English writer John (Jonno) Morris, best known for his Star Gazer Series of sci-fi novels, discovered publishing printed books so complicated he decided to create his own imprint and offer advice to other first-time indie publishers. Hence the welcome arrival of the imprint Charlotte Greene on the crowded book publishing landscape.
Charlotte Greene, in association with trusted freelance agents, offers authors resources and access to those same freelancers to help get their masterpiece into print and eBook formats ready for sales and marketing. The freelancers provide paid services such as creating book covers, content and copy editing.
Specifically, the services offered to authors include content editing, proof reading, advice on book formatting and layout, cover for EPUB and print, compatibility with printed books (size, bleed, definition), illustrations including maps and other internal graphics, conversion to generic EPUB format.
The imprint even supplies ISBN’s to those authors who formally publish through Charlotte Greene.
Charlotte Greene’s services don’t end there. They also include marketing and promotion. These cover inclusion in its biennial trade catalogue targeting both the UK and USA, advice, or presentation to retail and distribution channels in UK, USA, Europe and the English-speaking world as well as opening the route to self-publishing authors listing their books with Waterstones UK and Ingram USA.
Jonno operates his business from his base in China. The 70-year-old has lived in Foshan, Canton, which is near Hong Kong, since what was meant to be “a visit” some 22 years ago. His modus operandi, while successful, could be described as different, even unconventional.
Jonno Morris…founder of Charlotte Greene.
“In essence, Charlotte Greene is a small version of Elance, dedicated solely to helping self-publishing authors bring their work to the marketplace,” he says. “We differ from conventional publishers who offer a small royalty in return for publishing a manuscript.”
Jonno stresses that contracted authors remain in control of their books.
“Essentially, the imprint helps authors achieve their goals independently and on their own. If publication of a book results in, or leads to, a book deal with a major publisher, clients are welcome to take it up.”
The benefits of dealing with Charlotte Greene don’t end there. The imprint opens doors closed to most self-publishing authors, offering listings with Waterstones, Blackwells, and Apple iBookstore to name but three major retail outlets. Clients’ books are also listed in its Trade Catalogue, which is published biennially, and is aimed at trade distributors and wholesalers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Charlotte Green is heavily into fiction and is especially interested in the following: science fiction, science fantasy, urban fiction / YA, action & Adventure, mystery thrillers, who-done-it and historical fiction.
“We have no hard and fast rule on what we will and will not look at,” says Jonno. “An original and interesting plot goes a long way with us. Electronic submissions of complete manuscripts are accepted, if requested by us, after initial review.”
For more about Charlotte Greene, check out the imprint’s informative website at: https://www.charlotte-greene.co.uk/index.htm
For more about Jonno and his Star Gazer Series check out our earlier blog at: https://morcanbooksandfilms.com/2022/12/16/star-gazer-a-tantalizing-series-for-lovers-of-science-fiction-and-fantasy-2/
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Morcan Books & Films 