Tag: Indies Unlimited

Does Your Story Have Umami?

Taste Magazine UmamiAs a result of the heavy response to my post last month I contacted Goodreads. I sent them both the Indies Unlimited post and a formal request to add a coupon option to their giveaway contests. I received a response, friendly and professional, that GR is always looking to improve their programs. They thanked me for my e-mail, but did not commit to adding a coupon at this point. Since we have their attention, I encourage all IU readers who agree with my post to send an e-mail to Goodreads management in support of this marketing request. Let’s keep the ball rolling and achieve our objective—increased visibility and sales following a Goodreads Giveaway. And now, as I often do, I am about to make a sharp right turn.

This month’s post is about a subject that has been rolling around in my head for weeks. Do you know what umami is? I’ll bet it’s not what you think. Umami has nothing to do with beta readers or proper formatting. It is not a protective spell you chant to shield yourself from the latest publishing scam. It is not the name of a cutting-edge fashion designer from Japan. And whether or not you realize it, your story has a flavor profile that may or may not include umami. Continue reading “Does Your Story Have Umami?”

RJ Crayton Joins the Indies Unlimited Staff

rj crayton libraryWe are pleased to announce that RJ Crayton, author of Life First and Second Life, is joining the staff of Indies Unlimited as a monthly contributor.

RJ is a former journalist who has worked at the Wichita Eagle and the Kansas City Star. She writes dystopian thrillers with a touch of romance. To learn more about her or her books, visit her website or her Author Central page.

Please join us in welcoming RJ Crayton to the Indies Unlimited team.

How can we help you?

confused grammar guyDazed? Confused? Fed up with that page number that won’t show up properly on your new book? Ready to throw your computer out the window because you can’t figure out how to use a supposedly helpful website? About to stab someone because you’re getting five different answers to your grammatical question?

Well, put the knife down and type your WRITING RELATED issue in the comments section below.

If we’ve already run an article on your question, we’ll post a link to that in a reply comment for you (so please make sure you subscribe to comments).

If we haven’t run an article on it, we will put it out there to the IU staff to see who has expertise in that area, and we’ll get you some help.

Every once in a while, we’ll put out a post like this. (We even have a special feature for it called You Asked for It.) But you don’t have to wait for an all-call – if there’s a topic you’d like us to write about, just fill out the contact form and include your request. We’ll make sure someone gets back to you.

So go ahead, don’t be shy. We’re here to help.

IU Named Among Six Great Blogs for Indie Authors

6 Great BlogsWe are very pleased to share the news that Indies Unlimited has been named in Publishers Weekly to a list of six great blogs for indie authors.

The article, by Betty Kelly Sargent, features blogs with “… passion on the part of the creator, extensive knowledge of all aspects of self-publishing, consistency, and clean, clear, entertaining prose.”

The other blogs honored include some of our perennial faves: The Book Designer, The Passive Voice, Jane Friedman, The Creative Penn, and No Rules Just Write.

Of course, Indies Unlimited is more than just the fevered dream of a lone evil mastermind brought to fruition. We would not be what we are today except for the talent and dedication of my partner, award-winning novelist and photographer, K.S. “Kat” Brooks, and the able assistance of our associate editor, Laurie Boris.

No blog can accomplish anything without a lot of high-quality content. Our staff contributors have given Indies Unlimited the certain je ne sais quoi we enjoy. Guest contributors also provide valuable and informative content.

Most importantly, we want to thank YOU. Thank you for making the occasional donation, for sharing our links around the internet, for engaging, and for spending part of your valuable time with all of us. Without you, our readers, none of this could happen.

Be sure to check out the whole article at Publisher’s Weekly.