- Joined
- Feb 12, 2005
- Messages
- 28,750
- Reaction score
- 2,934
- Location
- right here
- Website
- www.veinglory.com
Kerry,
I hear what you are saying, and I think you are mostly correct. I was very unhappy with Champagne Books, and I made that known. I can't be surprised at their response. It is to be expected.
At the time of my initial post, I had no idea what a storm would follow, but I made a conscious choice to voice concerns, and I stand by my actions.
I just didn't want any new and inexperienced authors stumbling into the CB contract without warning. Cautions from this forum and from Predators and Editors have been a true blessing for me. They've let me know what to watch out for, and I wanted to contribute a much needed 'heads up' to that resource.
Thank you for your well wishes. I do have another publisher, who I'm very happy with. Everything from editing, to scheduling, to communications with management has all been excellent. This contrast, no doubt, helped to strengthen my dissatisfaction with my CB experience. I want to work with publishers who are responsive, professional, and treat their authors respectfully.
I realize there are many authors at CB who feel the above describes Champagne Books. However, I have had a different, less rosy, experience. I hold no hard feelings, as I've learned some valuable lessons, and I can now fully appreciate my other publisher's approach.
Diana Green
Back in September, I got a partial request that led to a full request in less than a month. It took about four or five weeks to get the rejection, but the acquiring editor gave me some personal feedback with it, which meant she read through to the end.
Now, I didn't agree with the feedback because it went contrary to genre (pull space battles out of a space opera), but the fact that she took the time to give me the notes meant a lot.
Just some more info to expand the knowledge in this thread.
My bolding. What? See, this is one reason I worry about sending crossover fiction to e-rom publishers who might not have a good understanding of the non-romance part of the crossover. Advice like this is a book-killer.
There are erotic romance publishers who make great efforts to weave genres together. And a great online group called 'The Science Fiction Romance Brigade', whose authors have blazed trails.
But I wouldn't bother to query an editor from a publisher who wasn't savvy to the other genres.
ETA: after careful reading I did find that agents are welcomed and that Cassie is the contact person for such. But I still don't know if any agent has breached their virtual door.
Thanks for your comments, KM. It's looks like they've been around for almost 10 years? They've GOT to have some type of presence in the literary community. I would think and hope.
tri
Sometimes it's good when publishers close for submissions. It gives them a chance to get on top of scheduling and the slushpile.
I've never been that impressed with Champagne's general sales ranks on Amazon, and some of their cover art frankly scared me. But YMMV, as they say.