Woodhall Press

[Bubastes]

I searched and didn't find any information about this publisher. They're based out of CT and started in 2018. They distribute through Independent Publishers Group, so I assume that means they have a channel for getting books into stores. Any red flags? Thanks.

Woodhall Press

Woodhall Press is an independent publisher of independent authors.

www.woodhallpress.com

 

[Paul Lamb]

Writer Beware doesn't have any listing for them (good or bad), but they also don't have a listing under that name on Duotrope.

Their webpage lists a number of books that I've heard of in the media, and they claim to want to publish more under-represented writers.

Looks like you just missed their submission window though.

Update 26MAY22: They do now have a listing on Duotrope, and they no longer seem to have a submission window. Also, they just asked for a full MS of my novel, so I'm going to venture forward.

 

[frimble3]

Most of their 'team' seem to have day jobs teaching. Which suggests they're not that big or not that busy.

 

[ehorwitt]

I searched and didn't find any information about this publisher. They're based out of CT and started in 2018. They distribute through Independent Publishers Group, so I assume that means they have a channel for getting books into stores. Any red flags? Thanks.

Woodhall Press

Woodhall Press is an independent publisher of independent authors.

www.woodhallpress.com

Their web site shows a fair number of published books, and their staff seems okay. Some top notch writers and other speakers, including Jane Friedman, a well known lit writing consultant, blogger, and instructor spoke at a conference they put on last year. They look pretty good to me.

 

[kelliewallace]

I submitted to this publisher back in Sept. They asked me to complete a tip sheet which included mostly marketing info such as author bio, comps, blurb etc. While I waited I contacted some of their authors. Every single one came back with something negative. One said they didn't like how their book was being edited and the pub didn't want to listen. I haven't heard back since I have subbed

 

[kawolive]

Has anyone had any updates on Woodhall Press? I sent in my Tip Sheet and waiting to see.

 

[The Otter]

They requested a manuscript of mine back in January. By the end of March, I still hadn't heard back from them, so I checked in, and they said that they would review my submission during their next editorial meeting, which would be in a couple of months. I'm still waiting to hear back. They're generally prompt to respond to emails but they seem very slow about responding to submissions.

 

[kawolive]

OK, Thanks so much for the update.

 

[SecretsofStag]

Thanks for the update.

 

[billbird2111]

Has anyone had any updates on Woodhall Press? I sent in my Tip Sheet and waiting to see.

They did show interest in my manuscript. Which I appreciated. They also asked for a Tip Sheet. I've never filled one of those out before and did the best job that I could. I just submitted back to them.

I don't see anything negative written about them online. But I am also very new to this game so I could be missing a lot of red, red, red flags.

 

[kelliewallace]

They did show interest in my manuscript. Which I appreciated. They also asked for a Tip Sheet. I've never filled one of those out before and did the best job that I could. I just submitted back to them.

I don't see anything negative written about them online. But I am also very new to this game so I could be missing a lot of red, red, red flags.

I submitted to them back in Sept 2022. They took a good 3 months to get back to me. I contacted some of their authors and the negatives were editing that didn't offer a lot of wiggle room and marketing issues. But most were happy,

 

[billbird2111]

I submitted to them back in Sept 2022. They took a good 3 months to get back to me. I contacted some of their authors and the negatives were editing that didn't offer a lot of wiggle room and marketing issues. But most were happy,

Thank you very much for the response. I haven't had any interest from the big agents or agencies. But some of the smaller publishers have nibbled a bit, which I appreciate. Woodhall Press is one of them.

They do show an impressive list of published books and some authors that I've heard of before.

All it takes is for one to write back and say, "we like you." Isn't that what this game is all about? Finding someone who really believes in you?

 

[byarvin]

All it takes is for one to write back and say, "we like you." Isn't that what this game is all about? Finding someone who really believes in you?

No, this isn't about anything personal. What you (we?) really need is a publisher that says "our customers would buy this - let's acquire it." They don't have to "believe in you" or even know you. They have to want to produce and market your work; not have a relationship with you.

 

[David_G]

On their website, for fiction, they want a "one-page pitch letter". I am wondering if this is the equivalent of a query letter???

 

[billbird2111]

On their website, for fiction, they want a "one-page pitch letter". I am wondering if this is the equivalent of a query letter???

I don't know. But what I can tell you is that I sent them a two paragraph query, and the second graph was more of a light bio than the book itself. The first graph contained the title of the book, and the book that inspired it.

I did send a five paragraph (one page) synopsis beneath the two paragraph query. This was enough to get a response, a request for a full manuscript and a tip sheet that has already been mentioned.

Based upon the responses I have read here, I don't expect to hear from them for another month to three. But, we'll see. Time will tell.

 

[SweetSuccess]

Did anyone receive an offer? I’d love to hear from an author of theirs. If not, was the pass a form letter, or detailed? TIA

 

[Unimportant]

Did anyone receive an offer? I’d love to hear from an author of theirs. If not, was the pass a form letter, or detailed? TIA

Welcome, SweetSuccess. I warmly encourage you to start a thread in the New Members section and let us know a little about yourself so we can get to know you.

 

[SweetSuccess]

Welcome, SweetSuccess. I warmly encourage you to start a thread in the New Members section and let us know a little about yourself so we can get to know you.

done. Thanks for the gentle reminder

 

[Frankie007]

I've recently gotten a full request from them. This is the second full they've requested from me. They ultimately passed on the first book, but we'll see about this second book.

 

[writera]

Some time back, I received a kind, complimentary email and full manuscript request from Woodhall Press, but decided not to pursue it as the tip sheet/marketing plan request put me off. I knew going in (from earlier comments here) that they would request some marketing info so I figured it was okay to query and see what it was like but the tip sheet asked for really specific information (such as several comp titles and even their paper/trim size, etc. if I recall correctly!) that seemed really extreme to me (for such a small outfit especially not offering a lot). I can't remember now but I think there was other stuff in there too that felt a bit invasive to me. I've filled out things for other publishers like this in the past (including some query forms that asked OTT questions) only to either never hear back or receive a form rejection so this time I decided not to bother pursuing it further. Overall, it just seemed excessive to me for a relatively new press I wasn't even sure about in the first place that doesn't have a proven track record (and don't they offer a hybrid model too? ETA - now I'm not sure if they do?). I wish everyone else who has submitted good luck, though, and am eager to hear more if you get feedback/offers. I might even reconsider them one day but I think they should rethink the tip sheet (for fiction anyway).

 

[byarvin]

Well ... I now find myself face to face with a Woodhall Press tip sheet. While it might be tough for fiction writers, what they're asking for is pretty run-of-the-mill for nonfiction. Indeed, I've been asked for most of those things many times before. It's all part of the process of persuading them to publish my work.

 

[writera]

I take your point but it's not even just that it's tough. It really seems excessive, at least for fiction. And too much effort for a press that arguably isn't established and hasn't proven itself yet and also seems to have a hybrid model (ETA - not sure if they do or why I thought this, I might be mistaking them for another press or else I read it somewhere, but if so I can't find it now). If it was more of an established press, fair enough, but it would still be weird for fiction. (Also, is it usual for non-fiction publishers to ask paper/trim size? That threw me but maybe it's because I don't submit non-fiction.) Anyway, I agree non-fiction authors might not find it daunting or excessive, even just normal submission procedure, but I'd still ask, based on the merits of this press itself, is it worth it?

 

[byarvin]

I take your point but it's not even just that it's tough. It really seems excessive, at least for fiction. And too much effort for a press that arguably isn't established and hasn't proven itself yet and also seems to have a hybrid model. If it was more of an established press, fair enough, but it would still be weird for fiction. (Also, is it usual for non-fiction publishers to ask paper/trim size? That threw me but maybe it's because I don't submit non-fiction.) Anyway, I agree non-fiction authors might not find it daunting or excessive, even just normal submission procedures, but I'd still ask, based on the merits of this press itself, is it worth it?

These are tough questions - especially for fiction writers - and especially if they're a hybrid asking for money. (I haven't seen any clue of that yet.) I have never submitted fiction and have no idea what's asked or not. As for trim size and format, people who do picture and art books know that stuff and take it seriously. To my eye, Woodhall is producing quality books and I'd be pretty delighted if my submission - a memoir with recipes and photos - became part of their catalog.

Meanwhile, I'm filling out the "tip sheet" by cutting and pasting from my responses to other publishers. Six cookbooks and three narrative nonfiction books down the road, I'm used to it and never had a publication without addressing these things.

 

[writera]

To my eye, Woodhall is producing quality books and I'd be pretty delighted if my submission - a memoir with recipes and photos - became part of their catalog.

Good luck!

and especially if they're a hybrid asking for money. (I haven't seen any clue of that yet.)

(I'm not sure if they are hybrid or not, I thought there was some indication they might be somewhere, I can't remember. If so, I can't find it now. Maybe I was mistaking them with another press? Just keep an eye out.)

 

[Paul Lamb]

Update: While Woodhall Press ultimately declined the first novel I had submitted, they have asked for the full of a second novel I sent their way -- one day after I had submitted it. I'll complete that dreaded Tip Sheet with two more years of experience and credentials this time. Fingers crossed.