22nd Century Press

AfroCyberspace

2011-05-19T00:00:00.000-07:00

Afro Cyberspace
Stafford L. Battle and Rey O. Harris
978-0-9818262-0-2
$16.95
Spring 2011
Trade Paperback
7.5”x7.5” perfect bound
178 pages
72 B&W Photos

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1000 plus websites that will enrich your world. The web is wide and it can often be difficult to find exactly what you need solely through search engines. AFROCyberspace is more than just a Web guide to more than 1000 of the best Black Web sites online. It is a resource of Internet destinations not easily found by popularity or ranking on search engines. This book can help simplify searching the Web for specific African or African American content.

Call for Submissions - Speculative Fiction Anthology

2011-05-01T17:06:00.000-07:00

NOTICE: This anthology has been pushed back until 2012. Invitations will be sent when the project is back on track.

Announcing The Black Fantastic Anthology 'zine

Tales of Space, Romance and Weirdness on the black hand side

Submissions open thru July 30,.

Publication Date: October 2011. Please do not submit your stories before then.
DEADLINE: Before July 15, 2011 would be rightgeous!.
WORD LENGTH: 1,500 to 6,000 words. Preferably around 5,000 words.
No reprints
Theme: Speculative Fiction (includes science fiction, fantasy, and horror) from, about, and pertaining to members of the African diaspora.
Guidelines
Payment: Original fiction - advance payment is $0.025/word, Poetry - $15 per piece; plus contributor copy of the issue.

Rights: First rights electronic and print - see publishing agreement. No reprints at this time.
No multiple submissions

Art Submissions needed for full color cover work and interior. Queries with samples 6" wide x 9" tall (trade paperback size) at 300 DPI
or website portfolio links.

Call for Submissions - Voices of the Dream

2010-08-28T07:13:00.000-07:00

Essays, poems, flash fiction, photographs, artwork, video and other multimedia related to an individuals personal experiences and relevations to how the 'I Have A Dream' speech and the March on Washington has affected their life. This will be a multimedia book and website project slated for 2012 with several judges/editors.

What does or has the I Have a Dream speech done to influence or not influence your life? Has it mattered? Is it a non-issue? Has it changed your family’s direction and outlook? Has it inspired you or made you despondent? Are you afraid that most Americans have lost sight of the meaning? Is it part of your daily life or outlook? What is your feeling when you hear it? Just another speech? A connection with the recent past? A vision for the future?

Obviously, there are many views of Martin Luther King, the march on Washington, and his historic speech. We want to hear (and see) from the people who are living the dream, have forgotten the dream, think it may be irrelevant today or are working to keep it alive.

You can start submitting today - the 47th anniversary of The March on Washington. Send photos and other works to:

submissions@22ndCenturyPress.com Subject: Voices of the Dream Project

The dedicated website will be up in November, and previews of selected materials will be posted in January 2011. The last date to submit for this project will be September 1, 2011.

Google, HP, Nokia to Make Slate/Tablet PC's a la iPad

2010-04-13T12:51:00.000-07:00

Don't think you can afford the newest Apple object of desire? Don't worry, there's plenty of competitors working on sexy, new age electronic book/magazine delivery systems. The New York Times reports that among others, Google is "soon expected" to begin selling a tablet PC of its own.

After iPad, Rivals Offer Variations on a Theme
By ASHLEE VANCE and NICK BILTON
Published: April 11, 2010
Google, Microsoft, Nokia and Hewlett-Packard are developing products that show a desire to expand beyond their respective core businesses.

AfroCyberspace - Meet the Authors Podcast Interview

2009-07-18T16:42:00.001-07:00

Author News - July 2009

2009-07-09T14:21:00.000-07:00

Author Stafford L. Battle (AfroCyberspace) has won 2nd prize for his story 'The Legend of Shango' in the First Annual Sword and Soul Short Story Competition on BlackScienceFictionSociety.com and his story 'The Lynching' is published this month in issue nine of the online speculative fiction magazine: Expanded Horizons.

What Sells in Today's Children's Book Market?

2009-06-18T06:48:00.000-07:00

The saga of Percy Jackson in ex-teacher Rick Riordan's Last Olympian - that's what sells. It is the fifth in the series published by Disney Hyperion aimed at the 9 to 12 years of age market.

While others say it may be derivative, children love this modern day view of old myths. Like the Harry Potter series, it empowers the youngsters with the abilities to save their world. Mr. Riordan remembered just how enamored children are of the Mount Olympus myths and gods, and has created a series that is sure to hit the big screen.

So how does this affect you as a writer? It seems everyone wants to write a book for children because they think it's an easy ride. This could not be further from the truth. Many parents know that it takes more than bright colors and an idea to keep a child's attention.

Simply put - write what children want to read. You may have a particular story to tell, however if you are interested in selling a lot of books you have got to write for your audience's preferences. Find what they like and make the story or lesson fit into that creative suit. Mr. Riordan has done a fantastic job of this idea.

Don't hate, emulate.

Click here to read a book excerpt of The Last Olympian in the Wall Street Journal.

Time Experiments with RSS Feed Personalized Magazines

2009-06-09T09:42:00.001-07:00

mine's experimental run is free, with a 36-page print edition available to the first 31,000 respondents and an online version available to 200,000 others.

On Our Way to the BEA!

2009-05-27T15:56:00.000-07:00

This will be the first year we are exhibiting. Booth 2142 - somebody play that number! It's been hectic, but I think we will get through. We will be introducing our initial catalog for 2009 - four books.

We will be blogging, twittering (!?), and video interviewing all weekend. Check us out daily for fresh news.

Here's hoping this weekend in New York is fun and productive.

Federal City View

2009-05-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Federal City View
Ralph Spencer
978-0-9818262-3-3
$27.95
June 2009
Color Photographs
Paperback
Photography of the Nations's Capital.A photo essay of Washington, D.C. from a different point of view.

Before "Chocolate City" there was "Federal City" — destination of
freedman, aid station for Union soldiers, and mecca for dreamers.
Article One of the United States Constitution provides for a federal
district, distinct from the states, to serve as the permanent national capital.

The centers of all three branches of the federal government of the United
States are located in the District, as are many of the nation’s monuments
and museums. The United States Congress has supreme authority over
Washington, D.C.; residents of the city therefore have less self-governance
than residents of the states.

The District has a non-voting at-large Congressional
delegate, but no senators. D.C. residents could not vote in presidential
elections until 1961. D.C. has always had a significant African American
population and this is reflected in the architecture and scenery of the city.

2008 Shows Extraordinary Growth in "On Demand" Publishing

2009-05-20T19:40:00.000-07:00

Bowker released their 2008 U.S. book publishing statistics today and it showed that short run printing and "On Demand" or POD have increased while traditional book publishing has declined.

On Demand books showed a 132% increase over last year's numbers, while traditional publishing decreased by 3.2%.

"Our statistics for 2008 benchmark an historic development in the U.S. book publishing industry as we crossed a point last year in which On Demand and short-run books exceeded the number of traditional books entering the marketplace,"

said Kelly Gallagher, vice president of publisher services for New Providence, N.J.-based Bowker.

According to Gallagher, the Bowker data reveals the top five categories for U.S. book production in 2008 were:

1. Fiction (47,541 new titles)
2. Juveniles (29,438)
3. Sociology/Economics (24,423)
4. Religion (16,847)
5. Science (13,555)

Read the full story on the What They Think website.

Quick Book Ideas - Let Your Fans Do It

2009-05-19T06:09:00.000-07:00

David Pogue, New York Times columnist and publisher of the Missing Manual series is creating his next book by compiling the responses to his Twitter entries by his 200,000+ followers.

The World According to Twitter will contain the best responses to questions that he poses over a period of several weeks. His website calls it

". . .a charming, irresistible, extremely hilarious little book, a book that couldn’t be written in any other way."

Here's the real kicker - if he publishs one of your tweets, he will send the tweeter a free, personally inscribed copy of the book. He will also credit responses in the book, using the tweeter's Twitter name.

Publishing Funnies

2009-05-19T05:43:00.000-07:00

From the Typewriter to the Bookstore: A Publishing Story is the MacMillan Digital Marketing Groups amusing take on the industry.

The Long Steep Climb

2009-05-18T17:55:00.000-07:00

The Long Steep Climb
Dr. Charles H. Epps
978-0-9818262-2-6
$27.95
Summer 2010
Hardcover

The Memoir of a World Class Orthopaedic Surgeon
Motivated • Determined • Achiever
Leader • Dedicated • Mentor
Advocate • Role Model
A Leader in
Excellence, Equality, and Diversity

These are words often used to describe Dr. Charles Harry Epps – a prominent orthopedic surgeon, professor, administrator, and board member. However, the road to these achievements was anything but simple.
Growing up in a time that marginalized even the best citizens that may have looked like him, Charles Epps made his way and paved the way for many others to obtain the American Dream.

Follow this intriguing story as he faces battles he could never have foretold to reach his dream of becoming a surgeon. Once he made this goal, the trials that could make the ‘less motivated’ give up did not stop. Life had much more in store for Charlie.

His challenges only made him more determined and lucky for us, he has chosen to share his journey as an educator, physician, and valued mentor and colleague. This memoir will show a side of the man that many never knew existed.

Dr. Charles H. Epps is the recipient of the Marymount University Annual Ethics award, author of African American Medical Pioneers (1994) and editor of several textbooks, former president of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and Dean of the Howard University College of Medicine.

The Long Steep Climb, the memoir of Dr. Charles H. Epps will be published by 22nd Century Press. A special preview will be at 22nd Century Press' booth at the BEA (Book Expo America) in NYC May 28 - 31, 2009.

Insane Messiah

2009-04-25T10:31:00.000-07:00

Insane Messiah
Stafford L. Battle
978-0-9818262-1-9
$15.95
Spring 2012
Trade Paperback
An African-American scientist seeks to stop an invasion from within.

Global warming is making life difficult as raging tsunamis are ripping the continental coastlines causing considerable commercial and human loss. The world's economies again are drowning in hyper-inflation as the super rich struggle to secure better financial control and safer places to live.

However, according to one discredited African college professor, humankind has even bigger problems to consider. He tries in vain to warn his colleagues about the wrath of a superior alien species that has been living on earth for millions. But nobody will believe him unless he can produce proof and prevent a devastating retaliation that could utterly wipe out all human civilization.

Read a preview here.

Gearing Up for the BEA

2009-04-21T09:26:00.000-07:00

This is our first year as participants in Book Expo America - the premier event for the North American publishing industry - and we are plenty excited. BookExpo America will be held this year from Thursday, May 28 through Sunday, May 31 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York, NY.

We thought it would be a good choice, even though we are painfully small, since the expo was slated to come to Washington, DC in 2010. All of that has been changed (to our chagrin), perhaps due to the economy. The BEA is now staying at the Javits Center for 3 more years.

Sigh.

Anyway, we will be there with our three new books: Federal City View, The Long, Steep Climb, and AfroCyberspace. We will also have previews of Insane Messiah - a speculative fiction book that delivers in October 2009. We will be offering special discounts on all orders placed during the show and free shipping on full case orders. We will also be promoting the Black Author Showcase community.

Come by and check out our catalog, meet our authors, or just to say hi and give support. This is a big step for us and we look forward to meeting existing and new friends.

Visit us at booth 2148 Directly behind the Tom Joyner Foundation (2248) - don't miss us!

Online Consumer Orders

2009-04-17T11:24:00.000-07:00

Order here for quantities 10 and under. Bulk orders please contact info@22ndCenturyPress.com, Subject: Bulk orders.

22nd Century Press Gets Publishers Weekly Mention

2009-04-13T16:27:00.000-07:00

The article sidebar Issues of Race in SF in this weeks' (April 13th) Publishers Weekly has a quote from BAS founder and 22nd Century Press publisher, Diane Williams.

Writer Rose Fox takes a quick look at two presses who produce speculative fiction for non-white readers and authors.

http://www.publishersweekly.com/article/CA6651138.html

Respond To Your Crappy Reviews

2009-04-07T06:31:00.000-07:00

Ever get the urge to respond to a review that definitely did not make your day? There's a website just for you - and others that would like to vent and commiserate the effects of a bad review.

The Worst Review Ever asks you to submit and/or link to your bad review, then you have a chance to discuss how it made you feel or to tear that crazy @$#%&$# down. It's the brainchild of Frenemies Harper Teen YA author, Alexa Young.
The blog says it's all about healing -

"we need to put the harsh words in perspective and re-access our will to live…our desire to create…our special purpose...or at least our sense of humor."

Now Alexa writes about a pretty snarky bunch of teens - perhaps she would be used to reviewers comments and could just dust them off of her shoulder.

Personally?
The less said, the better.

Our Books

2009-03-21T09:13:00.000-07:00

Afro Cyberspace
Stafford L. Battle and Rey O. Harris
978-0-9818262-0-2
$16.95
Summer 2009
Trade Paperback
1000 plus websites that will enrich your world. The web is wide and it can often be difficult to find exactly what you need solely through search engines . . . read more

The Long Steep Climb
Dr. Charles H. Epps
978-0-9818262-2-6
$27.95
Fall 2009
Hardcover
Motivated • Determined • Achiever • Leader • Dedicated • Mentor • Advocate • Role Model • A Leader in Excellence, Equality, and Diversity - These are the words used to describe Dr. Charles Harry Epps – a prominent orthopedic surgeon, professor, administrator, and board member. However, the road to these achievements was anything but simple.read more

Insane Messiah
Stafford L. Battle
978-0-9818262-1-9
$15.95
October 2009
Trade Paperback
An African-American scientist seeks to stop an invasion from within. Global warming is making life difficult as raging tsunamis are ripping the continental coastlines causing . . . read more

Your Next Novel . . . On A Cellphone?

2009-02-18T15:35:00.000-08:00

The Japanese have seen a swell of mini-novels sent through cell phones in the past few years. What was thought of as a flash in the pan has actually created more than a few bestsellers and novel-to-movie deals.

The Future of the Book website reported that this new type of serial has been popular since 2003 when the novel "Deep Love" by Yoshi - the story of a prostitute in Tokyo became so popular that it became not only an actual book (2.6 million sold), but also a TV series, manga(comic), and movie.

One hundred and forty characters at a time . . . writers block be damned! Write this form while on the subway, at a game, in between commercials even. This brings the ultimate in instant gratification if you can get a following. Twitter seems a likely place to get this challenge started for the American nouveau serialist.

If ready to tackle this method that many compare to comics in its depth of character development, start with several beta American versions: textnovel and quillpill. With quillpill, one can post a mini-story with a Wii, PSP, iPhone, or other mobile unit. Create a serial with textnovel and become eligible for a $1,000 contest while readers check out and vote for favorites.

http://www.textnovel.com/

http://www.futureofthebook.org/

http://www.quillpill.com

2009-01-22T11:50:00.000-08:00

22nd Century Press is at booth 2142 at the Book Expo America. We will be showcasing our new books and promoting the Black Author Showcase. If you are attending the BEA and would like to feature your book at our booth as a Black Author Showcase member, please contact Diane Williams immediately at diane@blackauthorshowcase.com

If you have promotional materials, submit a payment of $25 to the Google Checkout link below and immediately send the books and your promotional materials to: 22nd Century Press 12138 Central Avenue, Suite 223 Mitchellville, MD 20772. Items must be received by Tuesday evening or Wedneday morning, May 27.This is a very time sensitive offer! Scroll down to access the Google payment button.
Your promotional materials will be displayed as items from Black Author Showcase members. If you send a book and promo material, we will display the book until all of your material is gone. Then we will give the book away as a promotion at the BEA. This is a good way to represent when you are low on cash or cannot attend.

October is Speculative Fiction Month on the Black Author Showcase

2008-10-15T12:20:00.000-07:00

Media Advisory
October is Speculative Fiction Month on the Black Author Showcase

October 15, 2008

This month we will focus on all things speculative in writings from the African Diaspora.
Discover the wealth and breadth of the speculative fiction genre with members of the Black Author Showcase™ (http://blackauthors.ning.com or http://www.blackauthorshowcase.com).

Among the members featured this month: Milton Davis, Edward Uzzle, Carole McDonnell, Charles Saunders, L.A. Banks, Stafford L. Battle, Brandon Easton, Will Glenn, Valjeanne Jeffers, Oz Wilson, Bridget Moore, Dr. Niama Williams, Corey Burke, Trinia James and many more!

October 29th, the last Wednesday of the month at 7:30 to 9:30pm EST, we will have a special Spec Fiction net/talkcast in place of our usual member show. Join in the conversation, be interviewed, or just participate. There will also be a simultaneous online chat, so you will be able to ask questions of guests and still have a 'voice' in the conversation even if you choose not to dial in.

About Black Author Showcase™:

Black Author Showcase™ is a social networking platform for the literary community. Founded in 2007 it was created by 22nd Century Press, LLC as a cooperative learning, teaching and supporting community for anyone who helps bring a book to life. It is a network for authors, readers, publishers, photographers, librarians, reviewers, graphic designers, editors, ghostwriters, agents, and others. 22nd Century Press is headquartered in Mitchellville, MD – just outside the nations’ capital.
For more information, visit our Web site at http://www.blackauthorshowcase.com.

CONTACT: 22nd Century Press for Black Author Showcase™
Diane Williams
(202) 276-8876
info@blackauthorshowcase.com

When Big Publishers Want to Get Something Out Fast . . .

2008-09-25T08:16:00.000-07:00

There's nothing to it but to do it. Talk about print on demand! Publishers Weekly reports that Collins has gotten a new Sarah Palin book finished in less than a month.
The 96 page: Terminatrix: The Sarah Palin Chronicles (Collins) will join 101 Things You—And John McCain—Didn’t Know About Sarah Palin as the latest humor book on the vice presidential candidate.

This all started on September 8th and went to the printer by September 15th, with 20,000 copies to be in stores on October 14th.

"The book is a satire written by “the editors of the Wasilla Iron Dog Gazette,” although, in the spirit of satire, two HarperCollins editors, Bruce Nichols and Adam Bellow, are “speaking on behalf of the authors.” It features digitally altered photographs of Palin and her family, annotated in “the Governor’s own hand,” which provide “a fascinating running commentary on her life.”

Publishers Weekly

Penguin's Fiction Mash-up is Setting the Pace

2008-07-07T08:30:00.000-07:00

We Tell Stories, Penguin UK's digital fiction website is clearing the road for the new wave in publishing. Their use of multiple webware to tell six stories by six authors in six weeks is just a taste of the potential of internet publishing.

A favorite Shakespeare quote "What's past is prologue" is the theme here at 22nd Century Press. Publishers large and small alike must grasp technology for the readers' and author's sake. Using different web 2.0 utilities to present these six stories is a step in a direction all publishers should take.

Photos are courtesy of Flickr members, 21 Steps places you in a Google map, the storyline to Slice can be followed on Twitter, Fairy Tales allows the reader to participate in the tale with an interactive website, Your Place and Mine is a real-time blog, Hard Times takes the form of an online Flash presentation, and The (Former) General let's the reader navigate and change the direction of the story.

All of these are innovative, creative approaches to storytelling. It is what is needed to garner the attention of todays' readers. What really is exciting is that given the democracy of the web, any small publisher can utilize current technologies to move with Penguin and other creative publishing houses into the 22nd century.

We Tell Stories - http://wetellstories.co.uk/stories/

ForeWord Publishing Insider: Why aren't there more nonfiction graphic novels?

2008-06-13T12:46:00.000-07:00

“Graphic novel” is a weak name. For one thing, it sounds like smut. (“Man, that novel was so…so graphic!”) Besides, it implies that a book-length comic book must be fiction.

And that’s a rotten shame, because nonfiction graphic novels have a huge potential readership. The Zogby polling group just released a new survey on books and reading. It found that the most popular genres after general fiction are nonfiction: history, current events / politics / international affairs, biographies, and religion / philosophy. Library Journal’s 2008 book-buying survey says that the books with the highest circulation are in the medicine/health category. An Associated Press / Ipsos poll says that the most-read books in 2007 were the Bible and other religious works; history and biography were popular, too. Nonfiction sells.

So why does nonfiction account for only two percent of all graphic novels?"

Continued: Why aren't there more nonfiction graphic novels?

Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Posted by: David Seidman

ForeWord Publishing Insider
Industry leaders highlight current trends and the latest headlines

Librarians have a New Source for News

2008-05-13T11:28:00.000-07:00

LISWire is a brand new idea from the guy behind LISNews & LISHost, Blake Carver. The plan is to allow member companies and organizations to use LISWire to send their full-text news releases and multimedia content to librarians, journalists, library professionals and the general public. We re going to build a network to distribute this information world wide.

"LISWire | The Librarian s News Wire: "LISWire - The Librarian s News Wire

Walden Media & Harper to Publish Children's Books

2008-05-12T15:39:00.000-07:00

As reported in Variety ( Walden, Harper team up - Variety ), Walden Media will launch Walden Pond Press with it's new partner, HarperCollins Children's Books.

Marc Graser reports "As part of the multiyear pact, the venture will acquire and publish books for young readers. Naturally, it also plans to turn several of its tomes into film adaptations or pair up properties with other filmmakers."

First published title will be "The Will of Will Wolfkin," by screenwriter Steven Knight, who penned the pics "Dirty Pretty Things," "Eastern Promises" and "Amazing Grace."

This is the media/publishing team that gave us "The Chronicles of Narnia" franchise, "Charlotte's Web" and "Bridge to Terabithia" film adaptations.Black Author Showcase

Diaz Wins Fiction Pulitzer

2008-04-07T15:09:00.000-07:00

Junot Diaz has just won the Pulitzer for "distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, Ten thousand dollars ($10,000). Awarded to "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao" by Junot Diaz (Riverhead Books). The Pulitzer Prizes

Wow! This is one of my favorites in the past year. This is a first novel based on a short story first published in the New Yorker.

Woo hoo - doin' the happy dance for Junot. And the 10k doesn't hurt either.

Amazon New Rules for POD May Create PO'ed Publishers

2008-03-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Many have weighed in since the announcement in February 2008 - and not all is happiness and light.

Amazon changes rules for print-on-demand publishers
Robert L. Mitchell weighs in over at ComputerWorld with "Amazon pulls a Microsoft"

Where do you stand? Angela Hoy of BookLocker is fighting the good fight for the little guy. Check out: http://www.writersweekly.com/the_latest_from_angelahoycom/004597_03272008.html

Authors, readers, and small publishers are taking a stand:
"We bemoan the loss of independent booksellers, but they're going out of business because we buy our best-sellers at Wal-Mart and online. This move will lead to small publishers going out of business, too, unless readers decide to take a stand.

There's a precedent for Amazon's throwing its weight around. Back in 2000, they began suing companies using a similar mechanism to their one-click checkout system. It wasn't until a PR swell on the Internet threatened their business that they backed down."
Now there's a petition to protest Amazon's move:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/protectPOD/

Greg at the blog Publish Yourself comes down on the side of publishers and consumers with Amazon Strongarms Small Publishers.

The shakeout will be interesting. Will small publishers move to B&N and rely more on their own websites to sell or will they relinquish more profit to Amazon and pay $29 per book Advantage fee distributed with 55% off of the cover price?

Great Author's Bookmark Idea

2008-03-08T14:46:00.000-08:00

Author Chris Crutcher has a great idea that also saves money on his webpage. He has uploaded his newest bookmark (front and back). The beauty of this particular bookmark? While most authors create new bookmarks for each new book they write and promote, Crutcher has chosen to promote himself - the story writer.

It's a awesome concept and if I'm late on the train, so what! He never needs another bookmark. On one side it has an outstretched photo of him with the phrase "I feel a story coming on . . ." and on the reverse is his headshowt and contact information. Brilliant!

Don't totally copy or plagerize it, but please use the concept. And give Chris his props. Check out his site here:
Author, Chris Crutcher - Homepage

Word-of-Mouth Top Book-Buying Decision according to Publishers Weekly

2008-02-14T10:18:00.000-08:00

Felicia Pride wrote an article for the February 11th Publishers Weekly stating the results of a survey conducted by Global Market Insight Inc. It states that "Among African-American consumers, 33% buy five to 10 books a year and they generally decide what to buy through word-of-mouth, according to an e-mail survey of 1,285 consumers."

Read the entire article here: Word-of-Mouth Top Book-Buying Decision - 2/11/2008 - Publishers Weekly

HarperCollins Publishers Promotion to Make Select Books Available Online for Free

2008-02-11T19:24:00.000-08:00

According to Seth Godin at the O'Reilly TOC conference this week "Authors are really idea merchants. The ideas that spread best win. Free ideas spread better than paid ideas. The way you monetize this is to sell 'souvenirs'.... It's not a new way of promoting, it's a whole new business."

This was part of his take on HarperCollins new program to offer complete online access to a select group of books for a month at a time. They are also providing "sneak peaks" of selected books by activating online access (limited to only 20 percent of the text) two weeks before the on-sale date. The files can only be viewed via the web and cannot be downloaded or printed.

Author and marketing guru Godin sees the Harper announcement as a typical traditional book publishing mentality attempting a new initiative: "They took all the [viral marketing] things that work--that make it spread--and they're turning them off." His idea is that marketing is "trying to start conversations, and if that conversation takes place the ideas spread."

Godin may be correct, but the big houses are scrambling to recreate the old publishing paradigm within the expanding internet universe. Tor Books is now offering a program with "free digital books from bestselling and award-winning SF and fantasy authors" through a newsletter sign-up on their website. Random House has announced "a pilot project to sell individual chapters of a book online."

HarperCollins Publishers Promotion to Make Select Books Available Online for Free: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance

Amazon's Kindle is Sold Out! Is it the iPod of Reading?

2007-12-16T07:37:00.000-08:00

I waited a bit before I bought my first iPod. While I love all things tech, I also have a healthy bit of experience with being an early adapter and that's enough to put the brakes on 'gotta have it first' spending.

I thought the iPod was a marvelous device (and still do), but I scanned the geek sites for bugs and actually waited for the storage to go up and the price to come down. That definitely worked out. So I didn't have the instant subway cache of white wire hanging from my ears for almost two years.

I'm wondering if Amazon's new wireless reading device the Kindle, is going to be the next big thing I have to save for (especially at its price of $399). It's a 10.3 ounce, 7.5" x 5.3" x 0.7" (hmm . . . paperback sized), wireless (Sprint's national high-speed EVDO), handheld book reader and Amazon shopping cart.

That's right - Buy a book from Amazon and it is wirelessly delivered to your Kindle for free. Supposedly within one minute. It has a 6" display it calls E-Ink® that is gray scale with 600 x 800 pixel resolution.

As a complete 'bookaholic' I've got to admit that this does sound plenty tasty. While traveling I can scan blogs, check my webmail, read newspapers and magazines, along with instant book gratification. However, I think I may stay in 'wait-and-see' mode for a bit longer. The pros and the cons have quite a bit to battle out:

According to beta testers, the battery life is more than decent and the screen is easy to read.

Books have DRM (digital rights management, that's content or copy protection to you partner). Will I even own the book after ten years?

Book purchases are stored at Amazon.com to be retrieved if the Kindle is lost, broken or stolen. Other files should be on an SD memory card so they can be easily backed up.

It doesn't read PDF file format (rats!). However, you can use another program (Mobipocket Creator 4.2 - free) to convert PDF's to Mobi format, then upload to the Kindle.

Wow! Imagine having all of your school books on one device. That would make it worth it's wait in gold. The lack of Quasimodo backpack shoulder alone is priceless.

Oh no! Not another device? It took me awhile to combine my Tungsten pda with my cell phone. My handbag was (is) filled with electronics - iPod, pda, phone. Let's just use a rolling suitcase from now on, huh?

What if, after reading the book on the Kindle, you want a hard copy? Will there be a discount on the actual book? Or maybe, buy the book and get Kindle file free?

Will we ever be able to download files from libraries? For free? Or will it be forever married to Amazon?

On that same tip, what does this mean for independent book stores? Will they make the shift and sell more ebooks on CD (ugh)? Or find a way to upload their own supply?

The price really isn't that bad when you take in account the monthly cost of EVDO (at least $40 a month). All wireless is free on the Kindle.

Editors and other professional readers will not be able to site pages by fixed page numbers. The fluidity of the pages makes this maddening. Editors will have to a search for text or a phrase or sentence, much like searching for data on a webpage or site. Perhaps this will be addressed in future versions.

This may be a boon to self-published authors. An ISBN isn't even needed to sell your book on the Kindle platform.

There have been some complaints of flimsy construction.

Here's one of my favorites: If you buy more than one Kindle (on the same account), then anything you buy for one will be automatically downloaded to the others. Up to 6 Kindles can be dedicated to a single account. Ha! Now all I need is a special husband-wife/family discount. Come on Mr. Bezos. Just this once, for me . . . Please?

Okay, so what am I really waiting for? Let's see . . . I'm waiting for the iPhone to be offered with my carrier Verizon and perhaps a '2.1 version of the Kindle.

The war may be over before the battle begins - it already has it's own 'noun-verb' . . . kindling.

Check out Toni Morrison's take on the Kindle.

Black Author Showcase™ A Standing Room Only Success!

2007-10-21T11:41:00.000-07:00

Comments heard last Friday at the Black Author Showcase™ at Howard University Continuing Education:

"That was just fantastic!"

"A premium experience"

". . . so upscale"

"We really enjoyed the authors and their presentations . . ."

"The food was excellent!"

(It was) so good – more than I expected."

"Please make sure I'm on your invitation list for the next one!"
Thank you to all of you who made the showcase this past Friday a success. Over 130 people came out in the rain to see:

Rey Harris - Motivational Morsels

Henriette Edmonds - The Georgia Avenue Bus

James A. Jimason - Dante's Destiny

Silvia Henderson - Why You Talk So White?

Angeline Bandon-Bibum - Sojourner's Dream

R.J. Williams - Cheapa 2 Keepa

Stafford L. Battle - AfroCyberspace

Shaun Mathis - This Hurts

Hilda Thomasine Wren - A Plain, Brown Wren

Wanda Childs - Pushed Into My Purpose

K. Lowery Moore - When I'm Loving You

Joyce Veranda Gray - Dark Karma

Dwayne Vernon - My Man, My Boyz

MacArthur Burton - Management Out of the Blue

Anita R Lambert - F.H.M. Murray

Matthew Horne - The Universe Is Inviting You In

Larry Chang - Wisdom for the Soul of Black Folk

Oscar Harp - Across Time: Mystery of the Great Sphinx

Theresa Grant - Hope and Desire

William Powell, Jr. - Valkyrie

Paul Lawrence Vann - Living on Higher Ground

22nd Century Press also introduced three new authors: Pleasetta Grace, Randy Philip, and Ralph Spencer.

The works ran the gamut: novels, self help, romance, poetry, autobiographical, technology, sci-fi, historical - you name it. There was a book for every type of book buying customer (except children, but keep an eye out for our next showcase in February).

The speakers were outstanding. Some had only a few minutes, but still left an indelible mark on the audience. During intermissions attendees checked out the school's facilities, visited the photographer Kea Taylor of Imagine Photography Studios taking professional head shots on location during the showcase, and dined on assorted cheeses, wines, smoked salmon, caviar and more. All of this and it was free to the public.

You will not want to miss the next one. Special thanks to the Prince George's County, MD chapter of the Black Writer's Guild for their support. See their website for the Afro Books Expo in February 2008.

Don't Miss the Fall 2007 Black Author Showcase™

2007-10-08T20:40:00.000-07:00

Join us during Howard University's Homecoming Weekend for our 2nd showcase this year; sponsored by Howard University Continuing Education and 22nd Century Press.

Download the flyer here

RSVP Here

Friday, October 19, 2007
4:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Howard University, Continuing Education
1100 Wayne Avenue • Silver Spring, MD 20910
Near Silver Spring Metro • Parking Available

Refreshments served • Prize Drawings
FREE ADMISSION TO PUBLIC
Guests are requested to RSVP for catering purposes.

This experience is much more than just a book signing & lecture. Authors will read, discuss and/or enact their works and will network with readers and other literary professionals (graphic designers, copy editors, editors, reviewers, proof readers, photographers, videographers, illustrators) that help bring a book to life.

Black Author Showcase has been designed to assist authors in creating, preparing, writing, and marketing their works. It's aim is to connect authors with other literary professionals (graphic designers, copy editors, editors, reviewers, proof readers, photographers, videographers, illustrators, etc.) and with readers.

For more information call: 443-483-4261

Email: info@blackauthorshowcase.com

All guests are invited to bring a gently used book to donate to the DC Prison Reading Project

Black Author Showcase™

AuthorHouse Buys iUniverse - What's in it for You?

2007-09-15T14:51:00.000-07:00

Filed under "The more things change . . . " category:

Huge subsidy publisher AuthorHouse has just gobbled up it's nearest competitor iUniverse. What effect will this have on small presses like ourselves here at 22nd Century? It's hard to tell now. However, it looks like another huge conglomerate thingy to me. Probably aimed to rid the world of us tiny, buzzing types.

Read more here in Publishers Weekly:
AuthorHouse Acquires iUniverse - 9/6/2007 2:18:00 PM - Publishers Weekly

Howard University Continuing Education Partners with Black Author Showcase™ to Promote Metro Area Writers at Open House

2007-09-13T12:55:00.000-07:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

CONTACT
Jim Washington, Special Projects Coordinator
Howard University Continuing Education
301-608-4100
jrwashington@howard.edu
http://www.con-ed.howard.edu/

Howard University Continuing Education Partners with Black Author Showcase™ to Promote Metro Area Writers at Open House

Washington, DC — Howard University Continuing Education (HUCE) is the venue for the free October 19, 2007 event that will showcase more than 10 works of self-published authors from the Washington, DC metropolitan area.

The open house will feature the Howard University Continuing Education facilities and demonstrate course offerings including paralegal, ESL (English as a Second Language), Arabic, & Chinese language classes, computer workshops and more. This is an excellent opportunity to meet the staff and faculty of Howard University Continuing Education. Invitees are encouraged to bring a new or gently used paperback book or text book to donate to the DC Books to Prisons Project.

Diane Williams, director of the showcase stated "22nd Century Press is very excited about this partnership with Howard University Continuing Education. We are developing expanded resources and courses for self-published & aspiring authors by building on the classes that are currently offered by HUCE to the general public."

Howard University Continuing Education (HUCE) provides training and development services designed to maximize the professional and personal development of individuals and organizations in its state-of-the-art facilities in Silver Spring, at the University's other locations in Washington, DC, and in remote locations worldwide.. As the university-wide continuing education component of Howard University, HUCE draws from the University's rich and diverse resources and with external organizations to create innovative educational opportunities in a wide variety of formats.

Black Author Showcase™ has been designed by 22nd Century Press to assist authors in creating, preparing, writing, and marketing their works. Its’ aim is to connect authors with other literary professionals and readers utilizing the latest advances in digital publishing. This information is disseminated in the spirit of cooperative economics, shared knowledge and collective works to reach the African American market with writing and publishing education, news and information.

22nd Century Press is an independent publisher that is solely owned by KMG Consulting, a 16 year company in Prince George’s County, MD.

For additional information contact:
Diane Williams
22nd Century Press
info@ blackauthorshowcase.com
www.blackauthorshowcase.com
###

Yes Virginia, There Are Second Chances

2007-09-12T22:11:00.000-07:00

Just like a publishing Santa, Harper Collins Publishers has given James Frey a shiny new contract instead of a lump of coal. What's a little bit of literary scandal anyway? Ha! It's millions in free press baby. Sure, memoir-fraudboy was grilled and left to bleed in public on Oprah. Never fear - that just makes us wonder if he's totally fictionalizing this next book.

Oh the morbid curiosity of it all. Novel or real life? Oooo scary. The Flava Flav of it all. While Random House pays up to $2.35 million in consumer rebates to settle the resulting class-action suit from his memoir embellishments, Frey gets a new "Bright Shiny Morning."

Notoriety . . . so much better than just plain old famous for selling books.

James Frey's First Novel Gives Him a Second Chance - WSJ.com

Author's Showcase: Author hoping to spark AIDS conversation with essay collection

2007-09-05T18:46:00.000-07:00

Author's Showcase: Author hoping to spark AIDS conversation with essay collection

The More Things Change . . . Books and Race - Blah, Blah, Blah

2007-07-22T23:03:00.000-07:00

As a writer, where do you want your book to reside in ANY bookstore? That's right. WHEREVER the most people interested in your genre will find it. It's a shame that writers of Sci-Fi, horror, and other genres are instantly installed in the "African American" section of the major booksellers just because they also happen to be a different shade.

Simply put, bookstore segregation must stop. However, there will be no busing of novels across the store aisles. Supposedly, Barnes and Nobel has begun to integrate their fiction stacks.

I am going to keep my eye on the lawsuit filed by Nadine Aldred against her publisher, the Penguin Group. This lawsuit and the larger issue are covered in this article written by Jeffrey A. Trachtenberg in the December 6, 2006 issue of the Wall Street Journal: Why Book Industry Sees the World Split Still by Race - WSJ.com

The blog, "On The Wrong Side of the Alligator" has posted a large portion of the complaint. It's lengthy but fascinating reading for those of us that want the best chance to produce an international bestseller. Ms. Aldred's pseudonym weighs in on her blog here: Millenia Black | Taking Care of Business

Our Art Directors are looking at portfolios of artists interested in doing cover illustrations

2007-07-13T08:11:00.000-07:00

22nd Century publications include fiction and non-fiction titles. You may send tearsheets or prints or other examples of your work - do not send originals. Include an SASE for return. All materials are sent at your own risk.

The art department may accept email submissions under certain circumstances.Send inquiries to

info AT 22ndCenturyPress DOT com

QBR HOSTS 9th HARLEM BOOK FAIR

2007-07-09T14:18:00.000-07:00

QBR hosts the 9th HARLEM BOOK FAIR JULY 20 - 22, 2007
Publishers, writers, literacy vendors will exhibit and author panel discussions will be televised by C-Span’s Book TV.
2007 Harlem Bookfair

The End of Publishing As You Know It?

2007-07-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Check out this big guy – actually not that big, since it’s small enough to fit in at the New York Public Library. It’s the Espresso Book Machine. Coffee, scone and on demand books anyone? Visitors to the library can print off books over 200,000 public domain titles free of charge.

We keep talking about literary change, but here it is in your local neighborhood library (well almost). Sounds of Sam Cooke in the background singing "A Change Is Gonna Come" are being replaced with the whirring sound of that insta-book you just printed. Find your author, subject, publisher and print away. Too cool.

New York Public library gets first Espresso book machine

Easy Trackers for Book Trends & Statistics Junkies

2007-07-01T23:50:00.000-07:00

You're not the only one obsessed with your sales ranking on Amazon
and Barnes & Noble. There are several free online tools for tracking sales rankings, because authors and publishers just can't wait
for their daily fix of the numbers.

Title Z instantly retrieves historic and current sales rankings from Amazon and creates printable reports. Check the trends and see how topics or titles perform over time - for free (for now).

Check out charts of the top gainers, losers, and the 'currently hot' on Charteous. You can even see the 'all time favorites' (Hmm . . . let's see - Harry Potter, any thing in Oprah's book club, and the tell all for 2007 - The Secret).

If you can't get your numbers fix on here, nothing will do. The true numbers gatherers are those that subscribe to the 'Amazon BestSeller' pitch. Wow! I'm a best seller if I get every one in my mailing lists and my uncle Bob's email list to buy my book at 3:47 am on Amazon. I will then be the best seller for an entire hour. Hot Diggity! Oh yeah, where's my bling?

Don't sell the trailer and buy that Mercedes just yet. According to Steve Weber in his newest offering "Plug Your Book" - ". . . a single technique doesn’t support a book for long; steady sales depend on continuous promotion." On page 34 he demonstrates with Title Z charts the importance of a 'Long Tail' strategy versus the InstaBestseller Campaign.

Oh well. I never take a look at the sales ranking when I buy online. I always go by content, what I need at the time, and personal recommendations. Go figure.

Coming Soon!

2007-06-27T05:40:00.000-07:00

An African-American scientist seeks to stop an invasion from within.
Preview it today.

Prepare for the African writing revolution

2007-06-20T12:07:00.000-07:00

Check out Binyavanga Wainaina in his column, CONTINENTAL DRIFT.

Prepare for the African writing revolution : Mail & Guardian Online

Black Writers Reunion & Conference First Call for Proposals

2007-06-15T11:36:00.000-07:00

The Black Writers Reunion & Conference (BWRC) invites proposals for workshops to be presented at the BWRC 2008. BWRC '08 will be held in Tampa, Florida, June 19-21, 2008, with workshops being presented June 20-21.

BWRC '08 provides speakers and participants with an opportunity to focus intensively on specific writing topics. Often writers' conferences concentrate solely on the craft and business of writing books for publication.

They welcome proposals on any topic of interest to the writing community, but particularly encourage proposals on writing careers and writing-related businesses that introduce participants to the diverse opportunities available to them beyond creative writing as professional writers and writing service providers in addition to creative writing and publishing.

bwrc-news : Message: BWRC First (Official) Call for Proposals

Proposals due: Midnight, July 15, 2007
Notification of acceptance: July 31, 2007
Workshop handouts submission deadline: March 15, 2008
Camera ready copy of handouts due: April 7, 2008
Speakers' itineraries due: May 18, 2008
Workshop date: June 20-21, 2008

Download the RFP:
http://www.blackwriters.org/docs/BWRC2008-RFSP.pdf

Additional Information:

BLACK WRITERS REUNION & CONFERENCE
JUNE 19-21, 2008
SHERATON TAMPA RIVERWALK
TAMPA, FLORIDA

For additional information, see the conference website:
http://www.blackwriters.org

Additional details will be published on the site as they become
available.

Agents of Literary Change

2007-06-13T09:29:00.000-07:00

That's what we hope to be for thousands of unpublished authors. The winds of change have already begun to gust through the publishing industry with new resources, mergers, new companies, fresh printing and distribution methods.

22nd Century intends to be the port in the storm for authors. We will assist you in choosing the right services, technology, marketing methods, and all of the basics you will need to become a successful published author.

We know your struggle because frankly, we are you. A group of authors and small business entrepreneurs who have published in various media and have contended with the high costs, pink slips, rejections, high tech and bittersweet object of our affection - writing.

The publishing industry is changing . . . stay with us to keep your edges sharp.

dk

Our Authors

2007-05-25T11:12:00.000-07:00

Stafford L. Battle

Rey O. Harris

Dr. Charles H. Epps

Ralph Spencer

Press

2007-05-25T10:14:00.000-07:00

July 2009 - Author Stafford L. Battle (AfroCyberspace) has won 2nd prize for his story 'The Legend of Shango' in the First Annual Sword and Soul Short Story Competition on BlackScienceFictionSociety.com and his story 'The Lynching' is published this month in issue nine of the online speculative fiction magazine: Expanded Horizons.

October 2008 - October is Speculative Fiction Month on the Black Author Showcase

October 2007 -
Howard University Continuing Education Partners with Black Author Showcase™ to Promote Metro Area Writers at Open House

May 2007 - Upper Marlboro Woman Launches Indie Press

Upper Marlboro Woman Launches Indie Press

2007-05-25T10:00:00.000-07:00

Upper Marlboro, Md, May 2007 In response to what she sees as a dearth of quality African American nonfiction and serious ethnic fiction titles,Diane Williams, wife of author Stafford L. Battle, has become a publisher, launching 22nd Century Press, an independent house committed to contemporary multicultural literature.
Based in Mitchellville, MD which is in the metropolitan Washington, DC area, the press will release up to six books a year. 22nd Century Press's first release is AfroCyberspace: 1000+ Websites That Will Enrich Your World by Stafford L. Battle and Rey O. Harris, the follow-up to their African American Guide to the Internet (1996, McGraw Hill).

The company plans to provide unparalleled support to the uninitiated writer. 22nd Century Press has already produced several Black Author Showcase™ events in efforts to promote not just their titles, but also other small publishers and self-published authors. They partner with authors to get their product in front of readers in a variety of ways. “Unfortunately for most writers, they think once the manuscript is done their work is over. Nothing could be further from the truth. That’s why we created the showcase event and are also working on several other innovative projects that will help authors continue to sell regularly,” Battle said.

“Everything we do, we share with others” says Williams, who has a multimedia guide to self-publishing upcoming in the summer 2010 catalog. “As I was researching the changes in the publishing business to promote the company, I realized that this information is needed by all writers and would be authors,” she said. In that vein, she has also created a free online author’s community – the Black Author Showcase Community, to share publishing information, promote authors, artists, and freelance editorial professionals and connect with readers.

Battle and Harris were instrumental in the 90’s in creating the successful “Book to the Future” conference that featured Ivan Van Sertima and Sonia Sanchez at the University of the District of Columbia. Stafford Battle is a graduate of several professional publishing courses at Stanford and Howard Universities, besides his work as a journalist and author. Diane Williams is a long time technologist, consultant, writer, and trainer in information technology.

22nd Century Press is currently accepting manuscripts for future catalogs and is also finalizing its distributor selection. The press will utilize a number of talented editorial freelancers from the metropolitan area. The 2009 list will include Federal City View, a book of photographical essays from Ralph Spencer, an autobiography from a prominent local physician, a speculative fiction novel, Insane Messiah; and a multi media entry, “. . . because the industry is quickly changing. Books are not just paper, but interactive DVDs, ebooks, podcasts and more. Our technical expertise keeps our products on the edge of what’s out there now and beyond. You know, the 22nd Century.”

CONTACT:
Diane Williams
info (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com
202-276-8876

12138 Central Avenue, Suite 223
Mitchellville, MD 20721
www.22ndCenturyPress.com

My Century Book Publishing Consulting

2007-05-21T21:08:00.000-07:00

We also provide coaching, education, ghostwriting, editorial, design, marketing, distributing and printing assistance to authors with My Century Book Publishing Consulting.

It's a full-service book sheparding/production company with consultation on branding, publishing, distribution and fulfillment options for writers that want their own publishing company and/or wish to collaborate in the production of books of exceptional quality.

We created My Century specifically to help authors make the best book possible. We provide coaching, pay royalties and take submissions, however we do not accept all manuscripts for publication.We partner with our authors to create a high quality, well-designed, salable book; not a quick, get-it-out-there-in-a-minute unprofessional job. We offer sincere editing and criticism aimed at making the author successful.

Before you choose another publishing solution - give us a call. Quality and personal service is the 22nd Century Press and My Century difference.

About

2007-05-21T10:33:00.000-07:00

22nd Century Press publishes multicultural literature & non-fiction emphasizing creative diversity. We look for innovative writers and have a special interest in speculative fiction. We publish books in the traditional model (approx. 6 books per year).

Our location is in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area - Mitchellville, MD 16 miles from D.C.

Paperback and foreign rights to our titles:
Email rights (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com

Permissions inquiries:
Email permissions (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com

Review copies:
Email publicity (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com

For desk copies:
Mail your request on university departmental letterhead to the attention of the Publicity Department, 22nd Century Press.

22nd Century Press
12138 Central Avenue
Suite 223
Mitchellville, MD 20721

All other queries:
Email us at info (at) 22ndCenturyPress.com

22nd Century Press is home to the Black Author Showcase, a cooperative learning, teaching and supporting literary community for anyone who helps bring a book to life. It is a thriving network for authors, readers, publishers, photographers, librarians, reviewers, graphic designers, editors, ghostwriters, agents, and others.

We are a member of The Green Press Initiative and have a commitment to print a growing number of our titles on paper that is Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, and/or recycled and processed chlorine free.

Submissions

2007-05-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

Thank you for your interest in 22nd Century Press. We are actively considering non-fiction and speculative fiction manuscripts for the 2010 - 2011 seasons. We accept unagented queries. However, we do ask that you first send a query letter/email following the guidelines at the end of this message. Do not send complete manuscripts.

What We Want To See:

Non-fiction titles that will start provocative conversations and convey a unique perspective sharing the not often seen point of view. We look for creativity, unusual expression and new takes on old cultural ideas that otherwise may not have a traditional publishing outlet. 22nd Century Press welcomes submissions of quality and commercial fiction in most genres, including fiction, nonfiction, drama, young adult, focusing on diverse themes by published and first-time authors.

Fiction
We are especially interested in young adult titles, speculative and literary fiction.
We are presently not considering picture books, poetry, or children's books.

Non-fiction
We are looking for helpful, informational topics and titles from a multicultural perspective. Politics, technology, current events, environmental, contemporary culture and lifestyle issues are subjects of high interest.

Send your query letter/email with a synopsis of your book - fiction or non-fiction, author bio and the first three chapters single side and double-spaced. Do not send the entire manuscript until it is requested by an editor. Include in your letter your proposed target audience and marketing ideas.

WE ARE ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2010/2011 PUBLISHING YEAR.
Your submission should include:

A one page, single spaced query letter
Contact information
Genre (mainstream, speculative, mystery, paranormal, biography, self-help, historical, thriller, young adult,. . .)
Working title and length of manuscript (100,000 actual word count maximum)
Status (complete or incomplete)
1-2 paragraph blurb about plot of book
1-2 paragraphs about the author and marketing the book
your qualifications as a writer and highlighting the importance of the work you are submitting
A preliminary outline of the intended target market for your work, how your work differs from that already existing in that market, and how you plan to market your book.
A one page synopsis outlining the subject of the manuscript (8 pages max)
Double spaced and written in present tense
Detail the manuscript’s main plot from beginning to end
A copy of the first 3 chapters
Double spaced and typed in a 12 point font.
Proofread for typographical errors and grammatical errors
Document attachments should be saved as a .pdf or .doc file.

SAMPLE CHAPTERS WILL NOT BE RETURNED.

WE PREFER ACCEPTING QUERIES BY EMAIL AT THIS TIME. IF YOU MUST SEND YOUR SUBMISSION BY SNAIL MAIL, PLEASE ADHERE TO THE FOLLOWING:

•Include a Self-Addressed Stamped Envelopes (SASE) if you would like your manuscript returned. The manuscript will be recycled without the proper postage and envelope.
•A large envelope that will fit your manuscript.
•Sufficient and proper postage for the weight of your manuscript.
•Do not send money or checks - only postal canceling or stamps
•Use First Class or Priority mail. Do not use Media Mail, UPS, or FedEx.We do not return manuscripts outside the US.
•A self-addressed stamped envelope (size 10) for our response.
•A self-addressed stamped acknowledgement postcard (optional). This card will be returned to you once your proposal has been received.
•Send only copies of original work, artwork, photographs, layout boards, or other manuscript-related materials. Keep all originals.

FAILURE TO ADHERE TO THE SUBMISSION GUIDELINES WILL RESULT IN THE IMMEDIATE ELIMINATION OF YOUR MANUSCIPT.

PLEASE REMEMBER THE FOLLOWING:
If we are interested in your project, you can expect to hear from us within two to six months. Because of the volume of submissions, if your query does not fall within our guidelines, we will be unable to respond to you. THE STAFF WILL NOT ACCEPT TELEPHONE CALLS REGARDING THE STATUS OR REVIEW OF A MANUSCRIPT.

Click here to Email Submissions

Mail Submissions To:
Acquisitions Editor
22nd Century Press
12138 Central Avenue
Suite 223
Mitchellville, MD 20721

Contact Us

2007-05-19T21:15:00.000-07:00

For more information about 22nd Century Press or any of our authors, to request a review copy, or to arrange for an appearance or interview, please send us a message by clicking one of the links below:

Bookseller & Media Inquiries

General Questions

Submissions (Please see Submission Guidelines)

Desk Copy Requests
Please email all requests for desk copies or mail to the address at the end of the page.

DESK COPY REQUESTS
The letter MUST be on school letterhead and should include:
1. Title and ISBN.
2. Instructor's name.
3. Course name and number.
4. Course starting date.
5. Estimated enrollment.

My Century Book Publishing Consulting

22nd Century Press, LLC
12138 Central Avenue, Suite 223
Mitchellville, MD 20721