Getting to know Ricasso Press

[Rob Santa]

Ricasso Press is being envisioned as a small press. "Small" as in "we'll be lucky to see a profit." And by "we" I mean me. So few small presses survive these days, probably for the same reason many ideas go away: they simply fail to maintain interest for the person who came up with the idea. I cannot make a solemn pledge here and now to see that Ricasso Press shines forever brightly, but I have set up a business model that will guarantee that expenses do not become unbearable. For now, my expenses are small, even with paying authors. My focus will be to remember that "small" in "small press" applies to most aspects of the business, except quality. By thinking small (and dreaming big) I feel Ricasso Press can exist for many years to come.

This was all started as a way to continue the Magistria shared world anthology started by G. W. Thomas. The first book in the series saw life and was, I believe, well received. The second book came *that* close to being born before the whole thing fell apart. I took over andwill see that Magistria as a world continues.

However, not wanting Ricasso Press to be a one-trick pony, I decided it needed to offer more. When the doors officially open this summer, both Magistria 1 and 2 will be available. Within a few months, Ricasso Press intends to release two more fantasy anthologies. I am delighted to announce that the first will be Mages & Mechanica, previously mentioned on this board. Bill Ward and I will be co-editing, a first for me (then again, just about everything involved with Ricasso Press is a first for me). The second anthology will follow hot on M&M's heels. Announcements for submissions for both are forthcoming shortly.

Of course, my timeline is dependent on several factors, not the least of which is finding a reliable printer. I believe I have and will know the answers to all my questions within a week or so. Should this particular printer not work out, all schedules will be necessarily pushed back.

Please feel free to send me any questions, posted here or in private messaging. I will answer them as best I can with what little knowledge I have. For now, this is a dedicated project built on inspiration. Thanks for your support.

Oh, and as a post script I should point out that there isn't a website yet. The announcement for that should happen in a month or so. Also being a first, it's sapping my free time putting it together. The learning curve through all this has been - how shall I say? - steep. But my Dad has a riddle that applies to this (as it does most things in life): how do you eat an elephant?

One bite at a time.


Rob Santa

[Swashbuckler]

Go for it, Rob! I wish you all success, and I'm glad to see someone pick up the M&M anthology ...

Very cool!

Steve Goble

Visit my web site (http://www.stevegoble.com) for news on upcoming stories or visit my blog, Swords Against Boredom (http://stevegoble.com/blog/)

[Jordan Lapp]

Rob,

This sounds really exciting! A lot of us had Magic & Mechanica stories on the go, and it good to hear that someone's picking it up.

When your press gets all up and running, you have one guaranteed customer/supporter right here.

Jordan Lapp

[PaulMc]

Good luck, Rob!

-- Paul McNamee

My Writings (http://writer.paulmcnamee.net)
The Tales of Doran Coyle (http://www.dorancoyle.net)
Managing Editor, SwordAndSorcery.org (http://www.swordandsorcery.org)

[Raph]

Excellent news, Rob!! Congrats!

Have you checked out Lulu as a printer? My only experience with them was the 'Star-Spangled Zombie' anthology, but I thought the quality of the printing and binding was good, even if the editorial quality (from the now-defunct Maniac Press) left alot to be desired. Don't know much about them other than they seem to be a POD outfit, but it might be worth looking into.

Mike O.

[Christopher_Heath]

Rob,

All sounds fantastic! Best of luck with it. Also good to see another market that won't be turning its nose up to quality stories just because they're high fantasy.

Ricasso Press is an excellent name foryour company as well! For those of you who don't know what that is...look it up. /emoticons/confused.gif /emoticons/turn.gif

-Chris




Christopher M. Heath

"Azieran: Distilling the Essence" in Sails and Sorcery by Fantasist Enterprises
"Azieran: The Conquerors" in Chimaera Serials
"Azieran: Pawn of theSerpentine Witch" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Sentinel of an Ageless Reign" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: The Lakeshorn Mirrors" in Chronicles of Fantasy by ComStar Media
"Azieran: Crestfallen in Mal'kyrrik" serialized novella in Forgotten Worlds
"Azieran: Wyrd Sins" in Rogue Worlds
"The Coruscate King" in Freehold: Betrayal - Ghourlesh Book I
"Azieran: Beyond the Black Veil" in Stalking Shadows
"Azieran: In the Wake of Ain Koph's Fall" in Grendelsong #4



+ others

[crystalwizard]

Very cool Rob. And if you need art for anything, covers, website or whatever, let me know.

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Visit my art gallery on art wanted at
http://artwanted.com/crystalwizard

All my books in print:
http://sojourn.omnitech.net

[scbryce]

Congrats!

SC Bryce

www.SCBryce.com (http://www.SCBryce.com)

[Bill Ward]

Looking forward to working with you Rob, its great that M&M will have a new home.

[Hawkinslad]

Rob-

I'm excited to hear more about this. And I agree that Ricasso is a very fitting title. It's obscure - but most likely known to those who will be reading and writing for your publications - and a small, elegant addition to a larger work of art (kind of like a small press).

Best of luck, and please keep us posted.

[erazmus]

Good luck with Ricasso Press Rob, I'm impressed with your commitment all ready.
Mike

Michael D. Turner
'Psyched Up' in _Turn the other Chick_-ed. E. Friesner-Baen books
www.baen.com
'Dutchman Rescue'in Continuum SF #6
www.continuumsciencefiction.com/orders.htm (http://www.continuumsciencefiction.com/orders.htm)

'An Incident at Black Tongue Tavern' in _Bash Down the Door and Slice Open the Badguy_ from Fantasist Enterprises:
www.fantasistent.com/books/anthologies/BASH.php (http://www.fantasistent.com/books/anthologies/BASH.php)

[John M. Whalen]

Good luck, Rob. Good to see something being born with so many markets dying lately.

[Stomphoof]

Oooooo would Steampunk Fantasy (Cybernetics + Divine Magic + Arcane Magic in a more Rural Setting) be a good go for the Mages & Mechanica antho?

Cause if so...I may just submit my first short story to YOU guys first! *bounces about*

I will Revert to this Vicinity!

http://stomphoof.wordpress.com My Blog of Shiny Doom!

[Rob Santa]

Does BOOYAH answer your question?

My only reservation with your wording is 'rural.' I've interpreted that as 'modern,' which won't necessarily make the cut. Sit tight, though. Guidelines are on the way as soon as Bill and I get all the wording right. There will be no doubt as to what fits once we do that. Bear in mind, though, that there is a lot of cutting and pasting going on from the PB announcement (see the Markets thread for more on that).


Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO ofRicasso Press

[TW]

Late applause -- I've been away, far, far away -- but heartfelt. Thanks for stepping up!

Recent credits: "The Teeth of the Matter"and "Cold Dragons" in Dragons, Knights and Angels; "The One-Legged Assassin"and"Possession is Nine Parts" in Electric Spec; and "At Winter's Edge", upcoming in Forgotten Worlds.

[von Darkmoor]

Hey, sorry to be late to the party also, but I bring lots of kudos and dip along with me. You do sound most committed, Rob, and knowing your work ethic in your storytelling I sincerely look forward to your finished products.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason

Ever waltz with the Devil? Or devil with a Waltz? Visit www.vondarkmoor.blogspot.com (http://www.vondarkmoor.blogspot.com) to find out.

[Ropespor]

Congrats from my corner too, Rob, and good luck.


www.myspace.com/Ropespor (http://www.myspace.com/Ropespor)
http://manning.coldfusionvideo.com
www.myspace.com/ozmentshouseoftwilight (http://www.myspace.com/ozmentshouseoftwilight)

[nathan]

Overlooked this somehow. Apologizes for that. Congratulations!

VIEW IMAGE (http://www.dodgenet.com/~moonblossom/bloodstone2.jpg)
"Writing the wet dreams of teenage boys" - Lindsey Llyod, Tangent Reviews

Tarantino himself has been forward and unapologetic about his influences. In a 1994 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994) interview with Empire (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire) magazine, he said, "I steal from every single movie ever made. If people don't like that, then tough tills, don't go and see it, all right? I steal from everything. Great artists steal, they don't do homages."

[C.Cevasco]

This sounds fantastic, Rob! Huge congratulations on launching this! The very best of luck to you. /emoticons/smile.gif

/emoticons/hop.gif

Chris

Christopher M. Cevasco, Editor/Publisher
Paradox: The Magazine of Historical and Speculative Fiction
http://www.paradoxmag.com

Shocklines.com is carrying my Dark Heresy Chapbook (http://store.yahoo.com/shocklines/dahebychmceb.html).

[Rob Santa]

Thank you all.


Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO ofRicasso Press

[bdurham]

Hi,

They let me out of my cage for a few minutes, just long enough to wish Rob a gigantic way to go and good luck.

In time I hope to get back on track and do some serious posting.

Best.
Bruce

Administrator: Community Forums of CPI's Official Site of Conan the Barbarian (http://www.conan.com/invboard)

Upcoming: Fool's Treasure in Freehold: The Protector and Old Havana in When the World Runs Thin

Recently published: Marathon in December's Paradox and Kalini Steel in Freehold: Southern Storm

Some people dream of success while other people live to crush those dreams.

[crystalwizard]

Ack! Someone put Bruce back in his cage! Quick!

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Visit my art gallery on art wanted at
http://artwanted.com/crystalwizard

All my books in print:
http://sojourn.omnitech.net

[ScrewMoonshine]

Just reading about this venture now, Rob... Best of luck with it! I'll be on the lookout for Magic & Mechania.

Robert Orme

Out now:
'Such Dreams' in Amazing Journeys Magazine #12 (www.journeybookspublishing.com)
'On the Tree Top' in Ultraverse vol.3 #5 (www.ultraverse.us)

Coming soon:
'The Scab, the Man, and the I.V.' in Mount Zion Speculative Fiction Review #3 (www.mountzionpress.com)
'More Than One Way to Protect' in Lords of Justice (www.carnifexpress.net/blogs/)
'And Afterward' and 'Candy Lover' in Flashshot, April 30 and May 23 (www.gwthomas.org/subscribe.htm)

[Rob Santa]

Printer update: I think (with 98.6% certainty) I've found one. The quality is near what I want, though not exactly. Considering the substantial positive factors that weigh in favor of this printer I can't complain. What has me particularly excited is the fact that I'll be able to vary my pricing (unlike Lulu - for example) on even an individual basis. Seems like forum members will be able to get that discount I had planned after all.

So far, so good. Website will be up and running at the same time books are available and not before, like originally planned. Seemed sort of silly to promote product that didn't exist.


Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO ofRicasso Press

[crystalwizard]

What printer Rob? That sounds like a very useful resource.

Never meddle in the affairs of a wizard unless you are soggy and hard to light!

Visit my art gallery on art wanted at
http://artwanted.com/crystalwizard

All my books in print:
http://sojourn.omnitech.net

[Ropespor]

Yeah, Rob--crystalwizard took the words out of my mouth. Unless it's a trade secret /emoticons/cool.gif , I'd be curious too. I'm launching Ozment's House of Twilight within the next few months (I'll definitely have copies available at World Fantasy Con in NY this November),but I still haven't made any printing decisions.

www.myspace.com/Ropespor (http://www.myspace.com/Ropespor)
http://manning.coldfusionvideo.com
www.myspace.com/ozmentshouseoftwilight (http://www.myspace.com/ozmentshouseoftwilight)

[carnifexpress]

Rob,

Curious if you're oly going to be releasing anthologies or if you'll be diving into the novella and/or novel releases at some point?

Armand Rosamilia

Visit Carnifex Press for more information!

http://www.CarnifexPress.net

http://www.MySpace.com/carnifexpress
http://www.MySpace.com/carnifex_metal

The Freehold site is now up!
http://www.angelfire.com/indie/freehold

[Rob Santa]

It is my intent to be a bookstore for not just the projects I'm putting together but also other authors/editors as well. The hard and fast rules are not yet worked out, but you will definitely see collections and novels put together by other people. At the very least there will be two Magistria-related novels in the bookstore (one by Jack MacKenzie, Time Like Broken Glass, and one by yours truly as soon as he gets off his lazy duff and finishes it).


Rob Santa
Hopelessly Addicted Writer of Speculative Fiction
and CEO ofRicasso Press