WRITERS’ NEWS
http://www.writers-online.co.uk MARCH 2020^95Barking up the right tree
UK CRIME MARKET
Tina JacksonRed Dog Press is a small indie publisher of crime, mystery and thrillers.
‘We like crime, but we like finding it from different voices – so we’re less into
police procedurals and more into stories from voices not often heard, or with
characters not often represented,’ said publisher Sean Coleman. ‘We have strong
female characters, LGBTQ+ characters, and disabled characters, and the thing
that unites them all is that they just happen to be part of amazing stories and
their gender, age, sexuality or ability is by the by. We love books that people
love to read, and share, and talk about. We have cosy crime capers, we have
mystery thrillers, cyber thrillers and financial thrillers, psychological, feminist,
murder – as long as it’s a page-turner, we’re in!’
Red Dog Press set up in August 2018. ‘Our first half year was a matter of
finding our feet and sorting out our processes. We began publishing in earnest
in 2019,’ said Sean.
Sean’s own experience as a writer was the driving force to set up Red Dog. ‘I
am an author myself, and the impetus for starting Red Dog was to publish the
Alex Ripley series which had previously been published by another publisher,
but they had remodelled their business within a week of it hitting the shelves as
an ebook, and as a result, I got the rights back. I felt it had already been tainted
by being published, and while considering whether to just self-publish and see
what I could salvage, I realised that there were many, many similarities between
the indie publishing world, and the indie film and TV world that had been my
background. This also happened to coincide with a couple of life and career
changes for the other members of the Red Dog team and, over a few pints, and
with some sensible advice, we decided to set up on our own. And here we are.’
Sean’s aims for Red Dog are to build on its success so far and grow its roster
of authors. Last year Red Dog increased its publishing schedule from two to
fifteen titles. ‘In 2020 we will probably put out at least another fifteen.’
A good book for Red Dog Press is one that leaves the reader wanting more
from that author. ‘One that gets people talking,’ said Sean. Heleen Kist’s Stay
Mad, Sweetheart that we published in 2019 is the perfect example. On first read
it is a pacy, engaging thriller, but after the first question is posed, the discussion
will flow and stimulate and provoke, and that is the perfect response to a book.
On the other hand, the Soho Noir series by TS Hunter makes its readers feel as
though they are sitting back down with old friends. If we feel we can see it on
TV, that is a big draw for us too, because that, after all, is where the Red Dog
team comes from in terms of background.’
Read Dog Press is currently open for submissions of standalone novels
(minimum 60,000 words) and novellas (minimum 25,000 words). Send the first
25 pages, a synopsis no longer than 1,500 words and an introduction to yourself.
‘We want to read a synopsis that makes us excited to see the first chapters,’
said Sean. ‘Essentially, that boils down to character – if the central character
feels too familiar, or dialled in, we won’t read any further. Clever plotting, tight
use of language, a solid knowledge of storytelling are what we look for next. We
are not that interested in sci-fi or fantasy, nor classic romance. Although, if the
synopsis and first 25 pages grab us, anything is up for grabs.’
Red Dog authors are involved in the press’s creative decisions about their
book. ‘When you join Red Dog, you become part of a team. We include our
authors as much as possible in cover art decisions, marketing decisions, editorial
decisions. We like our authors to feel part of the family.’
Red Dog Press publishes in print, ebook and audio format and pays royalties
and small advances.
Website: http://www.reddogpress.co.uk
Wander the globe here
Having a readership
of ‘adventurous,
independent, globally
minded women
travellers’, the
Wanderful website aims
to help and empower
women to travel the
world whether that
be for work, study or
pleasure. The site has
a regular audience of
around 14.2k visitors.
Women writing about real life travel and travel
tips are the content of the website and although not
all pieces need to be women specific, they should be
written with this audience and community in mind.
Stories should be 750-2,500 words long, have
short paragraphs and concise sentences and a hook to
engage readers.
There are four categories of stories: Destinations
and Itineraries, Travel Tips, Global Issues and,
focusing on ‘amazing women travellers, global
entrepreneurs and leaders’, Women to Watch.
Guidelines suggest the words to keep in mind when
submitting work are: inspiring, honest, confident,
personal, empowering, conversational, community
orientated, factual, respectful and authentic. It is
advised you write about local activities more than the
usual tourist attractions.
Payment is a flat $50 per piece plus a $25 bonus if
your piece performs very well. There is an emphasis
on working with editors to edit your work and
submitting it completed, on time, as agreed.
Submissions should first be pitched using the online
form and you should provide a web hosted link to any
photographs you may like to use along with proof of
permission to use the images.
In addition to its written content Wanderful is
also a site providing connections for women through
online interaction, global gatherings and trips, woman
to women home sharing and more.
Website: http://www.sheswanderful.com/write/Respectfully requests
All Due Respect is a crime zine with a difference. The
editor wants stories ‘about crime from the perspective
of criminals’. He will even accept ‘stories about
transgression from the perspective of transgressors’.
Please note though that ‘the story doesn’t have to
include law-breaking’. No cops and robbers please
unless the cops are crooks too.
Check submission dates at the website regularly
as the editor closes when he has a pile of stories to
read and then opens once they’ve been processed.
Submissions are currently wanted of ‘hard-as-nails
crime fiction, 1,500 to 3,000 words’. Submit by
email, as an attached doc file. After being published
online in the zine, ‘All stories will be collected into
an annual anthology to be published through Down
& Out Books’.
Response time is ‘reasonable’. Payment is ‘by
agreement’.
Details: All Due Respect, email subs to:
[email protected]; website: http://all-due-
respect.blogspot.com