Indie authors and books are often unrecognized and unappreciated by readers.
Readers might think that books not published by big name Publishers are not well written or poorly edited, and because the book doesn't sell thousands of copies, it can't be good.

I work with a lot of Indie authors and I can tell you that the majority of the stories are amazing. Indie authors are not bound by the publisher's rules that dictates the authors how and what to write. Publishers want popular genres, certain character development, and exciting, sensational and popular story-line that sells the books.

Indie authors write from the heart and are not restricted by rules but they don't have the financial freedom, such as big publishers, to advertise their books. The majority of Indie authors have to rely on word of mouth advertisement by readers.

When I find the time to read my favorite genres, historical fantasy and suspense, I don't browse the big publishers' website, I look for books on my fellow authors' websites because I know I can find the most original stories there. 

I got Cindy's books a few years ago and my hubby still keeps them on his favorite books shelf and reads a poem or two when he wants to relax.

My experience when I read Cindy's first poetry book:

"I've been reading this poetry collection the past few days, when I had a few minutes to read. At first, I was choosing poems by the titles that grabbed me, such as Jasmine, My Angel, Family Conflict and Dawn, and then I realized that every poem talks about deep feelings which I can either relate to or enjoy, I started reading the poems from the beginning, one by one.

Reading about joy, love, sorrow, loss, heartache and life's little happy moments and enjoyments sometimes made me laugh, sigh or brought tears to my eyes.

Reading the poems made me feel like Cindy is my sister, who is sitting with me in my living room, sipping coffee and telling me about her experiences and feelings, in her own unique voice.

Nothing too fancy or loaded with metaphors and words I would need a dictionary to understand, just simple, beautiful poems. Reading Cindy's poems is like listening to relaxing music.

Thank you for writing such beautiful poems, Cindy."
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​A former catalogue librarian with two graduate degrees, Lorinda J. Taylor was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and worked in several different academic libraries before returning to the place of her birth, where she now lives. She has written fantasy and science fiction for years but began to self-publish only in 2011. To this point, she has published twelve science fiction/fantasy novels, including seven volumes of a series retelling myths in terms of her intelligent termite civilization. Her writings combine many aspects of science fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, future history, off-world adventure, psychological fiction, and even a love story. She always strives to engage readers emotionally and give them something to think about at the end of each book.

I met Ted on Facebook through a mutual friend and I loved his quirky sense of humor right away as well as his behavior as a true gentlemen toward online female friends. He is a private person just like myself and doesn't air his laundry on social sites.
Ted is the author of the Gonji series which is a fantasy adventure - my favorite genre. I'm planning to read the entire series as soon as I can find time to read between promoting my books, which is the hardest part of being an author, and writing my upcoming books.

​Maritza Martinez Mejia is a recipient of the Crystal Apple Award 2006, FAU Poetry Contest 2010, Virtue Christian Poetry 2015 and Latino Book Award 2016. 
She is an award winning author of Hazel Eyes (2010) translated into Spanish as Ojos Avellana (2015). Bilingual Children Books: Vanilla and Chocolate (2012) and Grandma’s Treasure (2014) and Poems, Thoughts and More (2015).
Maritza has translated into Spanish "Temporary Permanence" by Yashi Nozawa and "The Legend of the Colombian Mermaid" by Janet Balletta.
Maritza graduated from Colegio Mayor de Cundinamarca in Commerce and Foreign Language and obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities and Women’s Studies Certificate from Florida Atlantic University. 
She is a bilingual substitute teacher and translator born in Colombia lives in Florida with her husband and their two teenagers. 

Joe and I became friends and then coauthors of the Creepy Hollow Adventures series for middle-grade children. Although Joe posts horror pictures sometimes that gross me out, I love his quirky sense of humor.

Joe writes Heroic Fantasy, Space Opera, Sword & Planet Sci-Fi, Sword and Sorcery Fantasy, Horror, and Children's Books.

MAD SHADOWS: THE WEIRD TALES OF DORGO THE DOWSER, is my first novel, published by iUniverse. It's epic Heroic Fantasy with a film noir edge. It can be purchased from Amazon.com in both paperback, hardcover and Kindle editions. (Winner of the 2017 Golden Books Reader's Choice Award for Best Fantasy.)

THREE AGAINST THE STARS is my second novel, an old-fashioned space opera published by Airship 27 Productions. It's available now from Amazon.com, in both paperback and Kindle editions.

WATERS OF DARKNESS, co-authored with David C. Smith, (Dark Muse, Call of Shadows, Fall of the First World Trilogy), is a swashbuckling pirate adventure of swords, sorcery, and Lovecraftian horror. It's now available in both paperback and Kindle editions thru Amazon.com 

MAD SHADOWS II: DORGO THE DOWSER AND THE ORDER OF THE SERPENT, my fourth novel, has just been published. It's another Heroic Fantasy with a film noir twist, with more magic, murder, mystery and mayhem all brought to you courtesy of Dorgo the Dowser. This volume includes a greatly revised and expanded version of "The Book of Echoes," which first appeared in the Kindle anthology, "Azieran Presents Artifacts and Relics: Extreme Sword and Sorcery," published by Heathen Oracle. 

THREE GHOSTS IN A BLACK PUMPKIN is my first collaboration with acclaimed author and illustrator, Erika M Szabo. This is also my first children's book, appropriate for ages 6 - 14, and adults may enjoy it, too. This is fantasy about two cousins, Nikki and Jack, who find a talking wind chime in the shape of a silver skeleton named Wishbone Jones, and a black pumpkin in which the ghosts of the three good Wishmothers have been imprisoned. To free them, Nikki Jack travel to the magical world of Creepy Hollow, where they face all sorts of dangers and tests, and along the way, learn a few lessons about life and growing up. (Winner of the 2017 Golden Books Judge's Choice Award for Best Children's Fantasy.)

We've been friends on social sites for a long time. Lorraine is a sensitive, loving person, and a good friend who is always ready to help others.

Lorraine is a veteran children's reading specialist, teacher and an International Award-Winning Author. She has taught in many states in the US and provided reading services for students at a private school on Grand Cayman, where she lives with her husband. Eight years ago she was a city gal, living in Orange County, California, where life was very different from the one she lives now. Trading in her fashionable heels for flip-flops was quite a change, but led to a lifestyle that allowed for a writing career to begin.

Her love for paranormal stories and urban legends began at a young age, when staying up all night to watch spooky movies or reading a scary book started a lifelong passion. 

Published novels include: Losing Ground, a short memoir, followed by Mysteries of the Red Coyote Inn, Out of the Ashes, Jonathan's Locket and The Last Vestal Virgin. All of these novels are paranormal with a mix of historical fiction, woven with urban legends. Beloved Sacrifice is a Supernatural Thriller for Young Adults to Adults. A Rock Star Reader by Kindergarten is a self-help guide for parents on creating a successful reader and lifelong lover of literacy.

Most recent works include The Good Teacher, which is book 1 in the series, Women of the Willow Wood. This series is in the occult and suspense genre.

When not writing you can find Lorraine reading, beach- hopping, snorkeling, or boating around the island with her husband on their boat, the Angelica.

Roy and I have been Facebook friends for a long time. I always enjoy his posts that shows his integrity as a human being and his love for our country.

​Roy is a Father and Grandfather, Green Beret Operation & Intelligence Specialist in the Vietnam War, Bronze Star recipient for Meritorious Achievement, BS Degree from Bentley College 1974 (University - now,) minor in English, president PDE, the Honorary Journalism Society, editor-in-chief of Yearbook, twenty five years in the Caribbean Hospitality Industry, and presently: semi-retired.