a "collective" of writers, shouldn't the profit sharing be spread around to all members? (I know, ridiculous thought.) Then they turn around and hire some of their writers as agents / employees. Seems like kind of a pyramid scheme.
For PitchMAS, I have received 2 separate partial requests from different reps of CQ. I have responded to neither. My logic: The only books they can get on the shelves are either (1) short story anthologies which conveniently donate some proceeds to animal shelters (clever sales hook there!); or (2) print on demand books that the authors have convinced their local bookstore to sell.
From a friend who turned down their contract offer - they want 50% net profit of all sales and all rights (foreign, domestic, film and sequel).
Now, if they're really a "collective" of writers, shouldn't the profit sharing be spread around to all members? (I know, ridiculous thought.) Then they turn around and hire some of their writers as agents / employees. Seems like kind of a pyramid scheme.
Well, there you go. It's a pity more new-to-publishing writers don't apply similar logic before they make rash decisions. Kudos to you.
Did your friend negotiate the contract and they insisted on things staying the same, or did she just read the initial offer and walk away? I don't know much about CQ but I know that they sign agented authors, and I can't see agents going along with those terms without negotiating. The way every author should negotiate contracts whether repped or not.
Their sales show up on Publishers Lunch, their ARCs are on Netgalley. It seems like they're pretty legit. And...profit sharing between all their signed writers seems like it would make them less legit, not moreso.
They didn't budge from what I understand on anything except the terms for the sequel and an exit clause. Their sales are almost entirely from e-books. I don't see the point of sharing profit on something we can all do ourselves.
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Unless you are going to pay for NetGalley as well as the other marketing (and I have a contract in hand to refer to, they have an extensive list of marketing venues), then you can't 'do it yourself'. You can put up an ebook, and you can hire a cover artist or "do it yourself" if you have the talent. Some of the things they do are pricey. They are also on the SCBWI PAL list of publishers. So they had to clear some kind of list of requirements.
My agent looked over the contract I was sent she gave it the thumbs up. In the end we got a better offer.
It's a collective in the sense of 'we all work together for the benefit of everyone's sales', NOT a 'we all profit share' sense. As far as I understand it.
I found them to be pleasant and open to work with. They were excited for my book, and I felt bad to decline after they waited so long for an answer. But it's a business and we took the better offer (TBA in the new year).
My agent looked over the contract I was sent she gave it the thumbs up. In the end we got a better offer.
It's a collective in the sense of 'we all work together for the benefit of everyone's sales', NOT a 'we all profit share' sense. As far as I understand it.
I found them to be pleasant and open to work with. They were excited for my book, and I felt bad to decline after they waited so long for an answer. But it's a business and we took the better offer (TBA in the new year).
Elspeth Hall
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I have a contact from them currently.
My agent is negotiating with them on some of the clauses right now, but she has also said it seems like a favorable contract.
I shared some of my doubts with her, but after we both approached the editor there she was able and willing to answer my questions in an honest and open way.
She also put me I touch with some of their other authors to talk to. I got three 'very happy' replies, and one 'a year ago when they were new there were some issues, but things are good now'.
The honesty of that reply made me feel much more confident!
The contract sets out very clearly what they will do to promote your book, including stuff they have to pay for as others have said (eg Netgalley), and is also very clear that they don't charge for any part of the publishing or marketing process.
As for distribution, I was assured that they didn't have the infrastructure there in the past, but that getting physical books into stores (and I specifically asked "is this just local stores at the author's request?") is something they are doing with increasing frequency, and are employing more staff to facilitate for the future.
I trust my agent and her agency which has a good rep, and although I'd hoped for (and got some interest from) big six, I'm happy to be throwing my lot in with CQ.
As soon as I have more feedback on working with them I'll be happy to share.
My agent is negotiating with them on some of the clauses right now, but she has also said it seems like a favorable contract.
I shared some of my doubts with her, but after we both approached the editor there she was able and willing to answer my questions in an honest and open way.
She also put me I touch with some of their other authors to talk to. I got three 'very happy' replies, and one 'a year ago when they were new there were some issues, but things are good now'.
The honesty of that reply made me feel much more confident!
The contract sets out very clearly what they will do to promote your book, including stuff they have to pay for as others have said (eg Netgalley), and is also very clear that they don't charge for any part of the publishing or marketing process.
As for distribution, I was assured that they didn't have the infrastructure there in the past, but that getting physical books into stores (and I specifically asked "is this just local stores at the author's request?") is something they are doing with increasing frequency, and are employing more staff to facilitate for the future.
I trust my agent and her agency which has a good rep, and although I'd hoped for (and got some interest from) big six, I'm happy to be throwing my lot in with CQ.
As soon as I have more feedback on working with them I'll be happy to share.
I'd actually love to hear more, when you have the chance and the info. It's too easy to get burned out on the same-old same-old subsidy shuffle, so I like hearing about publishers who are really delivering what they promise.
Good luck to you, and best wishes for the new year!
Good luck to you, and best wishes for the new year!
Fantasy_freak
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For those who subscribe to Publishers Marketplace, Curiosity Quills had a number of audio rights sales to Audible.com reported this week, all for "a very nice deal."
Staying tuned into this too. I really wish this company the best. They look good on my end....but ya never know. The audio deals sound wonderful tho.
requested full
After hearing from them last October via a pitch contest on twitter, just today they finally asked for my full after reading my opening chapters.
After hearing from them last October via a pitch contest on twitter, just today they finally asked for my full after reading my opening chapters.
I decided since I've been hearing great things, to submit too then. I subbed late Dec. I got a response about a month later saying they have received it and will get to it soon, which I thought was really nice.
They said between 4 to 12 weeks. So that could take up till the middle of April then.
Good luck on your full, Stan. There's an AWer here that just signed with them recently. They look like a great place to work with.
They said between 4 to 12 weeks. So that could take up till the middle of April then.
Good luck on your full, Stan. There's an AWer here that just signed with them recently. They look like a great place to work with.
Elspeth Hall
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Well I said I would update if things moved forwards, so here it is-
My agent sent them the revisions we wanted on the contract, and they were very accommodating and professional. After some back and forth they made most of the concessions we wanted.
I was happy to sign with them and they've been great with communication and offering help so far.
They have a great style guide and a lot of freedom as far as input on the cover goes. I know the cover isn't a deal breaker, but for someone who has worked as an illustrator for years it's nice to see care being taken.
The timeline for the editing and marketing process has been clearly laid out, and I'm officially feeling excited to move ahead with them.
My agent sent them the revisions we wanted on the contract, and they were very accommodating and professional. After some back and forth they made most of the concessions we wanted.
I was happy to sign with them and they've been great with communication and offering help so far.
They have a great style guide and a lot of freedom as far as input on the cover goes. I know the cover isn't a deal breaker, but for someone who has worked as an illustrator for years it's nice to see care being taken.
The timeline for the editing and marketing process has been clearly laid out, and I'm officially feeling excited to move ahead with them.
My latest is that the person who read the book will be pitching it to her boss this week. She liked it. Fingers crossed.
I queried (letter and first three chapters) these guys last September and was told they'd get back to me in 4 to 8 weeks. 5 months later, I've been requested for a full. Though I am ecstatic, I must admit that I assumed that they had passed on my manuscript and I have since moved on to a different project entirely and am querying it right now.
Any advice on what I should do? I'm going to submit my manuscript to them for sure, but I feel out of touch with it since I've semi-given up on it. Should I submit and see what happens or should I attempt a quick read-through/edit? Does anyone have experience with these guys? Is this kind of wait time normal despite their 4 to 8 week claim? :/
Any advice is great
- Michael
EDIT: Also, through reading this thread, I'm seeing some dodgy things. Any new developments from any of the people who have been working with CQ?
Any advice on what I should do? I'm going to submit my manuscript to them for sure, but I feel out of touch with it since I've semi-given up on it. Should I submit and see what happens or should I attempt a quick read-through/edit? Does anyone have experience with these guys? Is this kind of wait time normal despite their 4 to 8 week claim? :/
Any advice is great
- Michael
EDIT: Also, through reading this thread, I'm seeing some dodgy things. Any new developments from any of the people who have been working with CQ?
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