Final Deadline For Full Length Manuscript Submissions is January 1st, 2011

            We're about two weeks away from the final deadline for manuscript submissions for the 2011 Doubt It Publishing Author Of The Year.  I'll be reviewing submissions throughout January and should come to a final decision on which author I'll be working with by February 1st, 2011.  I'm looking for poetry (full length, no chapbooks), fiction, nonfiction or humor.    

            Again, please submit all works with your genre in the subject heading of the email, a query letter and an attachment of your feature length work to: bigwordsmailbag@yahoo.com.  I don’t charge any reading fees and I don't offer any 'editorial services', but I will be picking the best manuscript for a 2011 publication date as well as a promotional book tour.  There are a few early front runners who show promise, but I wouldn't rule out an eleventh hour upset or a surprise wunderkind.

            I'll be partnering with a new or existing Buffalo author and splitting the up-front production costs for the interior layout and design, which are minimal.  I've got multiple graphic designers who are chomping at the bit to showcase their work for the next Doubt It Publishing publication.  Once the  book is formatted and proof read, we'll release it in the fall and planning a publicity plan that works best for the material presented.  Doubt It will retain 15% of the royalties while the winning author will keep 85%.  We'll set the price on the paperback and/or hardcover.        

Good luck and keep writing!

Tom Waters

Doubt It Publishing

Voices From The Herd Reading Booked For Monday, December 6th at 6:30 p.m.@ Desiderio’s On Broadway!

     I’m overjoyed to announce that the writers, poets and talents behind Voices From The Herd: An Anthology For Buffalo, NY will be reading and signing copies of the book at Desiderio’s On Broadway (5827 Broadway Avenue on the corner of Broadway and Bowen) on the dinner theater stage on Monday, December 6^th at 6:30 p.m.  We realize that the holiday season is a busy time for everyone, which is why we planned the event early in the month before things get too hectic.

     This is a great opportunity to enjoy a wonderful evening of free entertainment in a fine dining atmosphere, support local arts, contribute to a great cause, buy a reasonably priced book for Buffalo readers and expatriates and help out the Just Buffalo Literary Center all in the same night!  Copies of the book will be available for sale ($13) throughout the event, but supplies will be limited.  We strongly encourage you to buy a copy ahead of time through lulu.com.  Royalties are sent out directly and quarterly to Just Buffalo and so far the book has raised almost $300 for the organization. 

I’ll be recording the event for podcast inclusion for my show on thinktwiceradio.com and we’ll announce attending artists as the date approaches.  In the four years that I’ve lived in Lancaster, Desiderio’s has become a second home to me in addition to my first choice for all of my book launches.  Desiderio’s has earned a reputation for excellence at multiple locations for their exceptional food, personalized service, comfortable atmosphere and unique entertainment.       

In addition to the Voices From The Herd live reading, they're launching 'My Three Angels', a play by Sam and Bella Spewak from Dec.4th through January 30th. It's the story of three convicts who come to the aid of a good family in need. Call early to book a reservation at 683-7767. Dinner/show packages range from $36-46 depending on your entree. Thurs, Fri, Saturday dinner is 6 p.m. (Show is 8 p.m.). Sunday Dinner is 5 p.m. and Show is 7 p.m.

Desiderio's has also announced Tom Sartori's Holiday Caberet on December 16th, 17th, 18th and 19th. Ring in the holidays with a Buffalo native who became a singer, songwriter and recording artist who went on to play all over the country. Tom returns to Buffalo in December to perform the songs of the season with many of the Holiday Tunes you've come to love over the years. You'll definitely leave Desiderio's with the Joy of the season in your heart.

I truly can’t wait for the Voices From The Herd event on the 6^th.  In a season of giving, we’re looking forward to giving you great entertainment while we all give something back to the Just Buffalo Literary Center.

Happy Holidays (in advance),

Tom Waters

Co-Editor

Voices From The Herd

Voices From The Herd Reading & Signing Booked For November 5th. Mark Your Calendars!

Hey all,
Cindy Mantai and Justine Janora have booked a reading and signing on Friday, November 5th at 7:30 p.m. at Spot Coffee on the corner of Delaware and Chippewa for the first of many promotions for Voices From The Herd. If you are a contributor and you would like to read and/or attend, please JOIN the discussion on the official group page and state your intentions. They've asked me to message all of you so that we can reach as many members as possible. If you aren't a contributor and you're interested in attending so that you can support Just Buffalo and the project by buying a copy of the book and having it signed by the contributors, please join the discussion on the group page and let us know about that, too. We'd like to have a ballpark idea of how many copies to bring to Spot so that we don't sell out before we meet demand.
And finally, if anyone is willing to loan PA equipment for the event, we're looking for a microphone, a mic stand and some speakers/equalizers for the event. Please remember that this is a non-profit publicity junket, so any help would be appreciated.
Thank you in advance for your interest in Voices From The Herd and we hope to see you there!

Tom Waters
Co-Editor

Mission Statement Of Sorts

     Welcome to the new site.  Since founding Doubt It Publishing two years ago, it's about time that we had an official site for interested consumers, curious authors, and puzzled literary agents.  With five published and successful books under our belt, it's high time that we made our presence known.
     Doubt It Publishing was conceived almost a decade ago as a means to trumpet the unbelievable talent and untapped potential of a strong literary undercurrent in Buffalo, NY.  There are too many unsung and brilliant voices in the region and instead of charging unreasonable 'entry fees' for contests, hooking up our pals for book deals and publishing their books under vanity presses with university connections or funding the company for our own selfish means while extorting the raw talent that fuels us, we decided to do something honest.
     This is the beginning of a new publishing house.  Reasonable publishing commissions for a select number of new authors per year.  As a founder and fellow writer, I'm not out to exploit someone else's work and I have no desire to profit on someone else's brain child since we're in the same boat.  I plan on paying charging 15% on sales of the book while working directly with each author to implement a publicity plan that's specific to the their goals, availability, and the genre itself.  While I am not a distributor, Doubt It Publishing will distribute through lulu.com (and by extension Amazon, Barnes & Noble and other online retailers) where we can set a price point and thereby calculate a fair commission for contributors. 
     I've got fifteen years of experience writing for every newspaper, weekly alternative paper and magazine in Buffalo and beyond.  I've promoted my own books in corporate bookstores (Media Play, Borders, FYE), local proprietorships (Talking Leaves, Rust Belt Books), coffee shops (Spot Coffee), nightclubs (Desiderios, Magruders, Lafeyette Tap Room) and more.  I've promoted on the air with Brian Kahle, Country 106.5 FM WYRK, and Time Warner Cable.  As the host of a radio show (The Big Words I Know By Heart Radio Hour) that's gone on to attract hundreds of downloads per month and unique hits in the neighborhood of 100,000 or more, I'm happy to say that I can bend the ear of a specific audience.
     I'm looking to take on one new author per year.  After a successful anthology launch (Voices From The Herd: An Anthology For Buffalo NY), it's time to take Doubt It to new and ambitious heights.  If you're a Buffalo author and you have a polished manuscript, I'd like to hear from you.  Please send a query with a cover letter, and synopsis to bigwordsmailbag@yahoo.com.  The clock is ticking on 2010.  We've got two months left to select a new distinguished author for 2011. 
      You can print on demand or pay through the ear for a local 'publisher' who's juiced in with all the right people and make less than nothing.  Or you can trust my experience and place your convictions in a fellow writer who's been toiling away in the trenches right along with you.  Life has afforded me a modicum of success, connections and media access.  I'd like to share it with somone else.  My deadline is January 1st, 2011.  Fiction, Nonfiction, or Poetry. I'm specifically looking for short story collections, contemporary fiction or consistent and challenging poetry.  If you have a talent in written word worth promoting (and a desire to actively promote your book in Buffalo), I'd like to partner with you.

Sincerely,
Tom Waters
Publisher
Doubt It Publishing