Author: K.S. Brooks

K.S. Brooks is an award-winning novelist, photographer, and photo-journalist, author of over 30 titles, and executive director and administrator of Indies Unlimited. Brooks is currently a photo-journalist and chief copy editor for two NE Washington newspapers.  She teaches self-publishing and writing topics for the Community Colleges of Spokane, and served on the Indie Author Day advisory board. For more about K.S. Brooks, visit her website and her Amazon author page.

Author Tips and Tricks

smart owlHere are a few tips, tricks, hints, and “did you knows” that we’ve been accumulating over the past few months. I hope they help!

Shipping to a library? Whether it’s a school library or an actual standalone library, make sure the word library is on the outside of your package in the ship-to address. Depending upon what Post Office you’re at, that will make your package eligible for “library rate.”  (Some postal workers actually haven’t heard of this, and there is a debate over where it has to be from AND to a library, or just one or the other.) Library rate is by far the LEAST expensive method of transit available. If that doesn’t work (it’s worth a try, right?), you can use media mail as long as there is no personal correspondence in the package.

Signing books and peripheral materials? Don’t use the same signature you use for your legal and financial dealings! You’re setting yourself up for identity theft if you do.

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Eysol: Eye Care for Editors

EysolWe know. Editors work hard. After a grueling day of reading all those words, your eyes are screaming for relief. But regular eye drops are not going to get rid of that stinging caused by all the errant commas, misplaced modifiers, and just really bad grammar. You need something industrial: something you know will make you forget what you just read. Your wish is now granted!

The professionals at Indies Unlimited Laboratories have perfected a new product just for you: Eysol Eye Wipes!

That’s right, now you can find relief after reading a horrendous manuscript! Just pluck an Eysol Eye Wipe from the container, apply to your eyes as directed, and you’ll forget every torturous word! We even left out the second ‘e’ in Eyesol so you’d have something to correct! Because we care that much! Remember, the burning shows it’s working!

Use as directed. Not to be taken internally. Common side effects include painful ocular burning, stinging, swelling, and redness; temporary blindness; sore throat from screaming due to painful ocular burning and stinging; incontinence; and memory loss.

Hermit Writer’s Life Spring Edition

hermit writers life april 2014What could possibly be better than Spring time in hermit land? Sure, the rain pours in through the gaps in your moss roof, but you’re a writer – and you’re living the Hermit Writer’s Life.

In the April edition of Hermit Writer’s Life Magazine, you’ll find all sorts of innovative articles to help you think outside the box you’re living in and optimize your situation.

Our staff of successful and experienced hermit authors will provide you with the tools you need to:

  • Reinforce your roof with plastic bags and rejection letters
  • Keep bears out of your food supply
  • Smuggle liquid soap out of rest area bathrooms
  • Turn wildflowers into a pretty salad
  • Receive royalty payments without a bank account
  • And much, much more.

And of course, we always have articles for newbies who want to throw it all away, move to the woods, and write full-time. Don’t put off that move any longer! Follow your dream now! Subscribe to Hermit Writer’s Life Magazine today, and as a bonus we’ll send you the Wilderness Weight Loss Guide for free! (additional shipping and handling charges apply.)

Letting a Manuscript Sit

desert of maine sept 2008 photo by K. S. BrooksIn this world of self-publishing and numbers, there is always the “rush to press” or to get that book out there as quickly as possible. After all, time is money. Despite that, I have always been a fan of letting a manuscript sit: getting away from it, clearing my head, and moving on to other things. For at least six months.

Most authors don’t want to do this. And I can understand that.

We’ve had plenty of posts here on IU about putting a second set of eyes on your manuscript. What if that second set of eyes was yours? Continue reading “Letting a Manuscript Sit”