We are delighted to welcome Dr. Michael L. Wise to Indies United Publishing House. Michael brings a rare blend of scientific depth, cultural insight, and human warmth to his writing, shaped by a career that spans theoretical physics, innovation leadership, and meaningful research into how societies grow and adapt. His work bridges ancient wisdom with modern understanding, offering readers a perspective that feels both intellectually rich and refreshingly accessible. His upcom

How Clear, Itemized Service Structures Protect Authors and Build Trust Overview Transparent pricing is one of the most powerful tools an author has when navigating hybrid publishing. July’s insight explores how clear, itemized pricing prevents confusion, why opaque pricing became common in early hybrid models, and how transparent financial structures empower authors to make informed decisions. Ethical hybrid publishing thrives when authors know exactly what they’re paying for

I Had a Plan… Briefly July didn’t just arrive... it swaggered in wearing sunglasses, holding a clipboard, and radiating the kind of confidence only a month with absolutely no intention of respecting my schedule can have. And me? I greeted July with a plan. A real plan. A color‑coded, neatly outlined, “this time I’ve got it” plan. It lasted… approximately 14 minutes. Because July took one look at my beautifully organized to‑do list, laughed, and said, “Cute. Anyway—” and then

Bob Freeman has been busy — and he’s just released a brand‑new cinematic book trailer that captures the eerie, atmospheric pulse of his storytelling in a way only Bob can pull off. This trailer isn’t just a teaser; it’s a full‑on mood piece. Dark, immersive, and beautifully crafted, it pulls you straight into the world he’s built and refuses to let go. If you haven’t watched it yet, take a moment and dive in. The pacing, the visuals, the tone — it all comes together to delive

Fireworks, Paperbacks, and Summer Shenanigans Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering like sparklers, bookmark tail swishing in patriotic rhythm, and heart doing cartwheels because July has arrived! The air smells like sunscreen, iced coffee, and freshly printed pages, and I’m ready to celebrate every single story that dares to shine under the summer sun. July at Indies United means one thing: bookish joy turned up to eleven. I’ve been bouncing betwee

(a.k.a. The Month That Looked at May and Said “Hold My Iced Coffee”) June didn’t arrive so much as it slid into my inbox wearing sunglasses, sunscreen, and carrying a to‑do list I definitely didn’t agree to. It had that smug “I have plans” expression before the calendar even flipped, and honestly, it wasn’t wrong. If May was loud, June was hot and caffeinated. This month was a blur of publishing deadlines, author wrangling, metadata updates, formatting marathons, hosting the

We are pleased to welcome Brian Brady to Indies United Publishing House. Born and raised in San Francisco, Brian brings a lifetime of real‑world experience to his storytelling. His career in law enforcement — from police officer to police chief, across multiple departments and states — exposed him to the complexities of human behavior, high-stakes decision-making, and the unforgettable characters who shape a city’s heartbeat. After transitioning into corporate security and ex

We are delighted to welcome Rebecca Elegant to Indies United Publishing House. Rebecca is a poet and educator whose work celebrates language, empathy, and the quiet moments that shape everyday life. As a creative writing and journalism teacher in Marin County, California, she inspires young writers to find their voices and tell their stories with honesty and heart. She is the author of two poetry collections exploring family, identity, and the emotional landscapes that connec

Why Ethical Hybrid Models Shouldn’t Take a Percentage of an Author’s Income Overview Royalties have long been treated as a default component of publishing, but in hybrid publishing, they simply don’t belong. June’s insight examines why royalty extraction became normalized, how it harms authors, and why royalty‑free economics are the ethical and logical foundation of modern hybrid publishing. Transparent, author‑first models succeed because they align payment with labor, not o

My Brain Has Left the Chat By Lisa M. Orban June didn’t just arrive, it kicked down the door, rifled through my desk drawers, and ran off with my cognitive function like a gremlin stealing shiny objects. My brain? Oh, she’s gone. Packed a tiny suitcase, left a note on the counter, and is currently sipping margaritas on a beach somewhere while I stare at my inbox like it’s a cryptic puzzle written in ancient runes. To be fair, I did this to myself. I was out of the office for

Metal Viper at Collected WorksMetal Viper at Collected Works Ron Schultz, fresh off the energy of Inklight, and co-author, Sarah Lovett, brought Metal Viper to Santa Fe’s beloved Collected Works Bookstore for a Sunday reading that was equal parts moving, joyful, and unforgettable. The timing couldn’t have been better. Just the day before, Metal Viper received a remarkable review from the Midwest Review of Books, written by Suzie Housley — a review that beautifully captured th

Festival Lights and Nonfiction Adventures Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering like festival flags, bookmark tail swishing with purpose, and heart thumping like a drumline warming up backstage. June has arrived, and ohhh, this month feels like stepping into a spotlight made of sunshine and possibility. Everything is buzzing — the books, the shelves, the carpets, even my punctuation marks are vibrating with anticipation. And why wouldn’t they be? Ju

The Month That Looked at April and Whispered, “You thought that was busy?” May didn’t arrive so much as it materialized, already mid‑sentence, holding a clipboard, a half‑finished latte, and a list of things I apparently agreed to do. It came in hot, loud, and determined, which, at this point, feels like the standard operating procedure for 2026. This month was a blur of Inklight prep, author wrangling, publishing deadlines, and the kind of last‑minute frenzy that only happen

Rights Retention: The Foundation of Ethical Hybrid Publishing Why Author Ownership Matters More Than Ever Overview As hybrid publishing continues to evolve, one principle stands above all others: authors should retain their rights. May’s insight explores why rights retention is the bedrock of ethical hybrid publishing, how rights grabs still appear in modern contracts, and what authors must understand to protect their long‑term careers. Transparent, author‑first models succee

ANGELS' BLOOD: MURDER IN THE CHORUS by author Roberta Mantell will be featured on WQXR (105.9 FM) this Sunday, May 17 at 3 PM on Annie Bergen’s Book Club. The program pairs a selected book with a piece of music that reflects its themes and atmosphere. This week’s episode highlights the 19th‑century British composer Edward Elgar, who appears as a character in Angels’ Blood. His evocative “Enigma Variations” is expected to be part of the broadcast, creating a rich musical backd

Live at Collected Works in Santa Fe If you’ve been waiting for the perfect excuse to visit Santa Fe in June, this is it. Bestselling thriller author Sarah Lovett and international justice advocate Ron Schultz will be appearing at Collected Works Bookstore on June 7th for a special reading and signing of their new novel, Metal Viper, the first book in their electrifying new Kae Zhang Series. This is more than a simple bookstore signing — it’s a chance to meet two powerhouse st

Timothy R. Baldwin’s Dynasty of Deceit Earns 5-Star Review from Readers’ Favorite Maryland author Timothy R. Baldwin’s latest mystery thriller, Dynasty of Deceit, has received a 5-star review from Readers’ Favorite, with reviewer Grant Leishman praising the novel’s “fast-paced series of story arcs,” layered twists, and compelling lead investigator, Cassie Maddox. The second installment in the Cassie Maddox Mystery Series follows private investigator Cassie Maddox as she uncov

May Has Gone Off‑Script (But It’s Okay) By Lisa M. Orban If April felt like a juggling act, May took one look at the balls in the air, laughed, and said, “Adorable. Now try juggling flaming chainsaws while riding a unicycle.” This month didn’t just wander off‑script, it staged a full‑scale rebellion against the script, rewrote the plot, and then dared me to keep up. And honestly? I’m starting to think the universe is workshopping a new genre: chaotic realism with comedic unde

Bold Hearts, New Voices, and Pre‑Festival Chaos Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering, bookmark tail swishing, and heart doing a full drum solo because May has arrived, and ohhh, this month is bursting with youthful energy. The air smells like sunshine, fresh pages, and the faint panic of deadlines I definitely meant to dodge. Spring has officially hit the shelves, and every story feels like it’s stretching its legs and shouting, “Tag, you’re it!” A

A celebration of one man’s unstoppable writing engine Every so often, an author sends an update that makes you sit back, blink twice, and wonder if they’ve discovered a secret pocket of time the rest of us don’t have access to. This week, that author was D. Krauss, who casually dropped into my inbox with news that can only be described as a literary avalanche. Not one book. Not two. But six works‑in‑progress, all sitting in first draft, all ready to begin the long march throu