Ockham Publishing Group Ltd. / Vulpine Press

[folieadeux]

Saw some posts on FB about Vulpine Press having a new commissioning editor of romance, looking to sign authors. Site looks geared to authors more than readers to me. Asked about what they do for promo and they said, "Vulpine Press is one of a dying breed of independent publishers that partake in significant publicity efforts, and our expertise stems from ex-big publisher experience (HarperCollins and the like). A list of our recent media appearances (up to around March) is available on the website here: https://www.vulpine-press.com/media/ The likes of the BBC, the Guardian, etc, are high-traffic worldwide media that authors dream of being featured in. And of course there's also various subscription lists and readers groups that we use."

Looks like a lot of books for just opening in 2017, but maybe that's just me. Any deeper insight or authors with experience?

https://www.vulpine-press.com/

 

[Madame Medusa]

Well, I learned more about Brandy the cat from their "About" page than I learned about the company, if that tells you anything.

In looking at their covers, I'm not too impressed. They all look really generic, and most don't give a hint about the genre, even, never mind the story. In this day and age, it's not hard to buy better clip art, never mind premade book covers. (They also use two different covers for the same title, "The Last Woman" - both of which are pretty generic.)

Lots of titles from what looks like only a handful of authors.

I agree with the home page targeting writers more than readers - that's always a red flag for me.

My two cents...

 

[SaraC]

I got a pitch contest like from them. At first, I was going to ignore it because of the cat bio and the fact that the homepage was not their books. Then I saw some of their books had good sales rank on amazon, so I queried with the requested three chapters. But if they request a full? Not sure if I'll send it. I'd need more information.

I was bothered by a lack of staff listed on the page and a lack of info about their distribution and printing. Are they POD createspace? Ingramspark?

Libby M Iriks is the Vulpine romance editor, according to twitter, facebook, and linked in.
https://twitter.com/RomanceEditor27
https://www.linkedin.com/in/libby-m-iriks/

Previous publishing experience was "Territory Sales Manager" for scholastic.

And that is about the extent of what I can add right now.

 

[C Alberts]

...and a lack of info about their distribution and printing. Are they POD createspace? Ingramspark?

I can't tell you how they print, but based on what I see on Ingram I am guessing it is POD of some sort. I can tell you that they have 55 titles listed on Ingram. A spot check of those titles shows that they can be ordered via Ingram but at a short discount (some are 20% off list, some are 25%). Some are listed as returnable, some are nonreturnable. These terms are prohibitive as far as a bookstore deciding to carry their books on the shelf. My shop would be willing to special order these at a customer's request even though we would barely make a profit; many stores would not.

Based on the lack of info on their website (nothing about distribution or bookstore contacts) and what I see on Ingram, I doubt they are doing much to get their books into bricks and mortar stores.

 

[Coconutqueen]

Vulpine Press

Hello,

I'm new to Absolute Write. Is this the right place to ask if any of you have heard of Vulpine Press? I participated in a Twitter Pitch session yesterday, and this publisher expressed interest in two of my romance novel pitches. I haven't been able to find out any information on them except for their website and the name of the editor who "liked" my pitches for Vulpine. I'm a little wary when I can't find any information no matter how good a publisher makes itself out to be in its website. Anyone or any entity can say anything they want about themselves.

On their website, they make no mention of the author having to pay anything up front, but doesn't mean they won't mention it somewhere down the line.

Thanks, Jeanne

 

[Old Hack]

Hello, Coconut. I'm going to merge this thread with our existing thread on Vulpine, and hope you get the answers you need.

 

[V-Man]

I recently queried Vulpine/Ockham on a whim; exactly 2 weeks later, their "Submissions Team" requested the full manuscript. Another 2 weeks after that, I got another email from the "'Submissions Team" referring me to an associated hybrid/vanity press:

Thanks for sending this across to us. Unfortunately, whilst it's well written, our commissioner for this area hasn't decided to pick it up. But please don't be disheartened, as this is not a reflection on the work itself, but rather of there being a high volume of quality submissions.

However our Invisible Imprint side of the publishing house would be happy to work with you on it. Do have a look at the website (https://www.theinvisibleimprint.com/) and don't hesitate to let us know if this is something you would like to look at.

 

[Unimportant]

Wow, that's about fifty seven red flags all in one.

 

[Maryn]

You want flags? We got your basic red, your crimson, your scarlet, your carmine, your candy apple, your cardinal, your vermilion, your fire engine, your venetian, your garnet, your ruby...

 

[sleepymillenial]

Any recent updates? I submitted to Vulpine recently and got a request for some pages. Are they based in the UK? I'm looking for a US publisher for my novel. I'm not sure if I'll accept publication for Vulpine or look elsewhere. Does anyone have experience with them? Do they get their books into stores? Or print on demand? How is their marketing? Or cover design? From what I look at, everything looks kind of weak but I'm willing to take a chance.

 

[mccardey]

From what I look at, everything looks kind of weak but I'm willing to take a chance.

This is - not a good approach. Would you ignore the red flags and take a chance on any other kind of business endeavour?

ETA: Oh - and welcome to AW! and do drop in to the Newbie's thread and say hi. There's a lot of really good advice and information here.

These are for you:

 

[Unimportant]

Any recent updates? I submitted to Vulpine recently and got a request for some pages. Are they based in the UK? I'm looking for a US publisher for my novel. I'm not sure if I'll accept publication for Vulpine or look elsewhere. Does anyone have experience with them? Do they get their books into stores? Or print on demand? How is their marketing? Or cover design? From what I look at, everything looks kind of weak but I'm willing to take a chance.

I'd suggest asking them those questions directly.

And as @mccardey suggested, start a thread over in New Members to introduce yourself?

 

[sleepymillenial]

This is - not a good approach. Would you ignore the red flags and take a chance on any other kind of business endeavour?

ETA: Oh - and welcome to AW! and do drop in to the Newbie's thread and say hi. There's a lot of really good advice and information here.

These are for you:

You're right. I wouldn't usually but I guess my desire to see my book published clouded that. And thank you for the virtual flowers I will definitely start a thread!

I'd suggest asking them those questions directly.

And as @mccardey suggested, start a thread over in New Members to introduce yourself?

I will do that in the event they decide to publish my book. Good idea. I'll start a thread as suggested soon!

 

[Maryn]

(I'm never sure what to bait my breath with.)

I'll start a thread as suggested soon!

Nice to have you here. Welcome!

 

[sleepymillenial]

(I'm never sure what to bait my breath with.)

Nice to have you here. Welcome!

Thank you!

 

[sleepymillenial]

So I ended up getting a full manuscript request and later a publishing offer. I'm unsure if they thoroughly read my novel because after I sent it, about three to four days later they sent a publishing offer. I decided to do my due diligence and ask them questions. I asked them if they were based in the UK and they are, but they describe themselves as a global publisher.

I wanted my book to be submitted for a specific award in the US, so I asked if they publish in the US. They kind of dodged the question and said awards don't boost sales or visibility. They said the publishers involved (whatever that means, I'm a little unclear) don't submit to awards as a result. Edited to add they said there's just too many awards out there now for them to matter to readers or buyers. I'm aware the award is a longshot, but I'd still like it to be submitted.

They say they do print on demand. I asked what they do to get their books into bookstores and they said they can't force a bookstore to stock their book. I'm guessing that means they can't do much to get it into bookstores. For marketing they said they have a limited reach as an independent publisher, and it largely depends on the author.

I hope this information helps someone. I got another publishing offer so I'm weighing my options. It sounds like if I asked them to submit me for the award, they would say no which factors into my decision a lot.

 

[mrsmig]

HUGE red flag that they offered you a contract only 3-4 days after submission. Although it could mean that your book is just that brilliant, it also suggests that they don't put much thought or time into choosing the books they publish.

When they tell you they do POD, they don't have distribution (my guess is they do nothing beyond listing the book with Ingram's catalog and making it available at the usual online retailers), and the marketing and promotion is on you, you must ask yourself what they actually do to earn their cut of the royalties.

At least they were upfront about it. Combine the above with their lackluster covers, and I think you're better off going elsewhere.

 

[lizmonster]

For marketing they said they have a limited reach as an independent publisher, and it largely depends on the author.

Can I just say that I really hate this line? And I know this isn't the only pub that uses it.

Even if a publisher has limited resources, they have experience in how sales work. Authors in the large do not. It's ludicrous to put all of this on the author and expect the book to go anywhere.

 

[sleepymillenial]

HUGE red flag that they offered you a contract only 3-4 days after submission. Although it could mean that your book is just that brilliant, it also suggests that they don't put much thought or time into choosing the books they publish.

When they tell you they do POD, they don't have distribution (my guess is they do nothing beyond listing the book with Ingram's catalog and making it available at the usual online retailers), and the marketing and promotion is on you, you must ask yourself what they actually do to earn their cut of the royalties.

At least they were upfront about it. Combine the above with their lackluster covers, and I think you're better off going elsewhere.

Yeah I was also thinking it was a red flag. It didn't seem like they really considered my submission. Thank you for the information about the distribution. I'm also thinking I'm better off elsewhere. Thanks for the advice.

Can I just say that I really hate this line? And I know this isn't the only pub that uses it.

Even if a publisher has limited resources, they have experience in how sales work. Authors in the large do not. It's ludicrous to put all of this on the author and expect the book to go anywhere.

Yes! I thought I was feeling silly for not liking that they wouldn't try to help. I told them I would try, but I'm not a professional and can't do much. Their reply wasn't encouraging.