Connie: Hello and welcome Renee and Frank. Thank you for taking the time to visit and introduce us to your publishing company, Lyrical Press. Robyn, OUAR’s Review Coordinator, will be joining us, but before we get started, would you tell us a bit about yourselves?
Renee: Hi Connie and Robyn. First, thank you so much for having us. As for a bit about ourselves, we were married in 2002 and two years later our daughter joined us, completing our little family. The heart rules me. Frank is the opposite. We’re a great balance. Frank knows when to pull back and let the mind take over – if that makes any sense – when I get too emotionally involved in things. Basically, we’re the perfect halves of a whole and have been since we first met nearly eight years ago.
Robyn: A good balance helps build a strong foundation for your company and makes for a good prognosis.
Frank, I’ll begin with you. Whose idea was it to open Lyrical Press? What was the catalyst behind the decision?
Frank: I think Lyrical was originally Renee’s idea, but after debating whether or not to open for about two years, I can honestly say I don’t know for sure if I thought it and she said it or it was vice versa.
Robyn: Not a decision to jump into, that’s for sure. Was it an easy decision to work together as husband and wife? How do you keep work and marriage separate? Renee, do you think it’s harder for you to work with Frank or is it harder for him to work with you?
Renee: It was natural for us to work together. We do everything together, so Lyrical was no different. I think it’s probably harder for Frank to work with me because I’m the more opinionated – and headstrong – one. I also tend to get a bit defensive at times, so I actually pity the poor man since he has to deal with me.
Robyn: As the owners/founders, what do each of you do—or what is each of your roles in the company?
Renee: We pretty much do everything equally, but of course, there are those things one of us has a better understanding of: I designed and maintain the main website, make the covers, and generally run the computer end of Lyrical. I work side by side with the authors and staff, something I love doing because it’s allowed me to get to know each of our authors.
Frank: When it comes to contacting people, I’m the one who makes most of the phone calls, whereas Renee answers emails. I also handle much of the marketing aspect of Lyrical and once we open, will probably manage royalties.
Connie: It sounds like you’re both of like mind, but you’re also taking the lead in the areas where each of you excels. As you said, Renee, a perfect balance.
You offer both electronic format and POD. Would you explain POD to the reader who isn’t familiar with it? Are there any misconceptions that come with the POD through the years?
Renee: POD means Print On Demand. One of the biggest misconceptions is that POD books aren’t as available as mass paperback books. That’s not true. If you walk into any Borders, or other such bookstores, you’ll see a wide variety of Trade titles from many smaller press publishing houses right alongside of mass paperback from larger houses. In fact, trade books are quickly gaining momentum with readers for their larger size and easier reading due to bigger print. Many of the larger publishing houses are distributing them as well. Another misconception is that POD titles are only available On Demand. While this is basically true, many POD titles get a small print run.
Connie: To take this a bit further, Renee, many think POD is strictly vanity publishing. The understanding is the author doesn’t have to go through the submission or editing process, or the editing process isn't available to them, that they don't receive royalties from the publisher, which in all honesty is the case with some publishers. Many POD publishers charge the author to print/publish their books. How is POD different or the same at Lyrical?
Renee: All of our titles have been acquired through the submission process. By the time a Lyrical book has reached any form publication, be it digital or POD, it has gone through extensive editing. In fact, our POD titles get an extra round of editing called Galley Proofs. This happens after a book has been released digitally. Before it gets sent to the printer we have the author give it one last read-through, making sure the copy is as 'clean' as possible before it goes to print.
Lyrical Press is absolutely not a vanity press. We, the publishers, pay for any and all costs to publish a book. And yes, the author receives royalties from POD books.
Robyn: It’s good to have that understood right off the bat, Renee. Thanks.
What genres will you be publishing? Do you have a focus in any category, any theme? Do the submissions have to contain fantasy/paranormal elements or graphic sex?
Renee: As Frank likes to say, we are a general publisher. And as I like to say, if you dare to write it, we dare to consider it. Although, personally, I’m chomping at the bit for a really great ghost story – something that will keep me up at night and afraid to turn out the lights – submissions do not have to have any specific element or heat level. In fact, Daughters of Change by Teressa Wilde has romantic elements rather than sex, Past Midnight and Mind Games are straight horror. So, you see? We’ll consider every genre so long as the story is strong.
Robyn: How do you choose which books to print from all of the submissions? How large do you anticipate your print runs to be?
Renee: The word count dictates if a book will go to print. Every title over 70,000 words will be offered in both eBook and print (the print release comes six months after a book’s digital release). We’re a startup, so we want to grow slowly rather than run before we walk, so we’ll keep our print runs small for the time begin. We’re not going anywhere, so there will be time enough to do larger runs later on.
Connie: Renee, to date, you’re credited with all the cover art at Lyrical. What do you want the cover to convey to the reader? What is the process you use when deciding what the cover should look like? Does the author get any type of input on the cover design?
Renee: Of course the author has input! One of the only reasons I’ll override an author’s vision is if it just doesn’t have any marketing potential or it’s something flat-out impossible to create. Otherwise, I take their suggestion and use it as a base for the cover. I’d love every reader to visit our site and be blown away by our covers, confident that the body of the book is of the same quality.
Connie: I told you personally, and I’ll tell you again, I’m very impressed with your talent.
In addition to being in charge of the art department, do you have a hands-on approach with the submissions?
Renee: Funny you should ask… Frank has recently pointed out (lovingly, of course) that I’m a bit of a control freak, so I took the plunge and turned over all submissions to our Editor-In-Chief, Emma Wayne Porter. I send them all to her anyway, so I was actually the middle man and probably getting in her way and slowing her down.
Robyn: Renee, it should also be noted you’re also an author (Rene Lyons). Will you continue at some point to write for Lyrical Press?
Renee: Let me say it right here and now, I will never write for Lyrical Press. When we decided to go forward with Lyrical I was very firm on the fact that we were opening for other authors and not for me. Even when the contracts expire on my five published titles, we’ll never release them with Lyrical.
Robyn: Understandable.
Frank, do you continue to work another job outside of Lyrical Press? What did you do before you opened Lyrical Press?
Frank: I’m a bakery manager for a large-chain supermarket.
Connie: Food service of any sort is tough. I’ve been there, but it’s helped me in other aspects. How has your previous business experiences been of help to you, Frank, with getting Lyrical Press launched?
Frank: During my time at the New York Restaurant school, they taught business management. Because it didn’t focus solely on running a restaurant, I was able to apply what I learned there in my managerial position at my ‘day job’ and with Lyrical as well.
Robyn: Renee, mom, graphics guru, author and publishing company owner? How difficult is it to get things done with a daughter and pets that need your attention?
Renee: Time management! Actually, it’s not as difficult as some would think. The computer is in the living room, so as long as I take breaks throughout my workday I’ve found a great balance between all the different duties, making sure never to neglect our daughter. When I am sitting at the desk, working, I’m usually doing a million things at once. I’ve gotten really good at multi-tasking!
Connie: Definitely sounds like it!
What do you think/hope sets you (Lyrical Press) apart, Renee and Frank, from most of the other online/e-publishing companies?
Renee: Respecting our authors and treating everyone equally and fairly. We also believe that our books’ overall quality (editing, good stories and great covers) will elevate us from infancy to a force to be reckoned with.
Frank: I don’t think about the other online publishers. We have our own ideas here at Lyrical Press and will do things our way by thinking out of the box.
Connie: To separate your company from the other e-publishers, what do you plan to do for both the authors and readers to make them comfortable with, enjoy, and stick with Lyrical Press?
Renee: Having been an author, I believe I have a good sense of what an author looks for in a publishing house. First and foremost there needs to be respect and trust. Without trust there is nothing. We make sure our authors know they can come to us with any questions and concerns and be treated respectfully. This has already formed a good foundation and trust with those authors who have already signed with us. Readers, we believe, will sense this trust between author/editor/publisher and keep coming back to enjoy our books.
Frank: We’ve made it known to our authors that all suggestions are welcome. Our authors know that Lyrical is a team effort and we respect their input.
Robyn: Time being a factor, we should find out more about both of you, aside from business that is. Strictly for fun. You’re stranded on a desert island...who would be best at finding/building shelter—what type of shelter would it be? How about foraging for food and water?
Renee: Pardon me, but I have to step back here and let Frank answer this one…
Frank: Ever watch Survivorman? We watch that show all the time. I could make a fire with two sticks and some bark shavings if I had to. Thanks to Les Stroud I could make a shelter out of moss and leaves, in the pouring rain, while Renee forges for berries and bugs. We could survive anywhere just from that show!
Connie: Renee, you’re obviously in good hands! But perhaps you should rethink the bug-catching???
When it’s the two of you, what is your favorite sit down restaurant? What are your favorite items on the menu?
Renee: Applebees. Steak and shrimp.
Frank: We’re simple people. A good New York Strip Steak and a beer.
Connie: Aside from the basics, what are some essential favorite must haves that you never try to run out of in the kitchen, Renee?
Renee: Take-Out menus – and banana split ice-cream. I also have a thing for cracked peppercorn. I put it on almost everything. We always have some kind of chicken ready to be cooked since chicken and dumplings are a favorite around our house. And after dinner we always have our ice-cream cones. Like Frankie said, we’re really simple people with simple tastes. We never try to pretend to be more than what we are, and our house and style reflect that.
Robyn: I love chicken and dumplings! We’ll talk later…about a recipe.
Connie: Yeah, later. There are some actors who seem to have gotten better (and better looking) with age. Who do you think fits this? Why?
Renee: Patrick Stewart. I’ve had a thing for Captain Jean-Luc Picard since I was a kid. Alan Rickman is another handsome older man. And if I had to pick women, I’ll have to say Dame Judi Dench and Helen Mirren.
Frank: Heather Locklear. The woman hasn’t aged. I think she’s found the fountain of youth.
Connie: What is a favorite family movie and TV show to watch with your daughter?
Renee: That’s easy – Frankie loves watching Spongebob Squarepants with her, although any cartoons with his daughter is slice of heaven for him. Me? I wept the first time I watched Charlotte’s Web with her because I remember watching it, and loving it, as little girl. I never imagined the day I’d be watching it with my daughter, so I still tear up each time we watch it,
Robyn: A sweet memory you’ll have forever.
Most men have an area set up for their tools, a workbench or workshop, a toolbox. Frank, what are you most handy at, home improvements, minor car repairs, garden/landscaping…?
Frank: Cooking. With my cooking background, I usually give Renee a break and invade the kitchen to cook dinner for us.
Robyn: Even better than a toolbox!
As pre-teens and teens most of us had girlhood crushes on stars. Who did you have a crush on, Renee?
Renee: I had a shameful crush on Donnie from the New Kids on the Block.
Robyn: Really? Those crushes can be intense, too, can’t they?
This is for both of you; what are your favorite qualities/traits about each other?
Renee: Frank has a great sarcastic sense of humor. I admire his laid-back view of life and how he handles everything with grace and dignity. I’m also blown away by his cunning. He’s a sly one, one of those people who you have to be really close with emotionally to know, and only a select few will ever be that close to him. He doesn’t wear his heart on his sleeve, which makes the love he so freely showers upon Jesse and me that much more special. He’s loyal and trustworthy and one of those people who makes you a better person for knowing him.
Frank: Renee has a great sense of humor. She also cares about everything. She has a huge heart. She has a great smile.
Connie: Can’t think of a better place to end our time together. Before we say goodbye, though, is there anything we forgot to ask that you’d like the readers and authors to know?
Renee and Frank: We think you pretty much covered everything. We really had a lot of fun answering these questions. Thank you again for allowing us to sit down with you ladies for a bit. It was a genuine pleasure.
Connie and Robyn: Thank you!
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