A Cooperative Press for Indie Authors discussion

This is a carryover from the thread A Cooperative Press for Indie Authors in the Group: Support for Indie Authors. Please take this opportunity to start topics and threads relevant to creating a cooperative imprint for the genre in which you work.

This is also the place to present ideas for an inclusive Cooperative Press for Independent Authors that includes all genres.

Please let me know if you would like a folder dedicated to a specific genre.

how about one for fantasy? That's a popular one for kids, mythology/fantasy.

Sam wrote: "how about one for fantasy? That's a popular one for kids, mythology/fantasy."

Iffix Y. Santaph has started a folder for Children's/YA Sci-Fi & Fantasy.

A folder for literary fiction/contemporary fiction would be good.

Sally wrote: "A folder for literary fiction/contemporary fiction would be good."

I've opened a folder for you.

Adrian wrote: "Sally wrote: "A folder for literary fiction/contemporary fiction would be good."

I've opened a folder for you."

Thanks Adrian.

I am adding books to our collective bookshelf. Please visit the folder designated "Bookshelf". I know we are still working out names, groups, and the like - but I do not want to fall behind in adding our works to the bookshelf.

I am still figuring all this out and what exactly it is this group is setting out to do. I have established that A has made this group ad we have all joined because we are looking to create our own publishing press and be a part of something truly unique. Don't mind me I am just piecing it all together haha.

Also, I'd add my books to the shelf but they are Poetry and Horror.

Justin wrote: "I am still figuring all this out and what exactly it is this group is setting out to do. I have established that A has made this group ad we have all joined because we are looking to create our own..."

Excellent - I would like to create new folders to each genre. Let me know what works you would like added.

Is there going to be an "Erotica" folder, or are we squeaky clean?

V.W. wrote: "Is there going to be an "Erotica" folder, or are we squeaky clean?"

I for one am not opposed to an 'Erotica' folder so long as we respect the bounds of propriety. I think if a work contains explicitly adult content, whether the background story is sci-fi, romance, horror, fantasy, etc., an author must be willing to list it only under the Erotic or Adult genre. Of course, under that general genre could be the any number of sub-genre. I also think it should explicitly state that that the genre contains adult only content.

That is my opinion.

A.

A. wrote: "V.W. wrote: "Is there going to be an "Erotica" folder, or are we squeaky clean?"

I for one am not opposed to an 'Erotica' folder so long as we respects the bounds of propriety. I think if a work ..."

That seems fine with me.

Excellent - Don't forget, to add works to our collective bookshelf: visit Our Bookshelf folder. As for the Erotica folder specifications, please read other genre folder headings - I'll open up a folder.

My SF stuff wouldn't fit into the "Serious Science Fiction" category, but it would be nice to have a place to put them.

That said, it seems a bit silly to have both a "Sci-Fi" and a "Serious Sci-Fi" imprint.

Would it be worth having a more general "Sci-Fi and Fantasy" group, that includes more whimsical (or at least, "softer") science fiction? I don't think it's necessary to have too many sub-divisions, but a soft SF category (whether or not it's combined with fantasy) could probably prove useful.

Any thoughts?

J. wrote: "My SF stuff wouldn't fit into the "Serious Science Fiction" category, but it would be nice to have a place to put them.

That said, it seems a bit silly to have both a "Sci-Fi" and a "Serious Sci-F..."

Most mainstream publishing houses do tend to mix sci-fi and fantasy. And though my interests are more for 'serious science fiction', I by no means will throw a tantrum if the group decides that a sci-fi/fantasy genre better suits our needs. I do think we need to separate work directed to mature readers from work directed to youth. And particularly, I think we need to absolutely distinguish between material for youth and material that is definitely 'adult' in nature. May one genre ought literally be "XXX".

A.

I would like to have sci fi folder separate from fantasy. If the sci fi is less serious, it would not necessarily be child/YA, and would need to be listed in the sci fi folder unless of course it has "adult" material. I would also like the sci fi folder to include soft, hard, and space operas. Thought? Another question - Should all folders remain as they are until a member request a specific folder be made?

Adrian wrote: "I would like to have sci fi folder separate from fantasy. If the sci fi is less serious, it would not necessarily be child/YA, and would need to be listed in the sci fi folder unless of course it h..."

I think we should consider everything fluid at the moment. Why not go ahead with a pure 'fantasy' folder, drop the 'serious' from the sci-fi folder and see what the response is.

A.

Sounds good!

Suits me. Personally I'm an SF reader and (apart from classics like JKR JRRT and CSL) don't really like magic unless it's very well done- Holly Lisle's sort of stuff, or Sprague deCamp.

So when, as a reader, I look at an SF list I expect to find spaceships and aliens and time machines, but no wizards and spells. That's why I think having two lists is a good idea. I don't think there is a need to split the SF list, SF comes in all shapes and sizes and I don't mind having it all in one list.

Of course there will be unclassifiable novels. CSL's "Out of the silent planet" is an example. If you call theology a science it's SF, if you don't it's fantasy. We'll just have to live with that one.

R. wrote: "Suits me. Personally I'm an SF reader and (apart from classics like JKR JRRT and CSL) don't really like magic unless it's very well done- Holly Lisle's sort of stuff, or Sprague deCamp.

So when, a..."

Thanks for you input R. I agree (as a sci-fier) that I don't want to be finding wizards and dragons in the genre. I think Adrian is going to set us up with separate folders (and later genres) for sci-fi and fantasy. I do think it's a good idea to have a youthful sci-fi/fantasy mix in a separate genre, though. What do you think? Perhaps will also need something along the line of 'esoterica'.

A.

So the "Helium" imprint is to be changed into a more general "Sci-Fi" section? (And not just "serious" sci-fi?)

With a Fantasy label to be created later, should the need arise?

If that's what we're saying, then I'm all for it. I just wasn't wanting to ruin people's "serious sci-fi" section if they felt they needed it.

J. wrote: "So the "Helium" imprint is to be changed into a more general "Sci-Fi" section? (And not just "serious" sci-fi?)

With a Fantasy label to be created later, should the need arise?

If that's what we..."

Yes. And I'm getting quite bit of input for turning Helium into Helios. What do you think?

I don't see why we can't create as many genres as it takes to give everyone interested a place for their work.

A.

I prefer "Helium" personally - but that might just be the John Carter fan in me. I wouldn't really mind either way.

Certainly I can see where some people might see the word "helium" and just think of balloons and squeaky voices, instead of science and the sun.

I like that we're trying a general "Greek gods" theme now.

There seem to be several variations of "Apollo Press" and "Eros Press" out there already, but as those are actual publishers this should presumably not be an issue?

Coming up with a similar name for the generic "Literary fiction" category might be trickier. There's no Greek god of everyday life... (Are we just going to go with a "Zeus" or "Hera"?)

J. wrote: "I like that we're trying a general "Greek gods" theme now.

There seem to be several variations of "Apollo Press" and "Eros Press" out there already, but as those are actual publishers this should ..."

I was just communicating with another member about the literary/contemporary fiction genre, and we hit the same impasse. Where in the panoply of Greeks gods doe we find the appropriate match? But I'm sure we'll come up with something.

I agree that using Apollo Press and Eros Press as genre imprints of our parent house won't conflict with extant traditional publishers. We are creating an entirely new paradigm. If anyone should be concerned, they should be concerned.

Your suggestions for Zeus or Hera aren't bad! We should float them around.

A.

It may depend on the definition we assign to literary (yes, there are differing views) and then weigh that against contemporary fiction - itself somewhat at odds with the ancient Greek theme. Some connections: Hermes language writing, Hades underworld dead (the classics of fiction - all my friends are dead) Dyonysus wine wine wine.

Should Atalanta be replaced by Artemis? - hunt animals moon

I asked earlier in the week "We aren't really going to name every genre are we?" and it seems that in fact we are...

I don't get it..I mean why do we need a name for every single genre? I assumed Helium Press was only being made because one of the main focused genres was going to be Science Fiction.

I guess it's fine and it gives an easier way to find and distinguish works when they are submitted into each fitting genre.

Also, does anyone else have or plan on writing Horror, Poetry or Crime Thrillers? My books fall under those works but I don't want to add my book and have a shelf created unless I know others plan on having works within that genre as well.

In the event there are imprints for the genres to which I've listed and we are deciding on going around a Greek Theme I have suggested the following...

Hades- Horror

Momos or Euterpe- Poetry

Nemesis- Crime Thrillers

What might we call this press anyway?

J.A. wrote: "What might we call this press anyway?"

At present we are calling the parent entity Independent Authors Cooperative Press (IACP). Within the parent we will have individual imprints for the various genre. Helios Press for classic science fiction, Apollo Press for young adult science fiction and fantasy. Eros for adult and erotic work. Justin has made some fine suggestions for horror, poetry and crime/mystery. Perhaps we need a genre for adult fantasy.

Please visit www.co-opress to see the prelimary work done on a website.

And of course, your thoughts and ideas are welcome!

A.

Justin wrote: "In the event there are imprints for the genres to which I've listed and we are deciding on going around a Greek Theme I have suggested the following...

Hades- Horror

Momos or Euterpe- Poetry

Nem..."

Love your recommendations Justin, if/when we have authors with works under those genres, I will create folders under the names you offered - unless there are objections.

J.A. wrote: "What might we call this press anyway?"

Welcome to the group J.A.! Let me know if you have work you want listed by visiting Our Bookshelf folder.

A. wrote: "J.A. wrote: "What might we call this press anyway?"

At present we are calling the parent entity Independent Authors Cooperative Press (IACP). Within the parent we will have individual imprints fo..."

Great! But what about literary fiction? My book American Steam, is a work of literary social satire. Perhaps we could call it Momus? Personification of satire, mockery, censure; a god of writers and poets.

Adrian wrote: "J.A. wrote: "What might we call this press anyway?"

Welcome to the group J.A.! Let me know if you have work you want listed by visiting Our Bookshelf folder."

Thanks, Will do!

J.A. wrote: "A. wrote: "J.A. wrote: "What might we call this press anyway?"

At present we are calling the parent entity Independent Authors Cooperative Press (IACP). Within the parent we will have individual ..."

An imprint for literary/contemporary fiction was one with which we were struggling to find an appropriate association. Momus? My Greek mythology was missing this one. I think it's great! So let's put it out there. We have other members and interested authors who are writing in these genre, and already have a discussion folder. Why don't you post it there- let's see what they think.

I've been working on logos for the others. I'll look into this one. If you have any ideas, let us know.

A.

Great!

Momus works for me as I suggested it but listed it as its other name, Momos. So yeah I'm all for it as it fits under Satire, Writers and poets. Count it!

Justin wrote: "Momus works for me as I suggested it but listed it as its other name, Momos. So yeah I'm all for it as it fits under Satire, Writers and poets. Count it!"

Cool!

One suggestion I might make is to lose the word "Independent" in the parent entity title. One of our reasons for doing this is to get out of the Indie "ghetto," and labeling ourselves independent keeps us there. We know we're independent; readers can find out by doing research if they want to. I think "Authors Co-op Press" would be sufficient, would sound more professional, and would help to bring us out of the indie ghetto.

Actually, I like "Co-op Press" even better. Authors is redundant.

Or even with the article "The Co-op Press" sounds a bit more euphonious and important.

Unfortunately there's already a "Co-op Press http://www.cooppress.net/
and a Cooperative Press http://cooperativepress.com/

and you might want to check out this one: http://www.authorspublishing.com/

A wild idea: Omicron Persei Press https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omicron...

But that's just for music right? And with two Ps. So should not be a problem.

Ken wrote: "One suggestion I might make is to lose the word "Independent" in the parent entity title. One of our reasons for doing this is to get out of the Indie "ghetto," and labeling ourselves independent keeps us there"

I disagree with this greatly.

I don't believe we're looking to "get out of the Indie ghetto" in the sense that you mean. We're not trying to pretend not to be indie authors - we're trying to be better indie authors.

We're coming together to support one another, both creatively and in a marketing sense. To be a band of indies; we like being indies. It's a strength and not a weakness.

We don't become successful by trying to hide what we are; we become better by embracing what we are and being the best version of that we can be.

But co-op is sufficient. I don't think independent adds anything really. Seems like a given implicit in co-op.

J. wrote: "I disagree with this greatly.

I don't believe we're looking to "get out of the Indie ghetto" in the sense that you mean. We're not trying to pretend not to be indie authors - we're trying to be better indie authors...."

I disagree that focusing on something besides "indie" is hiding anything. Indies do have a bad rep, though, and instead of proclaiming that we're indies, with all the baggage that comes with it, we should be stressing quality and the creativity that also comes with it.

Would reducing the font on the actual name help? I think the logo and acronym okay.

A.

Ken wrote: "One of our reasons for doing this is to get out of the Indie "ghetto,""

I don't want to argue, because we just see things differently (and that's okay).

I still take exception to the quoted part, however, as that was never stated as any kind of reason behind the Co-operative Press.

J. wrote: "Ken wrote: "One of our reasons for doing this is to get out of the Indie "ghetto,""

I don't want to argue, because we just see things differently (and that's okay).

I still take exception to the ..."

The Murakami quote was one sent to me by another member who thought it appropriate encouragement for readers to pursue alternative presses. It can go if members wish.

A.