Spotlight on Ellora's Cave Editor Briana St. James
by Jodi Lynn Copeland

Mid-Michigan author Jodi Copeland's interview of Ellora's Cave editor Briana St.James appeared in the March 2004 issue of Mid- Michigan Mirror. All RWA chapters are welcomed to use it with credits given. All the best, Annette Briggs Editor, Mid-Michigan Mirror

 
E-publishing is a fast growing trend in the fiction industry, particularly where the more sensual story is concerned. One of the leading publishers of today's sensual or erotic romance (romantica) is Ellora's Cave. As an author for Ellora's Cave, I have the inside scoop on where the company is heading, so allow me to be the first to say much is planned for the coming months and years.

Recently, I asked my editor, Briana St. James, to take time out of her rather hectic schedule to answer some questions about her role at Ellora's Cave and what it is the company is looking for in prospective authors.

Following are her responses…


JLC: How did you become an editor for Ellora's Cave? What was your experience in the publishing industry before that?

BSJ: I came to know EC as a book reviewer in 2001. As the company grew, I always hoped to work with them and got that opportunity in late 2002 when I became a volunteer proofreader with the company. Early in 2003, the company advertised for editors and I applied. Before working with EC, I had a short editing career and had been a book reviewer for over ten years.


JLC: What are your favorite genres (within romantica) and what you would like to see cross your desk?

BSJ: I really don't have a favorite genre, though I do find myself most often drawn to futuristics. I'd like to see more shapeshifters, paranormals, and futuristics cross my desk, though I'll gladly read any genre of romantica.

JLC: What do you feel are the benefits of writing for an e-publisher such as Ellora's Cave as opposed to other mass market publishers? Disadvantages?

BSJ: The freedom and the communication are two things I hear the most. I'm in near daily contact with my authors and they seem to appreciate that.
Editors are available for brainstorming and support. We're just an email away. The authors are also able to explore all types of stories within the larger umbrella of romantica. Disadvantages? Well, some people are not as open to electronic books and while our books are going into print, our entire catalogue is not yet available in print.


JLC: The author list at Ellora's Cave is already quite extensive. Do you feel there is room for new authors?

BSJ: Yes I do. The right story has a place with EC.


JLC: How many releases do you expect your authors to put out a year? Is there a minimum requirement or a limit?

BSJ: I have no expectations beyond the deadlines my authors and I schedule. We do not have a minimum publishing requirement per year, but we do have a limit of one book per author per month.


JLC: What do you feel is the ideal book length; what readers prefer to see?

BSJ: The ideal book length is highly dependent upon the story and author, but I strongly suggest that works be between 50,000-100,000 words in length.


JLC: How can an author submit their manuscript to you or to Ellora's Cave in general?

BSJ: Send three chapters and a synopsis to Submissions@e.... You may feel free to request that a specific editor look at your work. We will do our best to accommodate this request.


JLC: What should they send and in what format?

BSJ: We handle only electronic submissions in Ms Word (.doc) or Rich Text (.rtf) format.


JLC: What is your current turnaround time on queries (proposal vs. full
submission)?

BSJ: As with all the editors, this varies based upon workload. Initial
submissions are evaluated in four to six weeks. If a full manuscript is
requested, it is evaluated within twelve weeks.


JLC: Do you accept unagented material?

BSJ: We most certainly do!


Thanks, Briana, for your invaluable input and taking the time to answer my questions!


Jodi Lynn Copeland writes romantica and romance that runs the genre gamut.
Her latest release (Feb 2004) is titled "Sons of Solaris Book 1: Aries" and is the first book in a 12 book paranormal romantica series from Ellora's Cave. For more information on Jodi's other books, visit her website at: www.jodilynncopeland.com

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