Today’s interview is with J.M. Smith owner of The Wild Horse Press who publishes all categories of romances in both electronic and paperback formats. If you write young adult novels, you’ll definitely what to check out the Web site at http://www.the-wild-horse-press.com/
Susan Palmquist (SP)-What made you decide to start your own publishing company?
J.M.Smith (JMS)-I hadn’t planned on starting a publishing company, but I had several people in my cheering section telling me how great they thought I’d be as a publisher. So I did some research and decided to open WHP. I’d worked previously at a small press assisting with editing and formatting so I had an idea of what to expect. I knew it was a lot to take on, but I haven’t regretted my decision.
SP-What type of books do you publish?
JMS-Wild Horse Press publishes romance stories only. We accept all sub-genres ranging from young adult to science fiction, but they must all have a central romance theme.
SP-You’re closed for submissions right now…when you start looking at manuscripts again, are there any particular stories you’ll be seeking?
JMS-We’ve been focusing on young adult stories for the most part. I feel that there is a great market out there for young adult romances, whether they are paperback or e-book. Not only teens read them, but adults as well. With e-book capability on phones, laptops, and other devices, it’s become easy for people of all ages to read an e-book. But for those who prefer a paperback novel in their hands, we publish those as well.
SP-You’re a writer yourself, how does that affect…if it does, your role as a publisher?
JMS-It actually doesn’t. I have deadlines like everyone else and have to go through the same process with an editor as all other authors. Being writer gives me more insight into how a writer thinks, and I feel that allows me serve them better as a publisher.
SP-What type of stories have been your best sellers?
JMS-The WHP YA Nibbles and Liquid Heat lines have done really well, as well as series romance titles. Short stories are hot at the moment, probably because a lot of people enjoy reading, but in the busy world we live in, not everyone has time to read a full-length story.
SP-Any upcoming releases you’re especially excited about?
JMS-Our first Inspirational Romance is coming out November 9th, Mr. Shipley’s Governess by Joanne Troppello. I think it’s going to be well received and will touch the hearts of many.
SP-If you could acquire the perfect story for Wild Horse what would it be?
JMS-That’s a hard one to answer. We like the unusual, but lean more towards paranormal stories. Contemporaries and historicals just don’t sell as well as they used to, but the paranormal market is still booming. At WHP we enjoy a story with twists and turns, a story that keeps you guessing until the end.
SP-Walk us through the submission process. Do you read the stories or do you have acquisition editors? And how long before a story is accepted until the time it’s released?
JMS-When a story is submitted, either I or one of the editors will read it. We usually prefer to have two people read it. Just because one person doesn’t like a story, doesn’t mean someone else won’t.
Our release time varies depending on how many submissions we have. We’ve been known to release a story within 2-3 months, but right now we’re releasing stories at a 6-10 month timeframe. We are currently booked through summer 2011, and even had some releases set up for fall 2011 and spring 2012. If the story is part of a series, we try to space them apart by 6 months or more. Some of our series are spaced a year apart, at the author’s request.