Small Bites Short Story Contest – 2026 Winners Announcement We are delighted to announce the winners of this year’s Small Bites Short Story Contest . This year’s theme, “ What the Light Revealed ,” invited writers to explore moments of illumination — truths uncovered, secrets exposed, and transformations sparked by clarity. The stories that rose to the top did exactly that, each offering its own flash of insight, surprise, or revelation. Choosing winners is never easy, but th

Every month I like to take a moment to share one of those little life‑moments that makes 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 accidental honesty happened while I was juggling emails, festival planning, and the usual parade of author chaos that wanders across my desk like it owns the place. You know how some people start their day with meditation, intention‑setting, or a ge

Indies United Publishing House is delighted to announce that Jim O’Neill’s powerful metaphysical novel, Valley of the Blind , has been honored with a Literary Titan Silver Book Award. Following a recent editorial review, Valley of the Blind was automatically entered into the Literary Titan Book Award competition—an award reserved for books that demonstrate exceptional storytelling, clarity of craft, and meaningful contribution to their genre. The judges praised Jim’s work fo

Children’s author Ron Kinscherf has been invited to appear at the Books by the Bay Literary Festival on March 28, 2026, in Pensacola, Florida. He will be participating as one of the festival’s children’s authors and will be reading and hosting a seminar for kids, contributing to the event’s robust youth programming. Books by the Bay is Pensacola’s premier literary festival, organized by the Emerald Coast Writers and held at Bayview Park overlooking scenic Pensacola Bay. The

Thrills, Twists, and Shamrock Shenanigans Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — wind-tossed, corners damp from spring drizzle, and heart pounding with suspense. March has arrived, and I’m positively vibrating with plot twists and green-tinged glee. The air smells like possibility (and maybe a little rain), and the stories? Oh, they’re fast-paced, unpredictable, and absolutely delicious. This month’s genre spotlight is Thrillers and Suspense , and let me tell you, I’ve

February came in like a caffeinated squirrel and left like… well, a caffeinated squirrel that found the espresso machine. It was short, it was loud, it was chaotic, and somehow I still got things done. Mostly. Probably. Let’s not look too closely. Publishing Mayhem & Milestones February was a lively month around Indies United, the good kind of lively, the kind that means things are happening, people are creating, and the house is humming. We wrapped up our Small Bites Contes

Indies United Publishing House is thrilled to celebrate Lisa Towles, whose powerhouse storytelling has once again earned national recognition. This year, two of her thrillers received honors from the prestigious Reader Views Literary Awards, a program known for spotlighting standout independent voices across genres. Towles’ psychological thriller Switch was awarded the Reader Views Bronze Award in the Thriller/Suspense category, recognizing its razor-sharp pacing, layered i

It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that Indies United has lost one of our own. Author, filmmaker, storyteller, and friend Robert J. Emery has passed away. Bob was with us almost from the beginning, one of those rare souls whose presence becomes part of the foundation. He brought with him not only his books, but a lifetime of creative achievement: writer, producer, director, and author, known also by his pen name R.J. Eastwood. He was a member of the Directors Guil

(Spoiler: nothing about it was normal.) You ever have one of those days where you sit down with a clear plan, a full mug of determination, and the naïve belief that the universe will let you follow your schedule? Yeah. Me too . Today. Again. I started the morning with the noble intention of tackling my to‑do list in order. A simple plan. A reasonable plan. A plan that lasted approximately… seven minutes. Because the moment I opened my email, the Publishing Gods spun the Wheel

Hear me out on this. At Indies United, we’ve long suspected something: our authors aren’t entirely human. Sure, they look like regular people. They drink coffee, misplace their glasses, and occasionally forget what day it is like the rest of us. But beneath that ordinary exterior? Superpowers. Real ones. The kind that keep stories alive and the book world spinning. Let’s break down the evidence. They juggle more roles than a comic‑book shapeshifter. Writer, editor, marketer,

Discover Something New, On Us At Indies United, we believe stories should be shared, and February is the perfect time to do just that. This month, we’re spotlighting a curated selection of free books from our catalog, available to download and enjoy with no strings attached. You’ll find a mix of full-length books, short stories, and novellas, each one chosen to showcase the incredible range of voices in our author community. Whether you’re in the mood for a gripping mystery,

Why February Is the Perfect Month to Celebrate Our Library Partners February is Library Lovers’ Month, and around here, that feels like a celebration made just for us. Indies United has always believed that stories belong everywhere, in homes, in hearts, and especially on library shelves where anyone can discover them. That’s why we’re so proud to have many of our titles included in the Indie Author Project, and why we encourage our authors to submit their work. Through the I

Indies United Publishing House is delighted to celebrate a major achievement for two of our authors: Ana Manwaring and Fernando León Torrens, co‑authors of their latest gripping mystery, Mortal Revenge , which has just been awarded the Gold Literary Titan Book Award. This prestigious honor is given to books that demonstrate exceptional storytelling, strong craft, and a meaningful impact on readers, qualities that Ana and Fernando bring together with seamless collaboration an

Stories Set Free, Library Love, and Bookish Hearts Aflutte Hello again, dear readers! It’s me, Quibble — scarf fluffed, corners curled, and heart positively thumping with February delight. This month always feels like a handwritten note tucked between the pages of winter, warm and fluttery and full of story‑shaped surprises. The snow hasn’t quite given up, but the air? The air is full of hearts, cocoa steam, and the soft rustle of pages ready to wander. And wander they shall

Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews is set to feature author Myra McIlvain in an upcoming podcast episode airing Sunday, March 1 , from 5 to 6 PM CST . This special segment follows Amy Shannon’s recent review of McIlvain’s novel A Long Way Home , a story that blends richly drawn characters with evocative settings stretching from the events of 9/11 to the Texas Rio Grande Valley. Known for her deep connection to 19th‑century Texas in previous works, McIlvain steps into new territory with

Marie Judson’s Elf Stone of the Neyna launches readers into a universe where mind magic meets star travel, and the boundaries between science fiction and fantasy dissolve into something entirely new. Awarded a Literary Titan Book Award, this first book in the Lost Xentu Series has already earned praise for its immersive worldbuilding and unforgettable heroine, Yanda. From mind-speak and stasis flights to toxic moons and domed prisons, Judson crafts a setting that’s as strang

Submit to the Small Bites Short Story Contest by January 31 st If you’ve been waiting for the right moment to share your writing with the world, this is it. The Small Bites Short Story Contest is open for submissions until January 31st, and one powerful story—5,000 words or fewer—could open doors you’ve only dreamed about. This year’s theme, What the Light Revealed , invites writers across genres to explore moments of illumination: truths uncovered, secrets exposed, transfor

Join the fun on Monday, February 2nd from 5:00 to 6:30pm at Books & Beverages @Meridian, located at 200 N. Main Street in Buda, for an evening of mystery, conversation, and literary celebration with author Leslie A. Piggott. Leslie will be featuring her newly released novel, Shattered Links , the eighth installment in the gripping Cari Turnlyle Series. Known for its sharp twists, emotional depth, and a heroine who refuses to back down, the series continues to captivate reader

H. Max Hiller’s Shell Game , the seventh installment in the acclaimed Cadillac Holland Mysteries series, continues its remarkable run on the global stage. The novel has just been named a Finalist in the Literary Global Book Awards in the mystery category—an honor that marks its third international literary award. This latest recognition reinforces what readers and reviewers have been saying from the start: Shell Game is a standout entry in a series known for its sharp plott

Engine for Authors In the ever-evolving landscape of indie publishing, success is rarely found in isolation. It requires a blend of creative fire and strategic vision—a way to cut through the digital noise and establish a presence that lingers. As a crime novelist here at Indies United, I’ve spent years exploring the intersection of high-stakes storytelling and the practical mechanics of reaching an audience. Today, I am thrilled to introduce a project that brings those two w