Okay, I've decided to re-activate an interest I once held dear and was successful at as an avocation -- Small Press Publishing!

To that end, I've started Tiny Pagans Press, intending to publish childrens' books that are Pagan-Friendly, a niche market that seems to need filling. Submissions can be sent through the Tiny Pagans Press website, found HERE.

Here's my writers and artisits guidelines:

Tiny Pagans Press Writers and Artists Guidelines

The Toddler age group is usually interested in simple, easy to understand stories or rhyming poems that can be read to them by a parent, guardian or older sibling, accompanied by brightly coloured illustrations that reflect the words of the story or poem -- think Early Golden Books for an example. These should run from 50 to no more than 200 words, though the shorter works are preferred. These will be published in large-format (8 1/2" by 11" pages) with both full-page and half-page illustrations. Cover Art should have an upper splash area for title and author name, Back-cover Art is a 'surround' of the splash area, where a brief synopsis or review can be placed.

First Readers are children just beginning or with minimal reading skills -- Usually ages 4 to 8 -- who still enjoy books that can be read to them, again with colourful illustrations, but have more than a 'bare-bones' storyline. These should run between 250 to 800 words. The Disney Classics line, retellings of the animated movie plotlines with paintings of the characters in simplified form, are a good example. These will also be published in large-format.

Tweens (Ages 9 to 12) want more storyline and plot, yet using words appropriate to that age group's vocabulary. This was the target audience for the first 'Harry Potter' book. Manuscripts can range from 1000 to 5000 words, though if the story is attractive enough, slightly longer works will be considered. In no case should stories run over 8000 words. These will have Full Colour Cover Art, preferably in 'wraparound' (front and back cover a single picture) format featuring a scene from the story. Splash areas for Titles, Author Names, and plot synopsis/reviews are essential. These will be published in Booklet (5 1/2" by 8 1/2") format.

I will accept submissions via E-mail, attached as TXT or RTF files, or through the USPS -- please ask for a mailing address.

The nitty-gritty on payment:

I offer two options on manuscripts -- a one time payment of two cents per word for all rights, or an advance payment of one-half cent per word and royalties of 20% on retail sales for all rights. I know this isn't a lot, but I am only a small press operator, and the print runs can be expensive for me 'out of pocket'. The up side is that you get your name out there as a 'published author' and, if the book sells well, you'll get preferential treatment on additional books, with slightly higher payments -- plus I'll give good references to the larger publishing houses. I have had authors in the past who have gone on to publish with Random House, Ballantine, and Del Ray publishing houses.

For Artwork, I can only offer a single option -- an advance payment to be negotiated, along with royalties of 15% on retail sales for usage rights -- you may offer prints and/or the original for sale at your discretion, and hold all copyrights. This is the best I can do and remain a viable publishing house.

... or more just saying Hello! Call me Robert -- the 'de Hwyl' is Welsh for 'of Cheer' -- though because of the vagaries of the Welsh Language, the 'Hwyl' is considered to be a feminine descriptive, it could be translated as "Robert, who makes the ladies be happy" or "Robert, who makes the ladies laugh", or even "Robert, who is laughed at by ladies..." (But let's just ignore that last translation, okay?)

In any case, happy to be here, looking forward to discussions, learning, sharing knowledge, and making friends.