Samhain Publishing

Of all the big epubs, Samhain always struck me as the one most likely to branch out into other genres successfully. Interesting to see them do this while epubs like Lyrical are closing their non-Romance lines to submissions, but I think with a good editor and a slow start they've got a real shot.

Well, the website has been revamped...

I'm not impressed. The colours are bland, the logo looks like bok choy and most importantly, there are no books on the main page.

Yes there are books in that header graphic, but it's not a clickable link to the store. It's a blog with a bunch of social media stuff, and there are no books on the main page.

I have to admit, I've seen more interesting author blogs. And considering it's built on Wordpress, it's not surprising that it looks like a blog, and not a bookstore. Well, that and there are no books on the main page.

Um, did I mention that there are no books on the main page?

jennontheisland said:

The colours are bland, the logo looks like bok choy and most importantly, there are no books on the main page.

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Now that you mention "bok choy" I see it too...! >.<

(I like bok choy & ginger stir fry with a dollop of oyster sauce...and now I crave it bad!)

So they've used their blog as their gateway page?

And yes, I see bok choy too and now I want stir fry.

It does make me wonder what the significance of the leaves is as far as their logo/company goes.

Drollerie did the same thing recently; use the blog as a portal (and make the whole site look blander). I wasn't keen there and I'm not here. Who's selling this idea to publishers? Making the shop harder to find seems an odd direction for a bookseller to take,

It's not leaves, they're trees. Trees have always been the logo - this is just a new version.

Christine N. said:

It's not leaves, they're trees. Trees have always been the logo - this is just a new version.

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Nobody said they were leaves; a few members remarked that the new logo looks like bok choy leaves...

I know they're supposed to be trees, but once the bok choy thing got brought up, I totally see how some might think the logo has 2 leaves or something.

I like the new website and the trees look like trees to me.

Nadia said:

Nobody said they were leaves; a few members remarked that the new logo looks like bok choy leaves...

I know they're supposed to be trees, but once the bok choy thing got brought up, I totally see how some might think the logo has 2 leaves or something.

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I think it is supposed to be a variation of the old spooky tree that was the logo previously. But they have turned the little icon on the tab and the url bar into a leaf. I don't remember what that used to be. That one doesn't look like bok choy though.

Strange how they get rid of the spooky tree and dark colours right at the same time they start accepting horror. Seems steps in opposite directions. I'm also not thrilled with this part of the Horror Line description on the Submissions page:

We are actively seeking talented writers who can tell an exciting, dramatic and frightening story, and who are eager to promote their work and build their community of readers.

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Bolding mine. The same does not appear in the Romance Line description. I guess they've got a large enough romance reader base that they don't need the authors to promo for them. They also ask that you include your agent info with your submission... agented horror writers, self-subbing to a romance epress? Um, what?

I miss the old page, too. Loved the colors. And while the new design is a little easier on the eyes, ite looks a bit like the calming color palate of a medical spa.

It's also still "in progress", and it looks like they're working out some of the programming and links kinks. Hopefully, for their authors' sake, they get that worked out quickly.

I think it's kind of pretty.

But I really question the emphasis on the blog. Maybe it's just me (often is), but I pay little, to no attention to publisher blogs.

Usually, what gets my attention is the cover and title (yep, I'm shallow). What sells me the book is the blurb and excerpt. Between Facebook, Twitter, and my many must-read blogs and webcomics, I don't have the time to read publisher blogs.

But maybe Samhain has some market research that suggests that most readers like publisher blogs. In which case, I'm not most readers.

I generally like to see lots of new books ready to buy. I never have cared much about the authors : /

The changes didn't stop me buying two books from Samhain the other day...

I agree it's kind of bland. Disappointing, because I always thought their site was the coolest of all the epub sites by far.

It's not horrible, it's just sort of generic. And yeah, I don't like the blog being the first page.

Nadia said:

Nobody said they were leaves; a few members remarked that the new logo looks like bok choy leaves...

I know they're supposed to be trees, but once the bok choy thing got brought up, I totally see how some might think the logo has 2 leaves or something.

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Oh, okay. That's what I get for skimming

veinglory said:

I generally like to see lots of new books ready to buy. I never have cared much about the authors : /

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Me either. I'm pretty standard when it comes to picking out books. In a bookstore, I scan titles and covers until one catches my eye, pull it out, check out the summary on the back cover, read the excerpt, and then open it to the first page. If all of that keeps me interested, I'll buy the book.

When it comes to e-books, my MO isn't much different.

brainstorm77 said:

I like the new website and the trees look like trees to me.

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It's a bit like Rubin's vase. You can see both trees and bok choy leaves.

The old site showcased book covers better. When you go to the store now, some of the book covers look fuzzy or squished. On the old site, book covers were shown in a larger size on the new releases page so you could see the title, author and other details quite nicely.

I don't go to Samhain to read their blog. I go there to buy their books. Having the blog be the focal point of the site makes no sense, and makes me more inclined to shop elsewhere.

I noticed their twitter feed a while back suggested people bookmark the store link, rather than their home page, but...gotta tell you, I'm with jennontheisland with this one. No books on the first page?

I prefer the old colour scheme, for what it's worth.

misaditas said:

The changes didn't stop me buying two books from Samhain the other day...

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It's great all the new stuff they are doing though such as branching into horror-very exciting.

http://www.samhainpublishing.com/

this place looks legitimate. Im just wondering if anyone here has dealt with them and what kind of experience you had working with them. I got an email from them today requesting a synopsis and my full manuscript. I hope all goes well with them.

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=26307&highlight=samhain You can search for existing threads. This is the existing thread on Samhain who are very legit.

I've been with them for a few years and three books.

VERY happy.

Good luck!

If you use the search feature you'll find that there is already a thread about them. I'm sure a mod will come along and merge.