Earlier this year, Chris and Tracy Katsaropoulos launched Luminis Books, a new publishing company. It’s stated mission is to publish “thought-provoking literary fiction as well as young adult and middle grade fiction that explores the intricacies of human relationships.”
Over the next six months, Luminis is slated to release four books, including books written by both Chris and Tracy.
Q. Where did you get the idea for Luminis?
I’ve (Chris has) worked in the book publishing industry for more than 25 years,
primarily in educational and trade publishing, and have always wanted to start my own fiction imprint. It’s something Tracy and I have been thinking seriously about for the past three or four years. The opportunities for new media marketing and distribution make doing this now more attractive than ever.
Q. How do you differ from bigger, more established, publishing companies?
Having worked at many large publishing houses, I’d say the main difference is that our publishing plan is not driven by having to meet a certain title count. We’re looking to publish only the books that we really believe in—books that speak to our own sense of what will bring entertainment and enlightenment to readers. With larger publishers, many books have to fit into prescribed formulas or market niches, so we want to provide an outlet for more subtle and unique titles. We also feel that with some large publishers scaling back on their acquisitions, there is a gap that smaller, independent publishers can fill in signing new authors.
Q. What can you say about the first books you’re publishing?
We think each of the four books in our first list have a certain amount of depth and subtlety to them that will make them stand out. All of our books are thought-provoking, and we feel readers of Luminis Books will come away from each title looking at their own lives in a different way.
Q. What are some of the stranger books you’ve been asked to read?
Well, it’s difficult to comment on books that we’re not publishing, as we hope they will find a home with another publisher at some point. It’s always interesting to look at a new submission, because even the ideas that don’t quite fit for us usually exhibit a good deal of thought and creativity. So, we always try to be encouraging when we have to turn down a manuscript.
Q. You’re publishers, but you both also write. What is the best advice on writing that you’ve ever gotten?
Write the book you’ve always wanted to write—don’t try to write for a market you think will be easier to sell. The labor of love will always be your greatest work and will ultimately have the most success.
[...] Here you can read my interview with Luminis from last year. [...]