Celebrating Independent Authors
Last month, we took a look back at where we’ve been and to look forward to where we’re going, and asked our minions to answer just a few questions about IU. Now, here is the last installment of our little eight-year anniversary brew-ha-ha. Continue reading “The Minions Speak: Indies Unlimited Celebrates Eight Years! Part Two”
Time flies, doesn’t it? Eight years can go by in a flash. Luckily for us, it’s been a very supportive, productive, insightful flash. We’ve covered all the latest trends, good and bad, and given some time-proven advice. We’ve done an in-depth series on publishing scams, and we’ve highlighted our indie heroes. We’ve discussed character development, punctuation, promotional tactics, and tackled legal issues. Is there any aspect of writing and publishing that we haven’t at least touched on? Not that I can think of.
To take a look back at where we’ve been and to look forward to where we’re going, we asked our minions to answer just a few questions about IU. Here are their answers. Continue reading “The Minions Speak: Indies Unlimited Celebrates Eight Years!”
If you’re a regular to this site, you already know that we just celebrated our eighth anniversary. If not, in October 2011, Indies Unlimited was formed by Stephen Hise to help indie authors find their way through the confusing landscape that was publishing. A month later, he brought on K. S. “Kat” Brooks (me) to assist, and together we assembled a team which paved the way for an award-winning site that would go on to help thousands of people each year.
Everything on the site is free – there is no paid advertising because I felt strongly about not taking money from authors, and both Steve and I agreed that we couldn’t guarantee that any service provider advertising with us wouldn’t take advantage of authors. Occasionally, we’ll thoroughly vet someone and allow them to get word out through IU, but usually that’s only about once a year. And, with the number of predatory publishers out there, we couldn’t use Google ads (wouldn’t it be horrible if one of the bad guys had an ad pop up on one of our articles?), so we made the conscious decision not to make money off the site. We do monetize Thrifty Thursday and other book fairs with Amazon links, but don’t usually meet the threshold for receiving payment.
Over the years, Steve and I have paid out of pocket to support the site, with the occasion holiday bleg (blogging and begging) for PayPal donations. Our PayPal account became overrun with scammers, so we had to take the donate button down.
Just over a year ago, Steve had to step away from the site, so I’ve been shouldering the financial burden on my own.
I don’t feel shutting down the site is an option. Authors in search of guidance find their way to Indies Unlimited every day, and we get dozens of emails each week asking for help. The need is there. I don’t have the heart to take that away from people.
And now, the crux of it:
I have just had to renew the site hosting along with the SSL certificate and the security package that has been needed since January when the site started being attacked by hackers. My wallet felt that hit pretty hard.
IU has over 2000 people subscribed to the email newsletter, and theoretically, if each one donated $1 per year, the expenses would be more than completely covered. But we’re not going to charge people to use this site, instead – and yes, I’ve been dreading this day forever – we’ve set up an IU GoFundMe to cover these recent expenses. Some of you have already very generously donated money (thank you so much, we love you!), and we’re hoping that those of you who have found any benefit from the site will consider donating what you can, as soon as you can, whether it’s one dollar or five or ten. It all helps.
We at Indies Unlimited hope the site will be around for a long time to come, and we couldn’t do it without our fans and readers (and the awesome IU staff who donate their time and energy to the site). We truly appreciate everyone’s support. Thank you!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Advice website for independent authors receives thumbs-up from publishing journal
Chewelah, WA – 8/2/2017 – Indies Unlimited, a website that celebrates and supports independent authors, received a recommendation from a respected authority this week. No Shelf Required, a highly-respected online journal on all aspects of eBooks and digital content, touted Indies Unlimited as “that single, reliable resource … needed to help novice indie authors.”
This is not the first time Indies Unlimited has won critical acclaim. In 2014, it was listed in Publishers Weekly magazine as one of Six Great Blogs for Indie Authors.
“This was completely unexpected,” said K.S. Brooks, who administers the site and who is an award-winning author of more than 30 titles in her own right. “No Shelf Required columnist Peyton Stafford and I were discussing eBooks in libraries, and the next thing I knew, this article was in my inbox. I’m thrilled to death.”
No Shelf Required features contributions from book and library professionals and thought leaders in the United States and around the world. The article advised librarians, “if your problem is where to refer your indie authors, then your solution is Indies Unlimited. Here, they will find the help and advice they need to write, edit, publish and market their books without being taken advantage of by the many author scams that prey on indies.” You can read the entire article here: http://www.noshelfrequired.com/indies-unlimited-a-one-stop-source-of-reliable-information-for-indie-authors/
You can learn more about Indies Unlimited at www.IndiesUnlimited.com, and more about K. S. Brooks at www.ksbrooks.com.
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