Guest Post: Lou Aronica of the publishing house Story Plant...

What is Story Plant's mandate?

The Story Plant is dedicated to author development. We commit wherever possible to multi-book deals with writers with an aim toward building their audiences over a series of publications.

How/why did you decide to be a publisher?

I've been in publishing since 1979, first at Bantam, where I became Deputy Publisher, then as Publisher of Berkley and Avon. I left that side of the business in 1999 to concentrate on writing, but even though I was having success in that arena, I found that I missed being a publisher too much. That's when I decided to launch The Story Plant with literary manager Peter Miller.

When did you establish Story Plant?

The Story Plant published its first book in 2008.

Share some of Story Plant's challenges and victories...

The bookstore arena is always a challenging one. It is difficult to generate attention for your books without taking considerable risks. Since print books are fully returnable to the publisher if unsold, one takes a big chance in doing a mass distribution. 

We have had significant success on the e-book side of the business. More than a third of our titles have reached the top 100 of either the Kindle or Nook bestseller lists.

This is a challenging time to become a publisher. How are you uniquely equipped to address these challenges?

I think what distinguishes us from most other independent publishers is our understanding of the history of publishing (I was taught the business by Ian Ballantine, the man who brought paperbacks to America for the first time) and willingness to constantly try new things.

What do you see as the benefits of being a publisher?

The greatest benefit of being a publisher is working with writers and seeing their vision come to life on the page.

How does Story Plant market books? Do you have a global reach?

We use a wide range of marketing techniques, from extensive publicity campaigns to targeted advertising, to e-mail marketing, and beyond. We're constantly looking for new ways to market books. 

The Story Plant is distributed by Perseus Distribution, so our books are available in the English language throughout the world.

What genres do you publish?

We publish a wide range of fiction, both commercial and literary.

Who pays the publishing costs--the author or the publisher?

The Story Plant pays all publishing and marketing costs.

Does Story Plant pay royalties as well as an advance?

Yes.

Do you publish ebooks, print or both?

Both.

Please talk us through Story Plant's author submission process...

The best way to submit a title is for the author to query either me (lou.aronica@thestoryplant.com) or our Editorial and Marketing Associate Allison Cronk (allison.cronk@thestoryplant.com). Both of us have very broad tastes and we're open to all kinds of fiction. The only caveat is that we want writers who are truly committed to staking their own place in the book market; we aren't interested in writers who are simply following trends.

submitting short stories (a love story) by Leanne Dyck

In memory of the gone

but not forgotten

(It snowed on Dec. 5 and it melted on Dec.10)

It's a typical love story:

Short version...
The writer notices literary journal
The writer dreams of seeing her story in the literary journal

The writer sends one of her stories to the literary journal
The writer receives an encouraging rejection letter
The writer is inspired. 
The writer writes
With fingers crossed, the writer sends another story to the literary journal

Long version...
Last July, I sent seven short stories to a list of literary journals. I waited a couple of months and then the rejection letters trickled in. Far from feeling depressed, I was inspired to write.

Why?

1)Experience has taught me that sometimes it's the story--it needs revising. But sometimes it's the literary journal--it's not the right fit.

2)I received two personalized rejection letters.

Quote...
'While we are unable to accept (name of short story) for publication, we would like to see more of your work...less than 2% (of the stories they receive) are accepted for publication...Your work was almost there.'

'Although we will not be accepting your work at this time, I wish you best of luck with future submissions'

They want more and that's exactly what I plan to send them.

3)It is extremely and increasingly difficult for aspiring writers to get published or make careers for themselves. Don’t waste time despairing this reality. Write and rewrite and when you’ve got something polished try your best to find a home for it. Don’t feel that there is something wrong with you if that journey takes longer than you’d hoped, or takes some ugly twists and turns. You must determine to write regardless of what external forces work against you, or in your favour. You must just write. If you write enough, and you write well, you will write your own way forward. --Elizabeth Ruth (Read her complete interview here)

I'm also entering contests. I enjoy entering the Women On Writing quarterly flash fiction contests. For the low price of twenty dollars not only can you enter their contest but you also receive an invaluable, detailed critique. 
I wrote that I entered but it really wasn't that easy. I needed help to achieve that goal. Thankfully Angela was there to help. I'd like to thank her and the WOW staff.

Now I like to showcase one of my favourite poets, Lord...um...er...my husband, Byron.

In my yard a garden grows
So sad that now the pond is froze
The days grow shorter and grey darkens
The winds do howl and winter harkens
I grow weary waiting for the sun to shine
And long for when it is not winter time

In my yard a garden grows
A work in progress yet it shows
'Tis not a one of shrubs and flowers
Instead a work of stones and rock towers
Water cascades down the sculpted hill
And sand in patterned rows lies still

I await the spring when roses grow
And flora blush full and waters flow
The stones piled high amid rocks grown tall
Soothed again by sounds of water all
To sit and reap in tranquil harmony
Nature's blessing of my quaint rock quarry
-Byron Dyck