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Case
Studies
2. First
You Publish, Then They
Publish
Bill Branon wrote an explosive thriller
entitled Let Us Prey. Initially, publishers
showed no interest; so we helped him set up his own
independent press. The reviews for Let Us
Prey were favorable (it made the New York Times
"Notable Books of the Year" list) and so were
sales. HarperCollins picked it up with a first
printing of 100,000 copies and an advertising and
promotion budget of $150,000. A Book-of-the-Month
Club and Quality Paperback Club selection, Let
Us Prey is also available on tape, and a film
version is in the works. Meanwhile, Bill is working
on his second thriller, and HarperCollins has
bought it sight unseen.
John Bear also signed a multiple book contract
with a publisher after a successful and ongoing
self-publishing career. Ten Speed Press, publishers
of What Color is Your Parachute? offered him
a five-book contract, and John accepted after
receiving assurances that he could write on any
subject he chose.
When a nonprofit arts organization held a
manuscript competition to highlight local talent,
they asked us to design, edit, and print the
winning book. Publisher Sherry Thomas was so taken
with Mary Pjerrou's novel, Coz, that her San
Francisco house co-published the book.
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