Flashpoint Publications used to be called Regal Crest Enterprises, and it has now been re-branded. Regal Crest Enterprises historically specialized in publishing books of interest to lesbian readers but their focus expanded a while ago to include LGBTQ+ work. They have been using their re-branded name of Flashpoint Publications for over a year now.  They mostly publish popular fiction, but they have also published short stories, essays, and anthologies. They have a nonfiction imprint as well. Writers who have worked with them have generally good things to say, particularly about the editing and cover design process. They have been around a long time now and they have a reputation for always paying their royalties promptly.

They do not do much in terms of marketing, but it helps that they have such a specialized niche, because readers often follow the publisher when they know what to expect. They are now Print on Demand only and are distributed by Ingram and Bella distribution.

Their website is basic but reader-friendly, and it is well-organized. It is a good idea to get a feel for what they publish here. Some of their recent covers have been excellent in terms of genre appeal.

They do not accept simultaneous submissions although they try to respond to all submissions between 6-8 weeks. Their submission guidelines are very thorough and detailed so make sure you review them and double-check your submission before submitting.

To learn more or to submit, visit their site here.

Emily Harstone is the author of many popular books, including The Authors Publish Guide to Manuscript Submissions, Submit, Publish, Repeat, and The 2021 Guide to Manuscript Publishers.

The Bluebird Word just launched this year.  They aim to publish new writing weekly, as well as to produce monthly compilations. You can get a sense of what they publish by reading the journal online.

The Bluebird Word is especially keen to publish new and emerging authors. They define “emerging authors” as those with five publications or fewer. If you are a new or emerging author, you can note this in your submission.

The Bluebird Word accepts submissions year-round. During their launch they are not charging a fee for submissions, but they might charge a fee later. Submitting authors can expect a response within two to four weeks.

Authors of flash fiction and nonfiction may submit up to 1,000 words. Poets may submit up to three poems. Authors may submit in more than one category.

The Bluebird Word accepts submissions online, using Submittable. They also accept submissions via email, even when Submittable shows there is no open call. Again, they accept submissions year-round; even when Submittable shows otherwise, you can still email your submission. They do not accept submissions by post.

The Bluebird Word accepts simultaneous submissions, but they ask that authors withdraw work published elsewhere. They do not accept previously published work.

The Bluebird Word only accepts submissions that adhere to the guidelines they’ve posted online. Please read these guidelines in full before submitting.

If you would like to learn more or submit to The Bluebird Word, please visit their website here.

Bio: Ella Peary is the pen name for an author, editor, creative writing mentor, and submission consultant. Over the past five years, she’s written hundreds of articles for Authors Publish, and she’s also served as a copywriter and copy editor for a wide range of organizations and individuals. She is the author of The Quick Start Guide to Flash Fiction. She occasionally teaches a course on flash fiction. You can contact her at ellapeary@gmail.com.

How many times have you heard that old adage: “He who can, does; he who cannot, teaches.” It’s from George Bernard Shaw’s Maxims for Revolutionists, which is usually published with his play, Man and Superman. Nothing could be further from the truth; teachers are not losers. In fact, there are a lot of benefits for an author/writer to teach his/her craft, and there’s hope in every written page.

You don’t need to be that critical revolutionist. You could be the inspirational mentor who helps budding writers see the genius in their own work. And, through the process, you might even find the genius in your own work. Teaching writing, for writers, is a win-win situation. You get to share your expertise and, at the same time, learn something new from your students.

Yes, I did say, learn from your students. It’s amazing what creative minds, young and old, can do, especially in the sharing department. I learned and was inspired as much by my students as they were from me. The flow of ideas and creative energy was like a boomerang – what I shared with my students bounced back in many diverse ways and forms.

What did I learn? As I taught my students some of the basics, I was reinforcing my own knowledge and abilities to use the basics in my writing. Through brainstorming, group work, learning from each other, I discovered that the sky was not the limit; neither was the universe which, in effect, is endless. In the sharing portion of our sessions, we’d read our work, current, old, published and unpublished. And, yes, I was able to read from some of my published books. It’s a part of who I am, so I can’t share my experiences without sharing my writing.

That being said, I disprove the opening theory, as I am a teacher who also does and a doer who also teaches. And the benefits are quite inspiring. When my writing career took off, I started teaching classes in creative writing for all ages, both in person and online. The inspirations shared between teacher and student, student and teacher, were definitely not one-sided. And another old adage took root: “Practice what you preach”, or, in this case, teach. Whatever I instructed my students to do, I started doing myself.

For example, the oft-repeated complaint, “my life’s too busy to write,” echoed through my adult classes. I suggested beginning a regime of writing for five minutes a day, first thing in the morning so it doesn’t get overlooked. I argued, “I’m sure we can all afford five minutes a day.” The grumbles lessened, but I have to admit I caught myself making excuses several days in a row, excuses about not having time to write. I re-worked my morning routine and inserted five minutes of writing. It didn’t matter what I wrote, I just wrote: a journal, a letter, a few ideas still floating around from nighttime thoughts – anything and everything. Five minutes became ten, fifteen and eventually my morning routine was complete only once I’d had my writing session. I would write again throughout the day, but that morning spurt is now engrained into each day. It’s important: we can’t be writers if we don’t write.

I also encouraged carrying a notebook (electronic or paper) and spend all those wasted waiting times (at doctor’s offices, dentist’s offices, even at the bus stop) writing something – anything. Writing is all about just writing. It may be gibberish; or it might be part of your next best-selling book. Either way, it’s a great writing tool, to always fill one’s spare, otherwise wasted waiting times, doing something productive – writing.

My younger students were truly inspirational. Their unbridled sense of adventure and the imagination that took them on awesome journeys to the ends of the universe and beyond sparked my younger self to resurface and take hold. My grandmother often told me I had a vivid imagination. Somewhere along the way, it was buried amongst the complexities and responsibilities of life. Working with young writers brought back my vivid imagination and I started writing three novels (yes, you can have more than one writing project on the go at any given time – it adds a little spice to your writing life and, who knows? One writing project might inspire the others).

Teaching writing is a great way of mentoring and sharing creative ideas and works in progress, as well as work you’ve previously published. Some might suggest that teaching writing is a great way to market one’s books. I see that as a possible side benefit, but not my ultimate goal. I did have one parent complain that I was pushing my books, when, in reality, all I was doing was providing information (at another parent’s request) of what books I’d published to date. Writing, teaching, and marketing are three separate entities, but each one can unexpectedly influence the other.

Teaching and mentoring other writers, young and old, is just as much teaching oneself, honing one’s own writing skills. As I taught my students some of the basics, I was reinforcing my own knowledge and abilities to use the basics in my writing. Through brainstorming, group work, learning from each other, I discovered that the sky was not the limit; neither was the universe which, I’ve been told, is infinite.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford is a country writer, living just outside the tiny community of North Gower, Ontario, near the nation’s capital. With degrees in art history, music and Canadian studies, the retired music teacher enjoys the quiet nature of her country home and the inspiration of working at her antique Jane Austen-style spinet desk, feeling quite complete as she writes and stares out the large picture window at the birds and the forest. She writes in several genres, including creative nonfiction, memoir, fantasy, and historical fiction. http://emilyjanebooks.ca