{: Editor Interview : of Indie Publisher :}

{: Penny Freeman is welcomed to Jorie Loves A Story :}

Today, I have the honour of interviewing the Editor-in-Chief at Xchyler Publishing, Ms. Penny Freeman! I approached Xchyler Publishing after reading a tweet by Marian Allen on behalf of “A MidSummer Night’s Steampunk” by Scott E. Tarbet, which led me to a lovely blog Guest Post about this unique new spin on the Shakespearean classic play! Being a huge appreciator of Shakespeare, I decided to pursue finding out a bit more about the Indie publisher the novel was published by as much as the author himself! My search led me to the homepage of Xchyler, and from there, I choose to contact them directly about receiving a book in exchange for an honest review! I must say, I was welcomed by a gracious staff and I have been assembling my extra features to post in compliment to my forthcoming book reviews on their behalf!

I chose to interview Ms. Freeman because I know a lot of work goes into producing anthologies as much as I oft am curious about an Editor’s point-of-view overall! They dedicate themselves to bringing out the best a writer can give and they tirelessly seek out new voices which carry literature across genres & spectrums of diverse story-telling mediums to new horizons of excellence! Let us pause whilst reading over the conversation which commenced between Jorie & Ms. Freeman directly.

Anthology Synopsis:
Travel with seven talented authors as they glimpse through
time into Humanity’s future. Will mankind blossom and
flourish, conquering the stars and time itself? Or, with
selfishness, greed, and just plain bad luck send us all to the
brink of destruction?

Throughout your career, which medium of writing whets your palette the most? Expository or Creative?

I love creative writing, as the most engaging is also expository in nature but still engages the imagination. The best fiction writers are those who have something to say but do so within their narrative. You run the risk of losing your credibility (and/or your audience) when attempting the reverse.

I am not sure if I ever considered there is a measure of ‘expository’ within the creative fiction world! I suppose partially because I never found ‘expository’ writing to be my niche, as I always felt creative narratives and fusing characters into their settings was my gift in writing. You have given me something to be pensive about and I thank you for that!

I am also a wordsmith who is passionate about the way in which writers can paint with a palette of words. What do you personally seek as an editor when selecting a writer for an anthology?

Communication and engagement are of primary import to me. How difficult is it for the reader to “get” what the author is trying to say? How easily does the writer disappear into their narrative, allowing the reader to immerse themselves solely in the tale? These two things go hand in hand. Without good communication, the reader will always be aware of the author’s craft (or lack of it).

I couldn’t concur more heartily as being enraptured inside of a story is paramount to my reading enjoyment!

What types of stories do you favour? Which ignite your enthusiasm?

I love any type of story that really delves into the human condition, whether it’s fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, romance, classics, historical or contemporary fiction. One of my favorite modern authors is C. S. Lakin because she has a terrific ability to cross multiple genres, infusing her stories with deep, universal humanity—and yet find that combination of qualities that make each of us unique. She also writes a bang-up writer’s column.

I agree with you as the stories which resonate with me the most are the ones in which the writer has conveyed the humanity and heart of their characters! I love soaking into stories in which every facet of the human condition is either examined or hinted at being a key ingredient of the story! I love seeing the journey a character takes whilst carrying through a specific moment of adversity, life shift, or unexpected deviation on their lifepath! Like you, I agree, the genre and expanse of where the story is set and placed isn’t as important as the writer’s ability to give us a story which is at its best thought-provoking and ruminate in closure!

I have not yet come across Ms. Lakin’s works and will be seeking her out. Thank you for the recommendation!

I noticed you have a strong emphasis on historical fiction and literature. Which authors and books still speak to you on a personal level? And, why?

You’ve been doing your homework. I have been an avid reader for as long as I can remember. My first series was probably Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I can remember trying to figure out what would happen before I got there in the book, then greedily moving on to the next volume, scarcely drawing breath after the end of the one I just finished. Then, I moved up to Louisa May Alcott, also a serial writer. Those two authors were my favorites of childhood, so they will always stay with me.

My “firsts” reading adult literature always linger: The Brontë sisters, Leo Tolstoy, James Fenimore Cooper, Herman Melville, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Honoré Balzac, Alexander Dumas, and Victor Hugo didn’t come until I was an adult myself, but I will never tire of their works. I love prolific writers and will go on “binges”, but I’m very eclectic in my taste.

I can tell we each grew up on the same literary wanderings as the other! I vividly remember my “Little House” days of being an adventure to read through as quickly as I could but with the ability to still savour the ‘moments’ spent with the Ingalls at the same time! I loved certain passages and key events in their lives, such as the makings of sugar candies and how they always rallied together when life grew difficult! They celebrated the simple joys but they also had such a wonderful ability to live well too! One of Ms. Alcott’s novels I discovered in my early twenties was “An Old Fashioned Girl” which opened my eyes to the further breadth of her gift in stories. I must confess, once I found a ‘favourite’ I would continue to re-read them whilst younger!

As you might have gathered on your visit today, I have a curious attachment to “the classics” myself, and have undergone a massive reading of said classics whilst participating in “The Classics Club“! (top menu of my blog links directly to the books I hope to dig into over my first five years into the Club!) I picked up “Jane Eyre” for the first time this past September (its a reading-in-progress!) and on the encouragement of the participants of #LitChat I am embarking on reading “War and Peace” by July!

My heart was happily overjoyed finding a like-minded reader in you!

I completely agree about the important role social media plays in the promotion of writing, book bloggers, and the world of publishing as the sphere of readers to publishers has knitted closer together. What do you feel is the key strength of reaching audiences in our technologic world?

Key strength . . . well, the beauty of social media is that it puts within an author’s or publisher’s hands the ability to reach a very specific market. The most important thing is to know your audience and know the best way to reach out to them. That’s where social media plays a key role. Where does your specific virtual audience congregate? With what medium are they most active? How can you capitalize on that knowledge?

While the Internet is a fantastic tool, never discount the power of real, personal contact. Conventions, book fairs, personal appearances all make the author more “real” to the reader and so make them feel more connected to the story.

Have you ever read something so powerful that you thought, “that had to be a real life experience”? And that set you to speculating about the author’s personal life? That can be a compelling motivator for a reader to pick up the next book, and the next, and the next, whether or not any of them exist in the same construct as any other.

I am thrilled to hear your speaking out about the balance between appearances in real-life and virtual settings! I, myself, harken back to celebrating the interpersonal connections readers can make with writers at independent book stores, library meet & greets, literary festivals, and the events you’ve mentioned as well! There is such an enriched movement with books and bookish culture, that I believe striking a balance to highlight what works for each individual author and their readership is the best possible avenue to explore! I am personally enjoying expanding my own offerings on Jorie Loves A Story, as the day before this interview posted I held my first-ever *LIVE* Author Q&A in the comment threads of an Author Interview! I must say, each new way authors can make a direct connection to their readers is a step forward towards keeping the circle flowing and intact!

In regards to book trailers, I was quite impressed with the motion picture quality of “Moments in Millennia” where the undercurrent score and cut-away sequences where the broadcast is nearly being cut-off draws the reader into the scene. The vortex of how ‘time’ itself draws a circle around the necessity of ‘now’. Of being in a position to react and effectively impact the state of ‘what is happening right this instant’. How as an editor did you draw a stitching of continuity inside the anthology, where stories were brought together whilst giving freedom to the writers to explore the premise in their own vision?

The continuity is a product of several different factors. The first, of course, is the theme we set. When we come up with something we think might spark the imagination (in this case, back to the future), we announce it as part of our writing competition. Writers will often ask us exactly what we mean by that. Our answer is always the same: what does that mean to you?

This particular project was interesting to me in that so many of the entries (and ultimately the winners) focused on dark scenarios. Going in, I rather expected some fun fantasy romps, and I think the fact that we didn’t have anything of that nature reflects society’s outlook as a whole. We seem to be a rather cheerless bunch at the moment.

The next influence is our judging algorithm. Because each individual judge has their own likes and dislikes, the stories that suit their aesthetic will rank higher, so that tends to influence the overall outcome. Finally, the editorial process itself plays a significant role. We look at the entries as first drafts, and then we work with the authors to polish their work. Because the same content editor works with every author, that influence is felt within each story.

For instance, I like stories to get inside people’s heads and ask questions: how do situations and events affect the characters emotionally; what are the ramifications of an event? My mantra: dig deeper! Another editor may have wanted more emphasis on technical details or more “atmosphere”. The editor’s own “what does this mean to you” comes into bear and becomes that consistent thread that runs through everything.

Thank you for giving me such a beautiful insight into the production of  “Moments in Milliennia”, as the scope of the project is as multi-dimensional as I had forethought it might have been! I do agree with you on the ‘dark undertones’ throughout the anthology itself, as I was quite curious when I first picked it up to read on how each writer surprised me in turn by giving me a revelation inside their story I had not expected to find after having read their individual premises. I believe its going to the heart of what you revealed yourself: there is an undercurrent in our society for focusing more on the dark than the light; even if those of us who are reading fantasy have a penchant for seeking out the light at each possible turn! For without the Light, where then do we find the Hope!? Yet. Despite this, the anthology gave me numerous sociological implications to ponder about and for that, I give the writers credit for taking up the bold challenge of answering your submission call in a way which will stand out to the readers who pick up the anthology!

What do you personally feel is the impetus of fantasy resonating within the heart of readers?

I think fantasy does two things: first, it provides an escape from the everyday problems of reality. If we feel hemmed in on every side and struggle with finding solutions in our lives, fantasy allows us to leave the stress and tension behind.

Conversely, fantasy allows us to examine those troubles from a “safe” distance. It allows us to examine the dark places in the world and within ourselves but comfortably within the confines of the unreal. It’s rather ironic: we often best deal with reality when allowed to escape from it.

The best fantasy writers know that truth resonates in us no matter the setting. That’s how their works become classics. It can unfold in the swamps of the Degoba System, the deserts of Dune, or the blasted plains of Mordor. Orson Scott Card wrote the short story that became Ender’s Game more than thirty years ago, but it couldn’t be more topical or relevant had he written it today.

I also feel the realms in which fantasy writers create give us a uniquely parallel impression of where our technologic advances could have taken us if we had taken a right turn verse a left! On the level of Steampunk specifically, I am keenly fascinated by the elemental innovations surrounding ‘steam’ and ‘clockwork’ and how if we as a society had opted for a lesser impactful way of industrialising our world, perhaps then the greater impacts felt now could have been lessened. In this vein, I am always excited about stepping into a realm not yet explored and seeing how fantastical and how real that particular realm purports itself off the page!

How does our fascination with bending time and exploring topics within time’s continuum strengthen our resolve to explore the unknown dimensions of our living universe?

Memory, recollection is time travel. Every time we muse on a happy moment in our lives, regret a mistake of the past, ponder roads not taken, mourn the loss of a loved one, we place ourselves in a different time and place—at least in our minds. But, “I think, therefore I am.”

Because we are so curious as a species, and stubborn, and imaginative, we demand to know not only the way the universe works, but how we can make it work for us. And once we know, we do. We do before we know. We have unbounded faith in ourselves and our own cleverness. We can conceive it, so there must be a way to make it happen.

A most eloquent reply I cannot top, even if I dare to try!

The cover-art design held my eye and attention from the moment I first saw it within your catalogue of books online. The way in which the design alludes to the stories held within its covers grabbed me and I would imagine would evoke a similar feeling in another reader. How is a cover as striking as this created to envelope the stories within the anthology?

That would be telling. Seriously, we have great graphics support in Dale Pease of Walking Stick Books (who is also a fantastic author). He puts all our covers together. We also draw from the works of a wide pool of artists. This cover, in particular, is a mixed media rendition using photography and digital art/photo-manipulation. The artist’s vision perfectly expressed our own, so we used it.

I am most encouraged to have learnt a publisher is open to mixed media art, as I am a mixed media collage hobbyist who enjoys dabbling in Victorian & Vintage themes on small scales! I like the creative outlet of bringing together different materials as much as the interpersal of distressed inks! Whilst combining photography, mixed media, and photo manipulation the artist’s keen visionary eye perfectly creates the best portal towards opening the door on this anthology because the mind is already half way shifting into the possibilities therein!

Do you find readers are more receptive to reading novels within the backlist of Xchyler Publishing whilst tempted by the short stories within exclusive Xchyler Publishing anthologies?

I believe so. I hope so. An anthology is like a box of chocolates . . . it’s really easy to pick and choose what you like, explore new flavors, and skip over what doesn’t suit. You also invariably make value judgments on the chocolatier from the experience. Hopefully, our anthologies leave our readership drooling for more.

This is by far the most clever way of expressing how a reader selects and delves into the shorts contained within anthologies! As being a recent appreciator of anthologies myself, I must confess, that what you said here has validity as I too, find that there are those which spark out a deep response within me and others which might not touch me towards exploring further than what was given. It’s the journey towards finding a new writer whose imagination lights up inside us that is the key motivation for me! As a connoisseur of chocolat myself it was especially creative in describing the joy!

Anthologies have a long history of being ‘gateways’ into a writer’s work and/or a publisher’s vision for their fiction wanderings. What have your observations been throughout your career on the mainstay attraction on behalf of anthologies and the Renaissance appeal for them today?

See above. I think anthologies by single writers are snapshots into their brains, while books are portraits. Portraits can be works of art, but a lot of snapshots put together can turn into a motion picture.

I love the way in which you convey your thoughts as to express the inner workings of a reader’s experience as they taste and dapple through different offerings of literature! You have a knack for visceral expressions which give a vision of your thoughts in such a dynamic way! I must agree with you on this, as to me, stories read in print always opened my mind’s eye to seeing the story lit alive as though a film-maker’s reel were running within me; where I could choose to pause or carry-on quite easily once I was secured within his world.

I read you’re a writer in your own right (on your website): where does your muse lead you whilst creating your own stories?

Gah! I need to take down some stuff on that website! Some of it is too old and embarrassing for the light of day. I love writing historical fiction, but I do other stuff as well. I find I write men far more realistically than I do women. I think that’s because I was surrounded by brothers growing up, and have a male-dominated home (three sons and a husband).

Curiously, I ought to claim the same as I grew up a tomboy, always on one adventure of another yet within my own family’s close-knit origins we were the opposite of your family! More women than men to go around! I used to find my weakness in writing was not within the characters themselves but in the inclusion of dialogue against narrative and how to intersect the two without losing the essence or flow of the other! I find this a most fascinating response! You could always be the literary David E. Kelley who writes women far better than he does men! Your simply in reverse!

Which genres do you enjoy reading for pleasure whilst on holiday from Xchyler?

I love reading history. For me, looking back into history is very much tracing the why and how of where we are now. I never read a history book that didn’t make me want to go dig out the next thing that author wrote. I love connecting the dots. I also love well-written biographies.

You take after my Mum on reading biographies! Do you ever seek out historical biographies!? My Mum has a deep passion for the Revolutionary War era and in so, the Adams are her number one focus! Except to say, when the biographers delve a bit too close to their realities as some of their lives were a bit harder pulling to get through than others. Her favourite bits though are the correspondences between Abigail & John, and the ability of Abigail to overtake her husband’s estrangement from his best friend Thomas Jefferson! As much as her confidence of being a land-owner, which was completely unheard of at the time! Her resolve and strength was a testament of her strong will of character.

Which authors inspired your heart to become enraptured by wordsmiths whose language and tone of exploring stories through words enlivened your reading experience?

That’s a really good question but equally difficult to answer. I’m a literary omnivore, so while I’ve grazed serenely on the verdure in many a bucolic pasture, I admit to the occasional bloody, adrenaline-rushed hunt. Jane Austen sits next to Earnest Hemingway on the shelf. But, if I were to pick out one specific author whom I truly admire for his wit and turn of phrase, it would be Oscar Wilde: “The good ended happily, and the bad unhappily. That is what fiction means.” — The Important of Being Earnest

I think if I were to comment on which writers have defined my own path towards seeking out wordsmiths, at the very top of the list would be William Shakespeare and Jane Austen. Equally bent against the tides as leading their audiences into crevices of humanity not always willing to be observed much less recognised, they gave a path of enlightenment where you truly had to seek the meanings within the heart of their legacies as much as in-between their words to fully grasp their messages. I recollected on Jorie Loves A Story I am like a dancer who graces herself through genres and literature, and in that, I believe I express as best as I can my hungry appetite like you for writers and stories which engage the wholeness of our beings whilst giving our minds a thought or two to ponder at their conclusions!

What is your favourite blessing as an editor?

My absolutely, positively most favorite thing about being an editor/publisher is helping authors’ dreams come true. I love it when they post pictures of their very first contract, their first shipment of books, their first fan. It’s such a rush. It feels like being the cool mom on the block.

You’ve captured the essence of Jackie Kennedy Onassis and her ability to seek out the good in each writer who crossed her desk. To encourage and to guide, yet to champion the journey they all take to print!

Editor Connections:

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Converse via: #MomentsInMillennia, #TheXBlog,

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I want to thank Ms. Freeman for her wonderful response to my Questions, whilst giving my readers & I a glimpse into the life of an Editor at an Indie Publisher! The insight was greatly appreciated, as much as having had the privilege of peering into your own writer’s heart! The depth and thought which organically moved throughout the conversation is one I will surely not soon forget! This is a moment I shall always remember in having found a kindred spirit as we wander through literature seeking the stories which become a part of collective memory and give us a heightened sense of who we are. My gratitude is given freely to Ms. Freeman who has left a deep impact on her interviewer!

This Editor Interview is courtesy of:

Xchyler Publishing

check out my upcoming bookish events and mark your calendars!

Drop back on Jorie Loves A Story, on 30th March, when Jorie interviews the author of “A MidSummer Night’s Steampunk” Mr. Scott E. Tarbet! The book review for “Moments in Milliennia” will post on 8th of April! You will not want to miss my ruminations!

Be sure to leave a note in the comment threads for Ms. Freeman! And, thanks for dropping by Jorie Loves A Story!

{NOTE: Similar to blog tours, when I feature a showcase for an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog.}

{SOURCES:  Moments in Milliennia Book Cover, synopsis, and Xchyler Publishing badge were provided by Xchyler Publishing and were used by permission. I requested an Editor Interview with Ms. Freeman and kindly received her responses to my Questions directly. Blog News badge provided by Parajunkee to give book bloggers definition on their blogs.}

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