by David A. Rozansky, Publisher, Flying Pen Press
October 6, 2007
Welcome to the first installment of my new Gather.com column, "Reading, Writing & Royalties." As this is the first article, I am writing for the column, I will naturally describe what I have in mind. I can't wait to get started, and would rather delve into my first topic, but if there is no clarification of what the column will cover, there is no way to attract attention to my more enlightening material. Or so the theory goes.
"Reading, Writing & Royalties" is my column about the publishing business. It is a column for those who enjoy reading, those who enjoy writing, and for everyone else who helps writers reach readers. This column will be an inside look at a small-press publishers ordeals and accomplishments, for those who just have to know what goes on beyond putting ink on paper.
I will be drawing on 20 years in the publishing business (as of November of this year!) I began as a freelance aviation journalist, focusing mostly on general aviation. That led to an editor's stint at a trade newspaper for general aviation, which led me to start co-publishing a free biweekly paper here in the Rocky Mountain Region for air travelers and aviation professionals. I moved on to public relations writing, and then back into publishing my own magazine.
Now I am the publisher of Flying Pen Press, a new, small book publishing company that I have started on a shoestring. We now have three titles out: two novels and a poker reference book. I am doing the work of about nine people, I think, but I am managing to attract highly qualified people to the company who are as excited about this little enterprise as I am, and we are looking at a healthy lot of high-quality submissions, so it gets a little easier every day.
It seems that I just have ink in my veins. Publishing is my life.
Taking a moment every day or two to share what I know, or at least what I am supposed to be learning, is meant to be a way to stay close with readers and peers in this industry. I hope this is a two-way discussion, so please, if you have any questions about anything I write, please send me a message. I may not be able to answer all the questions that come my way, but I will try to feature the more interesting questions in the column, with my best answers.
I look forward to hearing from readers, and perhaps through this column, we can all learn more about the book biz.
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David A. Rozansky is the publisher of Flying Pen Press. He has been in publishing since 1987, and has more than one million published words under his byline. Flying Pen Press can be found at www.FlyingPenPress.com.
Flying Pen Press is the publisher of The Game Day Poker Almanac Official Rules of Poker by Kelli Mix, ISBN 978-0-9795889-2-1.
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Comments: 9
Fate and Destiny
I will occasionally share information about promoting all types of books. In fact, my first series of articles is a guide for authors to hand sell their own books, an area where self-published books shine.
Good news. We are currently open to Science Fiction submissions for novels. I would be happy to have you submit your work for consideration to our submissions department (submissions@FlyingPenPress.com).
I know how hard it is. I am a writer of 20 years, with more than my fair share of rejection stories. I was getting fed up with the way that publishers treated writers, which is one reason I got into publishing...to be the kind of publisher who writers would like to work with. A strong part of my philosophy for Flying Pen Press is that this company will treat writers with the greatest of respect. "Being there" is a big part of what we do for writers, at least that is one of my guiding principles.
As I write these articles for Readers, Writers and Royalties, I hope that you will be able to find some nuggets of helpful information. Feel free to ask me any questions about teh craft and trade of the book business.
I have a somewhat similar background, having started out in trade publishing, worked in academic publishing and el/hi publishing, and then moved into PR and advertising as well as ghostwriting, all the while editing and writing as well. I look forward to your column and to sharing my experiences too.
All the best.