Publishing house offering author’s retreat May 24-25 in Ursa

URSA, Ill. — Have you self-published a book but don’t know what to do next?

Thought you had a good idea for a book series but weren’t sure?

Indies United Publishing House (IUPH) is allowing you to answer questions like this during an author’s retreat on May 24-25 at the Ursa Retreat House.

Lisa Orban, founder of Indies United, hopes the event will allow ideas and relationships to bloom.

“What is the goal? Camaraderie,” Orban said. “You know, it’s easy to look at other authors as competition. They are to a certain extent, but they’re also a resource. They’re cheerleaders. The only other people you can really turn to when you’re having an issue or problem. You need those connections. You need to know that you’re not alone.

“Writing can be very solitary, and this is a way to not feel quite so alone.’

Orban, based in Quincy, has about 55 authors in the publishing house representing all types of styles and genres.

“We’re between independent publishing and a traditional publishing house,” she said. “We help fill a niche that’s been previously unaddressed in the market. Our authors get a lot of freedom. They get to pick their own subjects and work at their own pace. We don’t set the rules for them. Our authors set the rules for us when it comes to what they’re going to publish and when they’re going to publish. That type of relationship is very rare in publishing, where the houses generally call the shots.”

The retreat will last three days and is open to local authors or those looking to dabble with writing. Workshops will be held each day. Workshop topics are:

• Booktok … a subcommunity of TikTok
• Self-promotion methods
• Creating compelling characters
• How Artificial Intelligence is affecting the industry
• Brainstorming

Authors will read at the Quincy Public Library from 2-4 p.m. May 25 and will have books available to buy. Books from IUPH authors will be available at Enchanted Book Store at Sixth and Maine in Quincy.

In attendance will be nationally known proofreaders and editors, fiction and non-fiction authors and promotional specialists.  

For more information about schedules and costs, send a note to indiesunitedpublishing@gmail.com.

If you are one of those people who always thought their life experiences would make a great book, or if you love to read and want to learn more about how the industry works, or if you are looking for new and different authors to follow, this is your chance. Several people like you will be in your backyard.