Month: December 2015

Your Beautiful Backlist

authors backlist by anatomography from wikimedia commonsauthors backlist by anatomography from wikimedia commons
Image courtesy of Anatomography from Wikimedia Commons

There was a thread on Kboards this week that focused on what authors thought their best writing was. Almost without exception, writers thought their most recent books were their best. That feels like human nature to me, for several reasons. One, we tend to love new things. Our old projects had been sweated over, rewritten, edited, re-edited, and proofread ad nauseum, while our current project is still full of infinite possibilities. Second, we improve as we go. When I go back and read my first book, I admit I cringe a bit. It was the best I could do at the time, and it was professionally edited and proofread, but, if I’m honest, I have to admit that I’d like to get in there and give it a good scrubbing.

For these and other reasons, we tend to spend the majority of our time on our newest releases – seeking reviews, booking promo sites, organizing blog tours, etc. I just want to remind you of the power of your backlist, and ask you to not neglect it too much. Continue reading “Your Beautiful Backlist”

Writing Groups and the Toxic Critic

angry author courtesy of pixabay man-70442_960_720We’ve had posts about critique groups before. These groups can be very helpful to writers if they are balanced and the members show mutual support and respect.  Until recently that’s how it’s been for me. Members respected each other and genuinely tried to provide constructive feedback, trusting that it came with good intentions. This keeps groups working together without rancor.

But what happens when one member becomes volatile, angry, and refuses to hear what the others say? Continue reading “Writing Groups and the Toxic Critic”

Print Book Holiday Gifts

Mr. Pish and SantaWhat? You haven’t bought any gifts yet? Santa and Mr. Pish are shocked! Well, we can help you out right here and now with some awesome print book deals today at the Indies Unlimited Print Book Party.

Want to help readers discover some fine indie writing at reasonable prices? Here’s the deal:

If you have a print book available from a major online retailer at $15 or less, follow the instructions below and post your link. If you see one you like, click over and buy it. This feature is only for print editions priced at fifteen dollars and under.

When possible, we replace some of the links with clickable book cover images. Do not attempt to insert an image in comments on your own. Just put the following information in the comment section:

1. Book title and price
2. Author name
3. A short one sentence book description (keep it tweetable in length.)
4. One AMAZON link to purchase the book.

Then let your friends and fans know your book is available here today. Use the share buttons below, or copy the link in the address bar above and share the news on your favorite social media platforms. The more, the merrier, right? So let’s give it a try, shall we? Please make sure to follow the RULES above. Now, go ahead and tell the world about your cheap read.

IU is a safe-for-work site. PLEASE do not post links to erotica, religious, or political books. That’s what the rest of the internet is for.

[Note: if the book cover images below do not display properly, please check your AdBlock settings.]

Flash Fiction Challenge: Sauna Time

2014 May Day 4 Sauna Flash Fiction Prompt
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

John’s phone had been ringing off the hook all day. Emails came in one after another. People were in and out of his office like he had a revolving door. He’d been trying really hard to get a big proposal done by the deadline, but it wasn’t going to happen unless he could get some quiet time. Going home wasn’t an option with family visiting for the holidays.

He thought maybe the men’s room would be a good place to think, but even in there, co-workers managed to find him. John couldn’t believe that people were rifling questions at him while he was in the stall.

There was only once place left in the entire building where he could go to possibly have a moment’s peace: the corporate sauna. John hated being hot, but he didn’t have a choice. He stripped down, wrapped himself in a towel, and hoped that no one found him in there. For about twenty minutes, John was making great progress, until…

Welcome to the Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. In 250 words or less, write a story incorporating the elements in the picture and 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. Need help getting started? Read this article on how to write flash fiction.

On Tuesday night, judges will select the strongest entries, and on Wednesday afternoon, we will open voting to the public with an online poll so they may choose the winner. Voting will be open until 5:00 PM Thursday.

On Saturday morning, 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. Please note the rule changes for 2015.