State of the Christine post

I think I had a great post for this month, but then I forgot what it was. And after the last week I just don't have the heart to come up with something. It's been a long and difficult few days. But, anyway, in lieu of something fresh and upbeat, I'll repeat here what I've been doing at other blogs. I have a new hat to wear. Not literally, LOL. Here's the info:

Dark Quest Books, an independent SF/F/H publisher (yes, the website is out of date, it's on of the things on the ever-growing to-do list.) is opening a Young Adult imprint, Palomino Press.  Here is the shiny new logo:

And I am the Acquisitions Editor. Yes, me.  I know, right?  The first release from this new imprint will come out in the Fall -- The Unexpected Enlightenment of Rachel Griffin, by L. Jagi Lamplighter, who is the author of the Prospero;s Daughter series, from TOR, and an all around nice lady. This will be a multiple book series.

So, we have six (JUST SIX) slots left to fill for the imprint for 2014-15.  Right now we're accepting submissions. THESE ARE THE GUIDELINES:

*YA ONLY (no middle grade), we're aiming for 15-19 year old readers (and crossover with the adult readers who read YA, of course).

*65,000-100,000 words

*Speculative Fiction ONLY (SF/F/H)

Other than those three things, pretty much anything goes!

*Contemporary, Historical, Alternate Universe, Futuristic, Dystopian, Steampunk all welcome!

*Romantic elements are certainly acceptable, but should be secondary to the plot.

*Especially looking for sharp, original YA voice (think Cassandra Claire, Kady Cross, Lauren Oliver, Jennifer Armentrout, Suzanne Collins).

I know what I want for this imprint, now I just have to find it! If you think you’ve got the perfect manuscript, please submit a query letter, the first three chapters, and a 1-2 page synopsis to me at palomino@darkquestbooks.com . Please do NOT email my personal email -- it will be deleted. Snail mail queries will not be accepted.

We also have a Twitter: @palominopress

And a FB page: Palomino FB page

Contract Terms:

Base terms are straight royalties, no advance.

10% royalty on print books

50% royalty on ebooks

Plus 10 author copies.

50% author discount.

I believe the contract is for three years.

There is some room for negotiation on terms.

Royalties are paid twice a year.

For those of you looking for a new place to submit, this is your chance to get in on the first 'class' of Palomino authors! Oh, and if you do submit, please put the email address (see above) on your list of 'safe' emails, or else it will probably go to your spam filter.

Happy writing!