My Big News
I’ve just sent out my monthly newsletter with this announcement.
After 20 years of being published by Berkley, we’ve parted ways.
There are several reasons for this. First is that Berkley and most of the large US publishers and book distributors are moving away from mass market paperbacks (MMPB) — which is how my books were published. They’re dropping MMPBs and publishing the larger and more expensive Trade Paperback size.
Mass market paperbacks are around 4.25 x 6.87 inches whereas trade paperbacks are larger, ranging from 5 x 8 inches to 6 x 9 inches. (See the pic on the right)
Secondly, the market for historical romances has been dropping, and as my editor told my agent: “Historical romance is just too tough right now. We wouldn’t be able to publish in mass market and trade historical romances are very challenging these days.”
I’m by no means the only historical romance author who has been let go. In the next year or two, you might notice some of them changing genres, writing historical romance with magic or witches, or romantasy, crime, or contemporary romance. If you want to know more about the demise of historicals and mass market paperback, read this article.
I might have tried changing genres too, except I didn’t want to. While I like reading fantasy and crime and contemporary romance, I’m still enjoying writing my own style of historical romances, and so my plan is to keep writing, and self-publish them.
My agent did ask if I wanted to try other publishers, but I’ve decided to go it alone. Having already successfully self-published three novellas, I know I can do it. I originally dipped my toe into self-publishing because I was curious about the process and knew lots of people doing it. So that turned out to be a lucky decision I made back then.
So that’s it — a new path for me. I will continue writing, and will publish my stories as e-books and paperbacks. I very much hope you will all continue to support me.
I’m Still Writing.
Even though my publisher has let me go, I’m still writing, and in fact, as regular readers of this blog will know, I’m half way through writing Marcus’s story. He’s the last hero of the Devil Riders series, the Earl of Alverleigh, and the eldest of the Renfrew brothers.
I’ve had literally hundreds of emails from people asking for his story — and my responses have generally included this explanation. Now that I’m out of contract with Berkley, I’m able to write his story at the length it deserves. So stay tuned. . .
Congratulations and good luck with your endeavours. I didn’t like the large Trade size nor the in between size some publishers started using. Will keep a look out for Marcus. Hoping some of the other supporting characters in other series pop up again.
Thanks for your kind words and support, Elizabeth. Yes, I find the larger size unwieldy, too. But these days I read most fiction on an e-reader. And yes, there will be some of the opther characters in the Devil Riders series pop up in Marcus’s book.
Best wishes – I will always read whatever you write, preferably audio, so I’m especially happy to hear about Devil Riders in production (as mentioned in your email)
Thanks, Felicia. I’m not sure whether I’ll be able to get Marcus’s story into audio, but I’ll try. The other books in the Devil riders series are being recorded at the moment.,
Thanks for giving us this information. I read the article you referenced. Sad to know that so many of the authors I have enjoyed are going thru difficult times in getting their books published and in places where the readers can find them. I wish you success in self-publishing new books. I look forward to Marcus’ book as I liked that series. The larger trade books often have small print which makes no sense to me. I am having more difficulty reading small print. Getting older is not much fun when it comes to reading, especially now that I have… Read more »
Thanks for your support, Margot. It is a sad time for historical romance, but I have faith there will still be plenty of readers who enjoy it. I, too have trouble with small print, which is why I now use an e-reader, where you can adjust the print size if necessary. I wasn’t interested for a long time — I like “real” books — but the e-reader has made a huge difference to me.
Wishing you every success with this new approach, Anne.
Thank you Liz. I have been hugely impressed with your success, both with republishing your older books and your new, wonderful cosy crime books. You’re an inspiration!
So glad you are continuing to write and eager to continue with self-publishing. I enjoyed the Devil Riders series. It is one of my favorites. I have it sitting on my “keeper” bookshelf, so I can re-read it whenever. I look forward to Marcus’s story. A loyal reader.
Thanks so much for those kind words, Carolyn. I really appreciate them. I hope you enjoy Marcus when it’s done.
I’ll happily buy every book you write.
Pam, you’re a sweetheart for saying so. Thank you.
Well done Anne. You do your “thing”. Your books are wonderful and I am a great supporter of your work. I still have some of your very early works.
I wish you every success and am looking forward to “Marcus”.
Thanks so much, Christine. I really appreciate your support.
I’m happy to hear that you’re going to continue to write historical romance and that you will be publishing your own books. I’m boycotting Amazon for a number of reasons (so many!) so I will be buying from as many authors choosing that path as I can. Meanwhile I can look forward to Marcus’ s story! Yay!
P.S. Your jewelry is lovely.
Thanks so much for your kind words. I will be publishing Marcus’s story on all the various e-book platforms so you won’t need to go to amazon if you don’t want to.
And thanks for the comment on my jewelry — it’s my relaxation.
Congratulations! Freedom! You’ve done it before. Now poor Marcus and you can escape from contractual obligations. May you both live a long and happy life in the worlds of self publication.
Thanks so much, Lynne. I really appreciate your kind and encouraging words.
Oh my! This made my day First, brava on your decision to self-publish, Anne. I wish you much success. I’ve just finished reading many of your novels for the third time. I absolutely love your story lines and your writing style. I often stop and reread a particularly witty or humorous passage and appreciate your talent all over again thinking, “How on earth does she come up with this?” Thank you for hours and hours of enjoyment – not just while sitting in a comfy chair with a cup of tea, or snuggled in bed, but also in the dentist… Read more »
Thanks, Kathy — your encouragement is very kind and very welcome. I’m so glad you enjoy and reread my books. I’m with you on always having something (actually several somethings) to read when I’m travelling. I’ve done that ever since I was a schoolgirl and travelled for two days by train to visit my oldest sister (and her babies) in the school holidays. Now with an e-reader I can travel with a whole library.
I have every book you’ve published and have read and reread all multiple times…it’s like meeting old friends again! I love them! I’ve been a reader of historical romance novels for almost 60 years and I cannot believe they appear to be on the way out! Im so looking forward to reading Marcus’s story when you’ve finished writing it.
Thanks so much for those very kind words, Tricia.
I am in the process of publishing Marcus’s story at the moment. I hope to have it available in a couple of weeks.
As for historical romance, I have confidence that it will bounce back eventually and that there will still be plenty of people who enjoy reading historicals.