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

Author Spotlight: Bob Freeman’s New Interview on H2LiftShips – Vol. 1 – Beyond Luna Indies United author Bob Freeman had an interview drop this week, and it’s a perfect opportunity to highlight the depth, science, and sheer originality behind his H2LiftShips saga. The interview focuses on Vol. 1 – Beyond Luna, the first book in his space‑opera series. . Bob’s work stands out because it blends hard science, humor, and inventive world‑building. Instead of relying on familiar s

(a.k.a. The Month That Looked at March and Said “Hold My Coffee”) April did not stroll in politely. It kicked the door open, dumped a basket of Easter candy on the floor, and said, “Surprise! I brought deadlines.” This month was loud, fast, productive, and just a little unhinged, which, frankly, feels on brand at this point. I started April still shaking glitter, powdered sugar, and questionable life choices out of my luggage from New Orleans. Barely a week later, Easter arri

How Shared Marketing, Community Support, and Collective Visibility Create Sustainable Success Overview As hybrid publishing evolves, authors are increasingly seeking models that offer both independence and meaningful support. April’s insight explores how cooperative publishing — shared marketing, collective visibility, and community‑driven promotion — creates sustainable success without inflating costs. This model strengthens authors while preserving autonomy, and it stands i

We love celebrating big wins in our Indies United community, and today we’re shining the spotlight on Michael Deeze / Nelson, who just wrapped up not one, but two full‑length novels this year! Michael has been on a creative roll, completing: Book 3 of the Annie Abbott series Book 2 of the Thomas Quinn Chronicles Both manuscripts clock in at an impressive 65–70k words, marking a huge step forward in both series and a fantastic achievement for the year. Michael’s been on a crea

Story Impact Magazine Issue Two Is Here Are you running toward something when you travel, or away from it? That question drives every page of Issue Two of Story Impact Magazine — the Travel Issue — featuring eight travel essays set across Spain, London, Paris, New Zealand, Mexico, Canada, Italy, and Turkey, industry insights for working authors, author interviews, poetry, and essential reading. I'm especially proud that several contributors are part of the Indies United Publi

Surviving the Inbox Every month I like to take a moment to share one of those little behind-the-scenes realities that make people tilt their head, blink twice, and wonder if I actually said the thing I just said. Spoiler: I did. I always do. This month’s moment of truth arrived courtesy of my inbox, specifically, the inbox I abandoned for five days while I ran off to the Tennessee Williams Literary Festival in New Orleans. A glorious trip, absolutely worth it… but my inbox di

Poetic Whimsy, Springtime Scribbles, and Stories in Bloom Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — corners fluttering in the spring breeze, quill dusted with flower petals, and heart thumping in perfect iambic pentameter. April has arrived, and I’m positively singing with rhyme-time delight. The world is thawing, the birds are gossiping, and every story feels like it’s stretching after a long winter nap. And what better month for such lyrical mischief? April is National

Chaos continues. But so do I. March didn’t so much arrive as it sidled in , gave me a look that said “buckle up,” and then proceeded to live up to its reputation. It came in with that familiar “I have plans” energy, and honestly, it wasn’t wrong. Between Thriller/Suspense Month, the newsletter shuffle, the usual IUPH plate‑spinning, and prepping for New Orleans, the whole month felt like a sprint disguised as a calendar page. It was busy, it was loud, it was productive, and i

How Author‑First Models Are Reshaping the Industry Overview Hybrid publishing is undergoing a structural shift, away from opaque, royalty‑extractive models and toward transparent, author‑centered frameworks. March’s insight examines how this change began, why it accelerated, and how Indies United’s 2018 model became a prototype for the industry’s future. Key Takeaways Transparent hybrid publishing is no longer niche, it’s becoming the expected standard. Authors increasingly d