The Biggest Vanity Predators: PublishAmerica and Author Solutions

Thank you for finding Indies Unlimited.

Here at IU, we do our best to provide helpful information to indie authors of all levels. Our goal is to provide the knowledge they need to make intelligent decisions about writing and publishing. We are not, however, a watchdog site, nor do we try to be. There are other sites out there, such as Writer Beware and Preditors and Editors, which dedicate their resources to identifying scammers.

Despite all the efforts to make authors aware of predators looking to make money off of them, the best tool is actually knowing how to spot a scam. That knowledge will enable authors, no matter how often the scammer changes its name, to avoid being taken advantage of. In March 2015, we we ran a month-long series called #PublishingFoul to teach authors how to avoid scams, and to help them to get out of situations with bad publishers.

Thank you again for finding Indies Unlimited.

– The Admins

Indie News Beat with Chris James

NEWS FLASH: Mainstream Publisher opens its doors to Independent Authors

In what is believed to be a first, on 1 October a mainstream publisher will open its doors, for a limited period of two weeks, to unsolicited submissions of full-length manuscripts, including self-published novels.

This represents remarkable admission by a mainstream publisher that Independent Authors have something to offer. Voyager, which is the Science Fiction imprint of HaperCollins, is looking for “10 to 12 new authors”, one of which it will publish monthly over the course of next year. Continue reading “Indie News Beat with Chris James”

Meet the Author: Jordan Dane

Author Jordan Dane

Harper-Collins launched Jordan Dane’s suspense novels back to back in 2008 after the 3-book series sold in auction. Ripped from the headlines, Jordan’s gritty plots weave a tapestry of vivid settings, intrigue, and dark humor. Publishers Weekly compared her intense thrillers to Lisa Jackson, Lisa Gardner, and Tami Hoag.

This national best selling, critically acclaimed author’s debut novel NO ONE HEARD HER SCREAM was named Publishers Weekly Best Books of 2008. Dane writes her Sweet Justice adult thriller series for Harper-Collins. Her young adult novels, IN THE ARMS OF STONE ANGELS and ON A DARK WING, are with Harlequin Teen. Currently, she is writing a new series for Harlequin Teen – THE HUNTED – slated for release in 2012-2013. Formerly an energy sales manager, she now writes full-time. Jordan and her husband share their Texas residence with two cats of highborn lineage and two very lucky rescue dogs.

Jordan describes herself as a sponge for learning. “I’m self-taught (from reading) and I’m never satisfied with my ability to tell a story. I want to challenge myself with the craft and try new things with every book. I combine first person with third. I write through flashbacks woven into the present. I do these things because they intrigue me and new things are fun to try. When people ask me which one is my best book, I always say that it’s my next one. I don’t ever want to get complacent about what I do. If there is a way to paint myself into a corner and write my way out of it, that’s what I choose to do. I don’t believe in writer’s block.” Continue reading “Meet the Author: Jordan Dane”