Month: June 2013

Historical Fiction: Get the Correct Words for the Era

Guest Post
by Shaun J. McLaughlin

One of the challenges facing authors of historical fiction is to be true to the era in which you set your story. You must do more than engage and entertain your readers: you must not misinform.

If your story is set in the eighteenth century, your protagonist should not be wearing a wristwatch. That’s obvious. What is not always obvious are the verbs and nouns we choose for narration and conversation. Make sure those words were part of the common vernacular in your story’s era. Continue reading “Historical Fiction: Get the Correct Words for the Era”

What’s New From Kobo?

During Book Expo America, I had an opportunity for a little face time with Mark Lefebvre, director of self-publishing and author relations at Kobo. A writer himself, Mark is eager to help improve the experience of authors using Kobo. We talked about some of the new goodies Kobo will be releasing over the next few months to help you get more exposure for your books. Continue reading “What’s New From Kobo?”

Animals, Animals, Animals Book Festival

The 2013 Animals, Animals, Animals Book Festival seeks entries for its competition honoring the best stories about—you guessed it—animals. From elephants all the way down to Madagascar hissing cockroaches.

The Animals, Animals, Animals Book Festival will consider animal stories in the following categories: dogs, cats, birds, horses, insects, fish, reptiles, children’s books, young adult, working animals, wild card (anything goes!), pets, jungle, farm, city animals, biography/memoirs, talking, photography, horror, science, unpublished manuscripts, and spiritual/religious.

Prize: Winner receives $500 appearance fee and airfare to Chicago for the awards ceremony in November

Deadline: October 13, 2013

Entry Fee: $50 per entry

For more information, please visit their website.

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Indies Unlimited is pleased to provide this conference information for the convenience of our readers. We do not, however, endorse this or any contest/competition/conference. Participants should always research a conference prior to attending.

So This is What It’s Like in the Real World

Wow, so this is what it’s like over in the East Wing. Nice. I’ve been stuck in the dungeon for the past year and a half. Ooh! Windows! No one ever told me that you could actually see the sun and clouds. I bet the gruel is better over here, too.

I really like what you’ve done to the place. It looks different from when I came through here last time, sometime around the beginning of 2012. And people! There are tons of readers and writers hanging out here, too! Continue reading “So This is What It’s Like in the Real World”