Month: February 2016

Print Book Deals for Your Valentine

Mr. Pish Valentine ebookDid you remember gifts for your valentine? Well, even if you did, a lovely book or two or ten would make a great gift! We’ve got some great reads at bargain prices! That’s right, it’s time for 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. Continue reading “Print Book Deals for Your Valentine”

Flash Fiction Challenge: Brian’s Blue Bouquet

flash fiction writing prompt Blue Roses and Bow IMG_20150131_CROP
Photo copyright K. S. Brooks. Do not use without attribution.

Everything changed for Brian when Sherry moved in next door. That summer Brian finally took an avid interest in yard work. Out of pure coincidence, when Sherry was sunbathing in her backyard, Brian would find the energy to mow and trim, unbidden by his parents. Being a good neighbor, he would offer to do the same for Sherry.

In the fall, he raked leaves with the same vigor, and in the winter, he shoveled the driveways. Brian always offered the same to Sherry.

Sure, he was only a seventeen-year-old high school boy and she was a nineteen-year-old student nurse, but she treated him like an adult. She’d invite him in for coffee – like adults. They would talk – like adults.

Come Valentine’s Day, he meant to make his intentions clear. He went over with a bouquet of roses in her favorite color. But something was different. There was a black Trans Am parked in her driveway. He could hear voices inside. Brian’s heart stuttered as his finger hovered over the doorbell…

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. Continue reading “Flash Fiction Challenge: Brian’s Blue Bouquet”

Sara Stark Wins Flash Fiction Challenge


Sara Stark is the Readers’ Choice in this week’s Indies Unlimited Flash Fiction Challenge. The winning entry is decided by the popular vote and rewarded with a special feature here today. (In the case of a tie, the writer who submitted an entry first is the winner per our rules.)

Without further ado, here’s the winning entry:

Continue reading “Sara Stark Wins Flash Fiction Challenge”

Fanfiction or Plagiarism? Better Make Sure.

publishing lawsuit gavelA few weeks back, we had a guest post by Kat Cantwell about the ins and outs of writing fanfiction. Now we have word of a cautionary tale that fanfiction writers – in fact, all sorts of writers – might do well to heed.

Trad-pubbed urban fantasy author Sherrilyn Kenyon has filed suit in U.S. District Court in Tennessee against fellow author Cassandra Clare. Kenyon’s complaint alleges Clare’s “Shadowhunter” series infringes on the copyrights and trademarks associated with Kenyon’s “Dark-Hunter” series. Kenyon says she learned of the infringement from her fans, and that when she spoke to Clare about it, Clare promised to change her work so that there would be no infringement. What Clare did was to change the term for her demon-fighting warriors from “darkhunter” to “shadowhunter” – and then proceeded to use the new term extensively in promoting her series. Continue reading “Fanfiction or Plagiarism? Better Make Sure.”