Swoon Reads: Bringing Writers and Readers Together in Publishing

Cori Bair

Guest Post by Cori Bair

In August I had the pleasure of being asked to beta test a ground-breaking new idea in publishing. I was given the opportunity to send my completed YA manuscript to Swoon Reads, a teen romance imprint under Feiwel and Friends, which is an imprint of Macmillan.

Swoon Reads is a crowd-sourced publishing initiative bringing readers and writers together. Authors are encouraged to submit their finished YA romance manuscripts to Swoon Reads. Upon submission, the author’s manuscript is available for readers to enjoy.

Swoon Reads then gives the readers control of what will be published. Once a reader registers an account with Swoon Reads (at no cost), the hardest part is deciding which manuscript to read first. Upon finishing a manuscript, the reader is asked to rate the manuscript in four different categories: Heat, Tears, Laughs, and Thrills. The manuscripts with the most “swoon-worthy” ratings will be chosen for publication under the Swoon Reads imprint.

Once a manuscript is chosen for publication, the author will be given a standard Macmillan publishing contract with a $15,000 advance, along with print and e-book formats—including editing, design, marketing and sales.

Cori and Melissa Combs

Currently, Swoon Reads has 64 romantic titles to choose from, in a variety of genres. My co-author, Melissa Combs, and I have a YA paranormal romance submitted to Swoon Reads—THE ONLY EXCEPTION. We encourage you to join the Swoon Reads community, read our manuscript, and help THE ONLY EXCEPTION reach publication!

Swoon Reads still needs YA romance writers and readers! For more information on Swoon Reads please visit www.swoonreads.com.

Cori Bair is a member of the St. Louis Writers Guild, a young adult and new adult author, and a fourth-grade teacher at Salem Lutheran School in Affton, MO.

Melissa Combs is a fourth-grade teacher at Good Shepherd Lutheran School in Collinsville, IL, and a pregnancy counselor at Mosaic Pregnancy & Health Center in Granite City. In her spare time she likes to read, spend time with her daughter, and write. 

Please visit www.twofriendsandabook.wordpress.com to learn more about Cori Bair and Melissa Combs.

Follow Cori on Twitter @CoriBair

Follow Melissa on Twitter @LissaCombs