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Ahhh, I see. Thanks for clarifying. And congrats on your deal! They seem like a wonderful company.
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Five Star Publishing / Five Star Mysteries
- Thread starter Maryn
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Five Star Contracts
Hi, All, I think it depends on when you signed or do sign with Five Star in the future. Last year, they instituted major changes. I'm under the old contract, which includes the hard book only. My book, THE SIGN OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN, comes out this December. I can do an ebook, paperback, whatever, on my own, but not for one year from December 2012.
"Flygal," I think you probably signed one of the newer contracts, which I haven't seen, since it doesn't affect me. My understanding is that with the new contracts, though, Five Star WILL be doing the ebooks. (I'm not sure about paperbacks.)
I'm one of the last signees of the former contracts. Anyway, that's why you haven't seen any Five Star ebooks yet--they are a thing of the future. Flygirl--will your ebook come out the very same time as your hb? Just curious. As I say, I haven't seen one of the new contracts. Hope this helps
Hi, All, I think it depends on when you signed or do sign with Five Star in the future. Last year, they instituted major changes. I'm under the old contract, which includes the hard book only. My book, THE SIGN OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN, comes out this December. I can do an ebook, paperback, whatever, on my own, but not for one year from December 2012.
"Flygal," I think you probably signed one of the newer contracts, which I haven't seen, since it doesn't affect me. My understanding is that with the new contracts, though, Five Star WILL be doing the ebooks. (I'm not sure about paperbacks.)
I'm one of the last signees of the former contracts. Anyway, that's why you haven't seen any Five Star ebooks yet--they are a thing of the future. Flygirl--will your ebook come out the very same time as your hb? Just curious. As I say, I haven't seen one of the new contracts. Hope this helps
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Alana, it does look like there have been some big changes at Five Star. Like other publishers, they are evolving with the times, and maybe some of these provisions are in flux. I don't know yet what the publication schedule is for my book or if the ebook will be out at the same time as the hardcover, but I should have more news soon, and will post it here.
I'm very glad to be publishing with Five Star. They've been great!
I'm very glad to be publishing with Five Star. They've been great!
My novel, BRIGANDS KEY, was released last week by Five Star. 
Very happy with them through the whole process. Easy to work with.
Their primary market is still libraries, but I sense that they want to get into more bookstores.
My contract is with Tekno Books, which contracted with Five Star. As has been said, my contract is for hardcover only, for one year from the release. So I assume July, 2013, I can contract for ebooks or other formats.
Five Star is now releasing some older titles as ebooks. Any publisher serious about staying in business has to do that. It's simply the wave of the future. They (Gale Cengage) also have a large-print division called Thorndike.
Ken Pelham
Very happy with them through the whole process. Easy to work with. Their primary market is still libraries, but I sense that they want to get into more bookstores.
My contract is with Tekno Books, which contracted with Five Star. As has been said, my contract is for hardcover only, for one year from the release. So I assume July, 2013, I can contract for ebooks or other formats.
Five Star is now releasing some older titles as ebooks. Any publisher serious about staying in business has to do that. It's simply the wave of the future. They (Gale Cengage) also have a large-print division called Thorndike.
Ken Pelham
Hi, Ken, First, big congratulations! Good luck with Brigands Key! Sounds as if you, like me, signed one of the former contracts, which gives you the opportunity/responsibility of doing an ebook later down the line. Seems like a loooog line, perhaps, but it will be here before you know it.
Received my Five Star contract today and signed it. Yay!
Still agonizing over using real business names, even if I do get their permission. Maybe it would be easier to just fictionalize everything and be done with it. And not just businesses, but public places. I have a scene set on a ferry, a real ferry. It's a scary scene. The ferry company might not be happy about it.
Still agonizing over using real business names, even if I do get their permission. Maybe it would be easier to just fictionalize everything and be done with it. And not just businesses, but public places. I have a scene set on a ferry, a real ferry. It's a scary scene. The ferry company might not be happy about it.
Flygal, congratulations on the book contract!
As far as fictional places, products, and things, some things make more sense when you use the real name (LaGuardia Airport, for instance, rather than La Bamba Airport). Other things are just as easy when you fictionalize them. You'd probably be chewing a fingernail now if you'd used a certain fried chicken chain restaurant as a setting.
As far as fictional places, products, and things, some things make more sense when you use the real name (LaGuardia Airport, for instance, rather than La Bamba Airport). Other things are just as easy when you fictionalize them. You'd probably be chewing a fingernail now if you'd used a certain fried chicken chain restaurant as a setting.
Thank you, Ken! So sorry for the late response.
Legal and my editor have both told me to leave everything as is; if they had thought there'd be a problem, they would have asked me to change it. So, no need to worry.
I received my first round of edits yesterday from my new editor, and all the changes are very minor. I have two weeks now to send back my corrections or comments along with the various other documents they ask for: jacket copy, catalog copy, author bio, synopsis for cover illustrator, etc. The next step will be round two edits, from the copyeditor. I don't have any information yet on pub date.
Legal and my editor have both told me to leave everything as is; if they had thought there'd be a problem, they would have asked me to change it. So, no need to worry.
I received my first round of edits yesterday from my new editor, and all the changes are very minor. I have two weeks now to send back my corrections or comments along with the various other documents they ask for: jacket copy, catalog copy, author bio, synopsis for cover illustrator, etc. The next step will be round two edits, from the copyeditor. I don't have any information yet on pub date.
September 2013 is when the hardcover will come out. Yay!
I'm done with the first round of edits, and my editor has passed the ms on for copyediting, which I won't see for several months. I also submitted the other materials they'd asked for. Now, all I have to do is work on my next book while I wait for the copyedits to arrive.
How's everyone else doing? Al, I saw your great book cover on Five Star's Facebook page. (I think that's where I saw it.) Nice, strong, clever image!
I'm done with the first round of edits, and my editor has passed the ms on for copyediting, which I won't see for several months. I also submitted the other materials they'd asked for. Now, all I have to do is work on my next book while I wait for the copyedits to arrive.
How's everyone else doing? Al, I saw your great book cover on Five Star's Facebook page. (I think that's where I saw it.) Nice, strong, clever image!
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Thanks, Toby. They did a good job with the cover (leftmost one below). Several elements of the story are in that image; the artist captured it well.
Received an interesting R notice from Five-Star editor 'Deni'. Not only did she have the title wrong her grammar was questionable. Anyone else have the same experience?
Five Star Editor
No, not at all. Deni Dietz acquired my historical mystery novel, THE SIGN OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN, which is coming out December 2012. I have found working with her and all the other editors at Five Star a true pleasure. I do know she is one busy lady....all the best to you with future submissions.
No, not at all. Deni Dietz acquired my historical mystery novel, THE SIGN OF THE WEEPING VIRGIN, which is coming out December 2012. I have found working with her and all the other editors at Five Star a true pleasure. I do know she is one busy lady....all the best to you with future submissions.
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Sorry if someone has already mentioned this, but for those who write romance or women's fiction and were interested in Five Star -- I contacted an editor who let me know this:
We have discontinued the Expressions line as of January, 2012, and we are not able to accept any more submissions in the romance/women's fiction genres.
I thought she was very kind to respond back to me.
We have discontinued the Expressions line as of January, 2012, and we are not able to accept any more submissions in the romance/women's fiction genres.
I thought she was very kind to respond back to me.
i noticed that "the Big Kitty" a recent Berkeley Prime Crime release, was originally published by Five Star. is this a common practice forthem to teamwith a bigger house for paperbacks, does anyoneknow? It was also a BOM selection for the 'Mystery Guild"
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I received a carton of hardcover editions of Nursing Home Ninjas last week. Nicely produced. I am pleased with the packaging.
The latest announced release date is 3/18. Five Star sent a bunch of paperback ARCs a while back, and I sent some to reviewers. The rest are going into a Goodreads giveaway that just started and goes through this month.
The latest announced release date is 3/18. Five Star sent a bunch of paperback ARCs a while back, and I sent some to reviewers. The rest are going into a Goodreads giveaway that just started and goes through this month.
That's terrific, Al. Can you tell me when you first saw the book cover? Was that when the ARCs came?
My book with them, Death Over Easy, is due out in September. We've finished all edits and I'm just waiting. The libraries here plan their fall schedules six months in advance, and I was hoping to have a book cover by now to use for promotion.
My book with them, Death Over Easy, is due out in September. We've finished all edits and I'm just waiting. The libraries here plan their fall schedules six months in advance, and I was hoping to have a book cover by now to use for promotion.
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Book cover for Death Over Easy
It's here! And I love it: my cover for DEATH OVER EASY.
As soon as I figure out how to post a graphic, I'll show you.
It's here! And I love it: my cover for DEATH OVER EASY.
As soon as I figure out how to post a graphic, I'll show you.
Five Star is easy to work with
I submitted a full ms to Five Star in March. They bought it. Submitted another in May, they bought it. Another in August and I received an offer last week. Five Star is alive and well.
Their acquisition, evaluation, developmental and copy editors are outstanding. Their covers are absolutely first class is they are all as stunning as the first one for BUELL that's due out in June. Search Amazon for Wallace J. Swenson if you want to see the cover. It's worth the peek. Pre-order it while you're there.
I submitted a full ms to Five Star in March. They bought it. Submitted another in May, they bought it. Another in August and I received an offer last week. Five Star is alive and well.
Their acquisition, evaluation, developmental and copy editors are outstanding. Their covers are absolutely first class is they are all as stunning as the first one for BUELL that's due out in June. Search Amazon for Wallace J. Swenson if you want to see the cover. It's worth the peek. Pre-order it while you're there.
Five Star recently bought my novel HOLLOW CRIB, and the entire process was a dream! Everyone with whom I've worked has been professional and knowledgeable. I'm honored to be among their stable of authors and I can't wait to see what they will do with the cover!!!
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