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.
Yes, it’s been a whole, entire year since the Evil Mastermind launched Indies Unlimited. You just may be wondering exactly how this all came to be. Well, a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away… Aw, never mind. Just watch the video. It will tell you everything you need to know.
Stay tuned for more cool things coming soon from Indies Unlimited. We’ve got big plans. We’ll be announcing some of them in the next couple of weeks, so don’t go anywhere. And, thanks for joining us here. Without you…well, we’re glad you’re here. Thanks for helping to make Indies Unlimited’s first year a big success.
Last week I received an email – a cry for help – from a new Indie Author. He had a number of questions about how he should proceed with his manuscript. I told him he came to the right place – because, as you know – I’ve been doing this for a REALLY long time. Here are his questions, and my responses.
The only person other than me who’s read my very first book is my Mommy. I’m a little uncertain of my skills – should I get someone outside of my family to reassure me that the book is good BEFORE I publish it? Continue reading “Advice to a First-time Indie Author”
This past Saturday, our Jim Devitt showed us how to implement the new Twitter header. If you missed that, you can read it here. Two things came from this header change: a spiffy new look and the burning question “what the heck are those empty boxes on the left-hand side of my screen?” Well, worry not. I’m going to tell you what they are, and how to use them!
I don’t know exactly when Twitter gave us the functionality of being able to upload/tweet photographs directly. Those empty boxes, however, are the most recent pictures in your photo album. If you’ve never directly tweeted a photo, your boxes will be blank. If you tweet from HootSuite, Facebook or another program – those boxes will remain empty. Here’s a quick and easy way to fill those boxes – with your book covers. Continue reading “Tutorial Tuesday – Twitter Mystery Boxes”
Mr. Pish with Jessica Biles of Busy Bee Videography
Now, now, Indies Unlimited is “Safe for Work.” Goodness no, I’m not talking about secret sex tapes or video from the hidden camera in the ladies’ locker room. I don’t want to talk about this anymore.
I do want to talk about book trailer videos. Those are for your book. Let’s stay on topic here, shall we?
Why have a video trailer? Really, now – a video trailer is like a commercial for your book. It’s a multimedia bubble-gum for the eyes attempt at getting someone interested enough to purchase your book. Some potential customers like static magazine ads, some like flash, color and motion. Magazine ads cost money. Making your own video trailer costs you only time. We’ve had posts here on IU explaining how to make a trailer on xtranormal.com and Animoto. Take the time to read those. Animoto is an amazing tool and has a much shorter learning curve than xtranormal. I’ve made trailers using both and in my humble opinion, Animoto’s where it’s at. Read the tutorial. Trust me.
