• Contemporary Romance,  E books

    The Carina Press watch continues

    Back in mid-September (of 2015), I mentioned on Dear Author how Carina Press lacked a multicultural or IR category. I got a response and a request to send an email to Angela James. I followed up with an email as requested, on September 16th.

     

    I kept it short and to the point:

    Hello Ms. James,

    Thank you for responding to my comment on Dear Author. 
    I just thought a category on Carina’s main listing of genres could benefit from an additional category representing diverse protagonists. 
    It would also make the books you offer that feature a diverse range of lead characters easier to find on the site. 
    Again, thank you for responding and being receptive to this suggestion.

     

    I wish I had better news to report, but as of the date of this post, Carina still lacks a category for either IR, multicultural or diverse characters.

     

    Here’s a screen shot as of November 26th:

     

    Carina Press screen shot

     

    Why is this important? Well, for readers who enjoy romances featuring Angels and Demons (a niche category that’s listed on the site) they can readily find them, or male/male or female/female, djinn, BDSM, Minage, Shifters, Dragon, Vampires and Ghosts . . .

    Quite simply, making it easier for a reader to find books with diverse leads benefits not just the reader, but also the publisher. Buyers can’t purchase these books if they don’t know the publisher carries them. 

    There’s an irony about all this that I hope won’t be lost. Imaginary creatures are front and center, but including a category or categories that reflect the world as we know it, somehow aren’t?

    And in fairness, Carina Press isn’t the only publisher without a category or designation for diverse reads readily visible. 

    Here’s my hope, that publishers will start routinely including categories for readers who enjoy romance between people of different races and people with disabilities.

    I’m a reader first and foremost. I also support authors who write for major publishers as well as indies. Yes, change takes time. As someone who has contributed labor for a web site redesign (for a large company), I recognize this. So, I’ll just stay patient.

     

     

    UPDATE:  No change as of 6/27/16.  

     

    Carina Press main website page 6_27_16

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Moving on:  

    Torii and Ethan are getting a sequel. I’m doing more research, and I’ve got a solid story line for their next ebook.

     

    Torii and Ethan’s romance continues in a sequel to AT LAST
    Torii and Ethan’s romance continues in a sequel to AT LAST

     

     

    The next ebook release is HUI

     

    Ballet sex symbol Le Jong Hui, from the interracial romance HUI

     

    African American ballerina Imani Fairchild, practicing with soloist Lenny McGill

     

     

     

  • Contemporary Romance,  E books,  New Adult

    Carina Press Not-at-Nationals Pitch Session

    This may be of interest for those of you wanting to pitch your book (it has to be a finished manuscript) to Carina Press.

    Here’s a link to the directions on how to submit for three days, starting today (July 23rd to July 27th)

    Carina Press Not At Nationals Pitch Session

     

    *****I saw a blog post on the Carina site where someone asked if previously pubbed books were eligible, and the answer was yes*****

     

    PITCH CONTEST INSTRUCTIONS
    Authors are invited to pitch their 200 word (maximum) query and first 100 words or first paragraph for submission. The contest will run from July 23 – July 27 pitches submitted after this date will not be considered. Please check back on the blog! You must submit your pitch with a valid email address. Authors whose pitches are chosen will be contacted via email. Editors will request materials from authors by July 28. Send your submission no later than July 31, 2014 midnight Eastern. The link you receive will expire after that, and you will be unable to submit via this route. Good luck to all!