Talking publishing in a big way with Kate from @CandlemarkGleam
In the month of January, I'm doing a Twitter Interview (Twitterview) of many of the participants of the #BookMarket chat. These are people who come and generously share their wisdom week after week. The Twitterviews give them a chance to shine.
Today, I had a chance to chat with Kate from the eBook publisher @CandlemarkGleam Candlemark and Gleam is a small publishing house based in Vermont. They are proud supporters of new authors and new mediums.
My take on this interview:
One of the most interesting thing about my interview with @CandlemarkGleam was the idea that because there are so many books now, techniques that created success in the earlier days of Twitter, Facebook, etc, are no longer as successful. The old school, straight up, tried and true book marketing techniques used by people in the industry for the long time may become the 'go to' techniques in getting books noticed. Only time will tell.
Here's the transcript:
ClaudiaC Q.1 - What 5 words would you use to describe your publishing company? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Quirky, fierce, dedicated, motivated, optimistic RT @ClaudiaC: Q.1 - What 5 words describe your publishing company? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Although I might have to say "qüirky" after how someone ELSE described us once! #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC I have to ask - Q.1b Fierce? What does that mean about you and the company? #twitterview #bookmarket
ClaudiaC Love this! :) RT @CandlemarkGleam: Quirky, fierce, dedicated, motivated, optimistic #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam I'd say it means we fight for the books we love, regardless of how "marketable" they seem, @ClaudiaC #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam Not everything finds its place in market right away, or resonates w/ everyone. We dig in, try to get books in right hands #bookmarket
ClaudiaC That's such a rare thing for a publisher. Good new for an author though. Is it hard?#twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam It's not easy! Some reviewers don't "get" certain books, some are niche. Keeping motivated is hard @ClaudiaC #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam Basically, we just try to find new approaches to sell that book, track down audience @ClaudiaC #twitterview #bookmarket
ClaudiaC Oh gosh, I'd love to hear more about how you track down the audience. Any tips? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Still working on perfecting that, @ClaudiaC ! Mostly, try to think of what ELSE ppl like... #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam For instance, seeking gamers as audience for CONSTELLATION GAMES, history buffs for EREKOS #bookmarket #twitterview (@claudiac)
ClaudiaC Very smart! :) And is it working for you? Your authors? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam So far, yes. DEF worth seeking gamers for CONSTELLATION GAMES, looking for other crossover @ClaudiaC #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Yea!! RT @candlemarkgleam: So far, yes. DEF worth seeking gamers for CONSTELLATION GAMES, looking for other crssovr #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC It's definitely a benefit of having an engaged publisher.They can step back to look at whole field. #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Q.2 - What is your favorite thing about the publishing world today? #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam @claudiac We like to think so! Engaged AUTHOR is still critical element, but pub can sure help #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam How dynamic it is RT @ClaudiaC: Q.2 - What is your fave thing about publishing world today? #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam Of course, that's also my LEAST fave thing. So hard to keep up w/ everything, yet so exciting! #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC So you know I have to ask - dynamic? how is publishing/writing dynamic now? #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam Gosh, how ISN'T it dynamic right now? Changing revenue models, formats, distribution...all in flux! #twitterview #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam There's so much to experiment with, but also more and more books out there - harder to get noticed #twitterview #bookmarket
ClaudiaC Yes, I've wondered if the sheer quantity of books in some ways negates the ease of the medium #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC It's almost becomes the wild west again - or more like Twain's day - to get a book noticed. You? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam I think so, yes RT @ClaudiaC: Yes, I've wondered if the sheer quantity of books negates ease of the medium #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam EXACTLY. RT @BookMarketChat: It's almost the wild west again - or more like Twain's day - to get a book noticed. #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Terribly, terribly hard to stand out w/o a HUGE marketing budget. Gotta get creative #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam That's where a lot of the tips and camaraderie of #bookmarket comes in handy. See what works for others! #twitterview
ClaudiaC or go back to tried&true? RT @candlemarkgleam: @ClaudiaC Terribly hard to stand out w/o a HUGE marktng budget.#bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Love It RT @candlemarkgleam: That's where a lot of the tips&camardrie of #bookmarket comes in handy.See what works for others! #twitterview
ClaudiaC Q.3 - If a reader was totally dialed into what you publish, what's your message? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Oof, that's tough 1! Do you mean "what do we want readers to know" or "what type of readers do we love"? #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Oh I guess I think ppl do things for reasons & publishers do them for BIG change the world reasons #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Hmmm, so are you asking what our reasons for being are? Or our reasons for publishing? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam The message, then, is "good stories are out there. Don't limit yourself" #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC I'm asking if you look for a particular message in your authors&want readers get. We can move on. #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam We're, ah, pretty simple on that one. Message = fantastika is fun, & unlimited. So don't limit yourself! #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Q.4 - What drew you to becoming an eBook/paperback publisher? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Was a matter of "do or die" really RT @ClaudiaC: Q.4 - What drew you to becoming an eBook/paperback publisher? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Basically, I saw all the changes in the industry, and was complaining about lack of good reads, and realized (1/2) #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam ...that it was time to either DO SOMETHING or stop complaining. Wanted to be in on action, not whinging. (2/2) #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam I'd been in publishing/journalism professionally for years, and put all the pieces together for fiction. #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Were you in publishing before this? I guess I didn't realize that. #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam And from there, just started experimenting and seeing what worked. So far, working pretty well! #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Yep, I've been a pro editor and designer for nearly 10 years now, just not in fiction #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Yea! I love that things are working so well. Did you work at a big pub? small house? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Magazines and freelance, actually #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC I've seen recently how veteran's of publishing have better idea of what's going on now that field is leveled #bookmarket
ClaudiaC There was a time when pub insiders/experienced were flummoxed. I think the next 5yrs they will really shine. #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam I think a lot of us see what's wrong in the industry from the inside, and want to try to smooth it out #bookmarket
CandlemarkGleam And those of us who've been on the fringes of it...we can see from both inside and outside. Good perspective #bookmarket
ClaudiaC Q.4b - What have you learned about writing & publishing as a publisher? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam That I'm much better as editor than a writer! RT @ClaudiaC: Q.4b What have u learned about writing as a publisher? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam And that publishing really does take a village. You need experts to help you, even if YOU"RE an expert #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Love this! RT @candlemarkgleam: publishing really does take a villg.u need experts to help u, even if U'R an expert #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC That's a pretty great place to be in as a publisher! :) #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam I think so! Honestly, couldn't be much happier with how things are going #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC I'm so glad - makes me smile! :) RT @candlemarkgleam: Honestly, couldn't be much happier with how things are going #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam There's always more work to do, always more readers to reach, but we're doing REALLY well for a new press #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Like I said - optimistic! About future of C&G, the book, the story...all of it! #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Ok, last question Q.5 - Everyone has a super secret ninja skill. What's yours? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam I am actually a ninja RT @ClaudiaC: Ok, last question Q.5 - Everyone has a super secret ninja skill. What's yours? #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC ahahahaha!! 5 element animal? Brazilian jujitsu? sword skills? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam But really? I'm a skilled cook, can edit while stir-frying! RT @ClaudiaC: Q.5 Everyone has ninja skill. What's urs? #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC I think stir fry is a bit like editing - making sure every piece is cooked to perfection. #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam LOVE this RT @BookMarketChat: I think stir fry is like editing - making sure every piece is cooked to perfection. #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Also, edits go down easier with some hoisin. ;-) #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Ok yum! RT @candlemarkgleam: @ClaudiaC Also, edits go down easier with some hoisin. ;-) #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Is there anything you think we missed or you would like to add? #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Just another plug for #bookmarket, really! Everyone interested in publishing issues, books shoudl follow! #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Because, seriously, it is great resource for bouncing ideas, seeing how others do it, using those experts #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Gosh, thanks so much! I'm grateful for your help Kate. Think of you everytime I use Atlantis! :) #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam ATLANTIS. Oh, be still my e-booking heart #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Indeed! :) Great program you hooked me too! :) RT @candlemarkgleam: ATLANTIS. Oh, be still my e-booking heart #bookmarket #twitterview
ClaudiaC Well, thank you very much for the awesome #twitterview #bookmarket! *applause* *applause* *applause*
ClaudiaC Let's plan to get together for stir fry someday - date? Thanks again for your time and support! :) #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam @ClaudiaC Edits and hoisin, babe. You got it! #bookmarket #twitterview
CandlemarkGleam Many thanks to @claudiac and @bookmarketchat for a very fun #twitterview for #bookmarket!
Tomorrow, I'm interviewing Tak from @FriesenPress at 3 p ET - Join us!
Previous #twitterviews:
Eco-fantasy and @Harmonygirlit
Serial fiction, Moody vampires, and other fun with @TechTigger
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