South Florida-based Pecan Tree Publishing is in full thrust mode this summer. The company which combines traditional print amenities with self-publishing options is looking to expand an already quickly growing catalog. Earlier this year the company released CULINARY ROOTS by Brenda L. Jackson. The eclectic soul food cookbook is being followed in July with two releases: the urban fiction drama DUCHESS OF MIAMI by Ann Maynard and the Christian testimony SOW IN TEARS by Rosie Pierre. The company was founded on the premise of helping first time authors and those who have decided that self-publishing is for them. Founded by author E. Claudette Freeman (PIECES. AND ME. And SHELTERED DELIVERANCE), the company’s mission is to assist authors in the full publishing experience.
In that vein Pecan Tree Publishing has announced that they need your submission in two upcoming collections. PELHAM GIRL AND ALL HER COUSINS – is designed to be a gathering of stories that capture the simple, warm yet complex personality of small towns. Submissions must chronicle an episode surrounding life in a small, rural city. Work submitted should be fiction or fictionalized accounts of true events. The company is looking for work that is full of emotion - be it comedy, dramatic or mysterious. Clearly defined and enjoyable characters are also a must, as is detailed scenes and engaging dialogue. All submissions must be received by August 30, 2009.
The second anthology is TRUSTING AND BELIEVING. This title celebrates the power of having a trusting relationship in God and believing against all odds in the ability of Christian principles to defeat any challenge, obstacle, tragedy or hardship. Stories must be in personal testimony form or may be written as fiction that drives home the point of the collection: Faith, Trust, and Belief. All submissions must be received by August 20, 2009. Submissions for both collections must be made by email only and can be sent to: submissions@pecantreepress.com.
“What we hope to achieve with submissions to the collections is that first step pull for writers who have wonderful styles and awesome storytelling abilities. Some times all you need is to see that hand pulling you towards that step and that is what Pecan Tree Publishing is all about,” said Publisher E. Claudette Freeman.
For those with their own full-length works looking to be published, yet they are still teetering on the fence when it comes to how to proceed. The company is also after them this summer. Freeman says this is more of push to “let go of the book already and stop holding on to it and rewriting sections of it every two years.”
Freeman, who says she has been caught in that trap as well, announced that Pecan Tree Publishing has launched two simultaneous contests to get those stories out of the writers’ hands and on to bookshelves for others to enjoy. The SHAKING THE PECAN TREE FICTION CONTEST is open to new, unpublished authors of fiction who have considered self-publishing/print-on-demand. Work may be of any fiction genre (except erotica), must exhibit strong characters, an intriguing story line with believable development of the same, wonderful scene/setting descriptions and strong dialogue and must be at least 65,000 words in length. Work must be accompanied by a registration form to be completed at www.pecantreepress.com and a $15 entry reading fee. All entries must be received by midnight December 15, 2009
There is also the MY LIFE, MY STORY NON-FICTION CONTEST. This vehicle is open to unpublished authors of non-fiction who have considered self-publishing/print-on-demand. Submissions must be a work of non-fiction (autobiographies, sermonic translations, empowerment books, inspirational, teaching tools), work must tell a story that is inspirational and invigorating, turns sermonic lessons into practical teaching tools, represent overcoming exceptionally difficult life challenges and/or provide tools to enhance life based on professional information mixed with personal lessons learned and must be at least 35,000 words. As with the fiction contest, the registration form and a $10 entry reading fee must be submitted at www.pecantreepress.com. Non-fiction submissions must be received by midnight January 15, 2010
hose who are chosen as winners in each category win: A PTP print on demand publishing contract with the initial 1000 books covered in total by the company, an additional 15% discount on subsequent reprints, full distribution contract through NetSource Distribution, a customized marketing plan, a 10 stop book signing tour (physical and virtual), a marketing kit complete with 500 business cards, 1000 flyers, 250 posters, media kit - physical and virtual, opportunity to win additional prizes in weekly contest entry drawings and a three day stay in a select resort hotel.
reeman encourages writers interested in either of the company’s summer thrust programs to visit the Submissions and Contest page at www.pecantreepress.com.
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