Interview of Etopia Press & Nancy Cassidy

Bio of Nancy Cassidy:
People often ask how I started in publishing. I actually began as an author. Twelve years ago, I joined the Romance Writers of America and the Romance Writers of Atlantic Canada, and began writing romance. Eventually, thanks to some wonderful editors, I learned what made a story work. I am now multi-published in erotic romance under a pen name. Recently I have also begun to write Young Adult (YA) and New Adult (NA) sci-fi under a second name.

In the spring of 2011 I began a year-long, distance internship with top New York literary agency, "The Bent Agency". I spent my time there as a romance specialist, reviewing queries and manuscripts. It’s a fascinating side of the publishing business!

In August 2011, I opened my own business and began freelance work, editing all genres of fiction, with the exception of picture books and middle grade fiction. In May 2012, I began to freelance edit for several small presses, something I only recently abandoned to focus on Etopia Press.

In July 2012 I joined the "Editors Association of Canada", and in August 2012 I became an acquisitions editor for Etopia Press. In February 2013 I made Senior Editor and in October 2013 I became Managing Editor of Romance at Etopia.

Q: Describe your job.
A: I am very happy in my new position as Managing Editor of Romance at Etopia Press. I work closely with the publisher to develop our romance and erotic romance lines, looking for the best books from new and established authors. I also manage the social media for the house (with a lot of help from my favorite members of the production team), work with the marketing team and oversee the editing quality of the books. I still keep my hand in editing, I have a bunch of wonderful authors that I look forward to working with on a regular basis. I’d never give that up!

Q: Finish this sentence: Romance is.......
A: A real part of life. At least we all want it to be. Because it is, we want to read about it. Sometimes in a sweet way, sometimes in a sexy way. What would life be without love or the hope for it? This is why romance as a genre outsells every other genre. And it isn’t only women reading it. Men dream of love too. This is why romance continues to be a growing market.

Q: Ebooks or print. Do you read both? If you read ebooks, what reader do you have?
A: I read both, avidly, although I admit that I have little time for free reading – I am often found late at night reading submissions. :)

Q: What do you consider the best way for an author to do promos?
A: The most successful promotional effort – write another book. New books drive old books. Your backlist is your friend. :)

Q: Conferences and conventions. Do you attend any and how do you decide which ones to go to?
A: I attend the Romantic Times (RT) conference every year to hear new authors’ ideas and to celebrate our current authors’ successes. There’s something about the energy at RT, the mix of writers, readers and industry professionals, that makes the conference a lot of fun. Plus of course RT picks the best places – in 2014 we’ll be in New Orleans! How fun is that?

Occasionally I attend other conferences as well, I’ve always been partial to the New Jersey Romance Writer’s conference. :)

Q: What’s the one most important thing a reader/author should know about your business?
A: Etopia Press is committed to making your book the best it can be. Our editorial team works hard and we communicate with marketing to give each book the right tone, cover and blurb. We are a growing press and our books speak to our history of taking time to do things right.

Q: What are your guidelines for a writer/author to submit a book/manuscript for a review or to sell?
A: Submission guidelines can be found here: http://etopiapressblog.wordpress.com/submission-guidelines/ but basically I am looking for quality romance in any subgenre and heat level with a minimum 15,000 word count. The key word is quality, take the time to revise please before submitting. The second key word is romance.

Q: Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc. Where do you appear?
A: Come and visit me on Facebook at www.facebook.com/EtopiaPress or on Twitter at @EtopiaPress or @NancyRedPen


Samples of Books Available from Etopia Press:

YEOMAN'S CURSE - The Kirsoval Scourge Book Two

Some things lost are too dangerous to be found.

Some call her a pirate, but Destiny calls herself treasure hunter. When she and her lover Shane Richards happen upon a derelict Kirsoval harem slave ship, they chance a salvage operation that could be the bonanza of a lifetime...or a lifetime of horror. But when it comes to Kirsoval treasure, there may be no one better suited than Richards to face the dangers. His dark violet eyes are the only hint of the Kirsoval blood that flows through his veins-the very thing that might save them, or pit Destiny against the man she loves.

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Yeomans-Curse-The-Kirsoval-Scourge-ebook/dp/B00FY3YHB6

TO GROWL OR TO GROAN - Hidden Lines Book Two

Her gift could save a missing girl.or destroy her relationship forever.

After receiving a troubling Tarot reading, Chloe just knows something big and bad is about to happen. Her ability to communicate with animals and shape-shifters is going awry, and her growing psychic abilities are beginning to scare her. Despite her unease, she won't let anything interrupt her trip to Scotland to spend the holidays with her shape-shifter boyfriend's family. Jorge is everything she's always wanted, and the fire between Chloe and the passionate panther-shifter burns hot. But meeting his family has her nerves in knots.

When Jorge's sister goes missing, Chloe's psychic abilities might be the only thing that can help them find her. But things don't go as planned, and with confusing psychic visions clouding her judgment, Chloe makes a mistake and an animal is injured. And Chloe fears she might hurt Jorge as well.

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/To-Growl-Groan-Hidden-Lines-ebook/dp/B00FY3FN1O


MOONSTONE OBSESSION

Secrets, scandal, and passion.

Selina Rosewall had given up on love, but while helping her brother further his merchant fleet business, she meets Sir James Mitchell, Lord of Penventen. Their attraction is mutual, but what James wants from the relationship goes further-much further-than Selina could have expected. And she learns that in the world of the Ton, scandal and deceit are commonplace.


For Sir James Mitchell, Lord of Penventen, it's hard to say which is more dangerous: being a spy or being considered husband material by the Ladies of the Ton. With political machinations threatening to draw England into the violent wake of the French Revolution, the last thing James expected was to fall in love with Selina Rosewall, daughter of an untitled seafaring family.

But when James' investigation stirs up a hornet's nest, can he protect Selena from danger that threatens her very life?

Buy Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Moonstone-Obsession-Elizabeth-Ellen-Carter-ebook/dp/B0