Why I Signed with an LGBT Publisher

When people ask me who my publisher is, they generally have never heard of Prizm Books. Most Small presses are this way - and that goes especially for their imprints. So when I tell them that Prizm is an imprint of Torquere (a LGBT publisher) they are usually confused. 

Them: “Oh, is your book LGBT? I didn’t get that impression."

Me: “No, it’s not."

*Blank Stare* 

It may sound odd, even confusing. I touched on this briefly, before, but I think it deserves a better explanation. 

When I queried my book, Prizm Books wasn’t the only company interested in my work. But I chose them. I admit I was wary - simply because they specialize in LGBT - even their reviewers only reviewed LGBT. They of course were expanding - trying to pick up some mainstream YA, living up to their motto: “Stories for every young adult under the rainbow." And I had a good feeling. That’s what it really came down to. I loved what Kristi Boulware - the GM - had to say about the company and  their plans for my book. 

I am a HUGE supporter of the LGBT community and loved that they were trying to get books in the hands of those who were essentially “left out". Sure, they could have just stuck with mainstream YA and tried to get on board with the trend train - but that’s not what they wanted. That’s not what they believed in. And to see a company that cared more about their mission than their pay checks, really resonated with me. 

I knew then that my book would be cared for. Loved. Appreciated. 

If I had to make the choice over again, I would sign with Prizm - no doubt. Because, sometimes, it’s not about which company is going to make you the most money. But which company will love your story as much as you do, and want to see it (and you) go far. And with hard work, who says you can’t be just as successful here than there? 

In the end, your sales will depend on YOU. Not your publisher. As long as you have a good book and the determination, you can’t possibly lose.