Blackrose Press and More

Lots has happened since I last posted. For one, Blackrose Press is a reality. For two, The Underground is in the pre-publication process. I hope BP is able to release it before Arisia, but if not, then not.

I'm sending out review copies to folks like SF&F, and a number of bloggers. Not some of the top reviewers, excluding SF&F, but I figure if I send out 10 or 15 books, SOMEBODY will review one. Also, I'm getting a review from Kirkus Indie. Yeah, I had to pay for it, so I probably won't use it in my media kit, but so far it hasn't been reviewed, so it'll be interesting to hear from an expert reviewer on whether my book is worth it.

So...Blackrose Press has its own address. Tomorrow it's getting a bank account. Actually, BP has been in business for some time, now. I found the trade name response in some mail I hadn't gone through yet. Then, when I called the County Clerk's office, I learned that as a service organization (apparently, that's what publishers are under Maryland law) I didn't need a business license. You know what would have been nice? If all this information was available in one place.

Now there's lots more to do. Build a website. Design a logo. Get business cards. Check out promo opportunities, and get promo stuff like bookmarks, etc. What it boils down to is this: spend money like a drunken sailor.

So that's all for now--will keep you posted!

Blackrose Press Is Live!

And about time, too. The only thing I need now is a sales and use tax license from Maryland, but that's not stopping Blackrose from being a reality.

Now all I need is a webpage...coming soon! And oh yeah--a P.O. Box. I've been using my home address, which I really don't want to do. So...here I come Post Office!

This Is A Test

And only a test. A friend of mine kept getting an error page, so I'm going to find out if he's right...

Of Werewolves and Other Strangers: A New Blog Discovered

Of Werewolves and Other Strangers: A New Blog Discovered

http://smokyzeidel.wordpress.com/2011/08/27/its-all-in-the-little-details/

A New Blog Discovered

Smoky Zeidel is awesome. She writes about real things that an author encounters, such as the one I've included here. It's about paying attention to details, like Christmas in Australia (it's not white) and things like that. Hope you enjoy the blog post as much as I did! (P.S. Click on the title of this post to get to the blog.)

Cooling My Heels

As my temperature starts to rise. I'm still waiting for that trade name application from Maryland. Two weeks ago, I received a response almost immediately. I was elated. Then it turned out to be the same form I'd sent them (no, I don't have to fill out the form twice). Now, of course, it's taking forever to get the real deal.

My book is coming out in the fall, come hell or high water. If I can't get it together because of the state, I'm plowing ahead. Blackrose Press will be in business, one way or the other.

Why We Have Editors

Jahannan's Children--received my first chapter and chapter outline from my editor yesterday. Both were dipped in blood.

And rightly so. Given her comments, even I could see where my baby had lots of room for improvement.

Anyone who thinks editors are not important to the writing process is a fool.

Journey to Self-Publication II

So, I have my federal EIN number, and I yesterday I sent one of the forms off to the state to register my trade name. Now that the IRS knows about me...

You know, I wonder why the state does all these things by snail mail. Wouldn't it be faster and more convenient to do it online? If I can get a federal EIN number online, why can't the state do what it has to do online? Just questions--I suppose the state has it's reasons.

One more step to Blackrose Press becoming a reality. I really gotta get a webpage.

Setting Up

Now I see why lawyers are so maligned. I'm trying to figure out how to set up a sole proprietorship and the information on the state's website is as about confusing as it gets. It's hard to figure out what I need to do.

But I'll be damned if I'm going to pay a lawyer to do this.

Bowker and ISBNs

It just occurred to me--if I want my ISBN number assigned to Blackrose Press, then I'm going to have to make it a legal entity. So that question has been answered.

Here's another I asked on Facebook--should I use Roxanne Bland or R. L. Bland as my author name? I keep vacillating between the two...

Journey to Self Publication

Okay, I'm starting out here on my journey to self-publication. I'm probably doing is bass-ackwards, but experience is always the best teacher. So anyway, I've found a book designer who advertises that they can design my book at a very reasonable price. I think I've found a cover designer. That's as far as I've gotten so far.

One thing I can't decide on is whether to just go ahead and jump through the legal hoops to make Blackrose Press a sole proprietorship reality, or just use the imprint. Making it a reality involves tax forms, etc. On the other hand, I do want to deduct all this stuff from my taxes for this year (especially since I'll probably owe). Perhaps I should just close my eyes, pinch my nose and take the plunge.

I should make a checklist. First, I think, is to copyright the ms. Then I need to decide what to do about Blackrose Press. Then the book goes to the designer. I suppose I could have the cover design worked on at the same time.

Then there's marketing. I've heard that I should be marketing already, but how do you market something that doesn't yet exist? I guess it's like a movie--coming soon to a theater near you. Or, in my case, coming this fall. And does anyone really read media releases anymore? Is it possible for me to ask any more questions? Of course. I suppose I'll find the answers as I trundle along...

Love that word--trundle.

Back Cover Blurb

I've been working on this awhile, and I think I've almost got it. Probably have to shorten it a bit, but here it is:

Parker Berenson is a werewolf with a big problem: he's fallen in love with a space alien.

Worse yet, he suspects that Melera, his new love, might be the serial killer terrorizing Seattle. Or maybe she isn't. Just because she's an interstellar assassin doesn't mean she's guilty.

Others aren't so sure. Kurt, the vampire Master and Garrett, a mage and Parker's ex-lover, don't think it's a coincidence that the murders stopped when Melera showed up. It's two against two as Parker and Melera race to prove her innocence, and Kurt and Garrett connive to prove her guilt. But suspicions of guilt or innocence no longer matter when the four discover the real killer is something they could have never imagined...

What do you think?

Blackrose Press

Is about to become a reality. After much dithering and research, I've decided to self-publish. Go, me!

Finding Useful Information

Came across a blog that looked really interesting...here's the link. It's by Victoria Strauss, about which marketing methods don't work.

Just in case my link doesn't work, here it is.


http://accrispin.blogspot.com/2011/06/book-marketing-methods-that-dont-work.html

Back from Arisia!

And a good time was had by all. As usual, learned a lot, partied a lot, didn't sleep a lot.

My reading went well, and the other women who participated in the RFR were just awesome!

Here's to next year!

P.S. Anybody up for Balticon???