A Cue for Murder by Janet Howson

 

How we came to publish this one

We have published the author Janet Howson in several of our anthologies and on CaféLit. This was first published as a CaféLit serial on CaféLit. We like CaféLit serials to be interconnected short stories where there is also an overarching story in the whole book.    

The title

This is a bit of a play on words and was the author’s idea. Normally, one has a “clue” for murder. In the theatre there are of course “cues”.

Some notes about the process

Posts are given a light copy-edit before they go on CaféLit. The fact that they are chosen means on the whole the structure is firm. So, really two stages of editing have already been completed. With these serials we go straight to Design 1. The author is then given the camera-read copy to approve. This then goes to Design 2. Any alterations needed by the author are made and then it gets its final proof.   

The cover

The cover reflects the cover of its prequel, Dramatic Episodes.

Some notes about style

This is somewhat in the style of the cosy village murder. All stories centre around the interrelationships in an amateur dramatic group.

Who we think the reader is

Janet already has a following and so does CaféLit. This reader likes to relax. As these start out as CaféLit stories, this is the sort of book you might opt to read in your coffee / tea break or lunch break at work, or on the train, tram or tube.  

What else

We used Amazon KDP for both the Kindle versions of the book and the paperback,  One of advantages of this is that it is easier to get the books into the Amazon stores worldwide. A disadvantage is that it is harder to get these books into bookshops. However, it is probably more the sort of book that will be bought online anyway.   

Review copies

It’s always great if you can buy the book and give us a review. Just click on the link to be taken to Amazon. Or the one to take you to our own online shop. If you would like to review and you are strapped for cash, just get in touch for a free PDF.     

 

Buy from Amazon     

Buy in our online shop

Evergreen

 

How we came to publish this one

This was our 2022 anthology challenge. We invited writers to submit stories on the theme of “evergreen" but we didn't necessarily mean Christmas trees.  

The title

Debz and I take it in turns naming a theme. We usually take one that relates to Christmas but suggest the writer subverts it somewhat.

Some notes about the process

We only usually do at most two stages of editing on these. The stories don’t need any structural editing really as we have chosen them because they are structurally sound. We look for: a good story, relevance to the theme, (and there is some scope of originality here) good writing and professionalism. The latter has a lot to do with how well the text is presented.

 

The cover

There is perhaps an obvious connection between the title of the collection and the cover image. We look for something on Pixabay, usually. We prefer landscape photos with the focal point on the right. There must be some bland space for the title and also on the left-hand side so that we can write a blurb.

Some notes about style

Some stories are more literary some are more everyday.

Who we think the reader is

Who is the Bridge House reader? Yes, to some extent they are always the friends, family, fans and followers of our individual authors and the authors themselves. We hope we are also getting a following because those readers like all of our works.   

What else

We are stacking up these anthologies. After all, we’ve been going since 2008.

Review copies

It’s always great if you can buy the book and give us a review. Just click on the link to be taken to Amazon. Or the one to take you to our own online shop. If you would like to review and you are strapped for cash, just get in touch for a free PDF or Kindle file.  

 

The Day Chuck Berry Died by Ian Inglis

 

How we came to publish this one

Ian came to us though one of our multi-author anthologies. This is an example of us having worked with an author once before and knowing that we can trust them. This really is an effective way of getting published by us.  

The title

The is title is also the title of one of the stories in the collection. This is fairly common practice; you can name the collection after one of the stories in it. This is usually one that the author feels strongly about.

Some notes about the process

The text needed little editing though it went through the normal three stages of editing.

The cover

There is perhaps an obvious connection between the title of the collection and the cover image.

Some notes about style

This verges on the literary yet the stories are very readable by our normal audience.   

Who we think the reader is

Who is the Bridge House reader? Yes to some extent they are always the friends, family, fans and followers of our individual authors and the authors themselves. We hope we are also getting a following because those readers like all of our works.    

What else

Ian is an experienced writer and brought that experience to this project. 

Review copies

It’s always great if you can buy the book and give us a review. Just click on the link to be taken to Amazon. Or the one to take you to our own online shop. If you would like to review and you are strapped for cash, just get in touch for a free PDF.         

 

 

Santa’s Supersonic Sleigh by Linda Flynn and Linda Laurie

 

How we came to publish this one

Linda Flynn is very well known to us. She is indeed also one of our editors. We have also published several of her short stories in our annual anthologies. We now have three of her picture books out: A Most Amazing Zoo, Playing Together and Santa’s Supersonic Sleigh. We’re also delighted to have two amazing illustrators: Caroline Casali and Linda Laurie.     

The title

It goes with the story and it goes with the cover picture. And it alliterates nicely. 

Some notes about the process

The text needed little editing. We had several discussions about the pictures. Getting them to flow right in a picture books is always quite a lot of work and requires several emails to be exchanged.   

The cover

We’re very pleased with this. Naturally Linda Laurie is responsible for this.

Some notes about style

This is exactly right for the target reader.

Who we think the reader is

This story could be enjoyed as a preschool picture book where a caring adult reads with the child. There is plenty of extra story in the pictures. It would also be suitable for emerging readers at early infant school. The illustrations give plenty of support.    

What else

Linda is an experienced teacher and she has brought that knowledge and experience to this project.  

Review copies

It’s always great if you can buy the book and give us a review. Just click on the link to be taken to Amazon. Or the one to take you to our own online shop. If you would like to review and you are strapped for cash, just get in touch for a free PDF.         

 

Buy via our online shop 

Short Cuts

 

As you no doubt know, we have long waiting list of trusted authors we are intending to publish. See https://apublishersperspective.blogspot.com/p/submissions-awaiitng-assesssment.html However, there are a few short cuts, also for trusted authors. If you receive our newsletter you are a “trusted author” but please mention how you know us when you submit. Not yet a “trusted author”? Why not sign up at http://eepurl.com/cDHFU1  ?

Here are the pathways:

CafeLit Serial

Look at the work of Mason Bushell, Janet Howson and Dawn Knox. Mention when you submit your first story that this is a potential serial – even put it in the title of the story. If  we like the concept, we’ll prioritise you in the daily selection and once the serial is complete, the rest of the publishing process is quicker as most of the editing has been done as we go along. The serial should be made up of episodes that stand alone but there should be an overarching story through the book.  

Sunday Serial

This is where we serialise your work every Sunday. This is offered to you if you are on the waiting list and we’ll start making offers as soon as the current serial is in the last month. Again we edit as we go along and you are offered the opportunity to respond to comments. Think Charles Dickens. This also shortens the editing process slightly.  See Sunday Serial.   

Fast track 1

Gather together all of your pre-edited-by-us stories. They may have appeared on CafeLit, in one of our annual anthologies or one of our special books. You gather the edited version into one word document.  You are looking at between 30,000 and 70,000 words, the sweet spot being 46,000. You may like to include an introduction and you should also include a bio, 250 – 500 words, and links to up to three of your other publications  See Seen Through a Glass of Red by Liz Cox and Old Man Jasperson and other stories by Jim Bates. All of the editing is completed on this so we only need to design the books, proof read twice and market. In both cases we actually published a couple of months ahead of schedule.  Use https://duotrope.com/duosuma/submit/form.aspx?id=O5TCxfX-6CXux-a0E6ElR-g7gG4x4c7

Fast track 2

If you have used one of our editors and they agree that the book is good to go we can leave out one or more of the editorial processes.  See our list here: http://www.gilljameswriter.com/p/my-dream-team.html   Use   https://apublishersperspective.blogspot.com/2023/03/submissions.html but mention in your cover letter that you have used one of our editors and outline which sort of edit(s) they’ve completed.                                                                                                                                

Fast track 3

Do you have a collection of stories to which you have the rights back? Put them together in one Word document, acknowledging where each was first published. Again, you are looking at between 30,000 and 70,000 words, the sweet spot being 46,000. You will have just the two proof reads. Also include an introduction if you would like one, and supply a bio, a blurb and link to up to three of your previous publications. Submit as usual via: https://apublishersperspective.blogspot.com/2023/03/submissions.html

Fast track 4

This will have to stay in the queue, I’m afraid BUT if we approve of it we can miss out the editorial stages. This is where we can bring your out of print book back to life. We may even take it on if we think it needs editorial input. Submit in the normal way. https://apublishersperspective.blogspot.com/2023/03/submissions.html  

Crowd Funded project

If you are willing to work with us on crowd-funding your project, please indicate that in your submission. We will run a crowd-funding project for two months and use whatever funds we raise to, in this order,:

·         Shorten your publishing schedule

·         Give you a more dynamic launch

·         Get you on to higher royalties faster