How many years have you been in business?

I set up my publishing company in the summer of 2010.

Why did you decide to found your company?

I had written a text book that I really wanted to publish but found that companies like Cambridge University Press and Oxford University Press work on a 5-year plan where all books (and authors) have been selected in advance. It is very difficult to break into this system. I then looked at a number of options including Lulu.com and Amazon but eventually found out that I could go solo and have more control over what I was doing. I was warned that it would take a lot of time and be quite frustrating but I decided to go ahead and become a publisher using Lightning Source as my Printer.

What are some of the current releases available?

As a writer and a hands on publisher – helping with formatting and editing – progress is slow but steady.

I have published my text book – “IELTS – The Complete Guide to Task 1 Writing”

“Butt Perfect” by R. L. Rodis an exercise book designed to tone your butt – I have used this book and found it has helped my long term back and neck pain so I am promoting as a book to try to help your back pains.

“From the Booth to the Bedroom” by Douglas DeMarco –

A story of a man losing his way, discovering himself, and finding fame is not new, but when it happens in tandem to an American in, of all places, Cambodia that is something that has never been written about.

This book is a first-hand account of how a Hollywood veteran leaves America to find peace after a personal tragedy but finds more than he bargained for. His overnight rise to fame in Phnom Penh leads to experiences and insights about Cambodia, its culture, its people, and government that will leave the reader with more than just a story. Like the author, you will see the world in a different way.

I am also writing two other text books and helping to publish books by two other authors – about moxa (used by acupuncturists) and a book about the history of food (especially curry and it’s links to England)

How many books have you published?

Three

How many authors have you published?

Three with 3 more to come within the next 6 months.

What are your submission guidelines?

As a small publishing company I can be very flexible and can adapt according to the needs and the experience of the author. My experience of working through all of the problems I encountered when I was writing/editing/formatting/publishing my first book has put me in a good position to relate to other up and coming authors.

What makes a submission stand out?

A book that is in some way unique is of interest to me.

For example, the book on moxa is unique, no other book goes into the detail that tis author does and so it could well become the book to buy if you are a natural therapist interested in using moxa.

Also, the book on the history of food was researched over 5 years and during the research many interesting facts were revealed that will surprise people. For example, they were credited by the Daily Telegraph with discovering details of Dean Mahomed – First Man of Curry- in 2005 leading to a City of Westminster plaque being placed on the wall where his 1809 restaurant once stood.

What makes a submission an automatic rejection?

I have been lucky and have worked with authors who have written books that I think have something to say but also realize that their work does not finish with the completion of the book. A marketing strategy needs to be planned and the involvement of the publisher and writer is integral to making the book a success.

Where are your books sold?

They are POD and so available on not only Amazon.com, but many different online stores. Espresso in Australia also has listings of my book and I have managed to put some books into high street bookstores.

I have recently moved into – e-books as well.

What sets you apart?

Although I do have help from other people, I do become personally involved in the whole process of writing to publishing to marketing. I help edit books as they are being written and, once completed, I also format, produce the covers and then put them online. All of this “extra” work is done for free – I charge (at cost) the setting up fee and then take a commission.

People seem to appreciate this style of publishing. With a tremendous amount of input from me and my team, authors seem to respond favorable and work hard to produce the best they can. It’s really a feeling of, “Someone really believes in my book.” And to a writer that’s probably the best feeling you will ever have.

I am also working on the development of an effective way to submit press releases and hope to offer this to authors as an extra service I offer.

Where do you see the publishing industry in five years?

E-books really seem to be the future. I have seen a number of bookshops that have been around for decades finally deciding to call it a day. There will always be a call for books but the trend is definitely moving towards e-books being the main source of things to read.

If you could get a submission from any author living or dead who would you choose?

That’s a difficult one. A very topical choice at the moment would be Steve Jobs.

What is your favorite brand of e-reader?

I must confess that I have never used one.

What makes your company special?

I would say the things that set us apart are things that make us special.

What type of books do you publish?

Essentially, my books are educational but this can cover a wide area and not necessarily just textbooks. I see travel, for example, as perhaps the greatest form of education. I haven’t published fiction but who knows what the future will bring. If Steven King asked to publish one of his books I wouldn’t refuse!

What experience did you have with electronic publishing before you started your company?

None whatsoever, I have been going through a huge learning curve over the last year – coming to grips with different types of software, formatting, marketing and so on.

What makes an author “perfect” to work with?

Someone willing to put that little extra into their work, to write better than they thought possible and to be brave enough to believe they can write a book.

What makes an editor “perfect” to work with?

An ability to tune into the style of the author, to have a feeling for what he/she wants to say, and an excitement to get those ideas onto paper.

What advice would you give a new author?

Don’t give up. If you really feel that you have something to say then you have to learn to be stubborn enough to make your dream come true and to see your ideas turn into words and then turn into a book.

There are many websites now dedicated to supporting newbie authors. Use them but also give back by helping others.

What is the biggest reason you reject manuscripts?

The only manuscript I have rejected was so badly edited that it seemed as if the author had no pride in their work. When the computer tells you there is an error but it is left uncorrected I begin to wonder if they are really prepared for the journey they need to make to become an author.

What is the number one error in a submission you hate?

Probably I would have to say bad grammar but as I have been an English teacher for 20 years maybe that is understandable!

Give us your URLs (web site, MySpace, Facebook, blog, etc.)

http://godivabooks.com/

https://ieltsplus.wordpress.com/   (A VERY new blog to promote my textbooks)