Thanks for visiting Red All Over Publishing. Please read on for the answers to your frequently asked questions.
Q. What is your take on the ampersand?
A. There’s something about it, isn’t there? There are so many half-baked theories on the internet as to why it came into being (most succinct answer: “to save on space”), but that misses the point: why do we still need it? We say get rid of it. And forgive us if you find it inadvertantly used somewhere on the site, but that’s bound to happen when you are running on nothing but caffeine and passion.
Q. Will you publish my book?
A. Yes.*
* If it meets certain conditions. This is a no means exhaustive list:
- It is in English (either American or UK, but consistently).
- It is free from crazy punctuation, lax spelling and an indifferent attitude to plotlines.
- If it’s non-fiction, you can ignore the point immediately above.
- It is all your own work and it doesn’t have any copyright issues (ie. when you wrote it you had to use Ctrl+C then Ctrl+V rarely, if at all)
- We mutually agree to a publishing agreement.
Q. What was your favourite Harry Potter book?
A. We quite liked the one where there was a competition (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) but mainly because of the journey the book accompanied us on. It lasted through a trip from Melbourne to Auckland, Auckland to Los Angeles, Los Angeles to Lima, Lima to Cusco and then was left behind in a backpackers hostel somewhere around Arequipa. It was about a young boy with a lightning scar, yes?
Q. Do you organise distribution as well?
A. Of course. There’s probably not really a word to describe a publisher that doesn’t actually publish, is there? Red All Over Publishing books are distributed on Amazon, through the Red All Over Publishing website and through selected bookstores.
Q. How do I submit my manuscript?
A. That’s easy – send it as an attachment (Word .doc or .docx format) to publisher@redallover.com.au with a brief email telling us about yourself and your dreams for the book. Don’t go overboard on the email, we’ll read most of it but we have a habit of skimming it if it seems like you’re a bit too flowery. We’ll get back to you within a week. If you haven’t heard from us by then, stalk us on Facebook, Twitter, more emails, and skywriting. If you actually get a skywriter, we will give you much higher royalties.
Q. OK, so I also submitted my book to a mainstream publisher and they have finally gotten back to me. Even though I am absolutely thrilled with Red All Over Publishing so far, my heart can see my name up in lights with Publisher X…
A. Congratulations. Don’t stress. Our publishing agreement covers this, and you have a special get out clause.
Q. Can I see your publishing agreement?
A. Only if you let us see your manuscript. And you have to go first.
Q. Do you ever find yourself making lists like that guy out of High Fidelity?
A. All the time. Here’s a sample: Stuff I need to do tonight. 1. Write the FAQs for the website. 2. Update the weird graphic on the frontpage that is hopefully gone by the time anyone reads the FAQs. 3. Get rid of the box sitting on the floor between the desk and the CD player that is providing a mental barrier to turning on the music. 4. Register ISBNs for the next books to be published. 5. Check the website for ampersands.
Q. Where does the name Red All Over Publishing come from?
A. It’s the old joke: What’s black and white and red all over? A newspaper.
Q. But that joke’s about newspapers. Don’t you publish books?
A. Well played, sir. You’re right. I think you might be running late for your Pedantics Anonymous meeting though.
Q. I have a much more pressing question than the slightly irrelevant smattering you’ve provided above. How do I ask you something else?
A. Calm down. Take a deep breath, and email publisher@redallover.com.au. Or cyber-stalk on some other social media channel or techno-savvy avenue. Be nice though. And don’t use ampersands…
Q. What about the humble ellipsis? Are they OK?
A. Of course. Especially when they are suggestive…
