Let’s Go – Go – Go!
The publishing path for Haunted in Paradise
Are you a fan of spine-tingly thrillers? A lover of the paranormal? Or a fan of the paranormal who loves to read spine-tingly thrillers? Or a… well, you know. Believe me, if you answered yes to any of these questions, you’ll love Haunted in Paradise.
For a listing of all my books and published short stories, visit my website at www.susanerogers.com. There are links to stories and podcasts online for free, and to purchase any of my books or anthologies. You can also get to each book from my Amazon page. If you’d like a signed copy, my email is sneirish@gmail.com.
At the beginning of June, Susan Russell presented me with two cover options – her original design and the one in progress by the designer.
It’s not too strong to say I hated the creative director’s cover. The colors were dull and it looked boring to me. Not to mention that if I picked it up from the bookshelf, I’d think it was a romance, not a supernatural thriller. It didn’t reflect anything internal to my book. The original concept design, done by the editor, had much more appeal.
I sent an email back to Russell telling her my opinions about the covers, but got no response. In the meantime, I had been in touch with a new local book store that was planning to open in July about participating in their grand opening events. On June 11, I emailed Russell to see if there was any way we could get Haunted in Paradise finished and released by the end of July.
By the beginning of August, I still had no word back on anything from Grendel. Fortunately, the local book store opening was postponed until October. I sent Russell that news and she replied with an opportunity for a face-to-face planning session to get everything in order to meet the October deadline. We originally scheduled for August 17, but that had to be rescheduled for the 31st.
The meeting was extremely productive, and I give kudos to Susan Russell for having every topic covered and ready for discussion and decision-making. We set the release date for October 13. At the time of the planning meeting, the manuscript was ready for production. Title page, copyright page, and other front matter were in place. I was to send the back matter (author bio and pic and a list of “Also By” with links), which would then determine final page count to complete the spine design. In the meantime, both of us would search for an appropriate front cover photo, similar to Russell’s original design. Once the right photo was found the cover design could be finished.
A marketing plan was in place, including ARCs (Advance Review Copy), preorder plans, and distribution plans. Russell would handle the finished cover and final production arrangements. I had to review and accept or revise the back cover blurb, complete an author interview for marketing purposes, update my bio, and submit the back matter.
Then things really started to move.
Russell emailed me on September 8 with a progress update and a digital proof for my review as well as another possible cover design. I loved the background photo but still wasn’t crazy about the font. The following day she sent me five more choices with different fonts, and I let her know my two favorites. I sent back my few changes to the digital proof and the other pieces I was responsible for.
A week later, Russell sent me the proof copies of the cover. She had changed the color scheme and the font type and color. It was striking and I loved it. I sent her back immediately that it was good to go.
And that was it. Everything was in motion and completed in time for release day.
It really happened. Haunted in Paradise was published on October 13, 2025.
I received 25 free author copies under my contract and ordered another 25 copies. They had all arrived by October 18. We had a book and it was beautiful.
Haunted in Paradise has gotten great reviews, some of which are posted on the REVIEWS page of my website. I really learned a lot about the publishing process during the seemingly long ordeal. The actual release date was a year and a week after the initially scheduled release date. A grand total of one year and nine months after signing the contract.
To put that in perspective, I’ve had most literary agents and authors I’ve talked to tell me that from signing with an agent to publication takes at least eighteen months. It’s not that far off for a small independent publisher.
Despite the delay and the length of time between communication, I was very comfortable working with Susan Russell and Grendel Press. Would I submit to them again? Absolutely! Susan and I have already talked about Grendel publishing a second book follow-up to Haunted in Paradise with psychic Sharon Coady working alongside Detective Jack Brandon to solve supernatural mysteries. That second book is already in progress, tentatively titled Cursed in Paradise.
What’s Next?
Surprise
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