Lourdes Trammell
- Executive Publisher and Chief Editor
with Bothsams
Publishing -
G'day folks,
I am always seeking a variety of people to interview. Here is a writer and publisher, which is exactly what I am.
Welcome, Lourdes ...
1. WHEN AND HOW DID YOU BECOME
A PUBLISHER?
I began originally as a musician and
composer/songwriter with the old BMI songwriter’s guild in the 90s. From there,
I became a licensing agent for multi-media content in 2002 (music, video and
film licensing and publishing) and eventually realized, with distribution and
promotion and editorial services, I could do a lot for the independent writer’s
industry as well. I registered my music licensing and publishing previously, so
I refiled to include book publishing early in 2018.
2. WHY A PUBLISHER?
When I published my first book, I
encountered so many difficulties dealing with publishing resources, that I took
my licensing agency with ASCAP and converted to full, traditional publishing,
but for multi-media content and designed to assist independent artists.
Independents cannot get to traditional publishers, most of whom are not authors
and don’t understand authors’ needs, so, my company goes to the authors,
instead, accepting unsolicited submissions, doing pro bono consulting and
contract review, and promoting selected authors/artists whose work we really
endorse.
3. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST
ABOUT BEING A PUBLISHER?
As a publisher, I can do so much more
for other artists. Traditional publishers just squat on their catalogues, do
not foster artist communities or “scenes,” do not meet contributors
face-to-face, and pretend that they know what “quality” is, as if they hold the
golden keys. It’s just not true. I’d like to bring the traditional industry out
from behind its veil of secrecy so artists can make better decisions and have
traditional resources that formerly would be completely inaccessible to them. I
saw “the machine” of the music industry just chew up so many good, talented
artists. I’d like to provide an alternative for independent authors before all
that good work goes down the drain.
4. WHAT IS THE HARDEST THING
ABOUT YOUR JOB?
I was an industry artist – I had the
full backing of guilds, agencies, labels, conductors, etc. Independent artists
generally have not had that “grooming” experience, and they’ve been burned.
They are very distrustful, and extremely worried about misappropriation –
rightfully so. So, the dialogue and outreach we do is often met with extreme
scepticism, which is understandable, but from our perspective, is virtually a
sign of a history of abuse and neglect, as we call it, on the part of the
industry. To us, it’s just a reminder of how awful that machine really was, and
still is. Ironically, as a publisher, we face more “rejection” than I ever did
as an artist LOL But...the industry gives you patience and a thick skin.
5. WHAT WERE YOU IN A PAST
LIFE, BEFORE YOU BECAME A PUBLISHER?
Musician, performer, martial arts
choreographer, Air Force veteran, scholar, spoken word performer, consultant,
film, TV and broadcast producer and licensing agent, educator, writer...finally
publisher. And, for several years, an equestrian and athlete (track).
6. HOW MANY BOOKS HAVE YOU
PUBLISHED?
I have published two, with three in the
queue.
7. WHAT ARE YOU READING AT THE
MOMENT?
Actually, two academic manuscripts about
decolonizing education, but I am a big fan of John McWhorter (linguistics).
8. WHAT INSPIRES YOU AS A
PUBLISHER?
Straight up...original, crafted language
in an authentic voice, really thick situations, no contrived, superficial,
plug-and-play tropes or characters that are like paper dolls – you could just
switch them out or redress them and they’d be essentially the same with
different names, etc. I love authentic dialect. And most of all, a surprise
ending. I hate warm, fuzzy, safe, typical, snarky, superficial (“trendy”),
vapid, or malicious stuff...it’s tripe. I especially enjoy extremely
well-researched historical fiction, and biographies, and authors who bother to
deliver elegantly produced manuscripts (layout and graphics, font, etc., were
all carefully chosen and reflect the author’s intent and perspective, for instance).
9. DO YOU PREFER TO PUBLISH A
PARTICULAR GENRE? WHY?
No, actually, I will publish and/or
promote and endorse what I consider superior, rich, authentic writing,
regardless of genre. Also, I have a sense of what’s relevant and “important” in
contemporary culture and society, and what’s the “next new thing.”
10.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TIPS
FOR NEW WRITERS?
New writers are very...integrated in
their relationship to themselves and their own experiences. You want to try
writing about things you actually know nothing about or even vehemently
disagree with, to find out what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. Can
you characterize and even come to understand – if not forgive – a monster, for
instance? With that distance, your craft, and instrumentality, and particular
style, will shine through much more strongly, but this is counterintuitive to
most new writers. If you’re just putting out your diary with some name changes
and a bit of personal indulgence, you’re not really working toward mastering
your craft. Also, in our case, please do not worry about sending us a perfect
manuscript. We will work to develop it. Do not be afraid to reach out to
publishers and publicists to pitch yourselves and your work. Know your worth,
and the value of artists in society, and believe that you matter. Do NOT take
no for an answer, or let bad reviews or disinterest dissuade you - ever.
11.
DO YOU HAVE A
FAVOURITE PLACE TO WORK?
Kitchen table, way late into the night,
with a couple of candles glowing, and I handwrite my drafts...(way too Gothic,
I know LOL)
12.
WHAT IS YOUR
GREATEST JOY IN PUBLISHING A MANUSCRIPT?
There are a couple of joy bumps...when
you see the finished layout, when your Kirkus review comes back glowing, when
your reviewers say, “I’ve never heard a voice like this,” and then when the
book finally arrives and you get to sign it for those people who supported you
all the way. Seeing it on a shelf in a bookstore...that’s a bit of a mixed bag.
13.
WHO IS YOUR
FAVOURITE ALL TIME AUTHOR? WHY?
Of authors...I will read everything Neil
Gaiman puts out. His incredible grasp of literature, his wry and prosaic
phrasing, and the beautiful, dangerous worlds he creates...mesmerizing.
14.
WHAT’S THE GREATEST
COMPLIMENT YOU EVER RECEIVED FROM A CLIENT?
“I could not have done this without
you.”
15.
WHAT WAS THE WORST
COMMENT FROM A CLIENT?
When a deal for licensing fell through,
the client, who was representing his son, said, “You didn’t tell the world how
important he is...” He just didn’t understand that there’s always another, and
usually a better, deal when the first one dries up and blows away.
16.
DO SOME OF YOUR
CLIENTS FRUSTRATE YOU?
Always...they’re frustrated, and
anxious, anyway, so, eventually, it wafts over through the phone and email, but
it’s expected.
17.
WRITERS ARE
SOMETIMES INFLUENCED BY THINGS THAT HAPPEN IN THEIR OWN LIVES. ARE YOU AS A
PUBLISHER?
Certainly. I am indigenous (Acadian-Cree:
Quebec) and I also work with human rights practitioners in heavy conflict
areas, globally. Some of the stories that come to us are so incredibly
painful...it gets to you.
18.
OTHER THAN
PUBLISHING, WHAT ELSE DO YOU LOVE?
Music.
19.
DO YOU ALSO WRITE?
Of course...and I teach creative
writing, linguistics and poetry, as well as scriptwriting, speechwriting, and
documentary production.
20.
ARE SOME MANUSCRIPTS
DIFFICULT TO REVIEW? WHY?
Of course...you can see that the author,
thinking they need to appeal to what they think a publisher wants, had
sabotaged the manuscript with unnecessary alterations...especially, when they
dilute the impact or clean up language unnecessarily...I understand it, but, we
have to go back in the editorial phase and say, basically, “Look, Mozart, put
the ballet back in.”
21.
DESCRIBE YOUR
PERFECT DAY.
Ah...strolling, stopping in to see
friends, getting a good sing-along going...no phones or devices dinging
anywhere, no one in a rush, no particular place to be.
22.
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS
FOR THE FUTURE?
Launching our new series, a translation
project with two NGOs in Ghana, two festivals, exhibitor’s tours, and securing
a cable media channel.
23.
DO YOU HAVE MUCH TO
DO WITH OTHER PUBLISHERS?
I do have contact with a few, but they
are, as I said, notoriously secretive and proprietary...almost “stuck up.”
24.
HOW DO YOU SEE
PUBLISHING IN GENERAL? POSITIVE?
Well, if you don’t distribute your work
(“publishing”), how is it going to get into the hands of readers? Even
uploading it to social media channels is publishing.
25.
WHAT’S YOUR VIEW ON
E-BOOKS VERSUS TRADITIONAL BOOKS?
E-books give more options, are easier to
produce, easier to share and use for promotional ops, and fantastic for ease of
access by reviewers. Many print books cannot contain graphics, due to cost, but
ebooks can be little mini art galleries. Audio books, as well, are fantastic as
e-format material.
26.
IS THERE ANY ONE
THING THAT ‘SMACKS YOU IN THE FACE’ AFTER READING A MANUSCRIPT, OR IS IT A
COLLECTION OF THINGS?
Glaring tropes...instantly recognizable
and a massive “no,” for me. A good manuscript starts with an incredible
situation, crafted language, and atypical characters and reactions/plot twists.
The emotional or intellectual impact is full, something you have to process,
right from the get-go. When you’re afraid to turn the page but can’t put the
book down – yep. That’s a bestseller.
Clancy's comment: Thank you, Lourdes. Very interesting indeed, and I enjoyed your easy writing style.
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