I’ve gotta spin this some way.
A couple of days ago I found out that the Five Star Expressions hardcover library line, to which I sold my contemporary romance, WHERE SHE BELONGS, will cease publication after December 2011. That’s when WHERE SHE BELONGS is coming out. Five Star/Tekno is still acquiring manuscripts for their Mystery line, but women’s fiction and romance, which had a home in Expressions, is no more. I was very sad to hear this news. My first sale to the line, and I had hopes for more sales. I really enjoyed working with my editor. She really went above-board for me. For one thing, my submission came about as a result of a conversation on the Novelists, Inc. email loop. My editor contacted me and said when I was ready to submit to Five Star/Cengage, she wanted to see the manuscript. I hadn’t planned on submitting in February. I wasn’t going to submit until after I finished revisions on a single title. But as soon as I heard that she wanted to see my book, I dropped those revisions faster than a flat potato pancake. I polished WHERE SHE BELONGS until it shone, working my way through a dead computer and a new Dell that wouldn’t see delivery for two weeks. Just a couple of weeks ago, we worked on the edits. My manuscript went “into production,” and I expected the next news to be that my cover art had arrived or that proofs needed looking at.
Those will still occur. As far as I know at this point, WHERE SHE BELONGS is still in the queue to be published. I know of at least one other December 2011 Expressions author, Stacey Coverstone. She and I, I believe, will be the last Expressions authors.
I have no idea what this means for my print run, distribution, or how quickly the book will go out of print. At this point, especially in light of everything that’s happening at Dorchester (including the recent axing of two editors), I’m counting myself lucky that my story will see print at all. Working on this book again made me realize how much I love it. It’s a “book of my heart.”
You know what this means, don’t you? When I say, at some point in 2011, that the book is available for pre-order, tell everyone you know to pre-order the heck out of the thing. When I announce, in December 2011, that the book is available, buy it right away. Help me help the Five Star Expressions line go out with a bang.
Strangely, I’m not depressed. I’m sad, but I’m not down and out. I’ve become so accustomed to looking forward in this industry, I’m not sure I even know how to look backward anymore. I’ll dust myself off and move on to the next opportunity. A little sad at the news, but a whole lot glad that I had a chance to become part of the Five Star/Cengage family.
Great attitude, Cindy and best of luck in making certain the line goes out with a bang !!
Sorry to hear that your book release is saddened with the close of the line.
~~Angi
Of course they did! Because you’re awesome! I’ll buy a copy for Christmas next year.
It’s sad how fast things change in publishing. One minute you think you’re there, and then…not. I suppose the process is all part of the dream, though. I’ll take it over cubicle life any time!
Love your attitude, Cindy! I know the Five Star books go to libraries. It’s too early now, but remind me next year and I’ll put in a request at my library.
Thanks, everyone. Edie, yes, the books go to libraries, and I’d love to have it in your library. I do intend to put out an ad in Romance Sells next year, which goes to librarians and bookstores. The books can also be ordered on Amazon and the like. I’ll keep my website up-to-date with all the ways to find the book.
I’d love to see it get into some Canadian libraries, as we have a library lending commission up here that, unfortunately, American authors don’t have. More’s the pity. Every time a Canadian takes a book out of the library, the author makes a teensy bit of money. Once a year you get a cheque from the commission reflecting how often your books were taken out of the library.
Angi, I figure, during this recession, we have to put forward the best face and attitude we can. There’s no sense crying over spilt milk. It’s sad, but I WILL move on. That’s what I always do.
Avery, thanks for buying a copy next year! I’ll be posting all over the place next fall about pre-orders, etc. And you’re so right about taking the writer’s life over cubicle life. I can’t imagine cubicle life at this point. It would have to be an amazing job and take advantage of the skills I love. I’m also not very patient on the phone. No one wants me answering their phones, LOL.
One good thing about this is that it seems to be more of the “routine” closings—publishers have always closed lines and imprints without causing a lot of undue harm to the author up front. In comparison, obviously, with Dorchester’s implosion. And of course, if they’d canceled your contract, that would be different. I’m very glad you’re not getting this chance snatched away! 🙂
You’re right, Natalie, it could have been so much worse. I’m very grateful for the chance I have with Five Star, make no mistake about it.
Thanks for your support, as always.