Champagne Book Group

Bookstores will not all tend to order a specific small press book. So it can be available, but only stocked by a few.

Bea@WritersWall said:

AstonWest, I'm curious as to why you think distribution was not even across the board. Do you suppose writers with their second or third book are getting better distribution because they're proven? Or is there another reason?

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Like I said, it may just be a matter of some local bookstore managers being more willing to order direct from the publisher than others. I do not know what other authors have experienced, only myself. It may in fact be that all books have the same distribution setup. I have sampled a few books via B&N and Borders online, and mine does not show up as available to order while others appear to be. In store, I have been told that it does not show up in their ordering computers (and the managers I speak with tell me they must be listed before scheduling signings and such). I have not asked about other author's books to see if they can be ordered.

Like I mentioned, I've enjoyed my experience with Champagne for Heroes Die Young. The ability to order in stores would have improved my experience, but has not deterred me from promoting it online. I'm certain that I've sold far more e-books than print copies (based on various indicators), and look forward to my first royalty statement. Heroes Die Young was listed at the top of the Champagne best-selling list (on their main site) for at least a month or two, and I believe dropped to #2 after that for another month, so it should be fun to see what that translates into as far as sales go.

Bea@WritersWall said:

Chumplet, congrats on the weeks at 1.

Is there a reason you don't know what your sales totals are? When did your book come out? Have you not received royalty statements at all since release?

Thanks!

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Champagne sends out royalty statements twice a year, and my book was released July 1 in e-format. I should find out within a couple of weeks whether the sales were up to my expectations.

Hi folks! After lurking for awhile, I decided to plunge in, and this thread about my publisher seems the best place.

I have been with Champagne Books for two years, give or take. I have published two books through them so far, and received royalties. The books are "Blade Dancer" (up for an EPPIE) and "Waiting Weapon" - both are Science Fiction.

CB's handling of authors, from my perspective, is excellent. The contract is reasonable, with 30% royalties and such. I have some say in my book covers - which are nicely rendered. I have books in both e-book and trade - although the primary venue for both is online. Book stores do not carry this publisher.

I have met Ellen personally. Very independent woman and straight forward. Good sense of humor (she needs it with me).

If I was to gripe, it would be that she primarily runs a Romance outfit, so all of her reviewers and contacts promotion-wise will be in that area. Sort of tough for a science fiction writer, but I was selected to help her break out into that genre so I knew what I was getting into. Still, after two years, she still has not been able to find a good SF review site, but it is not through a lack of both of us trying. She is, after all, an e-book Indie, and much of the market is aimed at the New York traditional publishing industry.

I would recommend her to any new author, but with the caution to have reduced expectations in so far as sales and royalties. Such is the lot of an Indie. CB is distributed through Fictionwise, Amazon, and other venues. They are currently sampling the audio market.

Kerry

Champagne books

Has anyone ever worked with these guys? Are they legit?

http://www.champagnebooks.com/

A mod will come along and merge the thread for you. In the meantime, info here in existing thread: <snip>

thanks for that. i ran a search for it but nothing came up. D'oh

I found if you want to run searches on AW, go to bottom of page, type in name on the search link, but click the www.absolutewrite.com button instead of the google button.

Nick Anthony

Thanks for that Nick

Hi, Jennifer try Wild rose press, or Desert Breeze Publishing. Do not do whiskey creek, because they are on the P@E list, and writer beware list. P@E highly recommends WRP.

Found this out today while making sure that they are ok.

I didnt see anything about Champagne books on P@E. You need to look there.

im really hoping the people complaining were not first time authors.

anyway, im wondering. cb asked for my whole manuscript saying they read my submission with interest. according to their website, i should be expecting a response very soon but im wondering: if they dont accept it after all, will they tell me why? or give me any tips or anything? if they do, im in a win/win situation. if they accept, then whoo hoo! if they dont, someone would finally tell me something HELPFUL haha!

thanks

authorilinca said:

im really hoping the people complaining were not first time authors.

anyway, im wondering. cb asked for my whole manuscript saying they read my submission with interest. according to their website, i should be expecting a response very soon but im wondering: if they dont accept it after all, will they tell me why? or give me any tips or anything? if they do, im in a win/win situation. if they accept, then whoo hoo! if they dont, someone would finally tell me something HELPFUL haha!

thanks

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A publisher or agent who rejects a manuscript is under no obligation to provide any further information beyond "no thanks". It's rare when somebody gets something extensive, however, but I wouldn't count on it. If you have something you'd like critiqued, take a look at the Share Your Work sections here and post an excerpt.

Champagne has had my manuscript since mid Dec and if I remember right, their web site said 4-6 months. I know Ellen told me I would have a decision in the spring...

oh! i sent mine in on dec 14 and last i saw the website said 3 months but if she told you different i'll believe you. I didn't ask or anything. Just waiting. I'm a wuss at confronting anyone when it comes to my work haha! good thing i asked here thx!

hey all, i'm wondering if anyone got a recent response from CB on their submission?

Nope...no response. I assume it did not fit Ellen's needs and have moved on. I got no complaint...

cb just offered me a contract beyond excited

Congrats...

From the authors I know who have pubbed with them they have no complaints. Champaign also gets reviews of books doing well...

Best of luck...

thank you

anyone have any updates on this publisher?

Last I heard from one of the authors, they were once again open for submissions...

Well, I don't know if it was discussed, but they moved to quarterly royalties instead of six months (when I first signed).

My book is coming up on two years and it's been doing okay by e-pub standards. I'm afraid I don't visit the loops as much as some of the more successful e-pubbed authors, so the modest sales are mostly due to my blogging & Twitter contacts.

I'm still pleased with their fair treatment, open communication and hard work promoting their products.

Interview of Champagne Book Group

Hi!

If you are interested in Champagne Book Group, there's an interview at http://www.SeeJanePublish.wordpress.com.

I just got a book accepted there for publication in October and I'm thrilled!