From the Publisher's Desk - Waiting for the Proofs

Waiting for the proofs to arrive from the printer always takes longer than desired. When it is for the first book, on the first list for a brand spanking new publishing house, it seems interminable!
The designer, the author, the editor are about to drive me mad. I'm starting to think I'm stuck in the car again on one of those seemingly endless trips from my childhood when the pleas to stop for: food, a potty break, something to drink, food, a potty break, were only broken by the endless chant of "Are we there yet?" The only difference--this time it's "Is it here yet?"
"No children, it isn't here yet." I patiently sigh. The whole time that inner voice is screaming Where the #$%^ is that blasted delivery man?
Good things come to those that wait they say. Let's hope those good things get here soon!

From the Publisher's Desk - A Sad Note Indeed

The author Robert B. Parker -- an icon to anyone who loves a good mystery -- died at his desk today at the age of 77.
Some of my earliest memories in publishing are my days at Putnam Publishing Group (before they were swallowed whole by Penguin).
Every May, in time for Father's Day promos, there was a new Spenser novel. I learned to love mysteries at Putnam, and I adored Spenser.
I looked forward to Parker's book tour, taking him from book store to book store, opening the books for him and enjoying the friendly repartee between author and fans. He was well-loved by bookstore's large and small be they trade or mystery stores.
Not every writer was as genial, as easy-going, as Parker. In fact, he made it all seem so easy.
I was still in my slightly starstuck days then. And no one made quite as big an impression on me as he did.
Bob, you made me love hard-boiled mysteries. You gave us characters who seemed to float off the page and materialize right in front of our eyes.
You were a huge influence on the direction that this company, Buddhapuss Ink, chose to take and you will continue to influence readers and writers for years to come.
Here's hoping the Big Guy had your desk ready and that your long line of Pearl's are waiting by the fire to finally be reunited with their master.
And me, well, I'll always be waiting for you to spin your next tale. Godspeed.

A Quiet Monday?- NOT! From the Publisher's Desk

Why is it Mondays always seem so full of the promise of an unending expanse of time stretching out in front of you . . . until you sit down at your desk. Then it all comes crashing down in a never-ending onslaught of emails to be responded to, calls to be returned, fires to be put out, edits to be made, printers to be contacted, ads to be approved, and oh the meetings!

There is always more to be done than can be accomplished in the time allotted it seems and it lends a tinge of frenzy to the day. Oh but I love what I do!

Here's hoping your Monday is calmer than mine.

Friday - Again?

With so much going on here, it's hard to believe another week has gone by already and we grow ever closer to the release of our first book! It is getting very real now. The Last Track will release on February 13, less than a month away.

We have more exciting news too. Like the addition of a poetry anthology to our list this year that will feature some very well-known, as well as some newer to the scene, artists. Watch our website www.buddhapussink.com for more on that (including a call for submissions).

And for the unpublished mystery/thriller writers out there, we will be posting the rules for our First Annual Showcase that will feature the top ten entries in your genre. Pubbing in the Fall of 2010 the winning authors will also have their pieces appearing on our website.

Stay tuned for more!

New Beginnings - from the Publisher's Desk

Everything old is new again they say, and I suppose that is true. But then, I also believe that everything changes, nothing stays the same!
As my partners and I move forward with our fledgling publishing house, we feel like pioneers in the old west. Setting out in our shiny new website instead of a covered wagon, our sparkling new blog leads the way in place of those mules, we head out into the great unknown. We tread down paths that are familiar, yet unfamiliar.
As Publisher of Buddhapuss Ink LLC, I am doing many of the same things I've done before at other houses I either led, or worked for. Overseeing the construction of the list, working with editors and designers, making sure all the T's are crossed and the I's are dotted. Yet even as I move forward with these tasks, I can feel the winds of change blowing, and have to steady my footing on the ever-shifting sands of the "new" world of publishing in 2010.
Social Media, Blogs, Websites, Twitter accounts, Facebook and more! WOM and long-tail marketing all dance around me chanting, "Me first, no me, no ME, PICK ME!" Each is vying for my attention and time.
ebooks and Kindles and PDFs galore fly across my digital desk (I'm sure I heard them giggling as they passed through my virtual office!)
We have many goals to hit, traditions to tear down, new ground to break. One thing you can be sure of though - our readers will always come FIRST. We want to bring high-quality writing, intriguing new authors (and some established - but no less exciting - ones too), solid design and innovative new formats to you. I hope that you will join us on this exciting new adventure. Oh, and along the way, please let us know how you think we are doing, what you would like to see us do, or feel free to just stop by and sit a while!