Today we have the privilege of having Curiosity Quills co-owner/founder, Lisa Gus. Lisa has been wonderful enough to give me some great answers for behind the scenes at CQ, including the history, struggles and good times. So please, take your time to read through, learn a little, (or a lot) and leave any questions and comments for Lisa below.
1.Tell us how you came to create Curiosity Quills Press, and what kind of vision do you have for the company?
Ha... here you are with the question designed to get me to climb on my soapbox and refuse to get off unless a crew of handsome buff firemen arrives to...
Oh wait, wrong interview :)
Seriously though, Curiosity Quills began as a blog in mid 2011 designed to promote mine and my partner, Eugene Teplitsky's, writing and help it stand out from the crowd. Fortunately - or unfortunately, as the case may be (as since then, our own writing has taken a second, third, hell, tenth seat to our production and marketing efforts) - we have proven ourselves successful enough that we started attracting a crowd of folks we regularly hosted and interacted with. And eventually, we sort of organically reached a point where we felt we would be in a better position to help them as a publishing house. Michael Shean, also a local of Northern Virginia, was the first to throw his talented lot with us and the rest is CQ history.
And there days... Well, our vision is to continue building an imprint so strong, so recognizable that the readers flock to it rather than to perhaps one individual author - because they would know that all our authors are amazing enough to warrant the public's attention. On top of that, building on our joint backgrounds in programming and community growth in the entertainment industries, we are working to unroll some cool tech we have been tinkering with on the down-low. The recently re-launched CQ site is only the first step. I don't think I will incur too much of Eugene's wrath for spoilering the news if I say.... Hold on to your hats, PaperBrain's next!
Oh wait, wrong interview :)
Seriously though, Curiosity Quills began as a blog in mid 2011 designed to promote mine and my partner, Eugene Teplitsky's, writing and help it stand out from the crowd. Fortunately - or unfortunately, as the case may be (as since then, our own writing has taken a second, third, hell, tenth seat to our production and marketing efforts) - we have proven ourselves successful enough that we started attracting a crowd of folks we regularly hosted and interacted with. And eventually, we sort of organically reached a point where we felt we would be in a better position to help them as a publishing house. Michael Shean, also a local of Northern Virginia, was the first to throw his talented lot with us and the rest is CQ history.
And there days... Well, our vision is to continue building an imprint so strong, so recognizable that the readers flock to it rather than to perhaps one individual author - because they would know that all our authors are amazing enough to warrant the public's attention. On top of that, building on our joint backgrounds in programming and community growth in the entertainment industries, we are working to unroll some cool tech we have been tinkering with on the down-low. The recently re-launched CQ site is only the first step. I don't think I will incur too much of Eugene's wrath for spoilering the news if I say.... Hold on to your hats, PaperBrain's next!
2. What does your job entail?
My regular workweek is usually 7 days long. Being self-employed allows me the flexibility of picking my work hours. The problem is, I have no leg to stand on when I want to complain about my slave-driving boss that has no compunction about cutting into my sleep and / or any other time of the day.
Fortunately, I really love what I do - which typically includes acquisition editing, marketing meetings, general content editing, overseeing tech development, production meetings, vendor and author support, accounts payable, and physical book ordering (in no particular order). Oh and did I mention e-mail wrangling and goat herding? Yeah, that too. [goats - or rather, capricorns - having insinuated themselves into CQ's daily activities and thus having recently been elevated to the status of our company logo]
Fortunately, I really love what I do - which typically includes acquisition editing, marketing meetings, general content editing, overseeing tech development, production meetings, vendor and author support, accounts payable, and physical book ordering (in no particular order). Oh and did I mention e-mail wrangling and goat herding? Yeah, that too. [goats - or rather, capricorns - having insinuated themselves into CQ's daily activities and thus having recently been elevated to the status of our company logo]
3. What do you enjoy most about working with everyone at CQ?
That's an easy one! I love the sense of creativity and camaraderie and support that I feel to be the cornerstones of CQ's current and future success. I truly can't be any more grateful to and for our authors, editors, illustrators, acquisitions editors, marketing, accounting, and production staff - and of course, our fans! We certainly couldn't have been where we are - or hope to get where we are going next - without each and single one of your guys!
4. What have your experiences been like throughout the journey from founding to now?
Overall, it has definitely been a positive experience, but of course, no undertaking I have ever been in is without its ups and downs. Curiosity Quills is no exception. We have and continue to witness the tumult in the publishing industry and weathering is has been no joke. We continue to try and anticipate where the industry and the readers will turn next, and attempt to tailor our message, our marketing, our creative and financial thrust in that direction.
On a more personal note, there has been heartbreak and there have been intentions misunderstood and there have also been friendships broken and mended. To me, while the destination is indeed of the utmost importance - so is the journey and so is embracing the good in it and learning from and conquering the...less good :)
And standing here, now, I think we are in the strongest position we have ever been, and I have never trusted in and appreciated my team more than I do today.
5. What is the hardest part of running a small press?
Small? SMALL? Hey, who are you calling small, now? :) j/k
But really, that is sort of hitting the nail on the head, this identification of CQ as a small press. What exactly makes a press small? And how does such categorization limit us in the eyes of bookstores and readers and even authors?
It's these preconceived notions that have been the most difficult to shoulder through for us, and I think have served as a thorn in many an independent publisher's side. Luckily, I am seeing the perception beginning to change, the stores and distributors beginning to open their doors to us, and the readers - opening their hearts (and wallets).
And so long as there is a light at the end of the road, I think it's definitely worth every step we take to get ourselves there.
But really, that is sort of hitting the nail on the head, this identification of CQ as a small press. What exactly makes a press small? And how does such categorization limit us in the eyes of bookstores and readers and even authors?
It's these preconceived notions that have been the most difficult to shoulder through for us, and I think have served as a thorn in many an independent publisher's side. Luckily, I am seeing the perception beginning to change, the stores and distributors beginning to open their doors to us, and the readers - opening their hearts (and wallets).
And so long as there is a light at the end of the road, I think it's definitely worth every step we take to get ourselves there.
6. And what is the best part?
There are a lot of best parts. It is doing what I love. Working with people I care about. Building something from scratch and seeing it take shape.
I honestly and truly can't imagine doing anything else - not willingly. Though of course, finding time to write might be that elusive bit of icing on the cake. (fat- and guilt-free icing)
7. Last question; If you could meet anyone in history, who would it be and why?
Well... does contemporary history count? Because in that case... Larry Page. Anyone want to help a publisher out and make it happen? There is be a big great humongous thank you plaque and an ice cream cake with your name on them!
Thank you so much, Lisa! You're answers definitely taught me things I didn't know, like the blog thing. So great you took it to the next level.
Stick around for more interviews to come!
