Friday, August 27, 2010

Bellebooks & Literary Fiction

Sometimes just taking a chance works. Sometimes luck is in your favor. Of course, I recognize that with "luck" there has to be other factors, like, writing a good book!, but, timing plays such a role in this novel to publishing business.



The evening I was sitting around wondering what I wanted to do with my manuscript, I fiddled with google, typed in "Southern Publishers" and that's when Bellebooks "Southern Fried Publishers" popped up. I thought, "Hmmm . . ." I had queried a couple of agents, but I really didn’t know what I wanted or how my dreams would be realized, or where I’d go or do or be as regards to my work. In other words: I was pretty open to where the universe would lead me as an author whether that be by agent or by me finding an independent/small press. The only thing I didn’t want to do was self-publish—and not because I think self-published books are “bad,” but I, personally, just didn’t want to deal with all the ins and outs of publication—I wanted an advance, even if tiny or token, and I wanted at least industry standard royalties, and I wanted a traditional publisher.


I looked at Bellebooks’s submissions guidelines and thought, “I don’t think my book fits that.” But, since I was right on the edges of fitting; since there was a question of whether maybe perhaps I fit, and since they were looking for newer works on their imprint Bell Bridge Books, I thought, “What the heck; I’ll send a query.” I did; they responded and asked for the entire manuscript. I sent it; sat on pins and needles, and not long after that, I had a contract. Boom Bam! It happened fast. I was elated. I have a great respect for these women of Bellebooks - - strong southern women. My editor/publicist Deb Smith is a dream to work with, and the President, Deb Dixon, is as well. It's truly been a positive and wonderful experience.


What I didn’t know was how I was kind of an experiment, or you may say “a big risk.” Up to that point, Bellebooks wasn’t publishing my kind of fiction—literary fiction, or "women's literary" whatever title you want to place upon it (for men have loved TG, too!). But as over the last year and a half Tender Graces has shown strong, and continues to do well, and then the response to Secret Graces also has been strong, Bellebooks decided to open their doors to more literary fiction. (I wasn’t alone in this experiment—there were at least two other authors with literary fiction, or women's lit, that Bellebooks/Bell Bridge Books took on, and their books are doing well, too!)


Here’s the twitter feed from @bellebooks: Bellebooks Bell Bridge will accept proposals for literary fiction starting Nov. 1. See books of Kat Magendie for example http://www.bellbridgebooks.com/



I felt ‘proud’ to see my books as examples of what Bellebooks is looking for! *big arse grin*



So, beginning November 1, they will open their doors to literary fiction. I can tell you that they’ve been wonderful to work with. I feel incredibly lucky, and very happy that whatever Universe Hands pushed me that evening, they did so at the right time.



12 comments:

Angie Ledbetter said...

Hoorah for BelleBooks and their simply magnificent taste!

Linda Leschak said...

So glad you found BelleBooks. And they are obviously glad they found you! Today I'm cracking open Secret Graces. The one signed in crayon.

Judith Mercado said...

You are a generous spirit. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

Diane said...

You visionary..... you leader..... So exciting that your work inspired them to open their doors to similar books. Thanks to BelleBooks! :O)

Waterfall said...

Maybe this is cheesy, but this story gave me chills (in a good way). To think that, because your book was published, other writers are going to get opportunities with this publisher that they otherwise wouldn't have had ... amazing! Yay for BelleBooks! And for you!

B. WHITTINGTON said...

Loved your blog. Happy to hear of your success with Belle Books.

Will look forward to reading the forthcoming books!

I'm a fan already.

Blessings.
Barb Whittington
www.blogspot.com
Writing: the ups and downs

Karen said...

Oh, wow, that's so good! I'll have to keep them in mind. You opened another door for them and you too. :)

Carrie Clevenger said...

That is such good news! And your story behind the story is so awesome Kat. You deserve the recognition. <3

Titus said...

I loved that tale! And what a fabulous ending - congratulations on breaking new ground for others too!

Walker said...

Nothing ventured is nothing gained.
Everyne has to take a chance once in a while or there could never be progress.

You took a chance, they took a chance
and together created a new fre3sh direction to travel down with together and start a path for other.

I always took chances.
Got slapped alot but it was good for the skin.
Makes you feel alive.

Anonymous said...

Cool website, I hadn't come across tendergraces.blogspot.com previously in my searches!
Continue the fantastic work!

Deb Shucka said...

What a wonderful story this is! I love that you're a shining example, both as a writer and as a pioneer woman.