Curiosity Quills Acquisitions Editor: James Wymore
Meet James Wymore! He's written books like....
And pulled together anthology of...
As well as working through the slush pile and finding great talent for Curiosity Quills.
Thank you, James, for joining us today!
1. Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.
After they published my first book, Theocracide, the Acquisitions Manager contacted me and invited me to apply as an Acquisitions Editor. I was interested immediately, but I asked him why he came to me personally. He complimented my taste in books. Then he said, “We have several women working as AE’s already, but they all want to read vampire romances and urban fantasies. I need somebody to share the sci-fi and horror… you know, the boy books.”
2. What does your job entail?
The Acquisitions Manager, Andrew Buckley, sifts through the submissions (called slush) and assigns them to the Editors based on their genre preferences. I read the first 3 chapters and query form to determine if the writing is good and the idea is interesting. If so, I request the entire manuscript. After I read it I have 3 options: reject, request a rewrite, or recommend it for publication. If they company accepts my recommendation, I send a contract to the author and invite them to join Curiosity Quills Press.
3. What do you enjoy most about being an acquisitions editor?
The fans are definitely the biggest perk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a convention and had people swarming everywhere for my autograph or attention. It’s like being a rock star. Wait, did I say that out loud? Really, I just like getting paid to read things.
4. What have your experiences been like working with the authors?
Great! Occasionally I get bogged down with a diva, but most of the time authors are really interesting and funny people. I’ve made a lot of great friends among the authors I’ve worked with over the years. It’s really the best thing about the job (besides the fans in my daydream above).
5. What is the hardest part of being an acquisitions editor?
Time. Sometimes I feel obligated to work on acquisitions when I really want to be writing. Other times I have to read manuscripts and put off reading books I really want to read. I feel guilty not reading all the new books my friends write because my schedule is full. Still, none of those things are very “hard” if you take a meta-perspective.
6. And what is the best part?
I love finding a gem of a manuscript and being part of making that story a book. I know my part of the whole process is small, but it still feels gratifying when a book I loved comes out.
7. What kind of manuscripts do you enjoy and are looking for, and how can an author submit to you?
I love books that make me think. I like to see the world from a new perspective or be drawn into a different reality. I like cerebral books and stories that make my head explode. I like all the genres (except romance) and age groups, but I don’t enjoy somebody rehashing an old theme. I don’t want Middle Earth, I want fantasy that is unique and fresh. I crave sci-fi with a twist and horror that makes me rethink the world I live in.To submit to me directly, just use the submission form at the publisher’s website (http://curiosityquills.com) and put my name in the form where the summary and such goes (we don’t use traditional query letters). They’ll send it to me if it fits what we publish.
8. Last question; If you were suddenly struck by lightning/bitten by something/exposed to toxic waste, and ended up with super powers, what would it be and why?
I would gain the power to jump between realities. I could physically move between other dimensions and alternate states of existence at will. In the morning, I’d be eating croissants with my Steampunk friends on their airship. By lunch, I’d be exploring other planets in space. For the evening, I’d be a wealthy philanthropist talking sense into otherwise stubborn politicians. The best part, would be taking my friends and family with me.
And pulled together anthology of...
As well as working through the slush pile and finding great talent for Curiosity Quills.
Thank you, James, for joining us today!
1. Tell us how you came to work with Curiosity Quills Press.
After they published my first book, Theocracide, the Acquisitions Manager contacted me and invited me to apply as an Acquisitions Editor. I was interested immediately, but I asked him why he came to me personally. He complimented my taste in books. Then he said, “We have several women working as AE’s already, but they all want to read vampire romances and urban fantasies. I need somebody to share the sci-fi and horror… you know, the boy books.”
2. What does your job entail?
The Acquisitions Manager, Andrew Buckley, sifts through the submissions (called slush) and assigns them to the Editors based on their genre preferences. I read the first 3 chapters and query form to determine if the writing is good and the idea is interesting. If so, I request the entire manuscript. After I read it I have 3 options: reject, request a rewrite, or recommend it for publication. If they company accepts my recommendation, I send a contract to the author and invite them to join Curiosity Quills Press.
3. What do you enjoy most about being an acquisitions editor?
The fans are definitely the biggest perk. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve gone to a convention and had people swarming everywhere for my autograph or attention. It’s like being a rock star. Wait, did I say that out loud? Really, I just like getting paid to read things.
4. What have your experiences been like working with the authors?
Great! Occasionally I get bogged down with a diva, but most of the time authors are really interesting and funny people. I’ve made a lot of great friends among the authors I’ve worked with over the years. It’s really the best thing about the job (besides the fans in my daydream above).
5. What is the hardest part of being an acquisitions editor?
Time. Sometimes I feel obligated to work on acquisitions when I really want to be writing. Other times I have to read manuscripts and put off reading books I really want to read. I feel guilty not reading all the new books my friends write because my schedule is full. Still, none of those things are very “hard” if you take a meta-perspective.
6. And what is the best part?
I love finding a gem of a manuscript and being part of making that story a book. I know my part of the whole process is small, but it still feels gratifying when a book I loved comes out.
7. What kind of manuscripts do you enjoy and are looking for, and how can an author submit to you?
I love books that make me think. I like to see the world from a new perspective or be drawn into a different reality. I like cerebral books and stories that make my head explode. I like all the genres (except romance) and age groups, but I don’t enjoy somebody rehashing an old theme. I don’t want Middle Earth, I want fantasy that is unique and fresh. I crave sci-fi with a twist and horror that makes me rethink the world I live in.To submit to me directly, just use the submission form at the publisher’s website (http://curiosityquills.com) and put my name in the form where the summary and such goes (we don’t use traditional query letters). They’ll send it to me if it fits what we publish.
8. Last question; If you were suddenly struck by lightning/bitten by something/exposed to toxic waste, and ended up with super powers, what would it be and why?
I would gain the power to jump between realities. I could physically move between other dimensions and alternate states of existence at will. In the morning, I’d be eating croissants with my Steampunk friends on their airship. By lunch, I’d be exploring other planets in space. For the evening, I’d be a wealthy philanthropist talking sense into otherwise stubborn politicians. The best part, would be taking my friends and family with me.
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