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Relic Publishing

entropic island

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Judging from the cached pages, they appear to be a startup that came online six days ago. How did you find them?

~brianm~

Twitter. Can't remember who, though. Liked the website a lot (not the look, but the content).

I think they might be one to keep an eye on (in a good way, hehe).
 

cryaegm

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and any platforms you utilize (Twitter, Facebook, personal website/blog)

Maybe it's me, but this seems odd to ask for in a query.

is committed to distributing generous royalties for our authors’ work.
Generous royalties, huh? I'm kind of wondering what they mean by "generous".

Their layout is definitely different from what I've seen for a first launch. I'm not sure who Relic Publishing is. This is the first time hearing it myself.
 

entropic island

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That social utilization bit does arouse suspicion.

They claim they've got distribution, though. I'd have to look at their contract.
 

brianm

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The About page comes off amateur to me and there's no information as to who is behind this entity.

My guess is it's another "let's help our fellow writers get published" websites started by writers with no real experience in the publishing industry.

Additionally, the entire website is aimed at writers and not readers.

I'd wait a year or two before subbing to this one to see if they can:

1) Produce a quality product
2) Actually sell that product to the reading public.

Just my opinion.

~brianm~
 

entropic island

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Ooh, very good point. The entire website seems dedicated to writers.

That's not a good sign.
 

Momento Mori

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Basically what Brian said but also, while it's good that they're planning to specialise, children's/YA fiction is completely different to non-fiction and I'd prefer to see them focusing on one or the other. If I was being picky, I'd also want to see them further specialise in terms of children's/YA - e.g. are they doing everything from picture books up or really focusing on MG/YA?

MM
 

entropic island

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We love authors who make their readers uncomfortable by introducing storylines and scenes that rock traditional foundations. Above all else, we want daredevil writers with a passion for telling stories others are afraid to write.


I think they want edgy YA.
 

priceless1

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I think it's a good idea to find out who distributes their books. They are publishing an impacted genre, and it's really important to have strong distribution who can get their books to market. It's also normal for those who do have solid distribution to say who they are so booksellers who go to their website know whom to contact.
 

kellion92

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I don't think it's a red flag that they are aimed at writers because they haven't published anything yet. That's a red flag itself, of course, but right now, their job is to attract strong submissions and put out books before they can pursue readers.
 

entropic island

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I don't think it's a red flag that they are aimed at writers because they haven't published anything yet. That's a red flag itself, of course, but right now, their job is to attract strong submissions and put out books before they can pursue readers.

That's a good point, too. And they've just started up.

I don't know. I like their website a lot so far.
 

missouridalton

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The design of the website is super sharp, and says a lot about their marketing people. I don't like that they don't have any names listed for who actually works there.

I also note they were hiring interns. I'm not sure what to think just yet. I think it's a wait and see thing.
 

priceless1

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I don't think it's a red flag that they are aimed at writers because they haven't published anything yet. That's a red flag itself, of course, but right now, their job is to attract strong submissions and put out books before they can pursue readers.
I think this is a red flag. It's not common to advertise for authors on your website. You gain authors because you've introduced your company to agents and they query you, and you know people within the industry.
 

Unimportant

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I agree it's a nice website, but being able to create a nice website isn't the same as being able to sell books. What I'd like to see is some evidence that they can
a) attract authors I'd be proud to be associated with
and
b) create books that I'd be happy to have on my shelves
and
c) sell books to readers
-- which is why I prefer a start-up press to open up shop to the public after they have already signed some established authors, created and released their first books, and demonstrated that they have in place the distribution, marketing, etc that are needed to sell books to readers.

My rationale is that if the owners/staff don't have the industry experience and contacts and distribution and marketing team to woo a few established authors to sign with them and be the headliners for the press's launch party, that press is probably not going to make it. I'm not interested in presses that I predict will have a half-life of less than 2 years.
 

CaoPaux

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Recovered from 7/7/11:

Today, 02:05 AM
Anarchicq
practical experience, FTW

http://www.relicpub.com/ is now a dead url.
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Today, 02:24 AM
priceless1
Under a messy desk

And that is why it's smart to wait at least two years. It takes about that long to blow through start-up money.
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Today, 03:05 AM
kellion92
A cat may not look at a king

They had a twitter account that disappeared too.
 
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