HAPPY FIRST BIRTHDAY!!!

On Saturday July 12, 2013 Gorillas with Scissors Press (GWS Press) turned one year old. My seventh child has been through a lot in the last year and is stronger and more playful than ever. It has been a long and back braking road that we have traveled … but it has been more than worth it.

Everything can be traced to January of last year when I read (listened to) Kevin Smith’s book “Tough Shit” and my world changed. I was in a very low place when it came to my writing career. Not the same depths of self pity I had reached after my tenure with Palladium but still enough to have me doubting myself. After reading the book I knew that I needed to change my approach or I was never going to make it.

Now for a little back story.

Since leaving Palladium and deciding to turn down Freelance RPG work in favor of writing my trilogy of zombie books I had been playing the traditional game. I had spent the entire year of 2011 researching and submitting over 100 query letters to agents and publishers. I played the game, I chased my tail, and I got jack shit for my efforts. It might have been different if I received lettered back that at least said they looked at what I sent them.

Out of 117 letters (just counted) one person looked at my sample and responded.

ONE

To be fair this agent was very encouraging. She said that she was swamped and didn’t think she could devote enough attention to me but that it was a good story and that with the help of a pro editor it could be fantastic.

I still thank her for that response.

In the end I decided to go it alone. I have been in the publishing business since 2007 and have gleaned more than a few tricks. I did my diligence and researched Indie/Selfie publishing and on July 12, 2012 the monkey with shears was loosed on the world. He has been a wild beast but taking care of him, nurturing him, and watching him grow has been amazing.

As of this writing I have published 42 novels, novellas, short stories, serials, and essays through my own publishing company. It feels amazing to be the man handling the ball, scary but amazing. Sales have been good and a respectable chunk of change has been funneled my way and I thank every single person who has been good enough to PAY to read my stuff and give me awesome feedback!

You people are the best.

But Josh what is coming next?

First and foremost I want to turn out product. I am working on getting a more editorial support group via Beta Readers and paid editors. I want to put together a street team to help promote the work in the real world. I am also going to be concentrating on serials this year. There are three different serials (Summer Camp of the Dead, The Preserve, and Welcome to Westlake) that are being plowed through behind the scenes.

What’s the biggish news?

I have signed a new writer, a friend of mine in the real world, to open up the Adult Division of GWS Press which I will be calling “Sexy Monkey Publishing”. The first of his stuff will be being rereleased through us in the next few weeks. His name is CT Phillips (pen name) and he can currently be contacted/scoped out at his website (www.ctphillipsauthor.com). Be warned this is not romance he is a porn writer and hey, there is money in porn!

Okay my minions, that is all I have right now!

-Josh