MISSION STATEMENT At Exception Press, our mission is to give voice to stories from under-represented populations in literature, including women, people of color, and the LGBTIQ+ communities. Through rotating genres and anthologies we celebrate multiple voices and unique points of view. We strive to publish the best work from established and up-and-coming writers, highlighting literary and cultural impact.
COMPANY HISTORY Exception Press has been printing books that the world deserves since mid-summer of 2005. Originally, we focused on providing limited-run chapbooks and ebooks of poetry, prose, and nonfiction from marginalized and underrepresented authors. We were born out of a frustration that stemmed from the industry’s neglect of our amazing and prolific friends. Our initial acquisitions relied heavily on submissions from our friends and peers, but our list has grown to include some of the top new and established writers. After listening to the advice and encouragement from our initial supporters, it became clear that Portland needed its own place dedicated to publishing the brilliant works of the disenfranchised.We enlisted the help of a few big-hearted humanitarians and devoted publishing craftsmen to give these works the attention they deserved. Using funds from the several pop-up shops hosted throughout Portland, we were able to establish our home base in a rehabbed duplex near Mount Tabor in 2006. From there, we’ve been able to work, develop, and stock our acquired projects. Our books have been featured in the Portland Mercury, Portland Monthly, Time Out Chicago, NPR’s “All Things Considered,” and more. We use our freedom as a proud independent publisher to take risks on bold works from authors who can inspire and lead the conversation.
ABOUT US Megan grew up in Texas, but now calls Oregon her home. She received her bachelor’s degree in writing and psychology from Texas Christian University and is currently working on a master’s in publishing. When she isn’t at work or in class, she clears her head with cross-stitch. Sometimes she can fit time in her day for reading a mystery or fantasy novel in between reading manuscripts for Exception Press. MEGAN DOYLE Acquisitions and Marketing
Before developing Exception Press, Josh spent way too much time perfecting mashed potato recipes and amateur dog wrassling. His work has appeared online for Elimae, Hobart, and Smokelong Quarterly. A collection of his short stories called Bad Touch has recently been opted for publication by Fractal Publishing. Josh lives in Portland, OR with his sweet puppy prince named “Moose.” JOSHUA EDDS Founder and Editor
Bess was raised in Montana and now lives in Portland with her husband and daughter. She studied journalism at the University of Montana and has edited for newspapers and educational institutions. She currently is pursuing a master’s degree in publishing. When not working on Exception Press projects she edits comic books, bakes pies, and spends too much time on Twitter. BESS PALLARES Design and Editor
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES BASICS • Email submissions to acquisitions@exceptionpress.com. Physical submissions will not be read. Only send electronic submissions. • Submissions must adhere to genre in coming cycle. • Limits: 100,000 words for full-length fiction and genre, 200 pages for graphic novel, 3,000 words for anthology. QUERY LETTERS • Include a query letter plus at least a 1,000-word excerpt or five pages of graphic novel. • Information included in query letter: • Author information: • Publication history • Contact information: Phone, email, mailing address • Identification as woman, person of color or LGBTQI+ (we don’t need details) • For graphic novels: identify all members of creative team. We do not provide artists, lettering, coloring or developmental editing. • Tell us what your book is about. • Why is your book important? • What issues, questions or problems does your manuscript address? • How is your book unique? • Carefully proof your manuscript and query letter before submission. We are a small publisher and can’t devote much time to intensive editing. FORMATTING • Submit manuscripts and excerpts with minimal formatting. • For non-graphic novel submission we accept files in .rtf, .doc, .docx, and .txt format. For graphic novels we accept PDF proofs of drawn pages. • For graphic novels: Show us five completed pages, including letters and coloring/inking from the team you intend to use for the whole story. • • • •
MISCELLANEOUS Do not send submissions outside the requested genre. Because we accept submissions for several coming cycles, it may take up to three months to hear a reply. We will get back to you, but please do not email or call us. Please submit only one manuscript for review per publishing cycle. Authors are responsible for adhering to copyright law with manuscripts.
ACCEPTED QUERY LETTERS October 28, 2014 Dear Exception Press, I am writing to tell you about a 5,000 word essay I’ve written titled “My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Top” and to suggest you including it in your upcoming mystery anthology. I believe this piece would be a good fit with Exception Press because Exception Press strives to “celebrate a multitude of unique voices” and highlight “cultural impact” and this essay, with its subject matter about circus families, does exactly that. It traces two histories—the history of the Cole Bros. Circus, which got its start in 1847 under the name of W.W. Cole’s New Colossal Shows, and my personal family history—and extrapolates on where they intertwine, finding spaces where they are equally dependent upon each other. With some digging into family folklore, a few interviews, hours of North American circus history research, and even a pilgrimage to Baraboo, Wisconsin, where I visited the Circus World Museum, I have finally solved the mystery that is my family. This essay uncovers the truth of what it was like to grow up in a traveling circus in the early 1950s, as told by my grandmother, and considers how this history impacts our family today. The essay is chronological, beginning in 1916, one year after William Washington Cole died and his “Colossal Show” was purchased by two Canadians by the names of Martin and James Downs, and the same year my great-grandmother joined their circus after leaving a mining camp in southern Idaho. It ends in 1957, when my teenaged grandmother and great-grandfather left the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros., although the circus thrived for another twenty years. The novel Water for Elephants could be a comparable title if this essay were a fiction novel, and if it were told through the same rose-colored lens; however, I intend for this essay to feel a bit more believable, as it is rooted in extensive research. One way I hope this essay will be engaging is through the inclusion of family and historical photographs from throughout the Cole Bros. Circus history. I have not yet been published in a literary journal or magazine, and I have never published a work of fiction. I do, however, have my Ph.D. in History from Florida State University where I did my dissertation on the history of circuses in North America. I also am on the Board of Directors for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art sponsored by Florida State University. I identify as a feminist woman. Thank you for considering this piece of history/mystery for your next anthology, you may find my excerpt attached. Sincerely, Jessica Weber
ACCEPTED QUERY LETTERS October 28, 2014 Dear Exception Press, I noticed on your website you are accepting nonfiction graphic novels for one of your upcoming anthologies. Please consider reading my completed 24-page graphic novel, EQUAL OPPORTUNITY LOVE, the story about the difficulties and opportunities I faced by coming out of the closet as a bisexual woman. The story begins with my research into my sexual identity. I was fifteen at the time, unsure of why I found both guys and girls attractive. I looked it up online and found some… interesting theories. The story continues from there: How my friends accepted me. How my church did not. Coming out to my parents. My first time at a gay bar (hint: it was awkward). Falling in love, once with a man, and, once, a woman. How both seemed confused by my attraction for a gender not their own. How I explained over and over and over again. How someone finally listened. There is stigma about being bi. Most people say bisexuals don’t know what they want and will eventually come out as straight or gay. Others think they don’t even exist. Even some of the gay and lesbian communities view bisexuals as liars. My story is important because it considers those issues an proves them wrong. Not in a condescending manner, rather a thoughtful, sometimes funny, one. My graphic novel will tell others – bi, straight, gay, lesbian, transgender, questioning, or anything else in between – that it’s okay to be bisexual. I also hope this graphic novel will help others like me know they are not alone, that struggles do happen, but happiness happens, too. My story is unique, because it shows that the one who truly loves you won’t care if you’ve also loved a gender different from theirs. This idea is missing or, at the very least, muddled in the world today. Within my story I weave elements from both Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh and Anything That Loves edited by Charles Christensen. I have a blog, “The Right to Be Purple,” which has over 1,000 followers and gets commented on regularly. My creative team consists of three people: Emily Handy, my artist who also does color; Jake Baginski, my letterer; and Stevie Frakes, my editor. I am an active member of Portland’s Bi Brigade and the Bi Writers Association. Thank you for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you! Warm regards, Kellie Doherty
REJECTION RESPONSES Dear Alan Scott Holley, We are sorry you to inform you that we do not accept your query of your short story “Doctor Death.” Thank you for submitting to our upcoming mystery anthology. Unfortunately, we received several queries and only had a few spots to fill. “Doctor Death” did not meet the criteria we had for this book, but we encourage you to submit other work in the future. Sincerely, Acquisitions Department Exception Press Dear Hayley Wilson, We are sorry you to inform you that we have decided not to accept your query for Rock On, Rocket Llama: The Illustrated Adventures Of A Person On A Very Long Walk as part of our graphic novel anthology. We had several strong submissions this year, and unfortunately were unable to accept every idea. Though Rock On, Rocket Llama did not align with our vision for this anthology, we encourage you to submit other work in the future. Sincerely, Acquisitions Department Exception Press Dear Alyssa Gnall, We’d like to thank you for your graphic memoir submission A Brief History of Everything I’ve Ever Done Wrong. Although we were interested to read it, we have decided to pursue elsewhere. The premise was quite intriguing and your illustrations were truly gorgeous, but we aren’t confident that this story would mesh well with the other compiled works. Again, we appreciate you letting us read your work and wish you the best of luck in finding the right home for it. Best wishes, Acquisitions Department, Exception Press
ACCEPTANCE RESPONSES Dear Jessica Weber, We are pleased to inform you that we accept your query of your essay “My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Top.” Enclosed is our standard author questionnaire. Please fill it out with your reply. While we enjoyed the prospect of your family story, we feel it does not fit with the mystery anthology. Instead, we ask to change the genre to literary nonfiction and for you to expand the manuscript into no greater than 150,000 words. If you are still interested in publishing the expanded version of your story with us, please reply with the author questionnaire. We would like to set up a meeting to discuss terms of contract. Sincerely, Acquisitions Department Exception Press Dear Kellie Doherty, It’s with great pleasure that we’d like to announce the acceptance of your manuscript Equal Opportunity Love. Your beautiful, heartbreaking story about being a stigmatized bi-sexual is exactly the type of mistakenly overlooked story Exception loves to bring to the surface. We feel confident in the universality of the story’s themes of rejection, confusion, and above all else, love. However, we don’t think this piece is right for our upcoming anthology. Instead, we would like to request that you and your team work to expand the manuscript to a more fleshed-out piece coming in close to 86 pages. We feel confident in your capabilities to accomplish this task and would love to discuss ideas with you and your team over a professional lunch. Additionally, we ask that you respond to the first-time author questionnaire we have attached to this letter. Please feel free to complete it at your leisure, but we would like it returned no later than Nov. 30. Again, we appreciate your submission and look forward to setting up a meeting in the near future. Best wishes, Acquisitions Department, Exception Press
KELLIE DOHERTY QUESTIONNAIRE AUTHOR BACKGROUND 1. Your full name (in the form that you want it to be used by us.): Kellie Doherty 2. If your name is difficult to pronounce, please give the phonetic spelling: Doe-her-tee a. Do you have a title that you prefer (Dr., Mr., etc.)? No 3. Title of your book: Equal Opportunity Love 4. Subtitle of your book: N/A 5. Name(s) of coauthors, artists, or other contributors to your book: Emily Handy, my artist who does also does color; Jake Baginski, my letterer; and Stevie Frakes, my editor 6. Home address (include a separate summer address if appropriate): 1969 SW Park Ave, Portland, OR 97201 7. Phone number: (907) 382-6110 8. Email address: kdoherty@pdx.edu 9. Social media usernames and URLs: a. Twitter: RightToBePurple b. Facebook: Kellie Doherty c. Tumblr: PurpleRights d. Instagram: N/A e. Professional website: N/A f. Other(s): The Right to Be Purple, wordpress blog 10. Do you mind your address, phone number, or Email address being given to the media? Please keep my information private. You can, however, give them the link to my blog. 11. Do you mind your Email address or phone number being given to a reader or teacher upon request? Please do not give out my phone number, but feel free to give you my email. I’d love to hear what readers and teachers have to say. 12. Principal cities and states you have lived in and the dates that you lived in these places: Hershey, Pennsylvania (1989-2001) Eagle River, Alaska (2001-2014); Portland, Oregon (2014-Present) 13. Date of Birth: 1/4/1989 a. Place of birth: Hershey, Pennsylvania EDUCATION & WORK HISTORY 1. Colleges/Universities attended: University of Montana, Missoula; University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Alaska Anchorage, Portland State University a. College/University degrees earned (please include date received): UAA – BA in English Literature, with a minor in Creative Writing (May 2011) 2. Technical degrees earned (please include date received): N/A 3. Are you a full-time author? If not, please state exact title of position currently held: Yes, as of right now I am a full time author 4. Please list previous (applicable) positions held, with dates and names of organizations: Editor at Cirque, a Literary Journal for the Northwest Pacific Rim (2010-2014), I was
a receptionist before then at an engineering firm and a fine arts academy 5. Other fields of study, special interests, avocations, or hobbies: I read, write, play with my two cats, and draw. I do swing dance occasionally, and have taken multiple hip hop classes just for fun. I’ve also taken a fire dancing class. I’m interested in basket weaving and rock climbing, but haven’t done either. PUBLICATION HISTORY 1. Have you contributed to any magazines, newspapers, or journals? Are you a regular contributor? No 2. Please list any other book(s) you have had published (including publisher, year, and any subsidiary rights sales): The Right to Be Purple series of comics - Prism Web Comics, 2011/2012/2013/2014 and Time Goes Bi, a short story, for a 2013 anthology by Northwest Press. On both occasions - translation, paperback, electronic and TV and film rights. 3. Do you have links to past articles or reviews of your work that you could send to us? Yes, see attached. ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT HISTORY 1. How long have you been working on your book (the book(s) we are publishing or have published)? I’ve been working on it for about a year 2. How did the idea for your book originate? I think it’s always been in my mind, ever since I knew what bisexuality was at least, but when Tara rejected me because I had dated Satch it became clear that this story really needed to be told 3. What type of research did you do for your book? Did you go through any notable experiences to write your book (such as special research, interviews, seminars, or investigation)? I didn’t do much research, honestly, because they are all life experiences. I did talk to a few people while writing it, just to get their opinions – like my friends, family, and exes, but mostly these are just my experiences. MARKETING & PROMOTION 1. Please describe as fully as possible the readership you expect for your book: I expect my readership will be both homosexual and heterosexual readers, but mostly bisexuals or people who have questions about bisexuality. I expect teenagers to relate to some of the manuscript (especially the part about actually find out and telling my parents and the first time at a gay bar) but then adults, too, could appreciate the relationship aspect of the book. 2. Are there any special features we should emphasize in promoting your book? Just that love, when found in the right person, can conquer all. It understands all. And that bisexuality is a thing, and not something to be ashamed of. 3. Do you currently have other projects or manuscripts in the works? Yes, I am currently working on a graphic novel about overcoming shyness called Shy Girl Says. 4. Are there any book clubs, magazines, or resellers that you think would be especially
interested in your book? AfterEllen book club, [NYC] Bi Book Club, bimagazine, BLOOM, Chroma, The Gay & Lesbian Review, Weave, In Other Words Bookstore 5. Any educational markets or library markets that you think might be interested in your book? I’m not sure. I hope that high school/colleges and libraries will be interested, but I don’t have any specifics. 6. Are their any special reviewers who should receive a review copy of your book?: I honestly don’t know. 7. Please suggest any recognized authorities on your book’s subject matter (or anyone who might be good to blurb your book): Megan Fox, Anna Paquin, Amber Heard 8. Are you comfortable being interviewed by the press, radio, or television? Do you feel comfortable giving readings or lectures?: Yes, I can be interviewed. Yes, I’m comfort able giving readings. 9. List any reviewers or columnists whom you know to be especially interested in your work (please provide address, organization, name, and phone number): No idea. 10. What are your hometown newspapers (please provide name and website): The Sun (http://news.thesunontheweb.com/); The Alaska Star (http://www.alaskastar.com/) 11. Have you taught at a school or at conferences or workshops? No 12. Do you currently teach anywhere or are you scheduled to give any lectures or workshops in this year? No 13. Please write a short description of your book (200 words or less) that can be adapted for use in marketing copy. Equal Opportunity Love is my story of coming out, the troubles and struggles and opportunity that came with it. The story begins with my research into my sexual identity. I was fifteen at the time, unsure of why I found both guys and girls attractive. I looked it up online and found some… interesting theories. (Mostly that what I was feeling couldn’t possibly be true and was just a phase.) The story continues from there: How my friends accepted me. How my church did not. Coming out to my parents. My first time at a gay bar (hint: it was awkward). Falling in love, once with a man, and, once, a woman. How both seemed confused by my attraction for a gender not their own. How I explained over and over and over again. How someone finally listened. 14. Do you have any powerful of famous friends or associates that we could contact for promotional reasons? Loren Leman. He used to be the Lieutenant Governor for Alaska. 15. Please attach a high-resolution color headshot of yourself when you return this email. The image needs to be at least 300 dpi and 1500px on its longest edge. (see attached) 16. Do you have any ideas that might help us in marketing your book(s)? (this question is for brainstorming) Well, I always go to the readings here in Portland, and if there’s free food, I’m sure to attend. Setting up the reading at someplace quirky might help. 17. Is there any other useful information that would help sell your book(s)? No, I think you got it all.
JESSICA WEBER QUESTIONNAIRE AUTHOR BACKGROUND 1. Your full name (in the form that you want it to be used by us.): Jessica Weber 2. If your name is difficult to pronounce, please give the phonetic spelling: a. Do you have a title that you prefer (Dr., Mr., etc.)? No 3. Title of your book: “My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under The Big Top” 4. Subtitle of your book: None 5. Name(s) of coauthors, artists, or other contributors to your book: None 6. Home address (include a separate summer address if appropriate): 333 NE Wandering Lane Portland, OR 97213 7. Home telephone number: None—cell number is 509-432-2849 8. Business address (including the name of the business): No business address 9. Business telephone and fax numbers: NA 10. Your Email address: jessica.weber@ooliganpress.pdx.edu 11. Your social media usernames and URLs: a. Twitter: @circusjess b. Facebook: NA c. Tumblr: NA d. Instagram: jweb e. Professional website: jessicaweber.com f. Other(s): NA 12. Do you mind your address, phone number, or Email address being given to the media? Yes, I do mind. Please only make my email available. 13. Do you mind your Email address or phone number being given to a reader or teacher upon request? No 14. Principal cities and states you have lived in and the dates that you lived in these places: Tallahassee, Florida 15. Date of Birth: 1987 a. Place of birth: Boise, Idaho EDUCATION & WORK HISTORY 16. Colleges/Universities attended: a. College/University degrees earned (please include date received): BA (sociology) , MA (cultural studies), and PhD in History from Florida State University 2007, ‘09, ‘14 17. Technical degrees earned (please include date received): NA 18. Are you a full-time author? If not, please state exact title of position currently held: No, I am a full time professor/researcher at Florida State University and I work for John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art 19. Please list previous (applicable) positions held, with dates and names of organizations: I am a member of the International Independent Showmen’s Association and I am on the Worldwide Circus Summit 2015 Committee. 20. Other fields of study, special interests, avocations, or hobbies: circus history, American cultural studies, museum studies, family history
PUBLICATION HISTORY 21. Have you contributed to any magazines, newspapers, or journals? Are you a regular contributor? No 22. Please list any other book(s) you have had published (including publisher, year, and any subsidiary rights sales): NA ACCEPTED MANUSCRIPT HISTORY 24. How long have you been working on your book (the book(s) we are publishing or have published)? the past 2 years 25. How did the idea for your book originate? An exploration of family history led me to my grandfather’s stories and the circus/circus culture, and then eventually I began to study the phenomenon of circuses through a cultural studies lens. 26. What type of research did you do for your book? Did you go through any notable experiences to write your book (such as special research, interviews, seminars, or investigation)? I did extensive research for this project. As mentioned in my query letter, I conducted interviews, visited museums, and just really dug into the history of circuses in North America. MARKETING & PROMOTION 27. Please describe as fully as possible the readership you expect for your book: I think there would be many people in my inner circus circle that would like to see this book. I also think this book would appeal to a general audience who is interested in circus culture—just think maybe we could get some fans of American Horror Story’s Freak Show to pick it up. 28. Are there any special features we should emphasize in promoting your book? Photographs I have collected of circus throughout time. 29. Do you currently have other projects or manuscripts in the works? No 30. Have any of your previous books been published overseas or in translation? If so, please give the publisher(s) and date(s): NA 31. Are there any book clubs, magazines, or resellers that you think would be especially interested in your book? Not that I can think of. 32. Are there any special groups or niches (societies, organizations, businesses, etc.) that should be alerted to the publication of your book (also please indicate any groups you belong)? The entire circus history community that I mentioned before. Although I am not as familiar with this same type of scene in the UK, I know it exists. Also, this might sell in museum gift shops. 33. Any educational markets or library markets that you think might be interested in your book? Florida State University’s library and bookstore 34. Are their any special reviewers who should receive a review copy of your book? 35. Please suggest any recognized authorities on your book’s subject matter (or anyone who might be good to blurb your book): John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art and
other professors in the history department here at FSU 36. Are you comfortable being interviewed by the press, radio, or television? Do you feel comfortable giving readings or lectures? I am open to all of the above. 37. List any reviewers or columnists whom you know to be especially interested in your work (please provide address, organization, name, and phone number): NA 38. What are your hometown newspapers (please provide name and website): The Tallahasee News http://www.thetallahasseenews.com 39. Have you taught at a school or at conferences or workshops? Yes, at FSU 40. Do you currently teach anywhere or are you scheduled to give any lectures or workshops in this year? Yes, see above. 41. Please provide any dates and locations of trips you are planning in the next twelve months: a. Would you be willing to give talks, readings, or lectures on these trips if we set them up for you? San Francisco, Portland, Oregon, Santa Barbara, California, and possibly Washington D.C. I would also be willing to travel to Seattle, Washington. 42. Would you be willing to write supplementary material or articles on related subjects? a. Do you have any ideas for related articles or supplementary material? Yes, more circus history can always be added. 43. Please write a short description of your book (200 words or less) that can be adapted for use in marketing copy. This essay, titled “My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under The Big Top,” traces two histories—the history of the Cole Bros. Circus, which got its start in 1847 under the name of W.W. Cole’s New Colossal Shows, and a personal family history—and extrapolates on where they intertwine, finding spaces where they are equally dependent upon each other. With some digging into family folklore, a few interviews, hours of North American circus history research, and even a pilgrimage to Baraboo, Wisconsin, to the Circus World Museum, this author has finally solved the mystery that is her family—or at least parts. This essay uncovers the truth of what it was like to grow up in a traveling circus in the early 1950s, as told by the author’s grandmother, and considers how this history impacts her family today. The essay is chronological, beginning in 1916, one year after William Washington Cole died and his “Colossal Show” was purchased by two Canadians by the names of Martin and James Downs, and the same year the author’s great grandfather joined their circus after leaving a mining camp in southern Idaho. It ends in 1957, when her teenaged grandmother and great grandfather left the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. although, the circus thrived for another twenty years. 44. Do you have any powerful or famous friends or associates that we could contact for promotional reasons? No :( 45. Please attach a high-resolution color headshot of yourself when you return this email. The image needs to be at least 300 dpi and 1500px on its longest edge. 46. Do you have any ideas that might help us in marketing your book(s)? (this question is for brainstorming) See above 47. Is there any other useful information that would help sell your book(s)?
AUTHOR BIOGRAPHIES
KELLIE DOHERTY Kellie Doherty is the author of The Right to Be Purple, a comic series from Prism WebComics, and the short story “Time Goes Bi,� published in the 2013 anthology Northwest Press. In her free time she reads, plays with her cats, and draws. Doherty grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and attended university in Alaska and Montana. She produced Equal Opportunity Love with artist Emily Handy, letterer Jake Baginski, editor Stevie Frakes.
JESSICA WEBER Jessica Weber, Ph.D., M.A., studied sociology, cultural studies, and history at Florida State University, where she continues to teach and research. She wrote her dissertation on the history of the American circus and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art.
COVERS
COVERS
Equal Opportunity Love Kellie Doherty
SALES HOOK Kellie Doherty discovers her bisexuality through this inspiring and sometimes heartbreaking journey of falling in love, finding acceptance and coming to terms with herself. DESCRIPTION The common saying about bisexuals is that straight people think they’re gay and gay people think they’re straight. In a story for those who don’t belong in one spot on the spectrum of sexual identity, Doherty examines how these perceptions color her self-image and relationships. At just 15, Doherty found men and women attractive, but unlike many LGBT coming-out stories, she never fell on just one side of the equation. Equal Opportunity Love adapts Doherty’s popular web comic and recounts milestones like her first trip to a gay bar, falling in love with both a man and a woman, coming out to friends and family, and the struggle of losing support from her church. Doherty’s story highlights the confusing struggle many bisexual people face: When so many people want you to just be one thing, how do you define yourself? KEY SELLING POINTS • Fills a missing spot in the LGBT genre: bisexuality • Doherty’s style explores sometimes heartbreaking stories with both delicacy and raw self-awareness • Finally compiles Doherty’s popular web comic in a physical format, now with more stories. AUDIENCE • Young women ages 14-23 • Bisexual people or those curious about bisexuality • Other members of LGBT community • People who feel/enjoy reading about romance
Ship Date: May 2016 Pub Date: June 2016 Price: $12.95 US, $14.95 CAN ISBN-13: 123-4-56789012-3 Trim: 6” x 6.75” Format: trade paperback Pages: 112 Carton Qty: 16 # and type of illustrations: All pages, B&W illustrations Series: n/a BISAC Category: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / LGBT COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / LGBT BISAC Code: BIO026000 BIO031000 CGN009000 Previous Edition ISBN: n/a
• People with friends/relatives/loved ones who are LGBT or specifically bisexual • Graphic novel readers • Memoir readers • Fans of the author’s blog AUTHOR BIO Kellie Doherty is the author of The Right to Be Purple, a comic series from Prism WebComics, and the short story “Time Goes Bi,” published in the 2013 anthology Northwest Press. In her free time she reads, plays with her cats, and draws. Doherty grew up in Anchorage, Alaska, and attended university in Alaska and Montana. She produced Equal Opportunity Love with artist Emily Handy, letterer Jake Baginski, editor Stevie Frakes. AUTHOR RESIDENCE Portland, Oregon COMPARATIVE TITLES • Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir, by Liz Prince. Paperback: 256 pages. Zest Books; September 2014; 978-1936976553; $15.99. • A+E 4ever, by Ilike Merey. Paperback: 214 pages. Lethe Press; September 2011; 978-1590213902; $18.00. • Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir, by Nicole J. Georges. Paperback: 288 pages. Mariner Books; January 2013; 9780547615592; $16.95. MARKETING AND PUBLICITY HIGHLIGHTS • Doherty will do signings at comic book stores and trade bookstores around the Pacific Northwest. • The blog featuring the Web comic will link to a list of retailers who carry the book rather than just sending readers to online sources. • Summer release date will coincide with teen readers getting out of school for the summer. • Ads will be placed in Previews and Comic Book Resources.
My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Top Jessica Weber
SALES HOOK Explore the history of a great American circus through the tales and exploits of one raucous circus family. Life on the road with the famous Cole Bros. Circus is never dull for a young performer.
Ship Date: September 2016
DESCRIPTION Weber uncovers the truth of what it was like to grow up in a traveling circus in the early 1950s, as told by her grandmother, and considers how this history impacts her family today. The story begins in 1916, one year after William Washington Cole died and his “Colossal Show” was purchased by two Canadians named Martin and James Downs—the same year her great-grandmother joined their circus after leaving a mining camp in southern Idaho. It ends in 1957, when her teenaged grandmother and great-grandfather left the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros., though the circus thrived for another twenty years.
ISBN-13: 123-4-56789012-1
KEY SELLING POINTS • Ties the American fascination with circuses to an exploration of family relationships. • Readers interested in Water for Elephants but who want to hear true stories of circus families will enjoy the depth of research. AUDIENCE • Nostalgic public • Curious people who find delight in obscurity • People interested in the circus and its history in the U.S.
Pub Date: October 2016 Price: $16.99 US, $18.99 CAN
Trim: 5.5” x 8.25” Format: trade paperback Pages: 352 Carton Qty: 16 # and type of illustrations: 20 B&W photos in center Series: n/a BISAC Category: BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical HISTORY / United States / 20th Century BISAC Code: BIO005000 BIO006000 HIS036060 Previous Edition ISBN: n/a
AUTHOR BIO Jessica Weber, Ph.D., M.A., studied sociology, cultural studies, and history at Florida State University, where she continues to teach and research. She wrote her dissertation on the history of the American circus and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. AUTHOR RESIDENCE Tallahassee, Florida COMPARATIVE TITLES • Four Words for Home: A Memoir of Two Families, Angie Chuang. Paperback: 268 pages. Aquarius Press/Willow Books; March 2014; 978-0989735742; $19.95. • The Ordinary Acrobat: A Journey into the Wondrous World of the Circus, Past and Present, Duncan Wall. Paperback: 336 pages. Vintage; February 2013; 978-0307271723; $16.95. • The American Circus, Susan Weber. Hardback: 472 pages. Yale University Press; October 2012; 978-0300185393; $65.00. MARKETING AND PUBLICITY HIGHLIGHTS • While no horror themes are actually in the book, audiences do tend to have a curiosity for the obscure and the strange around Halloween, and the circus and its history do fall under obscure and strange themes (ie. American Horror Story: Freak Show and Cirque du Freak). • Weber participates in local and respected reading events around Portland such as the Tell it Slant series, the Comma series, Urban Tellers, Story Circle Potluck, and more during the opening week of the book. • Weber lectures about the circus’ history at universities and colleges across the country, emphasizing the circus’ involvement in local history.
MARKETING PLAN Title: Equal Opportunity Love Author(s): Kellie Doherty Publication Date: June 15, 2016 BISAC Categories: BIO026000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Personal Memoirs BIO031000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / LGBT CGN009000 COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / LGBT Format: Trade paperback Illustrator: Kellie Doherty, Emily Handy, and Jake Baginski Illustrations # (color/b&w): All pages, B&W Trim Size: 6” x 6.75” Page count: 112 Imprint: Exception Press ISBN13: 123-4-567890-12-3 List Price: $12.95 Print run: 3,000 Edition: First AUTHOR INFO Author Biography: Kellie Doherty is the author of The Right to Be Purple, a comic series from Prism WebComics, and the short story “Time Goes Bi,” published in the 2013 anthology Northwest Press. In her free time she reads, plays with her cats, and draws. Other books by author: Individual comics in Prism WebComics; Comic short story in an anthology by Northwest Press Author Hometown: Anchorage, Alaska BOOK BACKGROUND Unique Feature(s): What’s different about this book from others? Most graphic novels or books about exploring sexuality fall squarely in straight, lesbian or gay categories. Equal Opportunity Love explores the world of bisexuality, a confusing and misunderstood identity that many people quietly identify with. The common saying about bisexuals is that straight people think they’re gay and gay people think they’re straight, and Doherty examines how these perceptions color her self image and relationships.
Competition: list and tell why • Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir, by Liz Prince • $15.99 • 256 pages • Paperback • 5.8” x 8” • ISBN 978-1936976553 • Sept. 2014 • Graphic novel-style memoir; themes of defying gender norms • A+E 4ever, by Ilike Merey • $18.00 • 214 pages • Paperback • 8.3” x 11” • ISBN 978-1590213902 • Sept. 2011 • Explores complexity between straight, gay and genderqueer, as well as teen relationships and self-identity. • Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir, by Nicole J. Georges • $16.95 • 288 pages • Paperback • 8” x 10” • ISBN 978-0547615592 • Jan. 2013 • Graphic novel explores family relationships, sexual identity and coming out Which books would compete for readers’ attention? • Tomboy: A Graphic Memoir, Liz Prince: Single author’s perspective, similar age and social background. • Calling Dr. Laura: A Graphic Memoir, Nicole J. Georges: Childhood and family, selfdiscovery, single author’s perspective. • The Greatest of Marlys, Lynda Barry: Childhood and family, single author’s perspective. Audiences: • females • ages 14-23 • people who are bisexual • other members of LGBT • people curious about LGBT • liberal political scope • people who feel/enjoy reading about romance • people interested in reading about sexuality • people with friends/relatives/loved ones who are LGBT or specifically bisexual • people with some college education
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people who read graphic novels people who read memoirs people who read the author’s blog mid to upper socioeconomic status white, like the author
Who (specifically) will want to read this book?: The reader is a teenage girl, around 15 or 16, like the age the writer discovered her sexual identity. This reader belongs to the middle-to-upper class. She has her own bedroom, but her parents denied her a computer or television in it, so she spends most of her private time reading. She reads comics and graphic novels mostly. She has long-since questioned her sexual identity; she identifies as bisexual, and is looking for others’ experiences in that regard. Strongest selling features: • graphic art • underrepresented bisexual author/character • contribution to LGBT lit/discussion What are the three or four key things that you want to tell people about? • memoir of discovering and living with sexual identity • bisexuality • struggles, but happiness • finding love and acceptance Markets: • Trade stores • Powell’s - 1005 W Burnside Portland, OR 97209, 503-228-4651, marketing@powells. com • In Other Words - 14 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR 97211, (503) 232-6003 • Annie Bloom’s - 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219, (503) 246-0053, book@ annieblooms.com • Barnes & Noble, Lloyd Center Mall, 1317 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232 • Floating World Comics, 400 NW Couch St., Portland, OR 97209 • Excalibur Books & Comics, 2444 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, OR 97214 • Cosmic Monkey Comics, 5335 NE Sandy Blvd, Portland, OR 97213 • Things From Another World, 2916 NE Broadway St., Portland, OR 97232 • Future Dreams, 1847 E Burnside St., Portland, OR 97214 • Bridge City Comics, 3725 N Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97227 • Comic book stores across the country through Diamond Distributors • Libraries • Multnomah County Library and branches • Pacific Northwest • Greater Portland area • Alaska, especially around Anchorage • Specialty markets - Portland specialty stores
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Made in Oregon, 340 SW Morrison St., Portland, OR 97204 Q Center, 4115 N Mississippi Ave., Portland, OR 97217 Book clubs/book groups University groups Specialty gift market
What are the markets that this book belongs in? • Independent bookstores • Feminist bookstores • Comic book stores • LGBTQ+ lifestyle stores • Libraries • High schools Special emphasis as?: ( x ) Trade Book BOOK MARKETING STRATEGY/TACTICS: A. Basic Sales Plan • Galleys • Print: 50 • Publisher’s Weekly • Library Journal • The Oregonian • Portland Monthly • Previews • Comic Book Resources • Bitch Magazine • Bust Magazine • Bleeding Cool • Jezebel • Lambda Literary Review • Libraries and library journals • E-galleys: 20 • Rainbow Book Reviews • Goodreads graphic novel groups • Website giveaway promotion • Societies/Organizations • Portland’s Bi Brigade (author is a member) • Bi Writers Association (author is a member) B. Promotion materials • Polaroid-size postcards of comic panels • Bookmarks
C. Web • Social media • Twitter: RightToBePurple, author will tweet teasers and book launch/event info • Facebook: Kellie Doherty • Tumblr: PurpleRights, author will blog and reblog LGBT-related posts • Author website: “The Right to Be Purple,” blog with 1,000+ followers • Publisher website: www.exceptionpress.com • Promotions • Facebook review copy giveaway • Goodreads review copy giveaway • Facebook/Twitter ebook sale price • Advertising • Comic Book Resources (ad comes with editorial content) D. Media • Print • Press releases to Portland newspapers and magazines, interview offers • Press Kit • Review copies • Postcards and e-galley sent to major media outlets • Excerpts and articles • Bust Magazine excerpt of panels and short interview with Kellie • University of Alaska alumni magazine thumbnail feature in book review section • Web • Press Kit • E-galley and digital postcards for social media sharing • Excerpts and articles • Comic Book Resources (ad comes with editorial content) E. Advertising • Previews ad (Diamond Distributors magazine) • Comic Book Resources (ad comes with editorial content) • Bust Magazine business card ad RELEASE PLANS G. Market Research • Due to the young, educated nature of our target market, we’ve set an early summer release date to hit our key demographic during their free time. • This release date also can tie into “summer love” theme reading lists and promotions. H. Sales leads/tips • Comic book stores in the Portland area will purchase more copies if Kellie does a store visit and signing. She is open to this, so we can increase our sales through local, free events.
MARKETING PLAN Title: My Family: The World’s Largest Circus Under the Big Tent Author: Jessica Weber Publication Date: October 16, 2016 BISAC Category: BIO005000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Entertainment & Performing Arts BIO006000 BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Historical HIS036060 HISTORY / United States / 20th Century Format: Soft Cover Trim Size: 5.5” x 8.25” Page count: 352 Imprint: Exception Press ISBN13: 3210987654321 List Price: $16.99 Print run: 3,500 Edition: First AUTHOR INFO Author Biography: Jessica Weber, Ph.D., M.A., studied sociology, cultural studies, and history at Florida State University, where she continues to teach and research. She wrote her dissertation on the history of the American circus and currently serves on the Board of Directors for The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Other books by author: Nothing published; dissertation on the history of circuses in North America Organizations: Member of the International Independent Showmen’s Association and on the Worldwide Circus Summit 2015 Committee. Author Hometown: Tallahassee, Florida BOOK BACKGROUND Unique Feature(s): combination of family history and history of a specific subject What’s different about this book from others?: This book is not just about the circus, and it’s not just about a family. It’s about a family history in the circus. It combines human interest with academic research. The reader will learn something new about history, but will also feel connected to the people it focuses on. The reader will want these people to succeed, to get better, and to find happiness.
Competition: • Four Words for Home: A Memoir of Two Families, Angie Chuang • $19.95 • 268 pages • Paperback • 6” x 8.8” • ISBN 978-0989735742 • March 2014 • A family memoir with larger social and cultural themes • The Ordinary Acrobat: A Journey into the Wondrous World of the Circus, Past and Present, Duncan Wall • $16.95 • 336 pages • Paperback • 5.2” x 8” • ISBN 978-0307271723 • Feb. 2013 • Memoir look at life behind the curtain at a famous circus school in Paris. Not American, but appeals to the same sense of history combined with personal experience. It’s by a larger publisher, but it’s the most relevant title published recently. • The American Circus, by Susan Weber • $65.00 • 472 pages • Cloth hardback • 9” x 11” • ISBN 978-0300185393 • Oct. 2012 • History of the circus in America; themes of nostalgia Audiences: • Nostalgic public • Curious people who find delight within obscurity • People interested in the circus • People interested in the history of the circus • People interested in the history of the US • People who have visited a circus • People who have a family history • Libraries, high schools, and college book buyers • People who have free time to read Who (specifically) will want to read this book? The specific reader of this book is a woman with a mild fascination with the circus. Her parents took her to the circus as a child, and she was always fascinated with the performers and people who traveled with the circus and worked there. Family is a big part of her life. Her parents are still married, and she loves
hearing old stories from her grandparents, though she really loves hearing stories about formers times in general. Strongest selling features: First-hand, familial account from within the world’s largest (and most recognizable) circus. What are the three or four key things that you want to tell people about? • Family history is not just for members of that history; people from all manners of families will relate • Deals with a unique yet important part of American history and culture Markets: • Trade Stores • Powell’s - 1005 W Burnside Portland, OR 97209, 503-228-4651, marketing@powells. com • In Other Words - 14 NE Killingsworth Street, Portland, OR 97211, (503) 232-6003 • Annie Bloom’s - 7834 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland, OR 97219, (503) 246-0053, book@ annieblooms.com • Barnes & Noble, Lloyd Center Mall, 1317 Lloyd Center, Portland, OR 97232 • Florida State University bookstore - 104 N Woodward Ave, Tallahassee, FL 32304, (850) 644-2072 • Circus souvenir stands - Cole Bros. no longer exists, so is a non-competing circus • Libraries • Multnomah County Library and branches • Florida State University library • Museum stores • John & Mable Ringling Museum of Art at Florida State University - 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, (941) 359-5700 • Circus World History Museum - 550 Water St, Baraboo, WI 53913, (608) 356-8341 What are the markets that this book belongs in? • Trade book stores • Museum gift stores • Circus souvenir stands (Since Cole Bros. has dissolved, it’s about a non-competing circus) • Libraries Special emphasis as?: ( x ) Trade Book BOOK MARKETING STRATEGY/TACTICS: A. Basic Sales Plan • Blurbs • Katherine Dunn • David Sedaris • Mary Roach • Ellen DeGeneres
• Galleys • Print: 100 • Publisher’s Weekly • Library Journal • Campus bookstores • Independent bookstores • The Oregonian • Florida State University Alumni Magazine • Libraries • Circus Magazine • Sideshow Circus Magazine • American Circus • E-galleys: 50 • Libraries • Campus bookstores • Goodreads family history groups • Website giveaway promotion • Review Copies: 10 • International Independent Showmen’s Association (author is a member) • Worldwide Circus Summit 2015 Committee (author is a member) B. Promotion materials • Include one free vintage-style stub from the Cole Bros. Circus, signed by the author for the first 300 copies • Cards of vintage circus ads C. Web • Social media • YouTube/Vimeo: Post videos featuring a montage of circus events with excerpts from the novel being recited by the author atop of them. • Facebook: Post photos from the book, as well as any additional photos from the author, with personal and insightful commentary each week. Encourage interactions between author and fans. • Twitter: Abbreviated version of Facebook posts as well as any additional musings centered around the book that the author deems fit. • Blog • Post updates to the status of the book • Provide background information about the circus and the family that will inspire curiosity in potential readers • Talk about current events related to the circus today and tie it back to the past • Provide Did-You-Know facts about American history that are related to the circus • Author website: jessicaweber.com • Dedicate pages to each member of the family involved in the circus, complete with personal and professional pictures and timelines. • Highlight the author’s current work with the circus museum at Florida State • Author social media: • Twitter: @circusjess: tweets about upcoming book events and promotions and
launches • Publisher website: www.exceptionpress.com • Promotions • Facebook review copy giveaway • Goodreads review copy giveaway • Facebook/Twitter ebook sale price • Include one free vintage ticket stub from the Cole Bros. Circus, signed by the author for the first 300 copies. D. Media • Print • Press releases to Portland newspapers and magazines, interview offers • Press Kit • Review copies • Postcards and e-galley sent to major media outlets • Excerpts and articles • Florida State University Alumni Magazine: VIRES Magazine • Florida State Newsstand • Web • Press Kit • e-galley and digital postcards for social media sharing • Excerpts and articles E. Advertising • Ad in Florida State University Alumni Magazine • Business card ads in circus magazines F. Events • Author participates in local and respected reading events around Portland such as the Tell it Slant series, the Comma series, Urban Tellers, Story Circle Potluck, and more during the opening week of the book • Author lectures about the circus’ history at universities and colleges across the country, emphasizing the circus’ involvement in local history • Event at Florida State University, where the author works RELEASE PLANS
G. Market Research • October release date to coincide with upcoming string of holidays when readers will have more time to devote to pleasure reading • The upcoming string of holidays is also a time when audiences think about families that they visit (or not), and the strong family themes in the book will fit • The book could be a gift for a family member • While no horror themes are actually in the book, audiences do tend to have a curiosity for the obscure and the strange around Halloween, and the circus and its history do fall under obscure and strange themes (ie. American Horror Story: Freak Show and Cirque du Freak) H. Sales leads/tips • As a lecturer for a living, Jessica is willing to give talks and do traveling lectures to promote the book.
PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT
Our P&L statement accounts for the foreign rights of the book for France. French people are interested in circus culture, so it is a healthy market for this book. We also account for a robust marketing budget to help us attain our breakeven point by placing ads in relevant magazines.
PROFIT & LOSS STATEMENT
BACKLIST TITLES Founding Mothers: The Women Who Birthed America Vivienne Marshall Feminist commentator and essayist Vivienne Marshall explores the founders of America most people never hear about: the women. In this biography of an early nation, Marshall illuminates the role women played in the Revolution, the drafting of the Constitution and the early governance of the United States. She also examines how revisionism has reshaped the story of America’s birth to remove or downplay women’s contributions. Released Nov. 12, 2013. 315 pages. 6” x 9”. $16.95. Paperback. Grail: A Novel Margaret McGuine First-time novelist Margaret McGuine takes readers on a journey to pre-Norman England in this romantic, exciting tale of the knights who searched for the Holy Grail and the maidens who stayed home and found their own treasure. The rich details built on McGuine’s research into courtly love and chivalry weaves a sumptuous tapestry of intrigue, passion, and mystery. Released May 3, 2013. 214 pages. 5.5” x 8.25”. $14.95. Paperback.
Help Is Not On The Way: Stories about hating life, work, and everything Edited by Samuel Cross Collecting essays from twelve of today’s top humorists, Help Is Not On The Way invites you to call in sick, put your pajamas back on, and eat ice cream in bed all day, because everything sucks. All the coffee in the world couldn’t fix these incompetent bosses, flat tires, and broken promises. But don’t worry, these writers hilariously overreact to every problem so you don’t have to. Released Feb. 24, 2013. 164 pages. 6” x 8”. $14.95. Paperback.
Bloodlines Edited by Trevino L. Brings Bloodlines is an anthology collecting 24 pieces of poetry, short fiction, memoir, and photo essays that embody the joys and frustrations of searching for identity within family ties. Spanning 144 pages, Bloodlines tells the story of 33 year-old Annabelle Sullivan’s return to live at her childhood home, Wesley Egan’s poems examining his ties to his Viking ancestry, Janice Handler’s Thanksgiving dinner exploits, and more. Released Oct. 7, 2012. 144 pages. B&W w/ 10 photos 5.5” x 8.2” $14.95 Paperback.
Undergroundlings Sonia Gray Acclaimed graphic artist and storyteller Sonia Gray brings her whimsical perspective and signature humor to a heartrending story about a runaway named Patrick and his senior pug named Wolfie in Undergroundlings. After years spent performing folk songs on street corners for spare change, the two desperate Parisians become suspected of a crime they know they didn’t commit. Released April 12, 2011. 80 pages. B&W panels 6.5” x 8.7” $11.99 Paperback. Skillful Deduction: Mystery Stories Featuring Female Detectives Edited by Shannon Johnson Whether it is a grisly murder discovered in a room locked from the inside, the international intrigues of the World War I-era spy network, or protecting a small town from a homicidal maniac, each of these twelve stories features a female detective finding clues, solving crimes, and kicking ass. The anthology features several established crime novelists, such as Faque Naem, Sue D’Nym, and U. N. Oann. Released Jan. 15, 2011. 224 pages. 5.5” x 8.5” $14.95 Paperback. Brass Trail Silvia Davies Working amid top scientists from all over the world in steampunk-infused Chicago, Maria Espinoza is on the brink of proving herself in the field of steam-powered robotics despite being a Hispanic woman in the 19th century. However, whole settlements in the far-off Oregon Territory are disappearing, leaving abandoned farms and houses. Armed with her own inventions, Maria travels to Oregon Territory to explore the mystery. Released Aug. 10, 2010. 289 pages. 5.5” x 8.5” $14.95 Paperback.