Why are we doing this?

My husband is Ashavan Doyon. He writes gay romance novels. Maybe you’ve heard of him. It’s been a long road that started with National Novel Writing Month and writing fan fiction. Ask me and I’ll tell you all about it sometime.

When Asha finally built up the confidence to submit his work, he spent a great deal of time researching publishers. He ended up with two. So, of course, it was devastating news when we learned that one of them, one of the most venerable, was closing. He had been so careful to pick just the right ones. Then the waiting started. The waiting for his rights to be reverted, which, thankfully, they were. But what next? Four full length novels in a series, with a fifth ready to go and no publisher. It was unlikely that anyone would reprint four novels that had already been out for some time. It was decided; Asha would self-publish.

Then, more bad news: A distributer who also published was closing. At this point we all know what happened there. Writers, other publishers, advertisers, editors, customers, no one was immune. With a new release out in November, the distributor disappearing with the bulk of all fourth quarter royalties meant yet another hit in a year that had already hit Asha’s writing dreams hard. Fellow authors and colleagues lost thousands of dollars.

Asha and I started to talk. Maybe we were missing something. Maybe we could do more than just self-publish Asha’s titles. It was a big ‘If.’ So many authors have been burned that trust is a lot to ask for, especially in the current atmosphere of closings. But, we decided it was worth it to try.

So, that’s it. That’s what Purple Horn Press is all about. A safe space, if you will, for writers, editors and those negatively affected by the recent publisher closings to come together. We hope you’ll give us a chance to do right by you. I have no doubt that we will make a mistake or two along the way. But, we will never, ever, steal or cheat you. Ever. We believe that giving your word means something. And, for what it’s worth, you have ours.

—Ronald Desroches, Co-Founder, Purple Horn Press