Zoom program on July 24, 2025
Follow this link to hear the recorded conversation
Duration: 00:53:05Share link: https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/xrhwVld-tc1KvTBRoSClzstrp0sz5Mcl7ouWdI4C1nnRT3o1-3CvOW0dD5IFkTU6.11_ibp-1tcfCMKVjPasscode: wCN.K8am
Do you wonder why anthology editors choose some stories and leave others in the slush pile? Jay and Sandy have the answers. Together they have produced 50+ themed collections and have dozens more on the drawing board.
Ask them.
Jay A. Hartman is a 30+ year veteran of the publishing industry, with experience in both selling and producing. Jay would later estabish the publishing house Untreed Reads, serving as its Editor-in-Chief for 13 years before making the decision to leave after the company was acquired by another entity.
With his knowledge of all aspects of the ebook and print industry, he is an author’s best friend. Because of his background and his nature, instead of doing what most companies do – build a business on what they think a customer wants – he listens and gives customers not only what they want but anticipates what they will want in ten years – and makes sure he can provide it now.
Sandra Murphy hates hot weather in general but admits to one benefit. It brings her imaginary friends to life. They love the smell of hops drifting south of Anheuser-Busch Brewing, along the Mighty Mississippi River, so they’re inspired to tell tall tales and swear they are true. Sandy faithfully writes their stories, claims them as her own, and takes all the glory.
Her most recent story is Renovations, co-written with the prolific Michael Bracken, published in Black Cat Mystery Magazine. An editor said she likes the characters and would like to see more of them. The Mail Slot Plot will be the sequel – as soon as there’s time to write it.
Sandy’s edited Peace, Love, and Crime, Sex & Violins, The Great British Bump Off (publishing this fall), Yeet Me in St Louis, Dark Hearts and Tattletales (mild horror), been published in numerous anthologies and has won a Derringer Award. She edits the monthly newsletter for Writers and Publishers Network, writes for magazines. Her imprint, Sandra Murphy Presents, can be found at White City Press.