New Small Press Open: Spectral Press

[Erin99]

Just a heads up about a positive experience I've had with a small press. The owner is very approachable, and the press occasionally calls for submissions. The anthologies, novellas, and chapbooks they produce are of high quality, and I recently read that they edit their work so thoroughly, no spelling error has ever been published. That makes a change, considering what I've read in books and anthos of late...

The editor, Simon Marshall-Jones, also runs a separate editing service for authors, so if you're shopping around he's worth a look.

And, no, I'm not connected to the small press! I was just very impressed with the company after getting in touch with them regarding a short story I'd written. Simon seems genuine, as if he really cares for authors and writing.

Website: http://spectralpress.wordpress.com/


Worth a read: http://www.armedwithpens.com/the-art-of-editing-and-how-i-set-up-a-small-press/

 

[Triceratops]

Thanks for the tip!

chris

 

[julirew]

I used to work with Project Gutenberg to scan and proofread public domain books. The head of the team said the average book contained 50 errors or typos, even after having been proofed by professionals. So, I'm a bit skeptical about Spectrum's infallibility, but it's certainly a worthy goal.

 

[Erin99]

Well, Spectral is only a small press, so they're able to spend the time needed to check the work, unlike large companies who churn out book after book, week after week. Inevitably an error will creep in the longer Spectral remains open, but I think it says something that they want to put out the highest quality book they can. Also, the man that runs it only takes on work he feels strongly passionate about... which would suggest an extra level of care goes into the products he prints.

Just my opinion! And yeah, I'm seeing errors galore in books lately! A shocking amount, in fact.

Glad to help, Tri.

 

[Ursa major]

And yeah, I'm seeing errors galore in books lately! A shocking amount, in fact.

That's why I keep away from time travel novels: they have all sorts of eras in them.

 

[TheDustyZebra]

That's why I keep away from time travel novels: they have all sorts of eras in them.

But only two of them are human.

 

[Erin99]

Puns.



I forgot to say the most important part, anyway: Spectral are shortlisted for "The PS Publishing Independent Press Award" at this year's FantasyCon. That's got to be impressive!

 

[Denise Tanaka]

I went to their website and saw the following bit written in italics, so they must feel strongly on this point, "Please note: the imprint is INVITE-ONLY - we do NOT accept unsolicited manuscripts under ANY circumstances unless specifically asked for."

 

[Perpetual Man]

Good of you to draw attention to Spectral Leisha.

Simon has worked his socks off and put so much effort into it that it deserves the attention it is getting.

I've read all and reviewed most of the chapbooks (I'm woefully behind though) and can honestly say that there have been no bad ones yet, the last two were simply magnificent.

Spectral is definitely a publisher to watch. They are expanding slowly and with style.

Simon has got a manuscript of mine at the moment, which is on the bottom of his editing pile.

As I say really glad that Leisha took the time to sing their praises, Spectral deserves it.

 

[Erin99]

Sorry for the long delay - been on holiday!

You have to keep an eye on the website, Denise (nice to see an old member logging in again, btw!). They'd just held an open call for submissions to their yearly Christmas Ghost Antho (it finished at the end of June), which I entered because it wasn't invite-only.

PM - great to hear! I've heard Good Things about their chapbooks. And yes, Simon deserves notice for all the hard work he's putting in to the business. Even if he doesn't accept my story, I hope the press does well. Fingers crossed it goes far!

So, can I ask - has Simon got a story of yours for an antho, or is it a paid editing job?

 

[Perpetual Man]

It's an editing job.

A young adult novel that I wrote a while back, and I've not done much with, although a few people who have got hold of it have really enjoyed it (some of which are around here).

There was a sort of mutual tacit agreement from the word go that I would not submit storywise to him.

 

[D-E-M-Emrys]

Interesting - will have to keep an eye on this!

 

[Perpetual Man]

It might be worth mentioning that the latest release from Spectral Press, Whitstable by Stephen Volk has received and awful lot of positive press and has become their best selling release to date. (Including a 5 star review in SFX).

A link to the press release: Whitstable.

Unlike the main bulk of Spectral Presses limited edition Chapbook releases, this is a freely available novella, available from Amazon in different formats.

I can't give a personal recommendation as it still exists on that too-read pile of mine, but the general feedback for the book is across the board positive.

A must I'd imagine for all classic Hammer Films and Peter Cushing fans.