Writers’ Village International Short Fiction Award

Photo by Onomatomedia

Any genre of prose fiction may be submitted up to 3000 words, except playscripts and poetry. Entries are welcomed world-wide. Winners will be awarded the title ‘Winner, the Writers’ Village International Short Fiction Award 2013’ and see their work showcased online. All contestants gain a helpful critique of their story, win or lose – a feature thought to be unique among low-fee writing contests.

Prizes: First prize, $1600; Second prize, $400; Runner-up (5), $80.00

Reading fee: $24

Deadline is November 30, 2013. For more information, please visit their website.


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

Kindle Matchbook

Kindle MatchbookHave you set up your Amazon Kindle Matchbook yet?

This new program offers readers who purchase a print book from Amazon.com the option to purchase the Kindle version of that title for $2.99 or less. Any KDP title that has a print version is eligible for this program launching in October. Continue reading “Kindle Matchbook”

Featured Book: Dying to Live

Dying to Live
by Amy Susan Crohn
Available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

At age 36, Amy Susan Crohn was diagnosed with Stage IV cancer and Lupus, a dual diagnosis that was considered terminal. After her first highly invasive biopsy surgery, she was pronounced dead and revived with an emergency tracheotomy. The next three years were a cauldron of chronic care, surgeries, chemotherapy, rehabilitation, and her terrific fight to ensure that her husband and two young sons would not be left to bury her.

Moreover, Amy learned about national and international studies that link childhood maltreatment with adult physical illness. Amy’s own childhood, as the descendant of a famous doctor herself, was fraught with dysfunction that led her to suppress the distress of the first 18 years of her life that finally exploded as a cancerous tumor wedged between her heart and lung and an autoimmune disease that caused critical issues with her treatment. This made her somewhat of a medical celebrity in the connecting circles of the New York City area hospitals where she was treated.

Experiencing challenges that she never thought she could face, Amy survived to tell her story to help others who face any adversity that devastates the mind, body and family. She is cautious yet inspiring when she describes her experience on the other side during her near-death and realizes that there are many “professional patients” who struggle daily with chronic side effects from cancer treatment. Coupled with other disorders, particularly of the autoimmune kind, she also delves into the psychological aspects of dealing every day with emotions that range from fear to elation and measuring life in moments.

This is Amy’s first introduction to the public with a strong message in a memoir that will resonate with survivors of any catastrophic illness as well as those who feel they must hide their chronic disabilities to continue to work and tend to their families.

Accepting the Award…

Guest post
by Shaun McLaughlin

In August, my first novel, Counter Currents, won a silver medal in a modest competition, Dan Poytner’s Global Ebook Awards. (Hold the applause, thanks.) My ephemeral joy at the news rapidly dissipated, replaced by a raging internal debate between Mr. Modesty and Squire Bravado. Can I now call myself an award-winning novelist?

Mr. Modesty sternly notes that the book took second place in a field of ten books in the subcategory of historical fiction. Further, it required a $75 entry fee. Squire Bravado says numbers don’t count—peer recognition does. Senior Bravado points out that the Pulitzer Prize for fiction requires a $50 entry fee.

Unable to resolve this philosophical enigma and sore from banging my head on my desk, I decided to interview real award-winning authors for advice. Out flew requests for a virtual interview.

Many authors just ignored my email, which Mr. Modesty was quick to point out is all the answer I really need. Squire Bravado countered that the three who did respond represented a stellar bunch with global reach. I have to agree.

Representing the United States is Indies Unlimited’s upbeat co-administrator and author Kat Brooks. From the United Kingdom, please welcome novelist and blogger Carol Wyer, an Indies Unlimited contributor. Representing the entire southern hemisphere is award-winning author and Awesome Indies administrator, Tahlia Newland from Australia.

I asked three questions. Continue reading “Accepting the Award…”