This just in… News about Linden Bay and Samhain (with permission of Crissy Brashear to repost).
The management of Samhain Publishing have decided what will happen next to Linden Bay, which Samhain acquired earlier in the year. So here’s the scoop:
The Linden Bay Romance house will be retired by the end of the year, preparatory to a relaunch as an imprint of Samhain, probably in 2011. However, the new Linden Bay won’t be the same as the old one. It’s going to be a YA house, a new venture for Samhain.
Crissy Brashear, Publisher at Samhain says, “We think the name lends itself to YA, in the same vein as Sweet Valley High, and opens all kinds of possibilities.”
The imprint will start with one book a month, and the entire year planned out in advance. The Winter 2011 books should be presented at BEA in 2010. The books will release simultaneously in digital and print, which is a new venture for Samhain, which releases the print books in its own house ten months after the ebook.
The current Linden Bay authors will have their books reviewed for potential migration to the main line, Samhain Publishing. The chosen books will be re-edited and re-released as Samhain books. Not all titles will be suitable, as there are some differences between the two houses, and those authors will have all their rights returned. If an author does not want his or her books to go forward, they may ask for their rights back and will receive them. The last Linden Bay books will be released in ebook format in August, 2009, and the LBR titles will be gradually removed from third party retailers.
Crissy Brashear adds: “Change is both exciting and scary, and growth cannot occur without it. By establishing a solid foundation today, we can build a house that will be in publishing for many years to come and continue to explore new voices and fresh ideas. LB isn’t the only imprint planned—others are in development. Samhain is poised to grow even further in the marketplace. We will work towards that growth and solidify Samhain’s position in the publishing industry.”
As a Samhain author, it’s exciting to hear about new developments, but since I have books contracted and scheduled through 2010, I don’t think it affects me directly. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed being a Samhain author, and I hope that will continue for some time to come.