Flame Books, Ltd.

These folks?

http://www.flamebooks.com/

Things that drew my eye:

20 year contracts.
No mention of advances.
Seeking new authors.
Won't work with agents.
Royalties on "retail sales."

I spot checked a few of their works on Amazon. They don't seem to have sold any books. In fact, several of their "authors" don't have any books out by Flame Books but have a lot out by different publishers I've never heard of.

Ah, I get it. They're not on Amazon! They have an ISBN but somehow none of the ones I checked are listed at Amazon. That's very odd.

Did you check Amazon.co.uk?

Hi,
Flame are showing some interest in one of my books so I'm following this with interest.

In the meantime I've done a but of sniffing about and both book stores in my town have Flame on their publishers database as valid and say they'd be happy to order books from them. Amazon.co.uk do have some Flame books online and so do Waterstones.

I'm also awaiting a reply from the UK Booksellers Association, hoping they can tell me more.

Hope this helps someone.

Sarah

James D. Macdonald said:

Did you check Amazon.co.uk?

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Doh! The prices in pounds should have given that away.

What's bottom ranking for Amazon UK? I'm sure their ranking system differs from regular Amazon.

Whoa. 20-year contracts? That doesn't strike me as desirable--especially since I wouldn't take bets on the company being in business that long. No aspersions on this company in particular--but there's a high attrition rate among new small publishers.

Sarah, being able to order books through the stores doesn't mean very much--even PublishAmerica books can be special-ordered. It'd say a lot more if the stores actually had the books on their shelves.

One of their books, an anthology called The Book of Voices, has contributions by three writers whose names I recognize, two of them quite well known in fantasy/SF.

- Victoria

My advice is always to aim high.

Books on the shelf are very different from books-available-for-order.

This publisher has a scant handful of books out over the past three years. They may suit your purposes, but be very sure of what your purposes are.

victoriastrauss said:

Sarah, being able to order books through the stores doesn't mean very much--even PublishAmerica books can be special-ordered. It'd say a lot more if the stores actually had the books on their shelves.
- Victoria

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Damn, I'm just going to have to go back to the shop and look now aren't I?

"Short run" means that they only print a few. A twenty-year contract means you should look for another publisher.

I have gotten some second hand info on them. A friend of a friend was published by them. They discontinued his book due to finacial problems. Also they have no overseas distrubution so your book will only be in England.

Oh and also they did pay the author in question a $5000 advance. So apprently they at least were doing that.

I've heard nothing from them yet but when I asked about the contract they said they'd pass the enquiry to the legal team - I haven't heard back on that one either.

They do say they are not a vanity publisher and will not ask for any money. But the short run vs 20 yr contract does seem contradictory. I'm hesitant to slam them as they have been friendly and helpful so far - but I am waiting to see what happens next with a more wary eye.

The_Grand_Duchess said:

I have gotten some second hand info on them. A friend of a friend was published by them. They discontinued his book due to finacial problems. Also they have no overseas distrubution so your book will only be in England.

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Their books are available through Amazon - that opens the distribution.

Sarmorrow said:

Their books are available through Amazon - that opens the distribution.

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I meant bookstores. I should have been more specific. And also remember that the book is only availiable on Amazon.co.uk. I know that seems nitpicky but it would make a diffrence to me.

Sarmorrow said:

Their books are available through Amazon - that opens the distribution.

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Amazon is not distribution. Anyone can get their book on Amazon. Remember, only around 10% of books are bought online.

- Victoria