Five Star Publishing / Five Star Mysteries

Donna Pudick · Oct 2, 2008

This company has a very complicated submission policy, with specific instructions for formatting a manuscript, the way they want it to look, before they'll even consider it. If you're not completely computer literate, you may have some difficulty sending a full to them. And it takes a while to do the formatting.

This said, they are courteous and friendly, and very professional.

DP

triceretops · Oct 2, 2008

Go through Teckno. Contact John Helfers. Their spec line is gone. You must have a mystery or a Romance to submit. Here's the irony of the situation: they are taking romances in all the sub- genres, including the fantasy and paranormal. Spec allowed only for romance.

tri

Carmy · Jan 23, 2009

Sorry to hear you guys lucked out when they changed their requirements.

Any new information on Five Star Publishing?

CaoPaux · Jan 26, 2009

Updating link: http://www.gale.cengage.com/fivestar/

Lisamer · Jan 26, 2009

I got as far as a request for a full manuscript from Five Star. Needless to say, I was quite excited. However, my story contained a bit a bit of adultery and perhaps one or two sex scenes that were a bit too vivid. At least they were nice enough to tell me why it was rejected. However, since these guidelines are not mentioned on the website, be careful about what you put on your manuscript.

Calla Lily · Jan 26, 2009

Thanks, Lisamer. I'm going to sub to them tonight.

triceretops · Jan 26, 2009

I'm still under the impression that they are not taking SF and Fantasy. Am I correct on this? I got a letter from John Helfers stating this fact. I believe romance and mysteries are still open for consideration.

Tri

IceCreamEmpress · Jan 27, 2009

triceretops said:
I'm still under the impression that they are not taking SF and Fantasy. Am I correct on this? I got a letter from John Helfers stating this fact. I believe romance and mysteries are still open for consideration.

I'm pretty sure that's correct. That's certainly what the submissions guidelines at Gale's website state: romance, mystery, and women's fiction are the only genres accepted. Those guidelines appear to have been updated in November of 2008.

Saskatoonistan · Jan 28, 2009

They've been out of the SF-F business since the fall. I'd been asked for the full manuscript on an urban fantasy novel last June and then received an email in October stating they weren't going to be publishing that genre anymore.

Branwyn · Feb 25, 2009

So are they worthy? I read through most of the posts, and I'm confused.

They requested my ms, but it has sex in it.

triceretops · Feb 25, 2009

Branwyn, if you have a romance with sex in it, I'm sure you're okay. But, if it has fantasy or paranormal in it, I'm sure it's a pass. Straight mysteries are fine, too.

Tri

Branwyn · Feb 25, 2009

Yeah, it's with angels, but it was in the query. So, paranormal romance with no sex?

Are they worth sending to?

RoccoMom · Feb 26, 2009

Branwyn said:
Yeah, it's with angels, but it was in the query. So, paranormal romance with no sex?

Are they worth sending to?

Absolutely. Very reputable. The advance is small, and the books are sold mainly to libraries, but they come out in hardcover. It's a good way to get a legit publishing credit.

crimsonspirit · Feb 26, 2009

I don't know whether the situation has changed, but when I submitted something to them from the UK in 2007, I received the following reply:

Thank you for your interest in the Five Star novel line. Unfortunately, Five Star Publishing has recently altered their policy on evaluating foreign submissions, and has asked us to convey the following message:

“Due to recent changes, we will no longer be able to accept submissions from international authors that we have not previously published. Any returning international authors can continue to submit their works for consideration.

James D. Macdonald · Mar 16, 2010

Duncan J Macdonald said:
Try as I might, I couldn't find a Submissions Guideline anywhere.

Submission guidelines are here: http://www.gale.cengage.com/pdf/imprints/fivestar/2010FiveStarSubmissionGuidelines.doc

The Grump · Mar 17, 2010

Hey, I have a friend who's published by them. They're legit. Don't do SF/F.

And, my impression is that they are weak on promotion. But then, I recently went to a platform workshop, and the agents running it said lots of publishers are cutting back on their publicity departments.

Talk about: Penny-wise and pound-foolish.

James D. Macdonald · Mar 17, 2010

Five-Star doesn't need a lot of publicity. They're selling to libraries by subscription, not to individual readers via bookstores.

CloudyDay · Aug 27, 2010

Does anyone know their current response time?

veinglory · Aug 27, 2010

I would note that they have also stopped taking romance, from what I hear the romance line (Expressions) will close at the end of next year.

Cloud Eight · Nov 15, 2010

Has anyone had recent contact with Five Star Mysteries?

Have sent a status request and received no response. I'm wondering if their new policy is no-response means no.

Brenda Hill · Dec 11, 2010

I queried 9/21/10 and very quickly received submission guidelines, reformatted my manuscript and submitted 9/24.

On 10/2, I received notice it had passed the first round of reviews and had gone to the second, which they said could take eight to ten weeks.

Today I sent a status email and received a quick reply that everyone's still waiting to hear. I imagine the holidays are slowing things down, but they've been responsive, professional, and encouraging. I just hope I feel the same way when I get the yea or nay email.

Brenda Hill · Dec 22, 2010

I still haven't heard. I think I'm breaking out in hives. :e2cry:

Cloud Eight · Dec 27, 2010

Know the feeling. Hang in there.

Brenda Hill · Dec 31, 2010

Sorry I didn't see this until now, CloudEight, but thanks for the support. I'll try . . .

Alana White · Jan 2, 2011

Good Luck, Brenda, from a "newbie."

Five Star Publishing / Five Star Mysteries

Donna Pudick

triceretops

Carmy

CaoPaux

Mostly Harmless

Lisamer

Calla Lily

On hiatus

triceretops

IceCreamEmpress

Hapless Virago

Saskatoonistan

Still the wrong side of Saskatoon

Branwyn

Print release:Sept.1,'09

triceretops

Branwyn

Print release:Sept.1,'09

RoccoMom

crimsonspirit

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

The Grump

Hates Marketing. Loves Writing.

James D. Macdonald

Your Genial Uncle

CloudyDay

Out of here

veinglory

volitare nequeo

Cloud Eight

Brenda Hill

Diva in Training

Brenda Hill

Diva in Training

Cloud Eight

Brenda Hill

Diva in Training

Alana White