Already the author of several successful speculative fiction series (The Bubba the Monster Hunter and Quincy Harker, Demon Hunter series and The Black Knight Chronicles), ten years ago John Hartness and several other publishing pros launched Falstaff Books. That small press focused on “publishing the best of genre fiction’s ‘misfit toys,’” and now boasts a catalog of over 300 titles. I wanted to know how John and his pals managed what seemed a near-impossible feat.
Daily Dragon (DD): What mischievous spirit inspired you to start a publishing company?
John Hartness (JH): Well, some friends of mine were trying to sell a book that I’d read and thought there was great potential in, but they were having no luck. So, I basically launched a press to publish really good books that were not getting the attention I thought they deserved from existing traditional publishers.
DD: Why “Falstaff” books?
JH: I blogged as “Falstaff” on several poker websites in the early 2000s. Sir John Falstaff from Merry Wives of Windsor and the Henry plays is a funny fat guy who likes to drink and make merry. I’m a former theatre director who’s fat, considers himself funny, and likes to drink and make merry. It seemed like a logical nickname, then I just expanded it into a press.
DD: What factors do you think contributed to the phenomenal growth in Falstaff Books’ catalog?
JH: I had the benefit of nearly a decade on the convention circuit and the connections I’d made there, which gave me access to authors like AJ Hartley, Gail Martin, Chris Jackson, Eric Asher, and a bunch of other successful midlist and best-selling authors who wouldn’t necessarily be interested in working with a startup, but they were willing to take a chance on my company because we were already friends. So, I got a much higher quality of submission than new presses my size should have gotten, and we turned that into over 300 titles in the line in the past ten years.
DD: Do you have any words of advice or caution for other writers considering branching out into publishing?
JH: It’s hard, it’s expensive, and it’s often thankless, but when you can launch a career and see those authors grow and shine, and eventually be too big to work with you on future projects, it’s also immensely gratifying. If you want to open a small press to get rich, find another path. But if you love books and love bringing them to life, it can be an incredible ride.
Visit JohnHartness.com | I DRINK & I WRITE THINGS and About Us – Falstaff Books for more information and news about John Hartness and Falstaff Books.
