Recently, I semi-announced that I was offered a writing contract for the Urban Vampire Series. I had been contacted by the acquisitions editor who had read samples of my work and asked me to send them a submission. I have always wanted Urban Vampire to be formally published because I think the series is dynamic and I truly want to see it published through a publishing company who can market it appropriately. Stranded was also on the table. After some editing we polished off some rough edges and since I knew that Ellora's Cave was known for romantic-erotic stories I figured I would be a good fit.
Unfortunately it wasn't. The acquisitions editor liked both stories and offered me a contract which I accepted...but then came the realization that they required a revision to the story and not just edits. I won't do that--there are too many fans already following the story and the formula is right for me and my fans even if it isn't right for these publishers.
So the long and the short is that I contacted them and stated that I will not be signing a contract with them for UV or Stranded. Me and my books are homeless again.
Uh...well for now. Now I will begin actually shopping for a home for us instead of waiting for offers that drop into my lap. Regardless, UV 4 will still be published by either me independently or someone else.
I'm so glad you decided to stay true to your convictions for your writing and your fans - Thank you for that. You and your stories are not "homeless" they're in the hearts of all of your faithful and appreciative readers!
ReplyDeleteSabrina
Awww thank you Sabrina. That is a wonderful sentiment and I do feel like regardless of whether I'm represented by a publishing house or not, my stories have rock solid fans that I appreciate and love. That's why even if it would mean more money I just CAN'T compromise on that. My writing is EVERYTHING, it's my reason, it's my love, it's my purpose and the money will come or go but I'm going to stay true to my writing.
DeleteI would love for you to make some mad money Pep, but I do notice that most authors in ellora don't have the gritty stories that you do unless there is a lot of bdsm involved. And I really don't think they could handle your stories. Don't get me wrong I'm not downplaying them at all I have purchased from them a lot but you can't find the kind of stories you write on there no matter how hard you look for a good interracial story.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean MissClark. My friends say I should just find a better fit. I'm trying to do that now...
ReplyDeleteGood I'm glad im not the only one who noticed.
ReplyDeleteYeah to me your not cookiecutter author so I don't think you would fit. Have you tried beautiful trouble publishing?
Hi Miss Clark I love the ladies at Beautiful Trouble and their authors are a whose who in the IR writing world. There is also Genesis Press which is the very first place that I was able to buy a multitude of IR stories. There is Harlequin who now has their Blaze, Kimani and Desire book lines. I kinda have my eye on DAW for UV and Kensington for some of my others. But I'm not closed to other ideas.
DeleteHello Pepper, I hope you are well. There will be other publishing company and I am glad you stuck to your dignity. I have all of your books in paperback, now I am going to buy them in hardcover. The quality of your craft is lovely and how you form thoughts it is compelling, I cannot get enough. Please keep on writing and I will buy. Thank you Bain
ReplyDeleteAwesome! Thank you Bain, I will keep writing if you keep reading
DeleteI just wanted to say that I'm in love with the UV series! And no matter how you publish it I will read it. It sucks that it didn't work out with EC but in my opinion that's good. EC was the first place I bought ebooks long before Amazon Kindle ever existed and years later it is also the first place I discovered the IR genre. However, honestly this past year I've found so many AMAZING indie authors (including you) in IR and with the exception of only one, has nothing published with EC. I found that there is a very short list of IR authors there with limited stories and they NEVER update it with new IR material. Now I can see why. It's because they have no clue about the people who love IR and authors like you. Now I can see why they've lost me as a customer ages ago and I didn't even know it. They really missed the boat with you trying to make you change your stories. Who knows what other authors they did this to... In the end they are the ones losing out. When I think of IR, I do not think of EC, now I can see why.
ReplyDeleteThank you Jade. I know that Ellora's Cave has a new campaign to bring more African American clientele with IR and African American stories and authors. I believe that they will then find that African American readers have a diversity of taste and interests but we do have one fairly common theme; we want to invest our money and time in reading stories that are plot driven. A purely sexual story can be had for free in many venues but to invest $5.99 or more in an ebook means that it better have a strong and interesting storyline.
DeleteWhen I checked there were just a very few IR stories (I had hoped to change that!) and I'm sure that they will add more. And if anyone out there has a good, sexy, African American/IR story then send it to EC who is very open to receiving them.
So UV and Stranded weren't right for EC because they are very romantically based stories and UV has a strong following. But that isn't to say that there aren't other Pepper Pace stories that might fit with them.
Thanks Jade, I may look at them for Emoboy, what do you think?
Ooo I really loved Emoboy, that may be more their style! I really hope they look to authors like you if they want to do well in this genre, until then I will buy my stuff from Amazon! :D
DeleteYou should check out All Romance Books, this may be a match for you. https://www.allromanceebooks.com/publishers.html
ReplyDeleteGood Luck in your search.
Girl, your stories will always have a home with me! Most publishers are idiots when it comes to stories and characters that don’t fit the mainstream- and some are aspiring authors who believe themselves talented enough to rewrite someone else’s work.
ReplyDeleteRooting for you,
Ebony
Is there a way to contact you via email? I'd like to ask you a couple questions about your Ellora's Cave experience. I just received my first contract from them.
ReplyDeleteKira Shayde (kirashayde@gmail.com)