Sisters in Crime "Angel"
By Jackie Houchin

Loretta Scott Miller appeared at the Burbank Barnes & Noble Bookstore on Saturday, April 21, as a special guest of "Cheers for Writers, " a book club/writers group that "enthusiastically supports writers, their creativity and the community."

Loretta Scott Milleris the author of two mystery novels, A Ride on the Trojan Horse and Cypher, as well as a non-fiction book, Blind Puppy Five Dollars: A Joyous Memoir of a Rescued Golden Retriever. She is an active member of Sisters in Crime and Mystery Writers of America.

Last June, Miller started an independent small press called Shannon Road Press. She flew from San Francisco on Saturday to talk about her career as an author/publisher, and to share the criteria for getting published with Shannon Road Press.

Miller began as a self-published author, but soon saw the disadvantages. Anyone could write anything (regardless of quality) have it printed and "be published." As a result, self-publishing got a bad reputation, and any author who went that route was not taken seriously.

"I have high standards," insists Miller. "I'm looking for good writing, strong plot, and vivid, well drawn characters. If a manuscript doesn't meet my standards, I'll send it back."

If an author is accepted by Shannon Road Press, Miller promises to edit the book, design the cover, register a copyright, procure an ISBN, and do some of the marketing. "But the author has to work hard too. I will procure media contacts and begin a postcard mailing campaign, but the author must set up book signings, speaking engagements and other events."

Shannon Road Press uses Lightening Source as a distributor and Ingram Publishing as the wholesaler, and prints both trade paperback and hardcover "on demand." Authors are not required to have an agent. Standard contracts are issued when a work is accepted for publication, and authors will be paid. There are no fees of any kind charged by Shannon Road Press.

Currently, Miller is seeking original short stories - by unpublished members of Sisters in Crime - for inclusion in the anthology, LITTLE SISTERS, VOL I. When asked why she specifically requests SinC members, Miller said, "Sisters in Crime is a great organization. They really care about writers. I want to give something back."

All subgenres of mystery will be accepted, but Miller requests, "please, nothing extremely graphic and no harm to animals or children." The word count is 3500-7000, submitted in MS Word (or compatible), and the deadline is May 31, 2007.

Shannon Road Press also is currently accepting queries for first mystery novels. The queries should include a biography, brief synopsis and approximate word count.

Anthology submissions and queries should be emailed to: submissions@shannonroadpress.com

For more information on Shannon Road Press, go to their website: www.shannonroadpress.com

For more information on "Cheers For Writers" contact Fronnie Lewis at: FLLLewis@msn.com