Tell us how and why Panther Creek Press got started.

Guida Jackson, Publisher: In the over 20 years that I have been writing books, I have seen huge changes in the publishing industry. Nowadays, an author may work on a book for years, but the publisher is likely to keep it in print only a short time, not long enough, in most cases, for the author to build a readership. I realize also that I was very lucky when I started out at how quickly I found a publisher (Simon & Schuster). I don't believe it's as easy since the advent of multiple submissions. Anyway, 18 books later, I decided the publishing world had been pretty good to me and it was time to give something back. Only I wanted to keep the books in print as long as--well, forever. There is SO MUCH to learn after your first book is published, and it has to be done SO QUICKLY, while the book is still on the shelves. I wanted to give the authors the gift of time.

Did you have a mission in mind when you began producing books?

GJ: It seemed to me that agents wouldn't even read a writer until that writer had at least one book published, so how was a new writer to break in? I especially wanted to give promising new writers a chance to get started--and I wanted to keep books in print.

In what format are your books published?

GJ: Print.

Do you do print-on-demand books?

GJ: We use a printer who will give us fast turnaround on orders, but it isn't what you term print-on-demand.

How are your books distributed? Do you get help from Ingrams or B and T, or are you on your own?

GJ: We will soon be with B&T. And of course, our books are available from Amazon.

Tell us how you advertise. Where do the dollars go, primarily?

GJ: We have no dollars for advertising. We have a website www.panthercreekpress.com, but authors are pretty much on their own in the advertising department.

Who are some of the authors you've contracted with? What releases do you have out or soon out?

GJ: The Last Innocent Hour by Barbara Sissel, Death Plays the Lead by Frances McMaster, Iceman by Roy Fish; St. Abient Run by Jeana Kendrick (all mystery/suspense) Leopards, Oracles and Long Horns by chichi layor, Watching the Worlds Go By by Omar Pound, Under A Riverbed Sky by Christopher Woods (all poetry/epics/prose)

What is the price range for your releases?

GJ: $12.95 to $19.95

How can readers purchase your books?

GJ: Go to our website or to Amazon.

Do you have a website with more information?

GJ: Yes, www.panthercreekpress.com. Click on News to see the complete line of what's coming up. Click on Ordering Information for purchasing information.

Barbara Taylor Sissel is the author of The Last Innocent Hour, a suspense novel available from Panther Creek Press.

What led you to a small press? Were you previously published by a mainstream house?

BTS: I had some interest from the mainstream markets but I was unknown and no one wanted to take a chance. When the opportunity came along to go with a small press, I was thrilled. At least now, someone believed in me and liked my writing enough to publish it.

What's it like writing for a small press?

BTS: Probably the same as for any press, the fact that you are published at all--out there, in print--is a real confidence booster. It gives your work credibility. Being published provides an incentive to continue. In my case, I was part of the decision making process every step of the way as my book was being put together. I don't believe that would happen at a mainstream house. I suppose the experience with the larger publisher might forge a wider commercial path because they have more resources available. But whether a new author would be given access to those is unlikely from what I've heard.

Tell us about your experiences promoting a small-press release.

BTS: To me, promotion is the least favorite aspect of this business, and my publisher is small; resources of personnel and budget are limited when compared to a larger house. But I'm not lost in the shuffle the way I could be with a mainstream house. I get very personal, very hands-on treatment. When it comes to promotion, a new author needs lots of advice and guidance.

There are dos and don'ts. I don't think a larger house could be as responsive or as nurturing of the whole process. With the exception of the really big names, I think most authors have to do their own promoting if they want to build readership. Launching a career as an author these days is like launching a small business. It requires an investment of similar resources, there's a similar learning curve. Time to learn how best to develop a marketing plan for your product becomes particularly important. The larger houses aren't as able or willing to accommodate these periods of trial and error. They want to see quick sales. There might be more name recognition with a large house, perhaps there's more prestige. But what good is that when the whole matter is taken out of your hands and your books are stripped from the bookstore shelves just as you are getting your feet on the ground? You have to create a "buzz" to sell a book; it takes time to create a buzz. In my experience, a small publisher offers the necessary time.

What advice would you have for an author considering a small press?

BTS: I think anyone who studies the publishing industry today will know that small presses are on the rise, providing avenues of opportunity for writers, especially new writers, that haven't been available from the bigger houses. Increasingly, small presses are looked on as sources for fresh talent; they can and do produce bestsellers. They'll take the risk when a larger house won't and spend time developing an author's career when a larger house can't. As anyone who has endured a landslide of rejection knows, being published is an exhilarating experience, a wonderful gift. Regardless of who is doing the publishing, the fact is someone is giving you a chance. But big house or small, what happens with your book after publication will be largely up to you.

Guida and Barbara, thank you for joining us! Readers, you can visit www.panthercreekpress.com for more information. August 30, 2001