Haray, I'll jump into your court.
Hi, all. I just joined the site and have enjoyed what I've read so far. You all seem like a class act. I'll try not to drop the property values.
I, too, have a work coming out with Tate. I'm also, at this point, a casual writer, so I understand and appreciate both what Haray has written and what CathyC mentioned above regarding career writing. Tate has been very good to me; however, to be perfectly honest, as a new author I have no experience with any other publishing houses. I've personally been to their offices, as well as spent time on the phone and in both e-mail and snail mail exchanges with them. They've always been up front with me and I understood going in that this would be a partnering effort from square one. Therefore I had no problem investing some money along with my interest in the success of the publication and marketing of my book. Perhaps I'm naive (that's not the worst of my traits...) and you folks with more experience undoubtedly have a leg up on this (absolutely no sarcasm in that last comment, BTW). I also did some research prior to contacting Tate, though, and seriously doubt I would have a book ready for release this fall--or maybe ever--if not for their business approach in receiving new authors. I may flop, or I may be on the first step toward a very rewarding avocation, I don't know. But I do appreciate the chance they've given me and will reserve judgment until all the votes are in on my first book.
Thanks for listening...er, reading. Good to meet all of you. Best of everything in your writing--career, casual or otherwise. bcj