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Monday, May 2, 2011

Top 10 Things I Love about CFI:

by Rachael Renee Anderson

1. I submitted a book in January, got the thumbs up five weeks later, and found out it will be released in August. No, they're not always that fast, it's usually 10-12 months, which is wonderful.

2. The cover designers rock! A few weeks ago I got to see the proof of my cover and was asked for feedback. Since I didn't love it, they're now redesigning it and will hopefully turn it into something I love--which I'm confident they will, since I love the majority of their cover designs.

3. They recently surprised me by designing a beautiful poster page (see www.luckofthedrawbook.com) for my last released book. They plan to do that for all new CFI books coming out.

4. Every time I've emailed anyone, I've received a response that same day. If they don't know the answer, I get notified that they'll get back to me when they will know, and they always have.

5. The people I've gotten to know are all kind, honest, and wonderful people--the sort of people I could easily count as friends.

6. I love the fact that I can write a good, clean contemporary book that doesn't revolve around the LDS faith, and they will still publish it and most likely get it into Seagull and DB bookstores, along with Barnes and Noble, Amazon.com, etc. In fact, LDS or not, their books are available on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com. Many make it to Costco and Walmart as well.

7. They've recently beefed up their sales force, and I've been seeing some wonderful changes in that respect. Lyle even left the following comment on my blog a few weeks ago: "How would you like every clerk in any store that carries your book be able to give an in depth description of your book? We think we'll be there within the year. Above all, please know how important our authors are to us. We're trying every way within our power to make you successful—if you are, we are. " Sounds great to me, and I'm excited to see what comes.

8. They're flexible. They'd love their authors to get out and participate in signings and other events, but how much I do is up to me. With young kids still at home all day, I don't have the time to do as much as others do, and that's okay with CFI. All they expect is for you to do your best, and I've never felt any pressure to do more than I'm willing to do. Love that.

9. They're royalties are ALWAYS paid on time. Every single month, like clockwork.

10. They listen and they're constantly doing things to improve, which makes me confident they will. Cedar Fort is not perfect, but neither is anyone else. I'm very happy I chose to publish with them and am excited to see what comes in the future. In the meantime, thank you Cedar Fort for all you do for us authors.

6 comments:

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Rebecca Talley said...

I completely agree. I've been very happy to publish with CFI. I've had a great experience and have really enjoyed it.

I think CFI has some of the best covers in the market and I love working with the people at CFI. I also love that Lyle is always available to ask a question and will always reply to an email.

Great list!!

Michael Knudsen said...

Agreed, CFI has been great to work with, and that's coming from a first-timer.

Kay Curtiss said...

I have also recently joined the CFI Team with the goal to help the Independent LDS Retailers become more successful which is another way that Cedar Fort is reaching out to help others become successful and thereby they will.

Steve Westover said...

Well said Rachael!

Jolene Perry said...

That is SO happy :D