Dishing Out Advice for Writers: A Publisher Tells All

What is your name?

Lord Evilton. (j/k) Kristofer J Stamp

How long have you been a publisher?

I have run StoneGarden.net Publishing since 1997.

What was required to get Stonegarden.net Publishing started?

Mostly force of will. Since everything was run over the Internet there were no startup costs beyond the business license and seller's permit. All the books were free in those days, and I did all the editing and "cover" design.

What are the biggest differences between mainstream publishing houses and small press publishing?

I'll set the available marketing cash flow aside for this answer. The major differences are in how the books are perceived by the public. With a large press name even the most inane writer (hello everyone from the Bush administration!) seems to be credible. With small presses even the largest names fight for their market share.

What was the biggest thing you have learned about publishing over the years?

I have learned to put personal feelings aside, and to ensure that every item that leaves my inbox does so with the highest quality. At the same time, I know that every title should have a little piece of myself and the love for words that come with that.

Do you see any end to Stonegarden.net Publishing in sight?

We have been growing exponentially over the last couple of years, and looking forward the growth trend should continue. With new authors coming to us everyday, many of them via word of mouth from existing authors, I don't feel that our time will be at an end soon.

What has been your favorite part of being a small press publisher?

Getting to read great new literature before anyone else.

What is your least favorite part of being a small press publisher?

Rejecting the dreams of "bad" authors. StoneGarden was built on the idea that authors deserve a voice. Unfortunately, there are time when an author has to be told that his voice just does not fit in with our vision.

Approximately how many manuscripts to do you accept and reject in a given month?

I tend to take my time when considering manuscripts. While I receive approximately 15 to 20 manuscripts on a monthly basis, it may take me two or three months to fully consider which ones will be accepted and which ones will be rejected. Of the approximately 60 titles I receive a quarter, only 5 to 10 percent will find a home with StoneGarden.

What do you consider a "good" or publishable manuscript?

To be publishable, a title must be well written, with few (if any) spelling and grammar mistakes. Obvious rip-offs of other authors will go into the trash bin without comment. Also, if I cannot get into a book within the first chapter, most readers won't even pick it up, and it just isn't worth publishing.

What are some of the things that make you the most frustrated or angry about the book business?

Authors that work with small presses expecting them to be exactly like the Big Boys. We are small for a reason, and authors looking to break into the business...but not pay their dues...should look elsewhere. The decline in small bookstores over the years has also been frustrating. While the larger stores have a great selection, they also discriminate (yes, I said it!) against Print-On-Demand publishers. The belief that all POD publishers offer inferior crap that cannot be returned pervades the market, despite evidence to the contrary. We have places like PublishAmerica and other vanity presses to thank for this.

If you got the chance to turn Stonegarden.net Publishing into a mainstream publishing house, would you do it? Or do you prefer to stay independent? Why?

Mainstream? As in sell to a larger firm? Never. However, I would love to create a larger firm with an actual editing team (my current folks will just have to move to California ) and a marketing team. Having dedicated people for each task makes the whole much stronger.

What are you most excited about for the future of Stonegarden.net Publishing?

Our continued growth and the knowledge that we must be doing something right if so many authors send people our way.

Do you have any advice for writers?

Don't think that just because you CAN write that you will get published. Find a good editor to work with and run them ragged. If you get a rejection, ask WHY you are being rejected and learn from it. If a publisher rejects you, don't continue to send them manuscripts that haven't gone through a more rigorous editing process than the American Constitution.

Do you have any advice for someone who might want to start their own publishing business?

Treat your authors with respect and listen to their input.

Are writers difficult to work with? It's ok to be honest here....really.

Just Jennifer. All the other ones are fine. ;) As with any situation in which you are working with people directly there are good and bad people to work with. I tend to have a short temper, so the difficult ones don't last long.

(I wonder who is is talking about...?)

Do you generally have contact with the readers? Any stories about those encounters?

I have occasional interaction with the readers. No real stories of interest there.

When it comes to books do you have any superstitions?

If it costs more than $20 for 100 pages, you should always sacrifice it to un-named gods to ensure a bountiful harvest.

Have you ever received any advice that really helped along the way?

The same as I have passed along. Treat everyone with respect. Listen to those that speak.

If you could do it all over it again, with the knowledge you have now, what would you do differently?

There is no reason to dwell on the past; otherwise you cannot learn from it.

Any final words, thoughts, incantations?

Mooshie. Mooshie. Mooshu Pork.

Uh...thanks Kris for talking with me. Do you want your monkey paw back? No? It's mine now, sucker!