JC Returns From the Cave Bringing Good Tidings!

Greetings my Blogger readers!

First, I want to profusely apologize for not updating the blog in such a ridiculously long time. I have a good excuse, though. I’ve been working on a new business model for Luna Brillante Publishing. We desperately wanted to be able to work with other authors in helping them reach their dreams in publishing great speculative fiction works. Unfortunately, due to financial difficulties, we simply did not have the financial wherewithal to be able to publishing and produce books solely on our own. I’ve spent the last several days studying the subsidy and vanity models of other book publishers (thanks to BooksandTales’ An Incomplete Guide to POD Publishers http://booksandtales.com/pod/index.php)

I wrestled with what to do. I wanted to keep the legitimacy of being a true small publisher that used POD technology while at the same time be able to provide the services that our authors and our readers deserved. There were many, many things about the subsidies that I thought were very shady. They charged hundreds of dollars for LCCN’s which cost nothing more than the cost of printing two books and sending it to the Library. They charged for Bowker’s Books In Print…which come automatically when you assign an ISBN to a book. Some charged an outrageous sum of $500 to allow for returns – basically making the author subsidize their inability to sell their author’s books. Some didn’t even offer returns, which gave their author’s no chance of ever seeing books in brick-and-mortar stores, still the best place to have books purchased. I was stunned at the overcharging of services or the lack of services. It bothered me. I decided my company was not going to fleece authors like that. We didn’t want to take advantage of those who have their dreams of being published – so we designed a different way.

I felt strongly that the subsidy model and the vanity model did not fit what I wanted to do. As I researched, I discovered that there is such a thing as Collaborative Publishers. The publishers enter what is kind of a partnership with the author (or magazine/journal producer) and make an agreement to publish and distribute the book, magazine, journal or what have you. Each assumes risk, each benefit with a reward if the publications do well. A synergetic partnership. That’s what I wanted for LBP. In this model, I could continue to have the bar raised high when it came to Speculative Fiction, which our company specializes in, and I wouldn’t just take any manuscript that waved money in my face. I could institute standards and still provide the services I would had we had the financial backing we needed to continue to be an independent small press. It was the best of both worlds.

So, on August 1st, we announced our partnership packages – Moondrop, Moonbeam, and Moonglade which ran from $399-$899, significantly less than you’d see with some of the other well known subsidy presses. The packages were all inclusive, too.

Moondrop is for the author who is a "go-getter" and wants some control over the presentation of his work. This package will include many advantages but a custom cover and professionally editing will need to be taken care of by the author. LBP reserves the right to review the editing and quality of the cover for professionalism and marketability.

Moonbeam is for the author who has his own cover, but doesn't want to pay for his editing and wants it done by LBP. It has all that Moondrop offers, plus some additional perks, a larger royalty share and professional editing provided by LBP's editing staff.
Moonglade

Moonglade is for the author who just wants to focus on marketing and wants his publisher to handle everything else. It has everything that Moondrop and Moonbeam offers, but in addition offers an even larger royalty share, a custom cover by an LBP certified graphic artist, professional editing, an author website hosted on our servers, and a listing in Ingram Advance's catalog.

I think they’re good, well priced packages and I feel that with these packages, authors who joined Luna Brillante would not only be proud of their association with us, but also be excited about their futures and the company’s future. I know I am.

It will take some time, but I truly believe that our company goal is reachable. What is that goal? I want anyone who is interested in Speculative Fiction to think of Luna Brillante first before they go anywhere else. I know, it’s a lofty goal – especially with the Del Rey and Baens of the world. But I feel with great books and good prices, we can position ourselves to not only build a buying base – but a fanbase. I want you – the spec fic fan to say – “Man! I can’t wait for the next LBP book to come out.” I want you to go to your fellow spec fic fans and say – “Hey, have you heard of Luna Brillante? Their books are AWESOME! You should check them out!”

I want you to go to stores and demand they carry Luna Brillante books. Its about good authors and entertained readers folks and I truly believe with this publishing model – we can accomplish this at LBP.

If you are interested in finding out more or submitting your work to LBP, visit our website at http://www.lunabrillantepublishing.com

Our new slogan is Step into the Light with Luna Brillante Publishing. I know, as Vice President of the company, we will do everything we can to make that the truth.

Feel free to comment here or email me directly at editor@lunabrillantepublishing.com

Thanks,
JC De La Torre

I normally don’t do this but –

Tag: POD, POD Publishing, Self Publishing, Publishing, Books, Authors, Getting Published, Subsidy Publisher, Vanity Publisher, Collobrative Publisher, novels, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Speculative Fiction, Horror, Alternate History, Alternate Reality