On the 14th of November, Harlequin Australia launched it's digital-first imprint, Escape Publishing! For those who aren’t familiar, don't worry, you won't be out of the loop for long because without further ado, I am pleased to present editor, Kate Cuthbert who has stopped by Reading Wishes for an interview and to tell us more about this new project – enjoy!
For those interested in submitting to Escape Publishing, how exactly does it work? What's the process like?We've made it as easy as possible - just head on over to the website (www.escapepublishing.com.au) and fill in the online submission form. There are separate sections for everything we need, so you can't miss anything. Once you've hit that big red submit button, your submission will wing its way to my email inbox, where I will send you an acknowledgement of receipt. Then I'll read your first three chapters and get back to you as soon as possible. At the moment, my turnaround time is about 2 weeks to that first initial response. I'll either pass on your story, or ask you to submit a full manuscript. If it's the latter, once I receive the manuscript, I will give that a read also, and then get back to you with the ultimate 'yes or no'!
What types of manuscript submissions do you accept?
As long as its romance, we're interested! We're especially focused on Australian voice and stories at the moment, but we accept anything between 5000 and 250 000 words, any genre, any level of sensuality, any kind of story.
As long as its romance, we're interested! We're especially focused on Australian voice and stories at the moment, but we accept anything between 5000 and 250 000 words, any genre, any level of sensuality, any kind of story.
What can authors expect from Escape Publishing?
Freedom, flexibility, and fast response times. Our digital-first model means that we can take some risks, cater to niche, set some trends, as well as publish traditional romance titles. We're a small team, so we can be flexible on things like marketing ideas and initiatives, as well as move fast to take advantage of opportunities. And, as I said above, we're currently at about two weeks to initial response, and just over three months from acceptance to publication.
Freedom, flexibility, and fast response times. Our digital-first model means that we can take some risks, cater to niche, set some trends, as well as publish traditional romance titles. We're a small team, so we can be flexible on things like marketing ideas and initiatives, as well as move fast to take advantage of opportunities. And, as I said above, we're currently at about two weeks to initial response, and just over three months from acceptance to publication.
We also have the backing of Harlequin - the biggest name in romance, with over a century of publishing experience and a focus on romance. It's really the best of both worlds.
What about readers?
Escape is very focused on giving readers what they want and taking some risks - so look out for some unusual story lines, maybe some risky characters, some niche stories - the things that you've been looking for that, for one reason or another, you haven't been able to find in print.
Escape is very focused on giving readers what they want and taking some risks - so look out for some unusual story lines, maybe some risky characters, some niche stories - the things that you've been looking for that, for one reason or another, you haven't been able to find in print.
What sets Escape Publishing apart from the crowd? How does it differ to other e-book publishers?
Hee! I think I'm anticipating many of your questions before you ask them! I think our freedom, our Aussie focus, and our fast response times are the big ones - we're really looking to take those risks, we want to promote Australia to a global audience, and we're moving quickly to do both!
Hee! I think I'm anticipating many of your questions before you ask them! I think our freedom, our Aussie focus, and our fast response times are the big ones - we're really looking to take those risks, we want to promote Australia to a global audience, and we're moving quickly to do both!
Since I'm a YA reader and blogger, as are most of my readers, when can we be expecting a YA release from Escape Publishing?
Our first YA comes out in January - it's a YA Space Opera about a very resourceful young woman. We also have some more YA coming forth later next year.
Our first YA comes out in January - it's a YA Space Opera about a very resourceful young woman. We also have some more YA coming forth later next year.
And last but not least, any advice to authors who are thinking of submitting?
The best advice I can give you is to make sure your manuscript is ready. Our fast turnaround times mean that we don't have the resources to spend months on editing like in a traditional publishing model. So the barrier to publication for us is probably a little higher than with other publishers. Basically, to be accepted, your manuscript needs to be at near-publication levels already. So get some feedback - send it to people that you really trust to give an honest opinion. Probably not your mom. You need a critical eye to tell you where the holes are, where the characterisation fails, where the story gets a bit dull. Then edit, edit, edit. And proofread, proofread, proofread. And then, let it go, and hit that submit button!
The best advice I can give you is to make sure your manuscript is ready. Our fast turnaround times mean that we don't have the resources to spend months on editing like in a traditional publishing model. So the barrier to publication for us is probably a little higher than with other publishers. Basically, to be accepted, your manuscript needs to be at near-publication levels already. So get some feedback - send it to people that you really trust to give an honest opinion. Probably not your mom. You need a critical eye to tell you where the holes are, where the characterisation fails, where the story gets a bit dull. Then edit, edit, edit. And proofread, proofread, proofread. And then, let it go, and hit that submit button!
Thanks for having me along, Rebecca! I hope I've answered all your questions, but if you or your readers have more, there are a myriad of ways to contact me and you can find them all on our website.
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| Escape Publishing Launch |
I think this is great for new authors looking to have their book published! And I'm glad they're doing YA ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's such a great idea and will enable more authors to have the chance to publish there work which is exactly what we need since the publishing biz is so competitive. I'm excited for the YA too :)
DeleteAll books will have romance? Sounds like my kind of publishing company! :) I'm looking forward to some of the YA releases next year.
ReplyDeleteThat's right, all books will have romance. Awesome, huh?!
DeleteThis is such a great interview! Very interested to find out more about the books they will publish :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Emily, glad you like it! I'm not even an ebook reader but I'm really excited for Escape Publishing and think it's a great idea :D
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