Month: December 2014

Year-End Tax Help for Authors

Julian Block tax expertGuest Post
by Julian Block

The only time most of us think of doing something about our federal income taxes is once a year — the hours we spend actually grappling with Form 1040 or when gathering records to deliver them to a paid preparer. What we should do is make tax planning a year-round concern and position ourselves to take full advantage of the many opportunities that are available to lessen the amount that is siphoned off each year by the IRS. The savings can amount to many thousands of dollars. What follows are some tactics that not only can save taxes for 2014, but even provide a head start on 2015 as well. Continue reading “Year-End Tax Help for Authors”

Saturday Book Showcase: An Almost Perfect Christmas

An Almost Perfect Christmas by Donna FasanoAn Almost Perfect Christmas
by Donna Fasano
4.8 average rating from 66 reviews
158 pages

When it comes to business, Aaron Chase knows how to succeed. But when his daughter, Izzie, asks him for the perfect family Christmas, the handsome widower feels at a loss about how to fulfill his little girl’s dream.

Pediatric Nurse Christy Cooper has dedicated her life to taking care of children. She agrees to act as Izzie’s stand-in mom for this special holiday and throws herself into making the child’s Christmas wish a reality. Maybe this selfless act will somehow alleviate her secret regrets and failures of the past.

The holiday is filled with fun and laughter, and it’s amazing how three short days can be so life-changing. When the impish eight-year-old talks the adults into acting out a silly, make-believe wedding, young Izzie is certain the magic of the season will turn the pretend vows into the real thing. The little girl wants her daddy to have Christmas in his life — every single day.

An Almost Perfect Christmas is available for eBook and in print from Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, Amazon UK, and all online booksellers.

Excerpt from An Almost Perfect Christmas by Donna Fasano Continue reading “Saturday Book Showcase: An Almost Perfect Christmas”

Flash Fiction Challenge: Claim Jumper

River in Winter
River in Winter
Photo by K.S. Brooks

I had hoped to catch up with DeBurgh at the river, but there was no sign of him. Somehow, he had managed to cross that icy flow. With a half-day’s head start he was bound to beat me down to Yellow Jack and file his claim first.

All the work of these past months would be for nothing. The gold would all belong to DeBurgh.

Resigned to defeat, I sat down heavily on a snow-covered boulder, or what I had taken to be a boulder…

In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and/or the written prompt above. Do not include the prompt in your entry. The 250 word limit will be strictly enforced.

Please keep language and subject matter to a PG-13 level.

Use the comment section below to submit your entry. Entries will be accepted until Tuesday at 5:00 PM Pacific Time. No political or religious entries, please.

On Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll for the best writing entry accompanying the photo. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Friday afternoon, the winner will be recognized as we post the winning entry along with the picture as a feature. Then, at year end, the winners will be featured in an anthology like this one. Best of luck to you all in your writing!

Entries only in the comment section. Other comments will be deleted. See HERE for additional information and terms.

The 23rd Annual Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest

Austin Chronicle Short Story ContestThe 23rd Annual Austin Chronicle Short Story Contest is open to original and unpublished short stories of no more than 2500 words.

Prizes: $1,500 to be divided among the five winners. Manuscript to be published in early winter in The Austin Chronicle.

Entry fee: FREE

Deadline: Entry must be postmarked December 12, 2014.

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.