Essential Writers > Resources > Publishers > Ed Wolf of Wild Wolf Publishing emphasises the importance of your synopsis and cover letter

Ed Wolf of Wild Wolf Publishing emphasises the importance of your synopsis and cover letter

Posted by Judy Darley
August 24, 2009
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Wild Wolf

Wild Wolf

For the 10th feature in our series on publishing houses we get to know Ed Wolf, co-founder and editor at Wild Wolf Publishing. Wild Wolf was established in 2008, with a strong focus on the horror, thrillers and science fiction genres. Authors published by them include A J Kirby.

How did you come to work for Wild Wolf Publishing?

Wild Wolf actually sort of fell together with a group of like-minded (in other words, slightly warped) individuals who wanted to specialise in really hard hitting dark full length fiction. Some of us already knew each other or were friends beforehand and we recruited additional elements to complete the small team.

What is your role within the company?

Editor and occasional coffee maker. We’re a small team, so roles sometimes blur when needs must!

Did you receive any formal training?

I have fifteen years editorial experience in various media sectors.

What makes Wild Wolf Publishing different to other publishing houses?

We look at the story first and think numbers second. Because we are utilizing digital print technology, we can make even very small print runs for highly niche markets still economically viable.

That means that if we love a book we will damn well publish it whether it’s going to sell or not! Of course we do everything in our power to help a book sell - we don’t just publish books. We arrange events and signings, fight for shelf space, and send out review copies for our authors.

What kind of books does Wild Wolf publish?

The darkest of dark. Anything that falls through the cracks of civilised life. Thrillers, dramas, horrors, science fiction, fantasy. As long as it has a very dark edge to it.

What happens to a submission once it reaches your office?

Our submissions man, Sam, reads the synopsis and a few sample pages to see whether the story is right for us and whether the style and quality of the writing is up to scratch. If it is, he’ll pass it over to one of our hard-working readers. They will then say yay or nay to seeing the full manuscript.

What do you look for in a submission?

A good story that really draws you in and a style to it that makes it compulsive reading. As I’ve already mentioned, the darker the better. Where the reader sometimes roots for the bad guy, where the good guys don’t always win, where horrendous crimes or injustices abound, where the reader can delve into the twisted recesses of the human soul.

How can a new author get past the slush pile?

By having an attention grabbing letter and synopsis, because if they are dull and lifeless the MS may not even get read at all. If the author can’t be bothered to try to sell his work then a publisher isn’t going to either. The author should be bursting with enthusiasm and able to convey that in their opening gambit.

Once you have accepted a manuscript for publication, how do you prepare it for publication?

The MS goes through an editing and proofing process involving me and/or my two heavily over-worked helpers. It is then set into a digital print format file which is then sent to the author to check. Inevitably there are always a few more changes to make, acknowledgements, biography page and so on to add.

The proof will bounce backwards and forwards until both publisher and author are happy with it. The final proof is then set and goes to print.

While this is happening, our in-house artist is working with the author on the cover design which, once set, goes together with the final proof to print. Both files are converted into PDF files.

Once a publication date is set our PR team, headed up by Paul Anderson, sweep into action to start arranging the marketing of the book and author.

What is your favourite part of this process?

I love it all, but for me there is no greater joy than holding the finished article in my hands. We’ve helped create a small piece of art that will hopefully be enjoyed by many.

What is the most challenging part of it?

Sometimes coaxing the author to finally let go and accept a final proof! We all know that an author is NEVER 100% satisfied with their work. We try to get as close to that elusive perfect as possible.

Whose writing has excited you recently?

We’ve had some fantastic authors come onboard so far and we only started in mid 2008. We’ve published six titles so far with four more currently at various stages of the process. Our initial business plan was to publish four to six in the first year, so we’re already ahead of ourselves. It’s amazing how much exceptional undiscovered talent is out there.

What would you say the main challenges are for an aspiring author?

The main challenge is without a doubt actually getting their book read. Some slush piles are so massive that many publishers are forced to resort to just returning many manuscripts without even getting past the cover letter.

What advice would you offer an aspiring writer?

As I mentioned earlier - your cover letter and synopsis sell your story. They need to be crafted and perfected with as much attention as you gave the story itself.

For further information please visit www.wildwolfpublishing.com

Other publishing houses and imprints interviewed for this series include Parthian Books, Tonto Books, Dedalus Books, Alcemi Books, Gomer Press, Trapdoor Books, Seren Books, The Friday Project, Chicken House and Andersen Press


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