I asked Maggie Seed some questions about the changes to the pocket novels and she has kindly allowed me to share her answers here. These are the questions I asked:
Yes, I feel that Caress most closely resembles the Pocket Novels, and I hope with our new branding, writers will embrace the lack of boundaries.
Liaison – not full scale erotica because I think we need a gripping story. However, Fifty Shades does have a redemption-type story going on, as well as all the action.
Intrigue – there has to be some sort of relationship going on with these, because these books are going to be in amongst women’s magazines, but they are suspense and crime novels, so I am open to them either way. It would be good to have one with and one without, so we can see if there is a trend. If I was to look for a parallel, I would suggest NJ Cooper and Sophie Hannah. We are thinking if there is a trend, we can diversify the genres still further. This applies to the paranormal stories too.
I am open to as many different ideas and stories are there are potential writers.I do hope this helps, I am so looking forward to lots of lovely novels to read.
So there you have it. I hope that clears up some of the queries about the new Easy Reads. I can assure you that Maggie is very approachable, so if you have an idea you’re not sure about, do contact her to ask if it’s suitable. I’m sure she’ll be glad to advise.
Thanks Sally! I’ll link to this.
Thanks for this, Sally. Very helpful xx
Thanks for sharing Sally….interesting
Xx
Thanks Vikki.
Thanks. Received the flyer from Maggie and you asked her the very questions that I needed answering. Beth James
That’s good to know, Beth!
Thanks for this, Sally.
Thank you, Sally. this is so very helpful. Lots of new opportunities here. Rena x
Thanks for the further details Sally. I’m mentioning this on my weekend blog post and adding links to your page.
Thanks Carol!
Hi Sally, Sorry for the 2nd query, but I’ve searched the net and can’t find the answer anywhere. Do you know how long MW take to come back to you, and can you do multiple submissions? I don’t with short stories, but 50,000 words is quite a lot to have tied up if it takes ages to get it back!
The response time varies, L.O. When you first send them something, it can take up to three months or more for them to respond, but once you’re in the system it tends to be quicker.
Regarding multiple submissions, I’d suggest seeing if they like the first thing you send them first, before committing any more work to them. After that you might be okay to send in more than one submission at a time (but do make sure they’re in separate emails/envelopes). I’d also suggest (and this is something I’ve only started doing) writing just 3 chapters and a synopsis and sending them, rather than completing the whole novel. That way you haven’t tied up 50k words. Just promise that you can have it turned around very quickly if they want it. But as I say, this is something I’ve only just started doing. I used to write the whole thing. But I’m more confident about completing a novel now than I was back then.
Thanks, Sally. I’d seen the flyer but this Q and A post is very helpful. Oh, I wish I didn’t need to sleep
Mustn’t grumble – just need to keep at it.
Oh sleep…. what’s that then? I seem to be spending more time awake nowadays. I’m almost on first name terms with my hallucinations
Thanks Sally!
Sally, Are all the stories for the younger generation or would mine fit in? I love writing about WW2 and I always think my readers are the more mature reader. What do you think? Lovely to see how you’ve progressed since we first met. Love Maryx
Hello, Mary, lovely to see you! The stories will suit any reader, though I do wonder if your story would be more suited to The People’s Friend. They love WW2 stories (Our Day Will Come was set in WW2). But you never know until you try. Why not send the first three chapters and a synopsis to Maggie and see what she says? She’s a lovely lady, very approachable and easy to talk to, and she’s also very helpful to writers.
Thanks for that Sally. But my writing is a bit too meaty for PF however I’ll take your good advice about the synopsis and first 3 chapters. Cheers Maryx
Good luck, Mary!