Interview with Editor of Trifecta Books, Tristi Pinkston

By Nikki Wilson

Today I'm excited because my friend Tristi Pinkston is allowing me to interview her about her publishing company, Trifecta Books. Trifecta Books is an new breed of publishing. It combines the benefits of a small publishing company, and the freedom of self-publishing into one place. They just announced that they will be expanding into the LDS and Christian market in 2016! So of course I had to find out more so I could tell you all about it!!


What prompted you to start Trifecta Books?

I've been publishing for about thirteen years now and I've been with a few different publishers, and I've also worked in the industry on the publishing side of things. Every so often, I'd find myself thinking, "If I had a publishing company, I'd do it this way or that way." Then I'd brush the thought off because really, when would I ever start a publishing company? Come on, right? But then about two years ago, I was thinking about it while in the shower (where I get all my best ideas) and the name for the company and everything just appeared in my head. I mentioned it in passing to my friend Jenni James, and her response was, "I want to be your first author." So that's how it all came to be.

What has been the most difficult part of starting a publishing company? What has been the best part?

There's a lot more paperwork than I had realized at first. You fill out this form and then get the other form and then there's this code and that number and on and on ... and then you find out that you really need to do that thing over there ... it's all a learning curve, and I imagine I'll be learning for a long, long time. The best part is creating something where there wasn't something before. I get to help authors take their dreams and make them reality. That's amazing.

Can you describe how Trifecta Books is different/similar to other small publishing companies?

We're similar in that we operate with a very small staff. The people who work with me are dedicated, hard-working, and can see the vision of this company ... and there are only a few of them, meaning that they're each doing a lot right now. Down the road, I'll be bringing on more people and we'll be able to spread the tasks around. We're also focused on the well-being of each author, as other small companies are. I'd say that we're different in that our company is run entirely out of our homes - my office is my bedroom, and each member of my staff also works from home. We also are focusing more on e-book with some print sales, and we're utilizing the Internet more than other forms of advertising. In addition to that, we're doing our own distributing.

What are the benefits of writers publishing with Trifecta Books versus self-publishing?

When you publish with Trifecta, you have the advantage of a company name behind you. You have years of experience between myself and my team. There are pitfalls we can help you avoid. I'm not against self-publishing - in fact, I've done several of my books independently. But with a company, you've got access to help and advice - and if we don't know the answer, we'll find it out. I would also say that my goal for Trifecta is that we become like a family, and that's a definite benefit.

How much control does the author have over the final version of their book when they are signed with Trifecta? (things like cover art, etc.)

The author is consulted on everything, and if they have a concern, we talk about it until comprises are reached that everyone can live with. I do have final veto power as the publisher, but if an author really hates something we've suggested, we will do what we can to address those concerns so they can feel good about their finished product.

What are some things a writer can expect in a contract with Trifecta Books?

We offer really competitive royalties. Our e-books are 50%. For our print runs, since we're fairly new yet, our authors have helped with print costs, and they're getting back 100% royalties until their initial investment is paid back. It's a little unorthodox, but we're trying new things in the industry. Print runs are optional. In addition, we have a very flexible clause dealing with rights of first refusal - we only ask to see the next book in a series. If you're not happy with Trifecta and we're not able to make the changes you'd like us to make, you can go elsewhere without a long legal battle. Our goal is to keep you happy, not to make it into a saga. 

What books does Trifecta currently publish, and what types of books are you looking to publish in the future?

Right now, we're primarily publishing young adult and sweet and clean romance. We have some middle-grade already published and more in the hopper. We will be opening up to more genres in 2016, including LDS and Christian.

What are you looking for in submissions? What is the protocol for submitting to Trifecta Books?

We're looking for well-written, thought-provoking books that are clean and uplifting. Right now, we're looking at more young adult, more middle grade, more sweet and clean romance, and particularly Regency romance. Come 2016, we'll be looking for LDS and Christian novels. You can read all about how to submit at www.trifectabooks.com, and you can send any questions to info.trifectabooks@gmail.com. 

What advice would you give to any writers that are interested in submitting to Trifecta?

Please send your manuscript through a critique group or a long list of readers before you submit. We're looking for professionally crafted books by professionally minded authors. If I open up your e-mail or your document and I see a bunch of typos, I'm immediately going to raise an eyebrow. Do not send me a rough draft or even a second or third draft.

Please be aware as to what I mean by "clean." I'm not talking about closed-door scenes - I'm talking about no scenes at all. We do publish kissing, as long as the hands stay in plain sight at all times. We do not publish swearing, uses of the occult, or gratuitous violence.

What other information would you like MMW readers to know about Trifecta Books?

That we're an exciting new company and we'd love to chat with them more, not only about our current catalog, but submitting. We have big plans, and can't wait to bring them to fruition. 

Thank you so much, Tristi for all that wonderful information! I'm looking forward to hearing even more about Trifecta Books in the future!

No-No NaNo!

As much of a good girl as I am, I've probably been a tad more rebellious than I should have been. Sounds like a contradiction, huh?

A year or so ago, my husband related to a coworker the story of how my young women leaders (ages ago when I *was* a YW) tried to discourage us girls from wearing all black to church. They gave many reasons why they felt it was inappropriate, but my nicest clothes were black and I've always looked good in that color. My skirts weren't short. My tops not tight. I felt their quibble about the color was out of place. At least we were attending, right? I could have been in bed on a Sunday morning like my brothers, or sitting at the TV. Instead I was at church. So I blew them off, wore what I wanted, and secretly smiled at the pursed lips and disapproving looks.

The coworker (of my husband) was impressed that I lived my standards but still rebelled. I never saw it that way. I'm sort of a do-it-my-way person. I've found a system that works for me and I'm good with it.

Why am I telling you this? Well, it sort of leads into what I'm doing this month. You see, while everyone else seems to be on the NaNoWriMo wagon, that particular plan isn't going to work for me. Rather than not participating at all, I'm joining a few of my fellow "rebels" for Tristi Pinkston's No-No NaNo.

If you haven't met her, or don't know her books, Tristi is a genius. As well as being a talented author and editor, she does wonders to motivate her fellow writers--me being one of them. I have three books I need to finish before February (at least rough drafts) but I've started on each of them at least a little, so I can't technically fit into the traditional NaNo standard. Tristi's No-No NaNo is perfect for me this year.

So, if you've been on the fence about this month, or feeling a tad bit of envy for those writers with the chance to start a brand new project Nov 1--come join us! It's going to be fun!

Say It With Me: I Am A Writer

I attended a class at the 2007 LDS Storymakers Conference presented by Tristi Pinkston.  I can't recall the name of the class, or the synopsis of the material it covered, but I will never forget the experience of that one hour with Tristi, because it held for me the 'wow' factor of that event.  You know - the one opportunity you walk away from saying, "Wow - if nothing else had gone right, that moment made this whole experience worthwhile."

I remember Tristi reflecting on the pull we feel to writing, and tying it to our eternal nature.  She suggested something I'd never really considered before: that we were probably writing long before we came to Earth; that we were developing these interests and talents as we prepared for mortality.  Quite possibly we sat in on lessons with Shakespeare.  Perhaps we listened to a panel by Austen and Dickens. 

The point, speculation aside, is that life is just a step in our eternal progression.  We didn't just pop into existence and decide to string words into stories.

When she made that point, I felt an instant connection to the idea.  Yes.  I was a writer before I was born.  More importantly, I am a writer now.

Sometimes I think we forget or undermine the importance of that little idea. We think, "I'm not a writer because I'm not published," or "I'm not a writer, because I'm still learning.   Yesterday, my six-year-old daughter reinforced the concept.

She announced she was going to write a book, demanded some paper and disappeared for almost half-an-hour.  When she returned, she handed me a fully illustrated short story anecdote of her experience with the chicken pox this past spring.

I read it aloud, gave her a hug and said, "Sweetie, you're a writer!"

She gave me one of those 'teenage' looks and said, "Yes mom, I know."

From this experience I learned some very important lessons:

1. If you want to write a story, sit down and do it.  She had an idea, took the initiative and finished the project.
2. If you believe you are a writer, you are a writer.  Nobody else's criteria, accomplishments or understanding matters.  More importantly, if you are writing, you are a writer.

So say it with me:  "I am a writer."

Now close your browser and get to work.  (But don't forget to stop by tomorrow for the next great MMW post!)

Clean Reads--coming soon

If you love to read books, but don't care for questionable content, you'd love this new blog that
Tristi Pinkston and a few of us are working on.

It's a list of all clean books under all genres with links to Amazon. Everyone welcome!

I'll keep you up-to-date on our "grand opening".

Till then!

A Book Review

"Agents in Old Lace"
By Tristi Pinkston

About the Book
Shannon Tanner's perfect life is turned on end when she discovers her boyfriend, Mark, is not what he seems. Fearing for her safety, she enlists the FBI, who puts its best man on the job Rick Holden, who dons a dress and goes undercover as Shannon s roommate. For a while it seems that life is safe again, until Mark kidnaps Shannon's best friend. Shannon realizes the only way to save her friend and herself is to send Rick, her only protection, away. Agent in Old Lace is a thrilling combination of action, suspense, and romance that will keep you turning the pages until the end.

About the Author
Tristi Pinkston is a stay-at-home mom, home schooler, media reviewer, Cub Scout leader, freelance editor, obsessive blogger, and headless chicken. She s married to her first and only boyfriend, Matt Pinkston, and together they have four children: Caryn, Ammon, Joseph, and Benjamin. Tristi is a regularly featured presenter at the LDStorymakers Writers Conference and enjoys helping others learn how to fine-tune their writing skills. She also gives presentations on literacy, the Hole in the Rock Pioneers, and the importance of honoring the talents you ve been given. Tristi is the author of three historical fiction novels. Agent in Old Lace is her first novel with Cedar Fort.

The Review
By Christine Bryant

This is the first novel I've read by Tristi Pinkston and I must say I was impressed. Not only did she keep my interest throughout every suspense filled page, but she added a bit of humor and romance as well. This book is sure to appeal to just about any reader with its tough female character who's not afraid to stand up for herself and an even tougher hero that isn't too caught up in his manhood to put on a dress and a little makeup to save the girl. I found myself on the edge of my seat one moment and laughing my head off the next.

Well done, Tristi. I think you have a winner here.

To find out more about Tristi Pinkston and her books, click HERE.

To order "Agent in Old Lace", click HERE.