Author: Stephen Hise

Stephen Hise is the Evil Mastermind and founder of Indies Unlimited. Hise is an independent author and an avid supporter of the indie author movement. Learn more about Stephen at his website or his Amazon author page.

The Indie News Beat Goes On

Chris James, our regular Indie News Beat ace reporter, is away on hiatus. In the meanwhile, I’ll be stepping into the breach to bring you all the relevant news an exhaustive fifteen minute Google search can deliver.

I know I don’t have the same looks, youth, style, wit, charm, literary acumen, intellectual firepower, or raw sex appeal that Chris has, but…I kind of forgot where I was going with that. Now I just feel sad. Oh well, here we go…

The story that seems to be sucking up the most oxygen right now is the Apple Price-Fixing trial. Our own Lynne Cantwell posted on that story here. Business Insider takes a look at it here. Closing arguments were made late last week. I think it is safe to say that it may take a while after the decision to understand the full ramifications, and how the ruling will ultimately impact indies.

The Independent (UK) reports that best-selling author Barbara Taylor Bradford thinks E.L. James’ (no relation to Chris)  50 Shades Of Grey is a big old steaming pile of crap. I for one, am shocked – shocked, I tell you, to learn that an eighty year-old woman doesn’t like a book about rough sex. Well, it takes all sorts, I guess.

Forbes reports that Amazon Publishing has its first million-selling hit. News of this sort is bound to upset the old guard publishers, especially considering Amazon pulled a Roswell and scrambled to “clarify” a statement made by Amazon Publishing Top Dog Larry Kirshbaum that Amazon algorithms would favor books published by its own imprint. I’m sure nothing could be further from the truth (cough). Amazon using its search algorithms to favorably position its own books? That’s just crazy talk.

Another author walks away from big publishing. The reasons seem to be the same: big publishers don’t treat authors with respect and don’t come across with any marketing muscle. You have to wonder how big publishing, basically only a middle-man between the writer and the consumer, ever came to think so highly of themselves.

We were sad to learn of the death of Vince Flynn. At age 47, he left us too soon. Vince was the bestselling author of the Mitch Rapp series. His first novel, Term Limits, collected 60 rejections from big publishing. He decided to self publish and the book caught fire. Big publishing then roused itself off its fat behind to sign him. He sold millions of books in the series of fourteen titles.

That’s it for this edition of Indies News Beat. Join us next time, when we try to find out if this guy and this guy were separated at birth. Or something.

Traveling Terrier Tops Charts!

The new Mr. Pish book was unofficially released on 6/14/13. Within 24 hours, Mr. Pish Goes to the Farm hit #1 on the Amazon.com Hot New Releases Lists for Elementary School Books as well as Children’s Nonfiction Animal Books.

Mr. Pish Goes to the Farm is the sixth book in the Mr. Pish series by award-winning author and photographer K.S. Brooks. Filled with vivid color photos and written in an informative and lighthearted way, this book is sure to entertain and educate children about the importance of farming and agriculture.

To what does Ms. Brooks attribute the stunning success of this latest book? Sadly, after zero attempts, I was unable to reach her for comment. However, I did find a note in my handwriting that credits the eye-catching design of the book’s cover. Who was the genius behind this amazing design? We may never know. (ahem)

Mr. Pish Goes to the Farm
by K.S. Brooks
Available from Amazon US, Amazon UK, and
Smashwords.
The adventurous traveling terrier, Mr. Pish, takes us on a personally guided tour to show us what goes on at a farm. From playing with a cute lamb to driving a big swathing machine, Mr. Pish explores it all in Mr. Pish Goes to the Farm. In this sixth book in the Mr. Pish Educational Series, full color photographs and engaging text provide us with entertaining insight to teach us where our food comes from!

Be sure to check out the new website: http://mrpish.com

What is Big Publishing Worried About?

I keep seeing reports that all is well in the world of big publishing. Some say it is better than ever. I’ve seen a number of articles that run the numbers and conclude that traditional publishing is not only well, it’s getting better.

That’s curious. Are there more people buying books than ever before? I ask, because with each passing year, indies take a larger percentage of the market share – a market that had been exclusively under the dominion of big traditional publishing.

Perhaps the difference is attributable to all the big new bookstore chains opening up. Oh, that’s right. Several of the big bookstore chains have gone under. That left a vacuum which is being partially filled by smaller stores. Here’s a horrifying thought: some of the new stores carry indie titles. Hmmm… I am at a loss to explain all the sanguinity.

Continue reading “What is Big Publishing Worried About?”

The Elements of Persuasion

A part of the leadership training program I used to teach addressed the importance of shaping a message. This is critical, whether dealing with the media or with legislators.

The object of shaping the message is to persuade others to your point of view in a matter.

As writers, it is also our job to persuade. Walt Morton wrote a great piece for us on the suspense of disbelief. I’d like to go a little more in depth here and discuss some of the specific strategies we can (and do) employ to that effect. Continue reading “The Elements of Persuasion”