Wizzy 

Wizzy’s Wackyweed...Welcome to hell on wheels...
 

Interview with Kathy Smith

by Wizz

First off I want to thank Kathy of Intaglio (www.intagliopub.com) for taking the time out to play with us SandBox Brats! I think you will find this ramble to be very helpful and informative for any writer who is thinking about publishing....

Again a BIGASS THANK YOU KATHY!!!!!!!

Wizz an the SandBox Brats!

Ok tell me about your company and your goals in the future of this company.

Intaglio Publications is a dedicated publisher of lesbian literature. My goal now, and in the future for Intaglio is to provide quality lesbian books and make them available to the public and bookstores throughout the world.

Tell me why someone would choose this company over any others.

I could be very egotistical here and say that Intaglio is the best, but to be honest, there are several great publishers in this genre. My suggestion to authors who inquire about potentially publishing with Intaglio or any of the other publishers is to email the current authors associated with the publisher or publishers they are interested in to get feedback from them about their experiences. It’s vitally important that an author feels comfortable not only with the publisher, but with the other authors.

In addition, there are different methodologies and philosophies publisher’s employ. At Intaglio, we require the author’s input and participation in the editing and graphic design stages, while other publishers don’t encourage this involvement.

Do you publish just lesbians or would you take anyone who submits a proof?

Intaglio’s main focus is in lesbian literature. However, we would never discard a submission out-of-hand, just because it isn’t a lesbian title. We have a review committee that looks at each book submitted for publication with Intaglio. The screening process, while subjective, focuses on four main elements.

A. The readability and quality of the story.

B. Does the story have a solid plot and fully developed characters?

C. How much editing will need to be done to ready the book for publication?

D. Is the story one which we feel can be best served by our company? 

Each member of the review committee addresses these questions and may also submit supplemental comments. From this information we then make a decision on whether to offer a contract for publication.

If the author only receives a very small amount like less than a dollar when their book sells at places like Amazon why does the author have to sell their books there?

I mean can the author say that they will only sell their book from the website or from SCP for instance so they get more money from the sell of the book?

Why sell through some place that is going to basically rip you off?

These are a very interesting questions and I’ll answer them with the philosophy that we embrace at Intaglio.

When an author publishes a book there are several different avenues of distribution that are utilized by publishers. These may differ from publisher to publisher, but the main avenues are Amazon.com, Direct sales through publisher websites, Brick and Mortar bookstores, and online bookstores. Each of these methods of distribution require different distribution discounts. 

Unfortunately, many people associate a listing on Amazon.com as a sign of success. This is simply not true. Anyone can get a listing on Amazon.com with very little effort. While Amazon demands a huge discount of 55% off the retail price on the books listed in their selections, I try to view the listing not so much as a venue of distribution as a venue of marketing and promotion, so in that sense I don’t view it as being ripped off.

We feel that having a listing on Amazon.com makes a book widely visible to readers searching for new books to read, readers who may not know about an author’s work or other means of availability. It’s true that authors make very little on sales through Amazon.com. However, one could never get the amount of exposure and visibility for such a small cost. We have also found that many of our direct sales customers originally found one of our author’s titles on Amazon, had the curiosity to look up the author or Intaglio’s website and in turn found wither a brick and mortar bookstore or SCP from which to buy future books.

The second type of distribution is from sales to brick and mortar bookstores. This type of distribution usually carries a 40% discount off the retail price, but here many authors and publishers agree that this is a valid expense. Independent bookstores offer a separate avenue of distribution by having the ability to get author’s titles in front of people who do not surf the web or buy online.

The third type of distribution is through direct sales, either through a publisher’s website or their direct distributor. This avenue garners the best royalty to the author, by reducing the number of channels a book goes through before being offered for sale to the public.

At Intaglio we do allow an author to opt-out of distribution through Amazon.com if they prefer, but we do let them know our feelings about the listing enhancing visibility and such.

If you could be any super hero who would you be and why?

What? I thought I already was a super hero. I have a cape. What else do I need? <snark>

What does being published mean?

Being published means different things to different people so that is a hard question to answer. However, for many authors, being published brings a sense of personal accomplishment and an expanded opportunity to share their gift with readers.

What do you expect in the process?

If you mean what I expect from the viewpoint as the publisher - Well I expect authors to be willing to work continuously to better their writing. Writing isn’t a single project. It’s a journey that should be traveled with passion and pleasure, with never-ending quest for that ultimate plot or character.

What kind of costs can a writer plan on when publishing with you?

None! Intaglio Publications is a traditional publisher and if we accept a manuscript for publication, we also accept the financial responsibility of editing, graphic design, marketing, production, and distribution.

What’s your shoe size?

I wear an 8 ½ Doc Martin and run as fast as I can from anything with heels.

What suggestions do you have for creating self-discipline at writing?

We all have very busy lives and finding time to write has always been my biggest problem since starting Intaglio and SCP. However, when I do have the opportunity to write, I do so in a quiet place away from all aspects of business. When I write I have to be able to hear the characters speak to me and that means no phones, no television, and no work interruptions. I usually drag my laptop into the bed with me at night and write.

Of course, each person is different and has to develop their own system of discipline and whatever that ends up being it should be respected and given the time it deserves.

What advice can you give to future writers?

Probably the first suggestions I would give writers who would like to submit their manuscript for publication is write, review, review, re-write, review, review, review. Then, have your manuscript reviewed by a professional editor prior to submission to a publisher.

The Golden Crown Literary Society, has a group that lists beta readers and editors willing to work with writers to prepare their stories for submission. Membership in the GCLS is only $10.00/year and a very worthwhile investment for any serious author.

Who is your real life hero and why?

Actually I have several – my family. They have always provided me with unconditional love and support in everything I have chosen to undertake and on occasion when I fall down, they are always there to help me up, brush me off, give me a slap on the butt and send me on my way again. I couldn’t ask for more.

I was wondering about self publishing? Does it cost a lot?

There is more to consider when choosing to self-publish than just the cost of producing the book. Things like, marketing, promotion, visibility and distribution must play a big role in the decision as well. All of these things combined add up very quickly when self-publishing.

By associating yourself with a publisher and author is able to capture the most of all of the above with no financial investment.  

I’ve heard that most of the time the author receives up to 10% of the book price.  Up to 40% goes to places like Amazon etc; the other 50% goes to you for expenses and profit.  If I sign with your company what exactly am I paying you for?  In other words, your company takes the necessary steps to get my story into book form then what?  What does your company do for marketing and promoting of my book?

Publishing is not just about getting a book into book form, it encompasses a lot of behind-the-scenes work that most people never realize. Not only does a publisher undertake the cost of editing, graphic design, and production, they also take on the cost of marketing, promotion, distribution and accounting.

The cost of distribution isn’t contained to just the discount a publisher has to provide, there is also the maintenance of the accounts, continuous searching for new venues of distribution, marketing and promotion. Publishers also must pay the cost of shipping the books to the bookstores as well.

When an author signs with a publisher they are able to take advantage production discounts from printers that one cannot obtain with just one or two books. At Intaglio we have a tiered royalty schedule that allows us to pay royalties to authors based on the avenues of distribution.

As for marketing and promotions, we utilize our parent company StarCrossed Productions by continuously sending out promotional material to retailers about our titles. We also have a direct marketing plan that includes over 25,000 individuals in the US that receive our listings.

Is traveling for book readings, convention etc a must?  If so who takes care of the expenses for this? 

Authors are encouraged to market and promote their work. However, we do not require an author to attend conventions, readings, or book signings. We regularly attend many of the more popular conventions and our authors are welcome to join us there. However, because like all publishers in this genre we are a small company, and as a result; travel expenses are the author’s responsibility. 

Ok......so I’m re-writing The Detective Amanda Ellis series into book form.  Eventually I will have it done....poor Mary will have to re-edit it, then how do I send it to Starcrossed?  Print it out and mail it to them or e-mail it?

First of all you wouldn’t submit it to StarCrossed. Authors should submit their books to our publishing division, Intaglio Publications. We prefer electronic submissions because it allows a more timely review process. To read more about submission to Intaglio, interested authors can read our submissions guidelines here http://www.intagliopub.com/Submissions.htm

With the price of books so high and the return so low, why doesn’t the author - publisher make the edited, final product of book on cd/dvd?  If the publisher doesn’t want to can the author state that she/he would like to reserve this option for themselves?

There again, this element of publishing differs with each publisher. At Intaglio, we do offer all of our titles in E-book format through many online e-book retailers as well as SCP. We are also considering the possibility of developing a CD version of our books as well. One obstacle that we must overcome in this new development is how to protect the authors work from being pirated with this method of distribution.

If an author is interested in having their books published in electronic format, she should first find out from the publisher if the contract includes electronic versions. If not, the author retains the right to publish their books in versions not included in the publishing contract. It is very important to find out what your contract contains before embarking on electronic publishing for books already under contract.

When you’re not publishing what do you do with yourself?

I’m usually working on SCP business or spending time with my friends and family. I’m actually taking my first real vacation in three years next month.

Cd’s are so cheap, like less than .25cents, and burning them is a snap, shipping cost is very low.  Profit would be higher for the publisher as well as the author.  It seems like a win, win situation for everyone. 

Will you consider publishing books in CD format?

It does and currently Intaglio Authors enjoy the highest return on e-books. However, CD versions as I stated before are less secure and require a lot of security to protect them from being pirated once sold. It’s something we are currently investigating and we’ll have more information on this possibility in the near future.

What’s your bra size???

Unfortunately, small – very small.

Is your aim in writing to keep it strictly as literature or do you have goals for screenplays/motion pictures?

Screenplays require a completely different approach in the writing process. Currently Intaglio has no plans to develop out titles into screenplays.

Okay, now for the fun stuff.

If you could have dinner with anyone who would it be and why?

It would have to be Ellen DeGeneres. She’s funny, strong and a survivor. Plus, she’s just so cool.

Years from now, how would you want to be remembered?

As someone who made a difference in someone else’s life.

What is your pet peeve?

Ummm, people who say ummmm a lot.

What’s your favorite quote? Why and how does it affect you?

‘Don’t live faster than your angels can fly’

I think we all have angels watching over us, mine is my mom, and she always yelled at me when I drove fast.

What makes your best friend your best friend?

A best friend is someone you can tell anything to and never have to worry about being judged. It’s someone who knows your deepest, darkest secrets and still loves you in spite of your shortcomings.

What are your other artistic interests?

I enjoy playing the guitar, although I’m not very good at it.

“What would you never ever, ever write about?”

I would never write about anything that demeans women or portrays women as weak.

“Would you like to have dinner with me?”

Sure, you buying?

How do you (the writer) deal with the feedback you receive? 

I read all of the emails I get about my writing. If someone doesn’t particularly like something I have written, I like to know why, so that I can revisit that particular story or scene to see if I can learn something from it for the future.

Are you hooked up right now?  Tied up?  Twisted up?  (All of which are becoming I might add)

Yes. I have a wonderful partner, Denise. We will soon celebrate our second anniversary together.

Do you own a Jag or a Honda?

Neither, I own a Ford Escape.

What’s your favorite color...cause mine is cerulean like the deep dark depths of Xena’s eyes as they gaze into mine with passion filled hunger...her mouth slowly lowering down to have her tongue flicker out and spark the flame of my hardening nipple?

Well, I though it was purple, but I think I’m going to switch to cerulean blue. <G>

WHAT is your favorite Ice Cream Flavor?  (There is more than 31 you know).

Hagan Daz Vanilla Chocolate Chip. Yummy

Boxers or briefs?

Depends on where I’m going.

Pen or keyboard?

Keyboard always. I can’t decipher my own writing, god forbid anyone else should be required to.

Favorite comfort food?

Oreos and milk. 

So stop on by and check out the great books for sale at Kathy’s site....

http://www.intagliopub.com/index.htm

Send all HATE mail to Wizzy44tc@yahoo.com   

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