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Happy One Year Anniversary Carina Press! (Celebrating with A Contest!)
Jun
7
2011

In celebration of our one year anniversary, I asked as many of our Harlequin team members and Carina Press freelance editors as possible to write a short blog post, talking about what the past year or so has been like for them, working on Carina Press. I deliberately didn’t provide any direction other than that, because I wanted to see what people came up with, in the spirit of Carina’s 1st anniversary. I was so pleased when I saw what they’d all come up with, and had to say (and some of these posts made me just a little teary)! I hope you enjoy the post, and look for your opportunity to win a Carina Press book at the bottom of this post. ~Angela James

 

 

Deborah Nemeth is a freelance editor for Carina Press. You can follow her on Twitter.

 

Today we’re celebrating Carina Press’s First Anniversary with an exciting giveaway (details below). In honor of the occasion, I’ve listed some of my personal highlights of editing for CP during its exciting early days:

 

1.     Startups are fun, if you like a crazy pace. Although our first books were released when our ecommerce site went live a year ago today, naturally the work began before then. I was one of the first editors to join Carina Press back in November, 2009. Starting a new imprint is fun, intense, and sometimes messy—at times the processes and procedures were established on the fly, when the work was already underway.

2.     I got the world’s best boss back! For me, one of the best things about editing for Carina Press is getting the chance to work for a boss whom I so admire and had worked for before. The heavy lifting of creating a digital imprint—and one that publishes non-romance, erotica and male/male genres—within the Romance Mothership fell to our exec editor, the amazing Angela James. She’s faced some bumps in the road—such as a contract process that at first was more suited to the relatively sedate speed of traditional print publishing than digital’s warp-speed. Always gracious and helpful and knowledgeable, she’s inspired us all to get it done.

3.     Slush Pile Fun. I bless the launch authors who put their trust in us. In only seven months, we went from announcing that we were open to submissions to releasing close to 40 titles. For me alone that meant reviewing around 200 submissions in those early months, and I’m just one editor of many.

4.     Second reader reports. Carina Press’s acquisition process requires the editors to submit formal recommendations to acquire manuscripts. The process of articulating what I love about a story and analyzing its strengths, editorial needs and marketing potential has helped me hone my ability to assess submissions. At least one other team member then goes on to review the manuscripts, vet the recommendations and provide a second report. And, boy, are those second opinions helpful!

5.     Acquiring my first book: Every acquisition is a thrill for an editor, but I was nervous the first time I sent in an acquisition recommendation to the Carina Press team. Would they approve it? To my delight they did, so by December, 2009 I had my first project, Toni Anderson’s romantic suspense novel Sea of Suspicion. One of our digital launch titles, it’s also available as an audio book. It will also be released in print in 2012 as part of Harlequin’s Direct to Consumer reader service program.

6.     Editor as fan. I squeed at the names of some of the authors whose manuscripts landed on my desk to review, authors whose published books I’d read and admired, such as Megan Hart, Carrie Lofty, Bonnie Dee, Z.A. Maxfield and Josh Lanyon.

7.     Debut authors: Working with professional authors who know what they’re doing is always a pleasure for an editor. But even though inexperienced ones may take more time, their eagerness and willingness to learn, their just-plain-new-shininess, is such a delight. Carina Press is open to debut authors, and one of my first slush-pile finds was the launch title The Price of Freedom from Australian debut author Jenny Schwartz, the first of three stories about djinn. Other debut authors I’ve had the good fortune to work with this past year include Ginny Glass, Keri Stevens, Amy Atwell, Rae Renzi and Lisa Paitz Spindler.

8.     Old friends. When an editor leaves one house to edit for another, it’s hard to leave one’s authors behind. To my great joy, many of these authors sent manuscripts to CP in time to be part of our launch: Inez Kelley, Dee Tenorio, Clare London and Cathryn Brunet.

9.     Not just romance. Although most of our releases are romances, I love that Carina Press is open to great stories that don’t necessarily fit into the romance mold. This means I get to edit awesome mystery, women’s fiction, fantasy, science fiction, thriller and mainstream books, such as Julia Knight’s wonderful pirate fantasy Ten Ruby Trick and Robert Appleton’s upcoming SF novel Sparks in Cosmic Dust (September 2011). Megan Hart’s Exit Light, a brilliant mainstream novel, was one of our launch titles. Shirley Wells’s Presumed Dead, A Dylan Scott mystery, was released digitally in July 2010, as an audiobook in October, and in print as part of Harlequin’s Direct to Consumer reader service program in April, 2011.

10.  Bigger can be better. Carina Press is an imprint of a much larger publisher than any I’ve worked with before. And the large pub in question is a traditional print publisher. Although Carina has a wholly separate editorial team, its book production, ecommerce site, marketing and contracts are handled by Harlequin staff. A larger corporation means more paperwork. More structure. More meetings. More decision makers. And lots and lots of experience, expertise, resources and support.

11.  One hell of a team. Although the Carina Press editors are freelance, we’ve formed strong bonds through our loops, virtual networking and conference calls. We support each other, sharing tips, offering encouragement and celebrating successes.

12.  Gorgeous Cover Art. Some of my projects’ covers are so fabulous, I’ve gasped when I first opened the files. But don’t take my word for it, just browse our ebookstore!

 

To celebrate Carina’s one year anniversary of publishing books, we’re giving away some prizes. Today, on each of the nineteen blogs our team members are featured on, we’re giving away a download of a Carina Press book to one random winner (that’s nineteen total winners!) All you need to do to be entered to win is comment on this post. You can enter to win on all nineteen posts. In addition, on the Carina Press blog, we’re giving away a grand prize of a Kobo ereader and 12 Carina Press books of the winner’s choice. Visit the Carina Press blog to enter to win, and to see links to all 19 of today’s blog posts.

And a sincere thank you from all of us, to our readers and authors, for making Carina Press’s first year a success!

 

72 comments to “Happy One Year Anniversary Carina Press! (Celebrating with A Contest!)”

  1. Lisa J
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:31 am · Link

    Readers appreciate all your hard work. Thank you!!



  2. Caridad Pineiro
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:37 am · Link

    The cover art has been spectacular and so have the books. Congrats and thanks for sharing your experience.



  3. blodeuedd
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:40 am · Link

    All these great posts makes me wanna work there too 😀



  4. Chele Blades
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:42 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary to Carina Press and the great authors!!



  5. crystal d
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:46 am · Link

    How lucky you are that you get to read as part of your job!



  6. Danielle Stogdill
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:46 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary Carina!



  7. Aleksandr Voinov
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:48 am · Link

    I can’t imagine the stress (I’ve still to start a business), but it sure makes the time pass faster!



  8. Lisa (Lisa's World of Books)
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:48 am · Link

    How lucky to work for someone you had before! Happy Anniversary!



  9. Nicole
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:50 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary!!



  10. Carol Stephenson
    June 7th, 2011 at 6:57 am · Link

    Deb,

    I love the cover art as well. Thank you for bringing such great books out this past year and wishing you even greater success in the next!



  11. Shirley Wells
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:03 am · Link

    I can’t believe a whole year has gone by – and more – since I started working with you and Carina Press, Deborah. What a great post. I always enjoy seeing your enthusiasm for our stories.

    Happy anniversary!



  12. Deborah Nemeth
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:04 am · Link

    Everyone, thank you all for the kind wishes.

    Lisa, yes, having my old boss back is quite nice. It really makes a difference in my quality of life. I’m old enough to have worked many places with all sorts of bosses, and I’ve come to really value a good one.

    Crystal, I do consider myself lucky to be able to read for a living. Although of course I read what comes into the slush pile, which isn’t always the same as what’s in the bookstore. But it’s still an amazing job.

    Aleks, although it’s been a busy year+, I can’t say that it’s been overly stressful. I work mainly with the authors, and my authors have without exception been terrific throughout the editing process: responsive, flexible and eager to produce a quality book.



  13. Limecello
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:15 am · Link

    Hi Deb! Love your enthusiasm, and the detail of (to) this post. Happy anniversary/birthday to Carina Press!



  14. Amy S.
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:19 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary! I love finding some of my fave authors are writing for Carina and love seeing their new books.



  15. StacieDM
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:38 am · Link

    Hello Deborah!
    Congratulations on the first anniversary of Carina Press!

    I think it is great that you have a boss you admire. It sounds like the entire Carina Press team is a tight knit group. I think it helps with productivity and makes it easier to plow through your fast paced, high volume work. Good luck with your future CP releases!

    user1123 AT comcast DOT net



  16. CrystalGB
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:38 am · Link

    Happy one year anniversary. Wishing you many more successful years.
    Crystal816[at}hotmail[dot}com



  17. Debbie Bussie
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:46 am · Link

    😆 Congrats on your first anniversary! I am new here and really enjoy it. Thanks
    @okmom43. Dpbussie@yahoo.com



  18. Jeffe Kennedy
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:49 am · Link

    What a great post, Deb! I love reading about what it was like for you all. And how exciting for me to be working with you now! This *does* feel like a big party!



  19. tammy ramey
    June 7th, 2011 at 7:50 am · Link

    congratulations! may your next year be just as successful
    trvlagnt1t@yahoo.com



  20. Anne Marie Becker
    June 7th, 2011 at 8:05 am · Link

    Hi, Deb, and thanks for all your hard work! And congratulations to Carina on a very productive first year – happy birthday!



  21. Toni Anderson
    June 7th, 2011 at 8:05 am · Link

    Thanks so much for dragging me out of that slush pile! What would I have done without you?

    You (me too) are lucky to love what we do. You have edited so many talented authors, some of my favorites too. There isn’t enough time to read all these great books.

    Happy first birthday. Here’s wishing many many more.



  22. Rae Renzi
    June 7th, 2011 at 8:15 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary, Deb, and let me take the opportunity to say that I, for one, am SOOOO glad you jumped aboard Carina Press! Carina is awesome, and not in small part because of superb editors like you!



  23. Patti
    June 7th, 2011 at 9:01 am · Link

    Congratulations on a great first year!



  24. Fedora
    June 7th, 2011 at 9:22 am · Link

    Happy first anniversary, Deborah–I enjoyed reading your post and seeing what a difference Carina Press has made for you. It’s been an exciting year for us readers, and I’m looking forward to what you’ll be bringing to us in the years to come!



  25. Renee Rearden
    June 7th, 2011 at 9:41 am · Link

    Happy anniversary, and thank you for all your hard work. When I read fantastic CP books, I appreciate the attention to every detail…of course, that’s what makes them fantastic!

    ReneeRearden(at)yahoo(dot)com



  26. Sherie
    June 7th, 2011 at 9:59 am · Link

    Congrats on a year! I know I love my digital books! 😛



  27. Julia Broadbooks
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:24 am · Link

    Deb,

    You make Carina sound like such a wonderful place to work. It has been exciting to watch from the outside, too. Happy Anniversary.



  28. Susan Laura
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:30 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary Carina Press! A lot of hard work goes into creating these books and I thank you for it!



  29. Corinne
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:35 am · Link

    Congrats to Carina Press & all authors who contribute!! You produce GREAT books!! 🙂



  30. Zee
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:52 am · Link

    I’m trying to think of a Carina cover I didn’t like.

    Nope. They’ve all been awesome. Happy anniversary!



  31. Emily L.
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:56 am · Link

    Happy Anniversary Carina Press!!!



  32. Jess @ Gone with the Words
    June 7th, 2011 at 10:59 am · Link

    Yay!! Happy Anniversary!!



  33. Diana Neal
    June 7th, 2011 at 11:11 am · Link

    Thanks Carina for such outstanding books and to the hardworking people who made the company possible!
    😮 HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!!!!!!



  34. Ju Dimello
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:07 pm · Link

    Great to know what happens ‘behind the scenes’ 😉 And I luuuuuv the covers too!!!!

    Happy Anniversary!!!



  35. Regina Shiderly
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:14 pm · Link

    Happy Anniversary! Carina has had some awesome books this past year, glad I got to read a few!

    shiderly77@yahoo.com



  36. Karen C
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:24 pm · Link

    Congratulations on the first year anniversary of Carina Press! Enjoyed reading your list of highlights – the things that were important to you – of the past year. Wishing you all continued success!



  37. Lisa B
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:31 pm · Link

    As a reader i appreciate all that attention to detail when i get my hands on a really awesome book. Thank you!

    Lisa B
    modokker at yahoo dot com



  38. Cathy M
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:38 pm · Link

    Congratulations Deborah, love getting all the behind the scenes scoop. And I thoroughly enjoyed your first ever book, Sea of Suspicion. Happy Anniversary!

    caity_mack at yahoo dot com



  39. jayhjay
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:50 pm · Link

    Sounds like a crazy year! Congratulations!



  40. Estella
    June 7th, 2011 at 12:58 pm · Link

    Happy Anniversary, Carina Press—-may there be many more!



  41. Jane
    June 7th, 2011 at 1:06 pm · Link

    Happy First Anniversary to Carina.



  42. jeanette8042
    June 7th, 2011 at 1:22 pm · Link

    Happy Anniversary!



  43. Margaret Ethridge
    June 7th, 2011 at 1:23 pm · Link

    Happy birthday to Carina Press!



  44. Misty
    June 7th, 2011 at 2:09 pm · Link

    You all are doing an excellent job! Happy Anniversary!



  45. Natalie J. Damschroder
    June 7th, 2011 at 2:10 pm · Link

    I love when you guys mention authors important to me, like Megan Hart and Amy Atwell, and when your enthusiasm leads me to new authors like Keri Stevens and Lisa Paitz Spindler. Thanks for publishing the best stuff! 🙂



  46. Tracey D
    June 7th, 2011 at 2:26 pm · Link

    Congratulations for such a grand and successful year.

    Thanks to Carina Press, I’ve discovered many new authors.

    Thanks,
    Tracey D
    booklover0226 at gmail dot com



  47. EvaM
    June 7th, 2011 at 3:25 pm · Link

    Thanks for all the hard work of great editors!
    Congratulations and Happy Anniversary to Carina and all the wonderful authors!



  48. Keri Stevens
    June 7th, 2011 at 3:57 pm · Link

    Taking a break from hanging with Amy Wilkins at my blog to jump over here and say “Happy Anniversary” to Lauren, and my editor. Deb, you make edits fun. I don’t know how…but you do!



  49. Marlene Breakfield
    June 7th, 2011 at 3:57 pm · Link

    Congrats on one year!



  50. Valerie
    June 7th, 2011 at 4:01 pm · Link

    Thanks for all of your hard work…Happy Anniversary Carina 🙂





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