Exciting news for sci-fi fans and readers eager for thrilling space adventures! Galactic Hellcats is roaring back onto the scene this November, thanks to Lethe Press! And that’s not all – prepare for even more hellcats action because Lethe Press will also be unleashing the sequel, Andrei and the Hellcats, next year! This is a double dose of interstellar excitement you won’t want to miss.
Galactic Hellcats Spaceship Club Logo: A cat riding a rocket through space, promoting the science fiction book series.
The Journey to Re-Release for Galactic Hellcats
The path to this fantastic re-release of Galactic Hellcats and the upcoming sequel has been quite the odyssey, spanning two years and filled with unexpected turns. After Vernacular Books, the small press that initially published Galactic Hellcats, closed its doors in 2022, the publishing rights were up in the air. Another small press, Underland, offered to take over their titles, but I, the author, decided to aim higher. Having just been a Nebula Award finalist, the dream of reaching a wider audience with Galactic Hellcats and its sequel felt within reach.
This ambition led to querying agents and even a promising pitch session with Claire Eddy, an editor at Tor. The possibility of submitting the manuscript to Tor, alongside queries to other presses like Erewhon and Angry Robot, seemed like a significant step up. However, the reality of the publishing world is often challenging.
Despite the initial hope, the journey was met with a series of rejections. One particularly disheartening rejection came from a well-regarded small press in January of this year. They loved Galactic Hellcats, but cited low sales figures as the reason they couldn’t take on the book. In total, a staggering 58 rejections piled up over two years in the pursuit of an agent or a larger publishing house for the hellcats series. When the final “no” arrived from Claire Eddy, it became clear that a different path was needed. The dream of forcing entry into a higher publishing echelon had run its course. The realization set in: perhaps I wasn’t the “hot new thing” the industry was searching for, and maybe never would be.
Despite the rejections, the attempt was not without value. The “what ifs” would have been far more painful had the effort not been made. However, there’s a tinge of regret about how some smaller presses were handled during this period. They were kept waiting, almost as backup options, which in retrospect, wasn’t the most considerate approach.
Reflecting on the small presses that had initially shown interest and even offered deals—presses that were similar in size to Vernacular—it became clear that those options deserved reconsideration. Unfortunately, disorganized notes made it difficult to recall all of them immediately. Apologies are owed to Underworld and Epic, two presses that were unfortunately left hanging.
Why Lethe Press for the Hellcats Series?
The decision to go with Lethe Press for the Galactic Hellcats re-release and Andrei and the Hellcats sequel came about in a rather straightforward, almost serendipitous way. The honest truth? A friend’s recommendation was the key. Lethe Press had initially rejected Galactic Hellcats during the earlier submission rounds. However, this friend, who has a book being published by Lethe this year, facilitated a direct submission of the manuscripts to the editor. The editor said yes, and the deal was sealed. Sometimes, the best opportunities arise from unexpected connections.
Lethe Press offers several advantages. While still a small press, its longevity in the industry since 2001 provides a sense of stability and establishment, which is significant in the often-turbulent world of small publishing. Initially, there was a slight concern about Lethe’s primary focus on LGBTQ+ literature, given that I am not a queer author. However, their “about” page clarifies their expansion into diverse genres, making it a comfortable fit. Furthermore, Lethe Press is known for its stunning book covers. The anticipation is high to see their artistic vision for the hellcats books.
Crucially, Lethe Press agreed to publish BOTH books immediately. Many previous offers were contingent on the performance of the first book, a “wait-and-see” approach. Lethe’s commitment to both Galactic Hellcats and Andrei and the Hellcats from the outset demonstrated a strong belief in the series.
Overcoming “Prima Donna” Expectations and Embracing the Journey
The desire to quickly publish Andrei and the Hellcats was intense. Writing began on it in 2021, even before Galactic Hellcats was officially released. The moment the idea of writing from the perspective of Andrei, the Sex Robot from Near Jefferson Station, took hold, the first draft poured out effortlessly. It felt like having this story burning to be told for three long years, fueled by an anxiety to achieve rapid success.
Advice from writing mentors, often lamenting careers that stalled due to slow output, added to the pressure. Phrases like “You have to keep producing” and “I took too long to get book two out” echoed in my mind. A self-imposed, unspoken rule took shape: sell a novel, then relentlessly produce one book a year.
This, in retrospect, was a “dumb” rule – one of those hidden pressures we unknowingly create that only complicates the creative process. It’s time to add it to the pyre of broken or discarded personal rules, like needing to be published before 18, or 30, or the constant pressure to “network.”
It’s almost comical to realize, while writing this post, that this entire journey hasn’t been some epic, ages-long saga. An initial draft began with “It’s taken many years,” but a quick check revealed the actual timeline: just three years. Three years from initial submission to re-release. Contrast this with my first published novel, which began its life in 1989. Patience should have been a well-learned virtue by now.
Seriously submitting Galactic Hellcats started in 2016, making it a five-year journey to sell initially. The Gods Awoke took even longer, with the first submission recorded in 2008 and a sale in 2022 – fourteen years! So, waiting three years is hardly “AGONY.” Yet, the feeling of impatience was real, fueled perhaps by raised expectations. Three years of selling a book a year and becoming a Nebula finalist likely inflated those hopes, creating an illusion of imminent “fame and fortune.”
The key lesson is to avoid discouragement for not winning marathons when you are already succeeding in 5Ks. Life, and publishing, is a mountain climb, one step at a time. Reaching one peak often reveals another, higher one beyond. And that’s perfectly okay. It truly is about the journey, not just the destination.
The consequences of not reaching the “top” first are usually negligible, whereas the repercussions of pushing others down in the race are lasting. Consider this: nobody remembers which successful author published first.
So, yes, there’s a mix of shame, embarrassment, and quiet disappointment that the aggressive pursuit of “fame” didn’t pan out as hoped. But far outweighing these feelings is genuine excitement. The most important thing is that readers will finally get to dive into Andrei’s story and the expanded world of the hellcats! Get ready for the re-release of Galactic Hellcats and the upcoming Andrei and the Hellcats – the adventure is just beginning!
