A New Publisher, A Rebrand, and Another Chance to Reach Readers…

If you’ve been following my blog or my social media accounts, you may know that I’ve got to the end of this year (2025) to find another publisher who would be willing to breathe new life into my back list, and publish future books. I gave myself the grace to be sad when I heard the news that my present publisher will no longer be excepting submissions, and will pare down their promotion and marketing by the end of 2025. Authors need growth. We also need challenges. So, I decided to shake up my author life, and start the query process early so my books can have another chance to reach new readers, and hopefully keep the ones I’ve got.

The thought of querying again—after being with my current publisher for ten years—made my teeth itch and body convulse. Augh. But, like anything, it takes some gumption and a good deal of action to make things happen in your life. I knew I had a slight advantage being in the publishing game for a while, so I reached out to a few of my author friends to see who they were published with, and if I could use their name when submitting my query. Since it’s a small world in this business, I got the green light from friend Regan W.H. Macaulay, and submitted my Canadian book series to Pandamonium Publishing House based in Ontario, Canada. I made the decision to split up my two series, The Last Timekeepers young adult time travel adventures, and Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls teen psychic mysteries because I’ve learned the hard way that you don’t put all your eggs (your books) in one basket (same publisher) in case they close or go bankrupt. This happens far more often than you know, so authors are left scrambling to find another publisher.

This is where miracles happen. Not a day went by when Pandamonium Publishing House emailed me back to schedule a Zoom meeting with me, and talk about the possibility of signing with them. The meeting lasted over an hour, and needless to say, they were ready to sign me to publish my two existing books from Mysterious Tales from Fairy Falls: Lost and Found, and Blackflies and Blueberries. Woohoo! They’ll also take on future project in this series of five, so it’s nice to find a wonderful home for these books. My two Fairy Falls books should be republished by the end of May, and I couldn’t be happier finding a new home for them.

 If you’re in the process of searching for a new publisher, make sure that you look for a different
experience than the one you’ve had with your previous publisher. There’s a reason why they closed their doors. Do your due diligence, and see what other publishers offer to republish your back list, and take on new submissions. For instance, ask if they add extra bonuses at the back of your book, like reading guides for teachers or discussions for book clubs. Will they develop and execute a promotional campaign, including social media outreach, collaborations, and cross-promotions? What about coordinate tours, author interviews, and book signing events? Do they create and distribute promotional materials such as graphics, press releases, and excerpts? Lots to think about before choosing the right publisher to re-release your book babies. Right?  

That said, it’s been a strange and stressful start to this year with personal and family challenges to deal with, scheduling an appointment with my orthopedic surgeon for my knee replacement (looks like August or September), and allowing myself to grieve a tragic loss. I look forward to a new author life with a new publisher, and hopefully connecting with new readers. If you’re an author, has this circumstance ever happen to you? If you’re a reader, do you follow your favorite authors to their new publishing homes? Would love to read your comments. Cheers and thanks for taking the time to read my blog. I appreciate you!