I met Kathy Cretsinger several years ago at the Ken-Ten Writers Retreat. I’d never heard of the retreat, but one of my website clients, Suzanne Bratcher, invited me to go with her. She wanted to meet the publisher who was about to publish her debut novel, The Copper Box. I enjoy meeting new people in the writing community, so I was glad to go.
Kathy and Jerry are those kind of people–you know, the kind that feel like family the moment you meet them. We became instant friends. Since we met, I’ve done a lot of behind-the-scenes “Geek work” for Mantle Rock Publishing. Some authors have asked what my role was at MRP. Since I didn’t have an official title and wasn’t a real employee, I dubbed myself “technical consultant.” That fit.
Another role I gained was that of sounding board. Whenever Kathy needed someone in the industry to talk with, she’d call me. We brainstormed, planned marketing campaigns, discussed challenges, and just visited and laughed. A lot. Laughing is always a big part of time spent with Kathy Cretsinger.
A few weeks ago, Kathy called me. She was frustrated with her vision issues. I can’t imagine what she must go through being unable to see well when the printed word is her life. During that conversation, she mentioned a couple of people she’d hoped would buy MRP but had declined. Our next exchange went something like this:
ME: Is the company for sale?
KATHY: Yeah, why–do you wanna buy it? (laughs)
ME (pausing): Maybe …
KATHY: I thought you and Don were going to open a restaurant.
Which was true. We’d made many plans to partner with some good friends and open a deli in an Ozark tourist community. But before we signed any agreements or spent any money, BOOM – the COVID virus hit. We had just made the decision to put that entire project on hold indefinitely.
I told her I needed to ask Don if he’d be willing to use the money we’d set aside for the deli to purchase a publishing company. He told me yes, but only if I brought in a partner. “But who do you know,” he asked, “that can do the same things you can do?” I told him I didn’t want a partner who could do what I can do but someone who can do what I can’t do. Shannon Vannatter was the first and only person I considered to be my partner.
While I can do a lot of technical things, business management, graphic design, and even line-editing from back in my newspaper days, I’ve never been traditionally published. She has. Nearly 20 times. I’ve never worked with a “real” editor. She has. Several of them. I’ve only had an agent forever ago, and that was only for a few months. She’s worked through a few agents until she landed the right one for her. Shannon also has the ability to read a manuscript, cut the fluff, and fill the gaping holes in order to make the story sing. If I were going to run a publishing company, I knew I’d need a great editor. I knew I needed Shannon.
After a long conversation about who would be responsible for what and some prayer time with our husbands, Shannon and I agreed to be partners in this adventure. I called Kathy back and made an offer. She and Jerry accepted it, and a company was born.
UPDATE: Within the first year of Scrivenings Press’s launch, we had to dissolve the partnership due to some health issues Shannon was dealing with. Since then, we have begun using freelance editors. The company began with 39 titles (republished from Mantle Rock Publishing) and 13 contracts. Twenty-three authors were involved with those books and titles. As of early 2025, Scrivenings Press has over 200 titles in print and has over 70 authors. God has truly blessed us!
Email:
Address: 15 Lucky Lane
Phone : 501-289-9319
Looking forward to working with you, Linda and Shannon. May the Lord bless all you set your hands and hearts to.
Thanks so much, Jessica! We’re excited to be working with you, too. 🙂
We’re excited Jessica. God is definitely in this with us.
Congratulations on your new venture!
Thank you!
Thanks Linda!
I can’t tell you how happy and excited I am for you all. You worked with me on several projects and have been awesome! I’m looking forward to more.
I am SO glad to have you as one of our authors. I look forward to reading the next book in your series. 🙂
This makes me so happy for so many reasons! I hope it opens doors for all of us. Two of my favorite mentors may become my connection to fulfilling my dream of publishing fiction! God is so good.
Everything just fell into place. We’re looking forward to reading your proposal when you get it ready to submit. 🙂
Hey Jenny. I may be a dream fulfiller 🙂
I’m glad everyone is excited, Candace. I didn’t want anyone to be nervous. I’ve been there, when my publishing company ceased to exist, then was bought, and ceased again.
What a wonderful story of God’s timing and plan. Exciting news!! =)
I’m super excited, and I’m glad that you are part of the Scrivenings Press family! 🙂
I’m glad I’ll get the chance to know you better, Cynthia.
God is good, ALL THE TIME!! Congratulations to you and Shannon! I’m so, SO happy for you both!! Whee!! 🙂
Thank you! We are THRILLED and look forward to working with all our authors. 🙂
Congratulations to all of us, Regina 🙂
Congratulations! I am excited to be able to work with you!
Thanks, Heather! We’re super excited to have you as part of the Scrivenings family! 🙂
Hey Heather. We’re excited to work with you too.
Oh, my goodness, that is so exciting for both of you!!! Wow! Can’t wait to see where God takes you!
We are both thrilled and terrified, lol!
Crazy huh, Brenda. I’m ready to help some stories shine.
Congratulations and a big hug, Linda and Shannon!
Thanks so much, Susan!
What a wonderful new adventure for both of you, Linda and Shannon! I feel proud to be in the fold, both for my already published book, A Hobo’s Wish, and for my contracted book, Shattered Dreams. I look forward to working with both of you and am eager to speak with you regarding your plans. You probably talked about all that at your first Author Chat, which I missed because I have been away from my office and “unplugged” with a death in the family and helping my daughter navigate through so much. I hope to get up to speed with everyone’s help and look forward to the next author chat. In the meantime, I have been doing final edits of my completed manuscript for Shattered Dreams and hope to have it ready to submit long before December 1, our contracted submission time. I pray for your success in this new venture, and that you will love your work and enjoy every minute of it. God’s timing is always right and when you go where He leads you will be blessed. I look forward to becoming better acquainted.
We’re excited that you’re part of our publishing family, Connie! I’m so sorry about your recent loss. Our next Author Chat is scheduled for June 9 at 6:30 pm (Central). We look forward to “meeting” you then. 🙂
Congratulations Linda and Shannon!
I had the great opportunity to have my proposal accepted by Kathy, who worked with me on it, and then submitted it to her team, when Mantle Rock happened to close. I look forward to resending my proposal again, soon.
So glad you’ve taken the steps in beginning Scrivenings Press.
Great news. God is good.