Interview with Jeff Gerke of Lord Marcher Press

Mirtika · Joined: 10 Jul 2007 Posts: 914 Location: South Florida, USA

Over at Christian SF author Randy INgermanson's blog, he's interviewed Jeff Gerke, sci-fi author and former CBA editor, about a new market for writers of Christian spec fic.

Read it here: http://www.advancedfictionwriting.com/blog/2007/11/29/talking-marketing-with-jeff-gerke/
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Michael A. Heald · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 43

A Christian POD publisher! I love it! The advantage is that one receives Jeff's editing expertise, cover art work, marketing expertise, etc.
The upside to the company - minimal risk to have a run of unsold books that traditional publishers must absorb through off-set press runs.
The downside is that Marcher Lord has little money to actively promote a book, so the author is responsible for that, just as in any POD release. It's nice that Jeff will use his expertise to guide the author through the process.
I pray his company does well!

Michael A. Heald

JaneLebak · Posted: Thu Jan 03, 2008 8:11 am Post subject:

I had sent something over to MLP to see what would happen, and I'm VERY amused by the fact that after having the thing for several weeks, Jeff Gerke sent out a notice on *Christmas Eve* at like 4pm to say he's selected his first three novels, but he's not rejecting anything yet.

Well, that kind of feels like a rejection ("I won't accept your manuscript for at least another six months if ever!"), and sending it on Christmas Eve probably wasn't the nicest timing there. Some authors sink into a funk for a week or two after a rejection. He was an author himself. You'd think he'd have waited two days. Rolling Eyes

I'm sure it wasn't done meanspirited ("I bet I can ruin someone's Christmas this way!") but it was just a "Huh?" moment.

Jane (whose signature currently works only in preview mode!)
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TWErvin · Joined: 19 Aug 2007 Posts: 541 Location: Ohio USA

JaneLebak · Posted: Fri Jan 04, 2008 9:54 am Post subject:

[quote="TWErvin"][quote]Jane (whose signature currently works only in preview mode!)[/quote]

Jane, after six or so posts, it will work. I wondered the same thing at first.

[/quote]

Selena explained to me that it's not that I need to be ringing a big bell and calling "Leper! Unclean!" whenever I post. Laughing

What a relief!

Over at CWGI, there was a post a couple of days ago advising new writers AGAINST Marcher Lord Press. For the same thing you cited (as a good reason) that it's a huge undertaking, and the poster wasn't sure Jeff Gerke could pull it off.

There's just not a lot of traditional market support for Christian SFF right now.

Jane
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resaliens · Joined: 08 Nov 2007 Posts: 615 Location: Kansas

Seems to me we should either actively support a project or undertaking that we believe in, or leave well enough alone (that is, not speak against it - unless, of course, its intentions are clearly evil). So as to MLP - I wish them all the best. Any particular issues with them might be best resolved by contacting the project leader directly. IMO. Smile

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Michael A. Heald · Joined: 06 Aug 2007 Posts: 43

Hello! I agree. I wish Jeff the best.

Michael A. Heald

JaneLebak · Posted: Sat Jan 05, 2008 7:29 am Post subject:

TWErvin · Joined: 19 Aug 2007 Posts: 541 Location: Ohio USA

New publishers without a lot of financial backing have a difficult time getting traction (often even decently financed or well do), so it isn't a guarenteed thing.

However, Jeff Gerke has been around the publishing industry a while, as an author and an editor (more than one house). This is a distinct advantage as opposed to many other start-up publishers.

I'm one to support smaller publishers (magazines and book). I currently have a subscription to three small magazines. A book that I gave to some family and friends as Christmas gifts was from a small publisher (I read the book, it was good and I thought it would make a good gift) and the current novel I am reading is from a small publishing house. If Marcher Lord Press puts out a novel that catches my interest, I'll probably give it a shot.

Are authors taking a risk going with a newly established publisher if their work is accepted? Certainly so. Are authors taking a risk going with a major publisher if their work is accepted? Certainly so. Just different risks.

Terry
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DraperJC · Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:57 am Post subject:

I wish him the best of luck. I think what it comes down to as a reader is that we place our trust in the publishing house when we buy a book. We trust them to make a good decision on their material and edit it well. We figure that if the book looks interesting to us then it has been summarized and categorized correctly. We don't have time to read the book and then decide if we want to buy and read the book. I think his success will largely come down to the writing he's able to present to us. Curiously enough, that's mostly what success as a writer comes from: good writing.
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