from the horse's mouth
Good Day to you all. This thread was brought to my attention by some of my beloved authors. I always find it interesting to discover what buzz is out there, and this particular conversation begged for inclusion.
Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the previously-mentioned LaurieAnne, though most people shorten that to LA.
AIB does not charge fees. Charging fees would make me a vanity publisher. There is enough competition out there already that my authors don't need yet one more hurdle to clear. AIB is not necessarily a traditional publisher in that I do use print on demand technology due to the information listed on my About AIB page. The future goal is to leave said technology behind, but until then, it comes in quite handy.
Popeyesays has very obviously not read anything published by AIB to draw the conclusion of PG-13 romance. That is not meant to put anyone down; that is simply stating the facts. Joyce Sterling Scarbrough's Different Roads and Elura Coren's Jaded are both a far cry from 13. I hem-hawed around about letting my nearly 18-year-old daughter read either of those titles.
It is true that I am not fond of horror. I've not read a horror submission as of yet that I feel I could sell. That is not to say that the writing is substandard (unless the author is told such in their reply letter); that is simply to say that if I don't feel I could stand in a room with strangers and convince them to purchase your book, I will not put the AIB logo on it or my integrity at risk to publish it.
The bookstore battle......not easily won, but not one to simply lay down your sword and allow yourself to be run through. On an average of 30 marketing calls, I may receive a single positive response, and even then, it may or may not net an order. However, I figure if I bother the place enough, they might just give. I can say with all honesty that AIB has not received a single return from any bookstore to date. For being in business just a hair over 4 years, I'd say that's pretty good (and very obviously a fluke because returns are a hazard of the industry).
Amazon rankings only calculate the sales through Amazon. Very few of AIB sales are through Amazon, in reality, so those rankings do not necessarily reflect the true popularity of a title. I can tell you that I don't have a single title whose average is nearly so low. They are not in the rankings to challenge big New York houses, but nor are they so low as to muddle in the sewage from the campground.
Now, to reflect on the nudist humor of our own Allen Parker. I don't know if he still has my original response to his email query or not, but I was ridiculously hesitant to even look at his manuscript. I asked for a sample to be included in the body of an email becuase the idea was...well...very different for me. Once I read the sample, though, I was laughing so hard the persons outside my office stared at me as if I'd lost what little was left of my mind.
As Allen and Gloria both answered earlier, AIB is pursuing the more popular reviewers. We are also pursuing contests. Also as Allen noted, the books have been reaching completion too close to release. This is something that we continue to fine tune so that we can start competing in the larger market easier. Allen, as well as seven other authors on the upcoming list, happened to end up scheduled during the same time as my family had a personal crisis. That pulled me away from company work while I dealt with one of the hardest times of my life.
Victoria is right to offer a word of warning. What would be the purpose of these sites if not to help you decide which would be your best avenue?
AIB is a start-up company. I do have nearly a decade of publishing experience, though not all in books. I incude a word of warning for every author to whom I offer a contract. I list the challenges they will face and am extremely up front regarding the size and ability of AIB to meet their expectations. I don't want someone to sign the contract expecting to be flown all over the country for grand venues of publicity when that will not happen.
I have noticed a trend in those authors who have accepted contracts from AIB, as well. Most, if not all--I haven't researched some of my more recent acquisitions yet--have previously signed with PA, WinterWolf or another such small publishing house. I cannot comment on anything regarding their experiences with WW, but I do understand that they are more willing to take a risk on such a small company because of the treatment they have received at the hands of some of my competition.
I and AIB are not out to make millions--though obviously, I wouldn't whine if I did. Nor are we out to compete with the likes of JK Rowling. Again, obviously, I would love to be able to do so, but I currently lack the ability to both market on such levels and to match the demands required for such an undertaking. My authors will also tell you--and I encourage direct honesty with all--that things move slowly at AIB.
To answer astonwest, dear, regarding who does the editing at AIB. At the present, I do the editing. I have contracted out to two separate individuals for assistance with certain projects where I feel they would be better suited to review particular aspects, but for the majority of all, LA runs the show.
Now, unfortunately, I've already lost an hour of my day while skipping back up through the posts here to make certain I have addressed the issues noted, and I truly must get back to work.
Blessings,
LA
