​Between the Lines: Interview with City Owl Press

City Owl Press is a publishing house that specializes in romance in a range of genres from paranormal, contemporary, historical, sci-fi, romantic suspense, and time travel.

​Tina Moss, Executive Editor and Chief Operating Officer of City Owl Press, shares her insights about the publishing industry.

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About City Owl Press
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Who is City Owl Press’s target audience?

Our target audience is primarily women in the age range from 25 – 65. However, we have readers outside of these parameters as well, and welcome the diversity. 
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​Which range of genres does City Owl Press focus on? 

We publish primarily romance in a range of genres from paranormal, contemporary, historical, sci-fi, romantic suspense, and time travel.

On the speculative fiction side, our hottest genre is urban fantasy with our bestselling titles coming from Lisa Edmonds with HEART OF MALICE and her sequels books in the Alice Worth series.

We also have books in the steampunk, Gaslamp, contemporary fantasy, dark fantasy, and dystopian genres. 

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Publishing Process
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What are the main challenges that City Owl Press’s editorial team experiences?

​The biggest challenge comes from keeping up with market demand. Readers are voracious but trends come and go.

Knowing what is popular not only now, but what will continue to grow over the course of the year is an ever-changing landscape. Our editorial team needs to be aware of the changes while staying true to their editorial styles and their authors’ books. 

​How do they overcome these challenges?

​Communication, knowledge, and reading, reading, reading. An editor is only as good as their next book, just like authors.

Our editors are an experienced and professional team that have been working on their craft for many years. By continuing to learn and push the boundaries of excellence, they are able to take our press to the next level. 
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​How does City Owl Press’s editorial team decide which manuscripts to publish?

The process begins with the query or pitch, and if it peaks an editor’s interest, the editor will ask for a partial or full manuscript.
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After reading, if the editor wants to make an offer, they must send it to our senior staff, which reviews it in an acquisitions meeting.

All senior staff must be in agreement to make an offer for publication. It is dependent not only on the quality of the manuscript, but also on the current needs of the City Owl Press catalog (upcoming releases), the author’s social media presence and goals, and marketability of the manuscript. 
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Does City Owl Press consider submissions from international authors?

​International authors are welcome! At present we have authors outside of the United States with us and coming from Canada, Australia, and Switzerland.
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​Does City Owl Press accept submissions from debut authors or unsolicited manuscripts?

We love debut authors! Guiding an author from the beginning of their career is one of our favorite parts of publishing. It can be a risk, but if the author is willing to learn and grow with our guidance, we are happy to be a part of their journey. ​

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Industry Trends
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What prominent opportunities can City Owl Press observe in the publishing industry?

Opportunities in publishing are more prevalent today than any other time before. The indie market is blazing and continues to make strides.

​Traditional publishing is diversifying their lines. It is an exciting time to be in the industry as more authors than ever before are having their voices heard.

How can City Owl Press utilize these opportunities to remain competitive?

Our goal is to always be growing and adapting with our authors to bring the best books to the market for our readers.
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Raising up marginalized voices, creating stories where anyone can see themselves in our books, are all important and vital parts of not only remaining competitive but staying true to our core values. 

​Does City Owl Press intend to collaborate with international partners in the future? 

​Yes! We are actively looking to make connections with foreign publishers to hit the international markets. Expanding our readership to a global community is foremost on our agenda. We would love to see our books translated into different languages all across the world. 

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Relevant Content

​Standing Out as an Independent Publisher

Aionios Books is a publishing house that specializes in young adult fantasy and science fiction novels. In order to remain competitive in the publishing industry, it establishes strategies to maintain the quality of its publications, optimizes its resources by collaborating with its partners, and builds strong relationships with its authors and community.
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Media Context speaks to Gerardeen Santiago, owner and publisher of Aionios Books, shares her insights about how her company has successfully implemented this strategy.

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About the Journalist

​Tiffany Lim has worked with several notable organisations with marketing and project management, such as Cartoon Network, Bossini Singapore, and Singapore’s primary broadcaster Mediacorp. She is a journalist whose network includes executives from international organisations, such as The Walt Disney Company, Turner Broadcasting System, Nickelodeon and FUNimation.

Tiffany is a speaker who has addressed polytechnic students in Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Singapore Polytechnic. ​She has also spoken in educational institutions (IMDA Labs, National Library Board) and literary festivals (All In! 2018).

More details may be found on her official website.