JOPLIN, Mo. – The Joplin Toad has launched its new publishing component for independent authors and poets called Tiny Toad Press.
The humor and arts magazine typically focuses on highlighting talented artists, musicians, writers and photographers in the Joplin area. Now the publication is branching out with Tiny Toad Press and aims to publish stories of 5,000 words or less and/or up to 10 poems in a book.
“Instead of having an 80,000 word story or 50 poems, this makes the barrier for entry much easier and helps them build their credits,” F.C. Shultz, developer of Tiny Toad Press, told The Heartlander. “It’s great for the customer, too. A reader might not pay $15 for 50 poems from an author they don’t know, but they’ll probably pay $5 for 10 poems from a local poet.”
Tiny Toad Press launched last week, and will soon be open for entries from prospective authors and poets. The company says it will be selective with what it publishes, and aims to publish two to three books a year. The group is planning to publish a Christmas book and possibly a few flash fiction stories per year, but that is undecided at this time.
The idea for Tiny Toad Press came after Shultz found a 1980s copy of Joplin Women’s Society at a local thrift store and loved the size and uniqueness of the tiny publication. Schultz and his team then adopted the exact dimensions and style for the upcoming Tiny Toad Press books.
Once someone’s story or poems are approved, the outlet will work with that author to edit the manuscript to prepare it for the publishing process. Tiny Toad Press will then perform typesetting, formatting and cover design, and print the work at its own expense.
Starting out, Tiny Toad Press authors will receive a certain number of free copies. Authors will then sell their own books and will be allowed to keep all profits. The publisher will sell the remaining copies of each book and use the profits toward funding its next publication. Selected writers will never pay a dime to Tiny Toad Press.
Shultz himself has written four fiction books of which he independently published and released. The author and developer also has written a full-length book of poetry, published by Pub Hound Press in Joplin. Shultz’ new book is called “Fox World” and will become the first Tiny Toad Press book.
Tiny Toad Press is not yet taking entries. Entry calls will be posted on The Joplin Toad social media pages in coming weeks. To visit its Facebook page, click here.
