It's a tough time for romance publishers, it seems. Not only did Ellora's Cave close its doors in January, Samhain is now following suit. They tried downsizing but it didn't work. The market is swamped with self-published novels of varying quality, and Amazon has traditional publishers by the short and curlies.
I have only one book with Samhain; my Arabian Nights romance Heart of Flame. So your chance to get your hands on it (in its current format) is running out! All rights will revert to me in March, but it'll need a new cover/publisher/me to finally get my finger out and learn self-publishing... There may be some delay!
By day, Taqla uses her forbidden sorcery to move freely about the city of Damascus in the guise of an old sage. Her true identity known only by her faithful servant woman, Taqla is content with the comfortable, if restrictive, life that keeps her safe from the control of any man. Until she lays eyes on a handsome merchant-traveler. Suddenly her magical disguise doesn’t rest so easily on her shoulders. When long-time widower, Rafiq, hears that the Amir’s beautiful daughter has been kidnapped by a scheming djinni—and that she will be given in marriage to her rescuer—he seeks the help of “Umar the Wise” to ensure he will be that man. Yet as he and the disguised Taqla set off, he senses that his prickly male companion is hiding something. In a moment of dire peril, all of Taqla’s secrets are stripped bare—her fears, her sorcery and, worst of all, her love for Rafiq. Yet the princess’s life hangs in the balance, and there is no running away or turning back. Even though passion may yet betray them all…
This is Samhain's official letter to readers:
"Greetings, Samhain Readers.
It's with a heavy heart that we announce Samhain Publishing will be closing at the end of February. Due to the declining sales we’ve been experiencing with this changing market we’ve come to the sad conclusion it’s time to call it a day.
The last of our new titles launch February 21st; I hope you will check them out and support them as you have so many other Samhain titles through the years."
Our site will go dark at the end of the day, February 28th. Please take a few moments and visit, buy what you might have been planning on getting someday in the future, but download and back up your bookshelf because you won’t have access to it after February 28th.
Thank you for all your support through the eleven years we’ve been open. It’s been a pleasure to bring to market new voices in publishing and new works from familiar authors. From start to finish, we’ve always kept what the reader wants in mind and hope you enjoyed what we had to offer."
Buy 'Heart of Flame' at Amazon US
2 comments:
Ah, no. Very tough times. Loved Heart of Flame. I hope it finds its way back into world soon.
Thank you! - I like it a lot. Fingers crossed!
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