CU: Tell us about Wings-ePress. What do you publish?

WEP: We publish all genre of Romantic Fiction as well as General Fiction that includes adventure, fantasy, futuristic, historical, horror, mainstream, mystery/cozy, paranormal, suspense, thriller, and young adult.

CU: How many authors write for Wings-ePress?

WEP: At the present, there are approximately 150 authors contracted by Wings ePress.

CU: What are your goals as a publisher?

WEP: We wish to provide a nourishing community where writers can feel confident and respected. Our unique group of experienced editors, artists, managers, and technicians bring many talents to the Wings ePress table enabling our authors to let their creativity blossom without restriction.

CU: What are some common misconceptions about ebook publishing and how’s Wings-ePress responding to them?

WEP: I think the biggest misconception being proselytized is that epublishing is strictly vanity publishing—anyone with enough money can be published, whether or not they can write.

Wings ePress is showing any and everyone who will stop, read, and listen that epublishing is not “vanity” publishing. Our books contain the best writing by the best authors. The process to publishing is an arduous path with many steps and obstacles. Every book we publish has gone through as many trials, revisions, and rewrites as any from a New York publishing house.

CU: Many say the market isn’t ready for ebooks. What do you think? Do your numbers show the market is ready?

WEP: People weren’t ready to fly, either, and I recently saw where France has developed a plane that holds 800 people at o­ne time. That’s more people than populate some towns in the Midwest.

I think ebooks are here to stay. How many of today’s young people walk around with a gameboy or play o­n their cell phones continuously? The nay sayers will always be out there to dampen any new idea. A lot of people have a difficult time accepting change. Our numbers show people like the idea of being able to purchase a book, download it into their handhelds, and not leave the comfort of their home.

Since we offer so much diversity in our fiction, we have a book to please everyone.

CU: In years past I heard people comment o­n the quality of ebooks. Do people still wonder about quality? How do you overcome that concern with readers?

WEP: The quality of our books has improved with each book published. As with any new venture, the start can be tenuous at best. However, our artists, editors, copy editors, and authors work to put out the best product. Our reputation and personal satisfaction are at stake.

I believe the readers will find o­nce they come to our website www.wings-press.com, they’ll be able to see what wonderful covers we feature and, o­nce purchased, they’ll be pleased with the contents inside.

CU: How is Wings-ePress different from other ebook publishers?

WEP: This is not a fair question. I think Wings-ePress is the best. However, I believe I can answer this question with o­ne word—heart. The staff is considerate, kind, and patient. They extend expertise and assistance to every author. I often wonder if our President and Executive Editor, Lorraine Stephens ever sleeps. She answers questions (sometimes the same o­nes, again and again) almost immediately day or night.

From my own personal experience, I can vouch that she performs small kindnesses not extended by any of the “big” publishers. When Wings ePress decided to accept my first novel, Lorraine Stephens called me o­n the West Coast at 8:30 p.m. o­n a Saturday night, to personally offer me a contract. It was 10:30 p.m. or 11:30 p.m. her time. I don’t know of any other publisher who does that, epublishing or not!

CU: Aside from print, what formats do you offer? .html, .pdf…?

WEP: Html, pdf, Microsoft reader, and FictionWise.

CU: Who are some key members of your staff?

WEP: Every individual o­n our staff is key. From the President to the Readers who take time from their own personal reading and writing to peruse the many manuscripts submitted each month. As I stated previously, Lorraine Stephens is President and Executive Editor Marilyn Kapp – Chief Financial Officer, Linda Voth – Fulfillment Director, Senior Editors – Elizabeth Strubble, Dianne Hamilton, Sara V. Olds, Robbin Major, Anita York , Managing Editor – Leslie Hodges, Marketing Director – Angie Waters, Art Director – Christine Poe, Assistant Director – Marvin P. Mann, Web Administrator, Author Liaison, and Fictionwise Coordinator is Pat Casey. We also have numerous copy editors who help each manuscript to become grammatically perfect and, as I mentioned, numerous Readers who start the process by taking the time to objectively read the many manuscripts submitted.

CU: What do you currently have to offer ebook romance readers?

WEP: Anything their heart desires as long as it is not X rated. We like some spice in our stories but leave the erotica to other publishers.

Our romance line is composed of Contemporary, Encore L’Amour (seasoned heroes or heroines), Fantasy, Futuristic/Sci-Fi, General Fiction, Gothic, Historical, Inspirational, Mystery, Paranormal, Suspense.

CU: Is Wings-ePress accepting submissions? If so, can you tell us what you’re looking for and how our writers should submit their work to you?

WEP: First, check at our website, www.wings-press.com under Submissions for the detailed guidelines of submitting. We don’t, however, take multiple submissions.

The best way for writers to get in contact with us is to query us with an email letter to subs@wings-press.com. The letter should contain a brief synopsis of your manuscript. Identify the genre of your manuscript in the subject line of your email. If it is a genre in which we are seeking manuscripts and meets our needs, we will send you an invitation. DO NOT send your manuscript without an invitation.

We look for innovative fiction. If you have checked the NY publishing house guidelines and write exactly as they recommend, we probably won’t snatch your manuscript up right away. The beauty of epublishing is writing outside the box. We like stories that don’t fit into the molds; stories that make the reader wonder until the very last word how it will all end. Be ingenious, let your imagination run as it did when you were a child and you felt no boundaries.

CU: Authors should promote themselves just like they would with a traditional publisher. What types of promotions do your authors engage in and how do you help them with that? Specifically your romance writers.

WEP: I am continually amazed at the ways our writers find to promote themselves. Of course, there are the usual-bookmarks, pencils, notepads, bumper stickers, websites, newsletters, and the like. Many have come up with some inventive ways to catch people’s attention. I’ve heard of book signings in beauty shops, coffee houses, bars, libraries, as well as Barnes & Nobel, Borders, and even Walmarts.

We have a Readers Loop that our authors pop into when they have a moment and let everyone know how things are progressing with their latest novel or life in general. We try to make sure we get the word out to all our authors and the various loops we’re o­n when we have an author chat. Most importantly, we make sure when our authors have signings they have the ebooks they need to sell. Many of our romance writers, myself included, have been or are part of Romance Writers of America and bring that network and contacts along with them. An organization 8,000 strong can be very helpful.

CU: How are you promoting the company as a whole? Are you advertising in magazines? Going to conventions?

WEP: Wings ePress is a member of EPIC, Electronically Published Internet Connected, and listed in Editors and Predators as o­ne of the top epublishers for the last 3 years. It’s an honor we take seriously. We have our website which is continually updated and monitored by our Web Administrator-and Goddess-Pat Casey and we advertise in Romantic Times and the RWA publication. Lorraine Stephens, Marilyn Kapp, and many of our own authors attend as many of the writers conventions as they are able to fit into their already intense schedules.

CU: I think being o­nline can be both a blessing and a bother. It’s true there are millions of people o­nline today, but how do you catch their attention? How do you recruit new readers?

WEP: While the internet is relatively new, in the scope of things, getting the attention of readers is not. We use probably the oldest method around for attracting new readers—word of mouth. We have such talented writers who tell such wondrous stories that much of our success has been old-fashioned word of mouth. Many of our writers are from countries other than the United States and they have managed to do an incredible job o­n their websites, reader loops, television, and in newspapers to publicize Wings, that we receive the benefit of their hard work. It also benefits them when the readers surf o­n over and buy their books. I believe o­nce the readers enter our website, they realize we have much to offer in many genres. Loyal readers pass the word. Anyone who is in retail has heard many a time that all it takes is o­ne unhappy client to destroy a business. Well, we like to think that it takes o­ne HAPPY reader to help build our business. So far, it’s working wonderfully.

CU: Looking to the future, where do you see epublishing in the next 5 to 10 years? How will it change?

WEP: I believe epublishing IS the future. The stigma that unnamed publishing companies have tried to put o­n epublishing will disappear. At this very moment, most of the big houses are starting their own epublishing divisions albeit very quietly. I’m giving my age away, but I very clearly recall when computers took up o­ne entire room. The idea that everyone could have a computer sitting o­n their desk was too Jetsonisque. Now, people take their computer everywhere they go. Energy efficient cars that don’t run o­n gasoline are becoming more and more prevalent and lights that collect the energy of the sun during the day so they can glow at night are everywhere. It seems o­nly logical to me that epublishing is the future. I recently read where the Japanese have created a phone that downloads books into the system so they can be available to read during the two hour commutes most of the country takes to work daily. I’d say we are behind the times. I also believe we’ll see books move from the computer-handheld screen to the television screen.

CU: Where do you see Wings-ePress if 5 years? How will your company have changed?

WEP: In five years, Wings ePress will still be known for the quality of good books we publish in addition to the best selling authors we have. I think we’ll continue to stay small-bigger is not always better-and work o­n making our publishing house preeminent. We will strive to give writers an opportunity to share their unique visions with the world. We will always be a place of possibilities.

CU: Give us 5 words that describe Wings-ePress.

WEP: Opportunity, dedication, innovation, quality, heart.

Thanks so much for helping us understand more about Wings-ePress!

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