Today we're doing a different type of interview, and it should be
enlightening to both writers and readers following the blog.
My guest today is Kate Collins. Hello! Welcome back to
Writing in the Modern Age! It’s always such a pleasure to have you here.
Hello! Thank you for letting me visit.
Of course!
Can you tell us a little bit about your publishing company, and how Writing in the Modern Age readers can benefit from it?
Well,
Solstice is a traditional publisher. We don't charge our authors anything. We
take care of the cover art, editing, et cetera. We were also voted the Top Indie
Publisher for 2016 by Predators & Editors reader's poll!
Beyond
that, we've been around for eight years and are growing. Everyone on staff is also
an author. We've been there, waiting for that first contract offer. Gone through
everything our authors have with polishing, editing, promoting, et cetera. As such,
we've got a unique view on both sides of publishing. We can see the author's
viewpoint as well as the business one.
Wow, that's great! It sounds like a nice environment for authors.
Kate, are you also a writer? What genre or genres should we
expect to see you in? Do you use a pseudonym?
I
am! I write under the pen name of KateMarie Collins. I write fantasy. Mostly
high/dark, but I recently branched off into a more urban/paranormal fantasy.
The new book, Guarding Charon, was a lot of fun to write and is garnering
some good reviews.
All right.
So, how did Solstice get launched or what spurred the idea? And can you
tell us what sets your company apart from other publishers? Also, what is the one thing that you truly love about your job at Solstice Publishing?
Solstice began eight years ago by our
founder and CEO, Melissa Miller. She started it originally as 'Hearts on Fire',
but changed the name when she branched out beyond romance.
What sets us apart, really, is the sense of family
we have with our authors. We haven't met most of them, not by a long shot. But
we genuinely care about each other. We celebrate milestones with our authors,
as well as sympathize with them when things aren't going as well. My husband
had some medical issues last year, for example, which took me out of the office
more than normal. Everyone was really good about giving me the time I needed
and not expecting me to answer questions when he was in surgery.
I love the work environment, for one. We do a virtual office, so I can be in here working in my bunny slippers and no
one cares. LOL. Seriously, though, it's the people around me: Melissa Miller,
our EIC Kathi Sprayberry, our authors. I've been working with Melissa in one
capacity or another for three years now and I still wake up excited to go to work.
To be an author and immersed in the business side of things is an amazing
experience, one that I hope to continue with for years to come.
Tell us...how do you intend to expand your services or company in the future?
We're always open to submissions! The staff is dedicated to watching
Solstice grow by taking chances on new authors, making that dream a reality.
We're expanding every month. We've got over 300 authors under contract now, and
closing in on 600 titles up for sale.
One of the other great things about the staff being authors is that we often test new marketing ideas out on our own books. We invest our own money, test the waters, and report back to the authors our experiences. This gives them a firsthand accounting for them to decide if that particular promotion is feasible for them.
One of the other great things about the staff being authors is that we often test new marketing ideas out on our own books. We invest our own money, test the waters, and report back to the authors our experiences. This gives them a firsthand accounting for them to decide if that particular promotion is feasible for them.
Great!
Let's try some general
questions.
Do you have any favorite authors?
I love Nick Pollotta's writing. He's one of the few authors that would
get me to laugh so hard I'd almost fall off the bed. David Eddings will always
be another favorite. His 'Belgariad' series is what really turned me onto
fantasy. There's a naturalness about his writing that has influenced my own.
Sadly, both of those gentlemen have passed away.
Sadly, both of those gentlemen have passed away.
Sorry to hear that. :(
How about a different question?
When reading, do you prefer traditional printed books
or ebooks? And why?
I almost always start with an ebook. My
shelf space is limited, and it's so much easier to pack a Kindle loaded with
books over six paperbacks on vacation!
That being said...if I love a book and know I'll re-read it often, I will purchase a print copy. I don't have a ton of books on my shelf, but they're ones that have truly stuck with me.
That being said...if I love a book and know I'll re-read it often, I will purchase a print copy. I don't have a ton of books on my shelf, but they're ones that have truly stuck with me.
I can't blame you there! ;)
Can you tell us what you're reading for fun now?
That's the sad thing about my job. It's
really hard for me to read for fun anymore. I find myself wondering if the book
had an editor or wishing they'd submitted to Solstice. LOL. What I do read,
though, are the books that have stuck with me from the time I wasn't writing.
All right.
Well...to wrap this up, here's my last question, or questions, I suppose.
Are
there any words you'd like to impart to writers? Any advice you can give us?
Also,
how can writers find out about submitting their manuscripts to Solstice? What is the best way for potential readers to follow you as an author?
When I
first got my contract, I had issues one day. I didn't understand why I got a
shot when so many other authors I knew didn't. I considered these people to be
better writers than I was, and it bothered me a lot. I was talking with one of
them online about this. He told me the answer was simple. I got the shot
because I hit send. And that's really it. I had the courage to research
publishers and send in my completed manuscript. We can't be plagued with fear
that it won't be accepted. Because you'll never know which publisher will send
you a contract offer unless you submit it in the first place.
To submit to Solstice, head
over to our submissions page: https://solsticepublishing.submittable.com/submit
Finding me as an author is pretty easy. My
twitter handle is @DaughterHauk. I have a blog at: katemariecollins.wordpress.com
I've also got a couple of pages on Facebook.
You can either find me there at: https://www.facebook.com/KateMarie-Collins-217255151699492/ or https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100012263567358&fref=ts
Awesome! Kate has a really cool job and she sounds like a talented author too!
And Solstice seems like a great
place for writers of all stages to check out, which is just about perfect for Writing in
the Modern Age, isn't it?
Thank you for stopping by Writing in the Modern Age to tell us all about what Solstice offers to writers and a little about your own work, Kate!
My pleasure! Thanks for having me!
About Kate Collins
Kate Collins is the Chief Operations Officer for Solstice
Publishing. Beginning as an author, she accepted the position as Editor in
Chief for their fantasy/scifi/paranormal line, Solstice Shadows in 2013, and as
Executive Assistant to the CEO, Melissa Miller. She was promoted to Chief
Operations Officer in January of 2014 and now, among her numerous duties,
oversees the Editorial staff.
When not working, she is an international best-selling
fantasy author writing under the name of KateMarie Collins. She graduated from
college in California with a bachelor’s degree in drama, is an avid history
buff, and a member of the Society for Creative Anachronism. She resides with
her family in what she affectionately calls ‘Seattle Suburbia’.
Service
Link
Submissions & FAQs Page:
KateMarie Collins'
Author Bio
Born in the late 60's, KateMarie
has lived most of her life in the Pacific NW. While she's always been creative,
she didn't turn towards writing until 2008. She found a love for the craft.
With the encouragement of her husband and two daughters, she started submitting
her work to publishers. When she's not taking care of her family, KateMarie enjoys
attending events for the Society for Creative Anachronism. The SCA has allowed
her to combine both a creative nature and love of history. She currently
resides with her family and two cats in what she likes to refer to as
"Seattle Suburbia".
Author Links:
Website/Blog: http://katemariecollins.wordpress.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DaughterHauk
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/KateMarie-Collins/e/B008I67BBE/
Books:
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