Battling the Misconceptions about Self-Publishing

slaying self publishing misconceptions knight-40850_640For the past few months I’ve been preparing for a couple of workshops I’m going to be giving on self-publishing. There’s a continuing education program that’s just starting in my little town, so I figured this was a great time to do one workshop on self-pubbing paperbacks and one on eBooks. Last fall, a few other local authors and I held a panel discussion on the various ways to self-publish, and we had a great turnout, so my more in-depth workshops seemed like a natural progression.

In the ramp-up to the new fall semester, the learning institute has been organizing meet-and-greets at various locations where all of us facilitators can interact with the interested public and get to know each other. It’s been quite an education in and of itself hearing what misconceptions people have about self-publishing. I am constantly amazed at the wild ideas people have. Here are a few of the things people have said to me: Continue reading “Battling the Misconceptions about Self-Publishing”

Indie Reads – September 2015

Indies Unlimited does not review books, but we do have a couple of renowned reviewers on staff. We thought a great way to celebrate indie writing would be to ask those reviewers for their top indie picks of the month. Here are this month’s top picks from our experts:


Sympathy for the Devil 120x177Sympathy for the Devil by Cathy Vasas-Brown

“It’s a riveting story, perfectly written; it’s gripping, penned with efficiency and clarity, peppered with just enough emotion.”

Read the rest of the review by Cathy Speight.

Sympathy for the Devil is available through Amazon.com.


Bailey Devlin Picked Up a Penny 120x177The Day Bailey Devlin Picked Up a Penny by Rebecca Forster

“…great characters, putting them in fun (and funny) situations, and in the process lead character Bailey is learning about life.”

Read the rest of the review by BigAl.

The Day Bailey Devlin Picked Up a Penny is available through Amazon.com.


The Garden of Unfortunate Souls 120x177The Garden of Unfortunate Souls by Eddie Mark

“…told with a poetically powerful voice that renders its characters as vivid as … in Ken Kesey’s Cuckoo’s Nest.”

Read the rest of the review by Sam Waite.

The Garden of Unfortunate Souls is available through Amazon.com.


Secrets of Ice Cream Success 120x177The Secrets of Ice Cream Success by AD Hartley

“AD Hartley does an amazing job of creating realistic characters overcoming adversity during their summer holiday.”

Read the rest of the review by Michael Thal.

The Secrets of Ice Cream Success is available on Amazon.com..


Diary of a Dead Guy 120x177Diary of a Dead Guy by Ty Hager

“This is a creative, unique, and entertaining tale that deserves five stars.”

Read the rest of the review by ?wazithinkin.

Diary of a Dead Guy is available at Amazon.com.


While You Were Writing: Tips and Tricks

IdeaIn case you’ve been too busy writing or watching cat videos to notice these small conveniences, I thought I’d round them up and bring them right to your eyeballs. Hopefully these tips and tricks will enhance your authorly productivity so you can go back to keeping up with the Kardashians and such. You’re welcome.

1. Google Chrome Tricks

Right-click on an image, and select “Search Google for this image.” Not only can you hunt for the original source of that image you intend to use on your blog, to make sure you have the necessary permissions, but you can try it on your book covers to see where else the image might be in use. It can avoid unpleasant surprises later, like finding out that image you’ve fallen in love with is being used on fifty other books in your genre. Continue reading “While You Were Writing: Tips and Tricks”