News Guide

International publisher Samhain Publishing® has had its share of successful authors throughout its six year history—but in 2011, the publishing house became a regular fixture on the New York Times eBook and USA Today bestseller lists.

Since early last year, the following Samhain authors have been listed on the new eBook bestseller list for The New York Times (eNYT), or on the USA Today (USA) bestseller list:

• Vivian Arend, Rocky Mountain Haven: eNYT (31), USA (102)
• Lorelei James, Cowboy Casanova: eNYT (15), combined NYT print/eBook (29), USA (81) **multiple weeks on eNYT list**
• Tessa Dare, Once Upon a Winter’s Eve (novella): USA (100)**multiple weeks on list**
• Jayne Rylon/Mari Carr, Eastern Ambitions: eNYT (26), USA (130)
• Lauren Dane, Once and Again: eNYT (29), USA (102)
• Lauren Dane, Taking Chase (originally released in 2006): USA (130)
• Lorelei James, Chasin’ Eight: eNYT (20), USA (83)
• Shelli Stevens, Flash Point (novella): eNYT (33)
• Maya Banks, Colters’ Daughter: eNYT (21), USA (114)

According to Christina Brashear, president, Samhain Publishing, the future looks promising for both new and established authors. “Every week, we have authors whose remarkable sales set them up as candidates for the bestseller lists,” she says. Currently, Samhain Publishing releases 5-6 new eBook romances each week. In addition, the company has recently launched a horror line (with 2 new releases monthly, at http://www.samhainhorror.com) and Retro Romance line (with up to 6 new digital-only releases monthly, of romances originally printed in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early 00s, at http://www.retroromance.com).

Brashear credits the success of Samhain authors to multiple factors. “We have developed a number of successful promotional efforts and have a robust distribution strategy for our books, certainly,” she explains. “But the main reason for our authors’ success is the high quality of their work, and the enthusiasm of their devoted fans. Without a doubt, it’s an exciting time to be a Samhain author.”

The New York Times’ eBook bestseller lists in fiction and nonfiction are compiled from weekly data from publishers, chain bookstores, independent booksellers and online retailers, among other sources. Since 1935, The Times has published bestseller lists, widely considered the industry standard. Bestseller lists are also published by Publishers Weekly, a trade publication, and newspapers including The Los Angeles Times and USA Today.

The USA Today Bestseller list is different from the NYT model, in that it combines both eBook and traditional print books in the same list.

About Samhain Publishing

Launched in 2005 with a vision of bringing extraordinary fiction to compulsive readers (who sometimes can’t wait for a book to actually be printed), Samhain Publishing® is an international publisher of eBook and traditional print fiction. One of the most prominent voices of original ebook fiction, Samhain represents some of today’s brightest authors of romance and horror fiction. To learn why at Samhain “it’s all about the story…”, visit Samhain Publishing online at http://www.samhainpublishing.com.