Poisoned Pen Press / The Poisoned Pencil

RejectME · Jun 21, 2004

Hi Folks,

Has anyone out there ever worked with Poisoned Pen, or have knowledge of their editorial process.

Being fairly knew to the 'game', I'm somewhat aware of the agent-publisher relationship and the rejection vs. acceptance processes with the big houses, but as I've decided to seek a small independent house for my first mystery novel, I thought that PPP was a good choice.

After querying, I was asked to send a 30-page sample, which got reviewed and then sent on to a couple readers. I then was informed that the readers found enough promise in the project to have me send them the full mss. to be sent to a couple more readers. Apparently if all of these readers are favorable toward the mss. it goes to four others, and then possibly to the executive editor.

Is this a fairly common practice? I have had a wonderful experience with PPP thus far and was even pleased with some of the harsh criticism I got, as I know it will just make my work better. Do other houses work in this manner, and if there is someone who has experience or knows about PPP, do you know how many full mss. they actually review?

I'm just curious and would love to hear from anyone's insight.

Thanks, :hat

Jay

Gala · Jun 21, 2004

Poisoned Pen

Are you speaking of the publisher, and also bookstore of the same name in Scottsdale, AZ?

<a href="http://www.poisonedpen.com/" target="_new">Poisoned Pen</a>

I visited that store for a Lawrence Block signing; they get big names in the genre such as Michael Connelly, James Lee Burke, and David Morrell.

I can tell you the store and their author reading/signing/workshop relationship has a good reputation. I've heard nothing negative about the Press--which is significant considering that some authors I (used to) interact with like to slam everything.

PP has a newsletter you can subscribe to which will give you an outsider view of their mentality...they review books from their press therein.

Please forgive if this is info is redundant; at least I can give you the benefit of my personally interacting with the store and newsletter. I had a brief conversation with the woman who ran or worked for the Press when I was there last year...I came away with the impression they consider themselves a "real" publisher.

Good luck.

RejectME · Jun 21, 2004

Huh?

I came away with the impression they consider themselves a "real" publisher.

Are you insinuating that they aren't a real publisher?

wwwatcher · Jun 22, 2004

Huh?

Quick Gala

Hand this person the addresses of your friends that cut up every publisher and run!!!!!!!!!!!!:ack

Dear Rejectyou
There is a thread for checking whether publishers and agents are reputable. I would suggest you post your question there to get more information.

Watcher

emeraldcite · Jun 22, 2004

Re: Huh?

i'm moving this on down to background check. it's spent enough time floating here in novels. good luck with your question, you may find some more info there.

NancyMehl · Jun 24, 2004

Poisoned Pen Press

I've been reviewing PPP titles for years. They are a small press, but IMO, one of the best around.

If they want your book - go for it!

Nancy

CaoPaux · Jul 15, 2005

Poisoned Pen Press

Still a good indie press. http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/

J. Y. Moore · Jul 16, 2005

Yikes, she's selling her husband and daughter! Look at the first sentence on the "About Us" page: http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/aboutus/index.php :ROFL:

Sorry, couldn't resist. It was the first thing I saw.

J. Y. (Jean) Moore

the debster · Jul 16, 2005

PPP absolutely reputable

I live in Scottsdale and have had the opportunity to attend many book signings Poisoned Pen bookstore featuring esteemed authors--many Edgar winners--it is a small store and they recently opened a larger location in mid-town Phoenix. The bookstore and press don't necessarily work hand in hand, although the store does feature the Press's offerings prominently.

Barbara Peters is the owner of the bookstore, her husband is the President of the Press and the one who ultimately decides what is to be published.

It is common practice for PPP ask for the first 30 pages which are then review by 3-4 readers. In the experience of 5 writers I know of, all have received requests to consider their complete manuscripts after this initial acceptance.

PPP is a recognized press by the newly founded International Thriller Writers orginization. This is a major coup. It is reputed as the list those working in the genre will be steering their works for in the future.

Hope this helps.
DJLedford

NancyMehl · Jul 16, 2005

Poisoned Pen Press

the debster said:
It is common practice for PPP ask for the first 30 pages which are then review by 3-4 readers. In the experience of 5 writers I know of, all have received requests to consider their complete manuscripts after this initial acceptance.

DJ,

I didn't mention it when I posted about PPP in June, but my novel was submitted to them over six months ago. I believe that it made it through at least the first round. I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear something.

It was encouraging to read your post. I've been a huge fan of PPP for many years now and have reviewed a number of their books. Acceptance by them would mean a great deal to me.

One of their authors, Mary Reed, tells me that the length of time they've been considering it is an encouraging sign. I hope she's right!

Nancy

the debster · Jul 16, 2005

Time to follow up

Nancy:

I think 6 months is adequate time for you to follow up. Perhaps just an e-mail to the editor who gave the acceptance for you to send the full manuscript. As long as you're not demanding or pushy in any way I can't imagine they would put off by your request for an update. It's still considered a small press and you should receive personalized attention.

By the way, is it Mary Lou Reed in Phoenix, AZ you referred to?

DJLedford

NancyMehl · Jul 18, 2005

the debster said:
Nancy:

I think 6 months is adequate time for you to follow up. Perhaps just an e-mail to the editor who gave the acceptance for you to send the full manuscript. As long as you're not demanding or pushy in any way I can't imagine they would put off by your request for an update. It's still considered a small press and you should receive personalized attention.

By the way, is it Mary Lou Reed in Phoenix, AZ you referred to?

DJLedford

My agent has done that. She was told that my manuscript had been passed along to another reader. That was about 3 or 4 weeks ago.

Nancy

Kristen King · Sep 11, 2006

Poisoned Pen Press

Does anyone have any experience with Poisoned Pen Press? I'd welcome any feedback.

Thanks,
Kristen

Christine N. · Sep 11, 2006

Nope, but I would note this NOT Poison Pen Press which sells non-fiction,; specifically cookery, costume and non-fiction books based on the domestic areas of the Medieval period and Renaissance periods, and is most certainly legitimate (and nice people too!).

They also sell fantasy books with worlds based on these periods, and are vendors at many SCA events and cons.

priceless1 · Sep 11, 2006

Kristen King said:
Does anyone have any experience with Poisoned Pen Press? I'd welcome any feedback.Thanks,Kristen

If you're talking Robert Rosenwald, then, yes, he's a great guy. We've gotten together a couple times out in his hometown of Phoenix. He has a terrific reputation and wonderful distribution to the libraries and indie bookstores. He's garnering some great NY Times reviews, and is regularly reviewed by all the big names. Wholly legit.

NeuroFizz · Sep 11, 2006

They (Poisoned Pen Press) looked at a full manuscript of mine some time ago. It was a little off from what they usually publish, but they took a look nonetheless. Ultimately, it wasn't what they were looking for. But, here's the good part. I asked if they ever give feedback, and I got critical summaries from their two readers. I don't know if they routinely do this--I just asked. It was very kind, and very helpful. On the basis of that, I give them my appreciation and respect.

AmyBA · Sep 11, 2006

I've read manuscripts for them, and from my experience, they've been nothing less than professional, courteous, and a pleasure to work with.

bfloxword · Dec 5, 2009

Poisoned Pen Press

I recently read one of the books they published, Fitzgerald's Ruse, and realized that if that book was a 'mystery', then mine was too. So, I sat out to send them an inquiry.

Their web page clearly states they generally do not consider books by authors who have previously been published. I liked that, even though it might have been the opposite of what they intended to say.

Then, I clicked on the link ([email protected]) for sending them an email inquiry, one that actually goes to '[email protected]'. I gave them the bare bones information they wanted and promptly got a reply that I had sent my inquiry to the wrong email, since the one I sent it too can not be used for replies. ???? So, I tried again, changing the addressee to '[email protected]' after pulling up the newmail form.

Does anyone know if I have fouled things up?

P.

CaoPaux · Dec 7, 2009

The mistake wasn't yours. Be sure let them know their sub link misdirects (although one would think they'd wonder why all the subs come to the wrong address...).

rrosenwald · Dec 9, 2009

Poisoned Pen Press

I just discovered that there is an error as of 12/9/2009 on our website which we will get fixed shortly. Queries do need to be sent to [email protected] and not to [email protected]. The current mailto link for [email protected] is bad. I apologize for any confusion or inconvenience this may have caused.

happywritermom · Dec 9, 2009

I love that book store! We lived in the Phoenix area for nearly five years. I have friends who go there every year just to visit the Poison Pen Book store. They are a very reputable publisher. I spoke with Barbara a few years ago and she asked me to send my manuscript. She ultimately determined that it wasn't really mystery (It's not. It's more like courtroom drama.), but she was so pleasant and encouraging. I hope it works out for you. They really care about their authors.

bfloxword · Dec 9, 2009

Poisoned Pen Press

Happy to say that they apologized for the misleading link and answered my question about the statement that they don't solicit manuscripts from previously published authors. They do not, in fact, want new submissions from outside their stable of published authors IF YOU ARE ALREADY PUBLISHED. They do, however, feel they need to refresh their catalog by finding new talent, thus, do not ask for submissions if you are already aligned with some other house.

So, happy to say, they asked for my full manuscript and promised to get back to me in a month, or so. Since I was anxious not to screw this up, I spent many hours microediting again. Yes, I found even more glitches and formatting errors.

Everything I have read here on Absolute Write tells me they are an excellent small publisher. I'll follow up when I get a reply. Wouldn't it be nice? But, I won't expect miracles.

bfloxword · Dec 21, 2009

Rejected

not a good fit. Fair enough, it wasn't. Too much local history, not enough mystery. Too much character development, not enough mystery.

Great publisher, very polite, better luck next time.

c2ckim · Dec 22, 2009

I went to Poisened Pen Press but can't click on submissions, does anyone know what's going on with that? I would like to see what they want and don't want and how long the books should be.
Thanks

CaoPaux · Dec 22, 2009

Works fine for me: http://www.poisonedpenpress.com/guidelines/manuscript-submission-guidelines

Poisoned Pen Press / The Poisoned Pencil

RejectME

Gala

RejectME

wwwatcher

emeraldcite

NancyMehl

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

J. Y. Moore

the debster

NancyMehl

She Who Resonates...

the debster

NancyMehl

She Who Resonates...

Kristen King

Christine N.

haz a shiny new book cover

priceless1

NeuroFizz

The grad students did it

AmyBA

I'm a believer

bfloxword

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

rrosenwald

happywritermom

bfloxword

bfloxword

c2ckim

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless