Has anyone ever heard of these guys? http://www.domtom.co.uk

While they look mainly like a self-publishing service, they do also claim to offer 'full publishing deals'. They look very new and not exactly confident in their own abilities, so their website doesn't inspire me to contact them - BUT one of their books got an excellent review in the Historical Novels Review, so I just thought I would mention them and see if anyone has any thoughts.

Caro

Well, they aren't listed in Preditors and Editors, but then they are new...looks like a self-publishing agency to me. There is no talk of submitting chaps or the possibiltiy of rejection.

So, might be worth a try if you want to go down the self-publishing route, but i don't think they are any more than that.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I thought. Might have another look when I'm even more desperate!

If you decide to go down the self-publishing route make sure you send the ms off to a decent copy-editor first.


- NaomiM

There only seem to be three books featured on the site. Which may be because it's very new... But they do look rather cheaply produced. I'd be a bit wary, to be honest. Or rather, if I were contacting them, there are lots of questons I'd ask - particularly about their previous experience, if this really is all they've so far published, and about their marketing strategies.

Rosy

Yes, it does look a bit shoddy, doesn't it? I think even if I were thinking of self-publishing, which I'm not, I'd try a more established company.

Caro

It looks like a company set up by the author to publish her own books, who is now offering the service to like minded writers.

their marketing strategies

The main difference between traditional publishing and self-publishing companies is the latter don't have 'marketing strategies' - that is left up to the authors themselves. At best they can offer advice on how to start selling your books.

I heard that AuthorHouse was developing links with Macmillan to get books into the bookshops, but that is the expensive option and there's still no guarantee of sales.


- NaomiM

This is the website for the novels: http://www.mayflowermaid.com/ which, strangely enough, seem to be written by two people who have formed a... erm... 'writing partnership,' the nature of which can only be guessed at from the photo of them.

I do think the books sound quite good, though.

Actually I would be very careful about what you say - as even here you can be found guilty of libel!
I am Sue Allan and no - Domtom is nothing to do with me other than being my publisher - and nor is my co-author Roger Vorhauer anything other than my co-author.Publicity pictures are only ever that - a point worth remembering. Besides, a little sexual chemistry between two opposite sex co-authors is no bad thing - even if staged.

If you looked further at my website you would see that Mayflower Maid was voted among the best reads of 2005 by BBC Open Book, that I appeared in the Smithsonian Magazine last November, that I have just returned from a book signing at The Jamestown Settlement in Virgina for 'Jamestown Woman' and taken part in eight local BBC Radio shows in the past eight weeks (five of which were 3 hour breakfast show specials inspired by Mayflower Maid).This sort of publicity does not just happen... need I say more?

For the record, I was first published by Babash -Ryan books in 2005- not self-published thank you. When they suddenly ceased trading in 2006 I then went to a new publisher I had heard just started up - Domtom.

While Domtom do engage in the self- publishing side of the market , you might well count yourself fortunate if they were to accept your manuscript as they only publish work which they believe is of a high standard and saleable. Ask the many they have already rejected.

I am very satisified with Domtomm and I think you may well find them worth watching over the coming months as they have a number of very interesting authors in the offing- one already a well known name.

The best of wishes and luck to you all - Sue

Thank you for coming on and setting the record straight, Sue, & congratulations on your success. And here's wishing Domtom every success with their new venture.

The site doesn't look at all bad to me, and small independent publishers have to start somewhere. No one slags off Goldenford.

Hi Sue, thanks for the useful info and please accept my apologies for the flippant remarks - I hope I can make up for it by buying The Mayflower Maid. The review in HNR certainly caught my attention and made we want to find out more.

I will keep an eye out for Domtom's publications in the future.

Sorry again and best wishes!

Caro

No need to apologize - I just thought I should put the record straight.If ever I can be of assistance to any of you good people in the future, please do not hesitate to contact me through my author website.
Warmest Regards,
Sue Allan

Thanks for being so gracious, Sue! Hope you'll stick around - this is a great site for writers at any stage of their career, and I'm sure your input would be appreciated by many.

Thank you my friend. I think I might just do that. So nice to have some nice company in this otherwise mad world of being a writer!