Running on Coffee and Chaos September didn’t just arrive — it lunged into the room like a caffeinated raccoon wearing steampunk goggles and demanding attention. I thought I was prepared. I had a plan. A real plan. A tidy little roadmap that said, “This month will be manageable.” September took one look at that plan, snorted, and said, “Adorable. Anyway…” Because this month? This month has been fueled entirely by coffee, chaos, and temperatures that violated several laws of na

Shadows of Deceit praised as “brilliantly written” and “impossible to put down” Timothy R. Baldwin’s debut in the Cassie Maddox Mystery series, Shadows of Deceit, has earned a Bronze Medal in the Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Contest, adding another accolade to a novel already celebrated for its sharp suspense and compelling characters. The honor follows a five-star review from Readers’ Favorite reviewer Alma Boucher, who praised the book’s tension, pacing, and e

Preserving History, Illuminating Humanity Today we’re delighted to welcome Nancy Finston to the Indies United family — a writer whose work bridges the meticulous preservation of history with the deep exploration of human character. Based in Northern California, Nancy brings both precision and heart to her craft, uncovering the overlooked stories, memories, and legacies that shape our lives across generations. Drawing on her background in corporate America, Nancy writes with p

Stories of Home, Heart, and the Quiet Truths That Shape Us Today we’re delighted to welcome a new voice to the Indies United family — L. P. Arnold, an author whose work carries the unmistakable weight of lived experience, deep roots, and the kind of storytelling that feels like coming home. Arnold’s journey has taken him from the beautiful Missouri Ozarks to the small town charm of Sand Springs, Oklahoma, and onward through a life of service, grit, and community. A former fed

Historical Hijinks, Steampunk Shenanigans, and Autumn Adventures Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering like crisp autumn leaves caught in a mischievous breeze, bookmark tail swishing with scholarly enthusiasm, and heart thumping like a typewriter warming up for a dramatic monologue. September has arrived, and ohhh, this month feels like stepping into a story that’s been waiting centuries to be told. The air smells like old maps, fresh notebooks, and

The Month That Looked at July and Said, “Hold my iced coffee.” August didn’t stroll in. It sauntered, with that smug little “I have plans” expression it always wears. And oh, it had plans. Between anniversaries, birthdays, wildlife encounters, and the usual publishing pandemonium, the month was loud, busy, emotional, and just a little sparkly around the edges. So… a typical month, really. Indies United Anniversary Shenanigans On August 12th, Indies United celebrated another y

We’re thrilled to share some exciting news from one of our long‑time Indies United authors, H. Max Hiller. This October, Max will be heading to Kansas City as an official vendor at the Heartland Book Festival — and this isn’t just any acceptance. Out of more than one hundred applicants, only twenty‑two were selected, and Max earned one of those coveted spots. The Heartland Book Festival is a celebration of storytelling, creativity, and community, bringing together readers and

Why Creative Control and Decision‑Making Power Define Ethical Publishing Overview Author autonomy is the cornerstone of ethical hybrid publishing. August’s insight explores how creative freedom, production independence, and decision‑making power shape an author’s long‑term success. Transparent hybrid models thrive because they empower authors to control their work, their process, and their career — without sacrificing the support of a professional house. Key Takeaways Autonom

A Celebration of Stories, Strength, and the Beautiful Chaos of Indies United Tomorrow, August 12th, marks eight years since I opened the doors of Indies United Publishing House. Eight years since I said, “Let’s build something different. Let’s build something together.” And somehow, through every twist, turn, triumph, and tear, we did exactly that. Eight years. Over 250 books under our imprint. Dozens upon dozens of authors who trusted us with their stories. A community that

Children’s author Ron Kinscherf will be appearing at the Second Annual Southeast Iowa Book Fair on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at the Fairfield Arts & Convention Center in Fairfield, Iowa. The event runs from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and is free and open to the public. This year’s fair is expanding into a two‑day celebration of books and storytelling, bringing together more than thirty authors from across the region. Visitors can browse books, attend readings, meet authors, and

This Was Not on the Agenda I started August with an agenda. A neat, organized, beautifully structured agenda that made me feel like I had everything under control. August took one look at it, shrugged, and said, “That’s cute,” before tossing it directly into the cosmic recycling bin. Because this month? This month had other ideas. August opened with a project I genuinely believed was wrapped, only for it to politely inform me that it had additional opinions and would like to

Indies United Publishing House is thrilled to announce that Lisa Towles has won a 2025 American Fiction Award in the Thrillers – Tech category for her explosive psychological thriller Switch. The American Fiction Awards, hosted by American Book Fest, recognize standout works across dozens of genres, highlighting books that push boundaries, elevate craft, and deliver unforgettable reading experiences. Towles’ win places Switch among the most compelling thrillers of the year —

Anniversaries, Beach Reads, and Mystery Mischief Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering like palm fronds in a suspicious breeze, bookmark tail swishing with detective‑level determination, and heart thumping like a drumroll before a plot twist. August has arrived, and ohhh, this month is gloriously chaotic. The air smells like sunscreen, secrets, and freshly sharpened pencils, which can only mean one thing… August is for MYSTERIES Long days, dark moti

By generous and delightful request, Undertaker’s Espresso Bar of Tombstone, AZ, is hosting author T.E. MacArthur during Showdown in Tombstone weekend. MacArthur will be signing her latest novel, the classic Western Ghost story “A Reckoning in Mercy” on Saturday, September 5, 9:30am to 2pm at the haunted coffee location, 521 Allen Street, the original site of one of Tombstone’s mortuaries. Visitors to Tombstone for the weekend not only have the opportunity to meet MacArthur,

The Month That Looked at June and Said, “Hold my lemonade.” July didn’t so much arrive as it sizzled into existence, dragging a heatwave behind it like an over‑enthusiastic pyromaniac. The Midwest decided to cosplay as the surface of the sun, which meant my beloved porch time — my sanctuary, my writing nook, my bird‑listening zen zone — was reduced to brief, sweaty excursions where I waved at the outdoors like a Victorian invalid and immediately retreated back inside. I tried

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