We specialize in fast-paced storylines packed with action and excitement. The romance stories focus on the developing relationship between the hero/heroine. Sensuality ranges from mild to steamy. Our heroines in the romance line are strong women from their mid-twenties and upward. She can hold her own with her alpha male counterpart who is edgy and often dark and dangerous or mysterious and illusive. The reward for triumphing over the dangers faced and overcome is neverending happiness.
STEAMPUNK
Our Steampunk line presents Historical Romance in an edgy and fresh way, concentrating on the 1800's. Well-researched historical details and costuming set the stage for a marriage between Victorian elegance and modern technology. This genre focuses on romance amidst such elements as steam-driven robots, pimped out stagecoaches, and Peter Pan worthy dirigibles fueled by gaslight mood settings, Dr. Whosits and leather boots below military-influenced corsets trimmed with lace and ribbons. Think of romance set in a psuedo-modern Wild, Wild West; The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen; 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea; The Wizard of Oz; and Golden Compass.
Daring adventures are taken aboard mechanical marvels with a final destination of Happily Ever After.
Word Count: 65,000-90,000 words.
PARANORMAL
Paranormal means "beyond" normal, or anything that cannot be explained by science, be it cryptids or apparitions. It is different from fantasy in that it takes place on "our" planet, as in our modern world. Lord of the Rings has magic and other beyond normal elements, but it takes place in another realm, so is classified as Fantasy.
Word Count: 65,000-105,000 words.
URBAN FANTASY
The fantastical elements may be woven into an alternate version of our own world involving vampires, demons and angels, and/or werewolves, or they may be more ordinary manifestations of the paranormal—humans with psychic abilities, witches, or apparitions. Time-travel, futuristic, and extraterrestrial romances also fall into this category.
Word Count: 80,000-110,000
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Though the core content of this category is still the relationship between the hero and heroine, there is also an exciting element of suspense or mystery.
Word Count: 50,000-70,000
GOTHIC SUSPENSE
This category is similar to a romantic suspense; however, the setting is historical.
Word Count: 50,000-70,000
HISTORICAL
These romances take place in an historical setting and reflect the events and cultural traditions of that time period.
Word Count: 60,000-95,000
REGENCY
These romances take place in the Regency Era, 1800-1820, and both the storyline and characters reflect the events and cultural traditions of that time period.
Word Count: 50,000-85,000
SINGLE TITLE CONTEMPORARY
By definition, contemporary novels reflect the modern setting or current time period and social mores in which they are written. Therefore, they become dated quite quickly. We hope to publish contemporary romance novels that, like Jane Austin's, survive the test of time and in the future become historical novels.
Word Count: 60,000-95,000
Steampunk involves an era or world where steam power is still widely used—usually the 19th century and often Victorian era Britain—that incorporates prominent elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them; in other words, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne or real technologies like the computer but developed earlier in an alternate history.
Other examples of steampunk contain alternate history-style presentations of "the path not taken" for such technology as dirigibles, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage's Analytical engine. The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, is a good example of steampunk, and The Wild Wild West with Will Smith…The Time Machine, though science fiction centered, is also Steampunk.
Word Count: 60,000 to 105,000 words.
Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Urban Fantasy is also a sub-genre of Fantasy. Often, though not always, urban fantasies are set in contemporary cities. Though they can also be historical or involve time travel, they often reveal a supernatural solution to conspiracy theories (urban legends), involve alien beings or other fantastic elements.
Word Count: 60,000 to 110,000 words.
Stargazer Imprint publishes edgy category fantasy with many of the above features. Tales of magic and other supernatural phenomena are featured by this imprint. Many works within the genre take place in elaborate fictional worlds where magic is common. In the magical world the author creates, the readers move from our ordinary, mundane world into the mystical world of experiences beyond imagination. By tapping into those experiences readers learn more about themselves.
In fantasy worlds, heroes take arduous journeys, confront mythlogical creatures, discover lost treasure, and change the nature of their world through selfless acts. They are legendary beings who possess the strength and daring-do to heed the call of adventure and transcend the mundane realm of their ordinary world. Fantasy heroes triumph over death, defeat or devastation. Though the price is sometimes high, at the end they earn the cherished treasure hidden within themselves and share it with us, their readers, who have made the journey with them.
Elizabeth Fortin, Editor
Tales of horror featured by this imprint have the ability to frighten readers. They provoke emotional, psychological or even physical responses. Less fanciful and more horrific than fantasy, many horror tales have their roots in folklore or religious traditions and superstitions centered around death, the afterlife, evil and the demonic. These may still include stories of witches, vampires, werewolves, ghosts, and other supernatural beings such as phantoms or mummies. They can also be terrifyingly real with villains who are serial killers or terrorists. Horror stories play upon people's fears and build scenarios they can relate to, such as fear of the unknown, phobias or anxieties. The main ingredients in excellent horror are the haunting possibility of its truth and the inevitable occurence of the unexpected.
Nightshade Imprint is proud to feature cutting edge storylines that feature the unusual and the fascinating in both content and setting. Steampunk is welcome in this imprint as well.
Word count: 75,000-105,000
Elizabeth Fortin, Editor
The main ingredient of an excellent mystery is suspense. Our mysteries reflect a respect for fans of suspense by containing red herrings that don't insult their intelligence. They instead test their inner sleuth, providing tantalizing clues and intriguing storylines. The characters are believeable and the hero or heroine earn the respect and support of their reading audience. Whodunnit? Read and speculate as you track the final reveal.
Casablanca Imprint is proud to feature cutting edge storylines that feature the unusual and the fascinating in both content and setting.
Word Count: 75,000 to 105,000 words.
Elizabeth Fortin, Editor
In our Thistle Imprint, you will find exciting stories of Steampunk, Paranormal and Fantasy. Our main protagonists are from 16 to 20-something years old, and have to face and resolve conflicts that are out of the ordinary.
STEAMPUNK
Steampunk is a subculture of fantasy and speculative fiction in which the steam technology and style of the Victorian era combine with inventions of the modern day technology. This lifestyle is both very futuristic in the sense of innovation, yet retro in fashion and materials used.
The word Steampunk refers to a particular genre, a reality that "might have been". It's a world of fantasy in which internal combustion engines have never taken hold or even been invented. The protagonists in the story are immersed in a climate of invention and innovation.
Some steampunk societies are set in other time periods, including the distant future. Some might be in a brand new, fantasy world. But whatever the time period, the most essential aspect of steampunk is steam. Steam powered airships, autos, machines and contraptions.
Examples of Steampunk writing can be found by reading authors like Jules Verne, H.G. Wells, Mary Shelley and Mark Twain. The style can also be found in both movies and video games, most notably, the recent Guy Richie interpretation of Sherlock Holmes, as well as role-playing games like Final Fantasy and World of Warcraft.
Word Count: 60,000 to 90,000 words.
URBAN FANTASY
A sub-genre of Fantasy, often, though not always, urban fantasies are set in contemporary cities. Though they can also be historical or involve time travel, they often reveal a supernatural solution to conspiracy theories (urban legends), involve alien beings or other fantastic elements.
Thistle Imprint publishes edgy urban fantasy with many of the above features. Tales of magic and other supernatural phenomena are featured by this imprint. Many works within the genre take place in elaborate fictional worlds where magic is common. In the magical world the author creates, the readers move from our ordinary, mundane world into the mystical world of experiences beyond imagination. By tapping into those experiences readers learn more about themselves.
In our fantasy worlds, heroes take arduous journeys, confront mythlogical creatures, discover lost treasure, and change the nature of their world through selfless acts. They are legendary beings who possess the strength and daring-do to heed the call to adventure and transcend the mundane realm of their ordinary world. Fantasy heroes triumph over death, defeat or devastation. Though the price is sometimes high, at the end they earn the cherished treasure hidden within themselves and share it with us, their readers, who have made the journey with them.
Word Count: 65,000 to 100,000 words.
PARANORMAL
This genre includes ghosts, cryptids (animals not sanctioned by science such as big foot, werewoves, lockness monster, moth man, yeti, etc.), vampires, magic, faeries, aliens, and other superhuman or "other" supernatural beings.
Word Count: 60,000 to 100,000 words.
Patricia Lazarus, Editor
We are now offering ebook-first republication of backlist works from successful authors of all genres. At last you can obtain out-of-print and/or unavailable early works from your favorite authors! Get them on ebook for your ebook reader, whatever device you own, and then get a paperback copy to keep or share with a friend or loved one.