Category Archives: Publishing

Query Tips: Give Us a Road Map

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Laura Stanfill

Our editors at Forest Avenue Press are continuing to receive submissions that don’t include a paragraph about the manuscript in the query letter. In these cases, there’s usually no introduction either. No introduction means the author couldn’t be bothered to personalize a letter, but … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Publishing, small press, Writing | Tagged , , , | 8 Comments

Poets & Writers

Posted on December 20, 2015 by Laura Stanfill

I have always, always wanted to pick up a copy of Poets & Writers with my name in it. Of course I’ve had several dreams like this that seem to be coming true in ways I never expected lately. One was … Continue reading →

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Book People Have More Fun…

Posted on September 30, 2014 by Laura Stanfill

One of my favorite things about being a publisher is having a reason to network with booksellers, librarians, authors, and fellow publishers. My people! Readers! We had a booth at the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association tradeshow this weekend in Tacoma, Washington, … Continue reading →

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Free Books… and Hear Me, Caffeinated

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Laura Stanfill

Dan Berne’s The Gods of Second Chances, my small press’ next novel release, is coming out March 1, and I have a few giveaway copies to share. Contact me if you want one, and specify paperback or ebook. Here’s the description: … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Espresso Book Machine, Publishing, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 9 Comments

Cyber Monday–and a Note about Amazon’s Stocking Practices

Posted on December 2, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

Happy Cyber Monday! We’re offering a crazy discount today for Stevan Allred’s debut linked short story collection, A Simplified Map of the Real World–$5 off the $18 book if you buy it on our Gumroad page, plus the free ebook version … Continue reading →

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My Publisher Hat

Posted on November 25, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

My life-long goal has been to write novels and, secondarily, have someone want to publish them. But last night, on the phone, a college sophomore called requesting to update my information. I told her I don’t work in the newspaper … Continue reading →

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Wordstock 2013

Posted on October 8, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

Stories about stories. Stories about writers, about how publishers do what they do, and how publicists help. Stories about readers finding texts, readers greeting their favorite authors, and the next great book. Wordstock 2013, while not as well attended due … Continue reading →

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Finding Readers: How to Get More Than a Hundred People to Attend Your Book Launch Event

Posted on October 1, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

I met a local author right after the launch of Stevan Allred’s A Simplified Map of the Real World and he asked, “How did you get that many people to come to a reading?” We attracted an estimated 160 to 180 … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Fiction, Finding Readers, Publishing, small press, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 19 Comments

Universe to Laura: Write

Posted on September 19, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

I sat in the audience at Powell’s on Sept. 12 when my mentor Joanna Rose presented my other mentor, Stevan Allred, with a ream of blank printer paper with a bow on it. She explained the significance. When a member … Continue reading →

Posted in Community, Fiction, Publishing, small press, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

LAUNCH!

Posted on September 12, 2013 by Laura Stanfill

A Simplified Map of the Real World–the book I have been editing, laying out, proofing, sending out for reviews, cradling in my arms, for the past nine months–is now available! You can find it as a paperback and ebook on Amazon. It’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Espresso Book Machine, Fiction, Publishing, small press, Writing | Tagged , , , | 17 Comments