http://www.roguephoenixpress.com/
http://www.roguephoenixpress.blogspot.com/
My Journey
by Christine Young
The road began in 1994 when I attended an RWA conference in Salem, Oregon. The conference featured Lisa Jackson who has since that time gone on to be a top New York Times best seller. I was then inspired to join Salem's local chapter, MidWillamette Valley RWA and the national chapter of RWA.
As many young and inspiring authors do, I also received many rejection letters. I never placed in a contest. When I entered one, I usually received very high marks and very low marks. Confused, I asked my friends and fellow writers why. I was told, "You have a strong voice." Maybe that is true, perhaps it is not.
I sold my first two books, Dakota's Bride and My Angel, to Kate Duffy, editor at Kensington in the summer of 1997. Dakota's Bride was published in December 1998 and My Angel in June of 1999. I went on to publish my Highland Series and several other books with Awe-struck press. I have subsequently published ten full sized novels and two anthologies.
Rogue Phoenix Press was established in 2008. I was looking at retirement in a few years and wanted or needed a full time project to keep me busy and intrigued. I'm proud to say, RPP just published its 50th book.
We have had a few pitfalls along the way, most of them monetary, the others a relentless desire for more hours in the day. Needless to say, neither my husband nor myself were business majors. I taught high school math and my husband was a 6th grade teacher. Now that I am retired, as of June this year, I am looking forward to having more time to spend on the business.
The goal of Rogue Phoenix Press is to publish interesting and well-written books that go beyond the cookie-cutter mold so prevalent in many genres. This has at times been a challenge in starting this business. Being a new company, receiving publishable submissions is often a slow process.
Personally, starting this business has enriched my life. The success of the business is dependent on the time I put into it. The more work directed towards Rogue Phoenix Press, the more satisfying the endeavor is when successful. My entire family is also involved with RPP, which has been fulfilling. The different ways of interacting with my children, in an adult business-like manner, is another way the establishment of RPP has been rewarding.
Thanks again,
Christine
5 comments:
Hi Christine,
Thanks for sharing your story with us at Romancing The Genres. Are you still writing and now publishing your own stories? or haave you put your writing on the back burner to focus on seeing other authors in print?
Chris, I know how hard you've worked to make this a success. 50 books! Wow! That's great! I think the small presses like yours are needed for people who do write the outside the norm stories. Congrats.
I love the name of your press - it really describes your mission.
I remember Rogue Phoenix launching right after I moved to Portland. You've come a long way in a short time, Chris! Can't wait to see where you are in three more years!
I have put my writing on the back burner. I have written very little. However, I retired from my teaching career this June and now plan to write more as well as publish.
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