Meet Michele Robbins Acquisitions Editor at Familius

See that gorgeous woman on the right? She's my sister (and mother of 9! children). I'll let you guess who's older. I convinced her to be my first interview. So, let's get started.

If you could create your own ice cream flavor what would it be? 
I would mimic my favorite chocolate bar: Lindt dark chocolate with Black currant and almond slivers.

What's harder, mother of nine or Mater Familius?
Mother of nine. I can shut off the computer, but there is no shut down button on any of my children.

How do you, as the Acquisitions Editor work, with your writers? 
Once we have a writer contracted we get an outline and we start working through the chapters. There is a lot of collaboration and it is wonderful to learn new things all the time. We have authors around the world and across the country, so I love to use technology. Google chat is a great tool. I can work with an author in a far off city and make sure we have the concept just right; we share computer screens and and see each other's edits as we go. One author even sat on her bed in PJ's as we ironed out a few points. Technology really helps me as a working, stay at home Mom.

Can you tell us briefly about a project they're asking for submissions on called Lessons From My Parents? 
I wanted to combine the wisdom of parents into a book that could be used as a reference for ideas on how to parent as well as a feel good read for anyone. I know there are tons of research driven books on parenting out there (some published by Familius), but when children share things their parents taught them through word or example, that is real life evidence.

It has been so fun to read submissions from many states and, so far, 4 countries. Something magical happens when people take time to reflect on family, write about it, and share it with others. Family connections are stregthened and love grows. I am really excited to see this book come together and to share it with you. Here's the link to submit or to share with your friends.

http://www.familius.com/1lessons-from-my-parents

If we have a brilliant nonfiction idea how do we submit to Familius and what is your response time?

You can send send it through snail mail to PO Box 204 Huntsville, Ut 84317 or submit via email to bookideas@familius.com Please know we are looking at fiction too. Families who read fun books together are happy! We have two children's picture books coming out.

Our response time is about 1 week. It obviously takes more time to explore the idea and contract books that fit our mission.

Stranded on an island and could only bring one book, what would it be?
Such a hard one, perhaps it should be a long one, a really long one, something that has it all: humor, love, friendship, tragedy. Would my complete works of Shakespeare count? If not I'll go with The Guernsey Literary and Potatoe Peel Pie Society that pretty much has it all too.

Thank you, Michele! To learn more about Michele Robbins or Familius your can find their website at www.familius.com or follow her on twitter @materfamilius. They just published their first two books: Muddling Through: Perspectives on Parenting by national storyteller Bil Lepp and Glad to be Dad: A Call to Fatherhood by Tim Meyers

Questions about digital publishing companies? Leave them in the comments and I'll see if I can get Michele to answer them.