Lyrical Press Publisher Renee Rocco Interviewed

Lyrical Press: I'm all ready. Give me your best (worst. lol).

TK: Oh do not tempt me. I was planning on being nice! So Renee Rocco Publisher of Lyrical Press, welcome to the Backseat.

Renee: Thank you for having me, Terry.

TK: Well since you invited me to do my worst we shall see if you are still saying that at the end of the interview. Here goes... There are a lot of Presses out there today, what makes Lyrical stand out?

Renee: Frank and I are extremely on-hand publishers. We are right there in the fire with our authors and editors. I’m also an author, so I know firsthand what a fellow writer is looking for in a publisher and I work every day to live up to their expectations.

TK: As an author what made you decide to start a publishing house?

Renee: Having been in the industry for years, I wanted to do my part to give other authors the opportunity I was given. The idea of helping other authors made everything else I was doing pale in comparison. Sitting where I am now, I know Frank and I couldn’t have made a better decision.

TK: Is it hard to give up time writing? Even if you are helping others.

Renee: Not really. I still write occasionally and that’s okay. I love Lyrical Press so much that when I’m not writing I rarely miss it.

TK: How are you working to get Lyrical out to readers? Is the competition out there for the same readers or is the interest in small presses that seems to be growing a benefit to all?

Renee: With all the fantastic publishers out there, large and small, readers have an abundance of books to choose from – and we’re all definitely fighting for the same readers for the most part. Lyrical’s authors have been amazing at helping put Lyrical on the map, so to speak. Their enthusiasm constantly feeds my own, especially on those overwhelming days. And we all have them! As a unit, we all put in the elbow grease to continue to grab the attention of readers. And most importantly, we all work hard to produce quality books, which is the best advertisement of all!

TK: What do you think will be the big sellers in 2010? What are you aquiring?

Renee: Erotica will always sell well digitally, so that’s the genre we’re going to focus the most on. Since Lyrical also favors paranormal stories, we’re actively seeking that genre with an erotica splash to them.

TK: Paranormal comes in many yummy lollipop flavors, what are your favorites?

Renee: Anything dark and gothic. I would absolutely love to see more of that type of story come to us.

TK: I hear whispers of Horror and Erotic Romance meeting, any thoughts?

Renee: I would stand up and cheer if we were lucky enough to nab that blend.

TK: Interesting. So what has been the most effective means of getting the word out about your books? Paranormal is a saturated market in many ways.

Renee: I would have to say word of mouth about our books. You can take out a million ads, advertise on every website – but if the quality of a publisher’s books is lacking readers won’t continue to buy. Of course, we did see a nice increase in sales each time we took out an ad in Romantic Times magazine. But again, if our books were lacking we’d have lost those readers after the first book they'd purchased. And we didn’t! Our sales have been steady since our first ad in that magazine.

TK: Quality is key.

Renee: Yes, it is.

TK: So one last question, perhaps the hardest one of all. If Lyrical Press was itself a lollipop what flavor would you be?

Renee: Cherry. Without a doubt.

TK: That is what a think Romance in the Backseat is too - bright, red, with a bit of bite.

Renee: Exactly.

TK: Renee thank you so much for your time and insight!

Renee Rocco: Thank you for allowing me this opportunity. It was so much fun talking with you, Terry.

Terry Kate: Oh you can join me in the Backseat any time! - Find out about more about Lyrical Press on their site - http://lyricalpress.com/

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