Story Catcher Publishing Expansion: What Is Author “Vetting”?

Opening up for submissions this Fall will be like opening the flood gates. We expect to get a number of different publishing queries because we will offer ways to help writers of picture books, chapter books, middle grade books, young adult books, and specialty books a way to become published authors when they may not have been able to step into the publishing world before.

Maybe it was outside their budget to self-publish properly.

Maybe it was too overwhelming to maneuver their way through all the channels to produce a quality product.

Maybe they are looking for a support team to help them achieve their goal of having a publishing career.

Whatever the reason, writers will be submitting to Story Catcher Publishing looking for a chance to work with someone knowledgeable in the field of publishing to help them share their story with the world.

But we will be looking for someone too.

“Vetting” is when someone investigates someone they potentially want to connect with. Agents, editors, publishers, etc. usually look at a number of factors before deciding to reach out to a writer. Here are some of the places SCP will check for activity…

Google…We will do a Google search of the writer’s name to see what pops up. Do a Google search of either my author name or Story Catcher Publishing, and you will find a long list of articles, images, and ways to find out more about us. Authors we want to work with may not have as many search links as we do, but it will give us a starting point.

Website…It’s one of the best ways to learn more about a writer. If they have a website, and especially a blog, it helps give a better sense of their personality and writing style.

Social Media…We will check if they have a presence in groups like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Linkedin, etc. If they do, we’ll look at their posts, engagement level, number of followers, etc. to give us an idea of what level of assistance they might need from us for their project. If they don’t, that also tells us how much help they might need in the future.

Other Connections…If a query letter identifies some previous connection between the writer and SCP, we might reach out to those connections to learn more about those writers. We plan on working very hard to assist our authors with their future publishing careers, so the more we know, the better we can help them!

Vetting is a standard industry practice which helps both writers and agents, editors, or publishers better determine the best way to move forward.

Everyone at Story Catcher Publishing is excitedly counting down the days to when we open for submissions, so make sure to come back next week for another update on our expansion…

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Hybrid published author, Donna L Martin, has been writing since she was eight years old. She is a 4th Degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo by day and a ‘ninja’ writer of flash fiction, children’s picture books, chapter books, young adult novels and inspirational essays by night. Donna offers occasional BOOK NOOK REVIEWS of great children’s books and offers WRITERLY WISDOM to new and established writers. She is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Alliance of Independent Authors, and Children’s Book Insider. Donna loves dark chocolate, going to the beach and adding to her growing book collection.

Want to connect?

Email: [email protected]

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LinkedIn: Donna L Martin/Story Catcher Publishing

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Mail: Donna L Martin

c/o Story Catcher Publishing

P O Box 27788

Knoxville, Tn 37927

Donna L

Hybrid award winning author; aspiring sketch artist; and 4th Degree Senior Certified Taekwondo Instructor. Host of BOOK NOOK REVIEWS. Member of SCBWI. Mom to fabulous son and adventurer delving into the tricky world of indie-publishing.

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