Samhain Publishing
Encyclopedia
Samhain Publishing, Ltd. (aka Samhain) is a small press / e-publisher headquartered in Macon, Georgia. Founded by Christina M. Brashear in November 2005, Samhain specializes in romantic fiction and erotic romance novels
Currently, the company releases, on average, 27 e-book titles per month and 14 print titles per month under the Samhain imprint. The company’s growth has been attributed to Brashear’s strategic partnerships with several major companies in the publishing industry. Since its establishment, Samhain has emerged as a niche publisher of digital books with romance as their focus. In March 2007, the company entered into an agreement with Ingrams Publishing Services to expand Samhain's distribution channels nationally in major book retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders and Books-A-Million.
The company’s management followed this major agreement by partnering with Kensington Publishing
in June 2007 to have Samhain titles added to the NY publisher’s erotica and romance lines. Publisher Weekly reported that under the agreement, Kensington will publish up to 12 Samhain books annually in trade paperback or mass market formats. The agreement gives Kensington exclusive print rights and the NY publisher will also handle various sub-rights sales to e-books for which Samhain has rights.
Since the beginning of 2008, the independent publisher has also had several titles on the bestsellers lists at Borders Group
, Inc. and Ingram Publisher Services. In December 2008, Samhain acquired the Linden Bay Romance publisher to expand their reach in the digital market.
In January 2011, Samhain announced its horror line, curated by editor Don D'Auria. Initial releases are in e-book format with trade paperback following three months later and include known horror authors such as Ramsey Campbell
, Greg F. Gifune
, Ronald Malfi
and W. D. Gagliani
alongside works by new writers including Brian Moreland, Hunter Shea, Kristopher Rufty, Frazer Lee and Jonathan Janz.
, Lora Leigh
, and national bestselling author Lucy Monroe
Erotic romance novels
Erotic romance novels are stories written about the development of a romantic relationship through sexual interaction. The sex is an inherent part of the story, character growth, and relationship development, and couldn’t be removed without damaging the storyline.-History:The subgenre got its start...
Currently, the company releases, on average, 27 e-book titles per month and 14 print titles per month under the Samhain imprint. The company’s growth has been attributed to Brashear’s strategic partnerships with several major companies in the publishing industry. Since its establishment, Samhain has emerged as a niche publisher of digital books with romance as their focus. In March 2007, the company entered into an agreement with Ingrams Publishing Services to expand Samhain's distribution channels nationally in major book retailers such as Barnes & Noble, Borders and Books-A-Million.
The company’s management followed this major agreement by partnering with Kensington Publishing
Kensington Books
Kensington Publishing Corp. is an American book publisher.- Overview :Kensington was founded in 1974 by Walter Zacharius, formerly of Lancer Books. Steven Zacharius became president and CEO in 2005. Vice president Michael Rosamilia has been the CFO since 1989. Laurie Parkin is the vice president...
in June 2007 to have Samhain titles added to the NY publisher’s erotica and romance lines. Publisher Weekly reported that under the agreement, Kensington will publish up to 12 Samhain books annually in trade paperback or mass market formats. The agreement gives Kensington exclusive print rights and the NY publisher will also handle various sub-rights sales to e-books for which Samhain has rights.
Since the beginning of 2008, the independent publisher has also had several titles on the bestsellers lists at Borders Group
Borders Group
Borders Group, Inc. was an international book and music retailer based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The company employed approximately 19,500 throughout the U.S., primarily in its Borders and Waldenbooks stores....
, Inc. and Ingram Publisher Services. In December 2008, Samhain acquired the Linden Bay Romance publisher to expand their reach in the digital market.
In January 2011, Samhain announced its horror line, curated by editor Don D'Auria. Initial releases are in e-book format with trade paperback following three months later and include known horror authors such as Ramsey Campbell
Ramsey Campbell
John Ramsey Campbell is an English horror fiction author.Since he first came to prominence in the mid-1960s, critics have cited Campbell as one of the leading writers in his field: T. E. D. Klein has written that "Campbell reigns supreme in the field today", while S. T...
, Greg F. Gifune
Greg F. Gifune
Greg F. Gifune is a critically acclaimed horror author, the recipient of multiple Bram Stoker Award and International Horror Guild Award nominations in addition to one for the British Fantasy Award....
, Ronald Malfi
Ronald Malfi
Ronald Malfi is an American novelist whose genres include horror, thrillers, mainstream, and literary fiction. Malfi is also a musician, and for a time he fronted the Baltimore-based alternative rock band Nellie Blide...
and W. D. Gagliani
W. D. Gagliani
W.D. Gagliani of Oak Creek , WI, is an American author of Italian descent. His work has spanned the horror, thriller, noir crime, mystery and adventure fields in fiction, and he has written numerous book reviews, articles, and interviews in nonfiction.His fiction has won the 1999 Darrell Award of...
alongside works by new writers including Brian Moreland, Hunter Shea, Kristopher Rufty, Frazer Lee and Jonathan Janz.
Authors
Bestselling authors published with Samhain Publishing included New York Times/USA Today bestselling authors Lori FosterLori Foster
Lori L. Foster is a best-selling American writer of over seventy romance novels as Lori Foster. She also writes Urban Fantasy novels using using her first and middle initials, L.L. Foster....
, Lora Leigh
Lora Leigh
Lora Leigh is a New York Times bestselling author of erotic romance novels. She is most highly noted for The Breeds series and The Men of August...
, and national bestselling author Lucy Monroe