Indigo: editing, design, and more

09/20/2024

Weird reading positions, the gift that keeps on giving! 😂 Credit/bookishelf.com

[PD: A nine paneled comic with the caption "If reading positions were an Olympic sport, I'd be a gold medalist." A person appears hunched, crunched, and legs aloft in a variety of poses both on a couch and against a tree while reading.]

09/19/2024

Join us for a monthly Q&A about all things publishing and books coming up next week. Mark your calendar for this Tuesday, September 24! ✅

We host our virtual publishing Q&A every month on the fourth Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. Pacific. $15, preregistration required. Open to everyone!

Register on Calendly here: https://buff.ly/3M7RSuH

Can't make this session? No problem! Save the dates for these sessions coming up later this year:
Tuesday, October 22
Tuesday, November 26
events
[PD: A promo graphic for the above listed event.]

09/18/2024

The New Book Tuesday display over at Auntie's Bookstore in Spokane, WA is overflowing with goodness to dive into this week!

Shop the website here: https://buff.ly/4d7mIi9

[PD: A photo post from Auntie's Bookstore in center. Four stacks of books are nestled on a table in front of full bookshelves.]

09/17/2024

Join us in congratulating Michael Nagle, the winner of Indigo’s 2024 Author Diversity Scholarship. Michael will receive $1,200 toward Indigo services to use for writing projects.

Michael Nagle is a q***r, Sri Lankan American writer. He is currently a year deep into treatment for having metastatic colon cancer in his hometown of Los Angeles, CA. He is deeply interested in art as a sanctuary and as a refuge, where we can build the rhizomatic networks of care and complexity to move through this fraught time in history and birth the more beautiful world our hearts know is possible. He often pretends he is a cat.

With so many amazing applications this year, we had a difficult decision in choosing our winner. We wish we could fund them all!

[PD: A beige, white, and indigo graphic. "Indigo Author Diversity Scholarship" and a logo appears on top. A headshot of the winner, Michael Nagle, is in the righthand corner. His name and "2024 winner" appears in the lefthand side.]

09/16/2024

The Eric Hoffer Book Award for the Small, Academic, and Independent Press is accepting submissions for nomination. The early discount registration deadline is December 10, 2024. The final registration deadline is January 21, 2025.

Learn more here: https://buff.ly/44LFLKZ

[PD: A promo graphic showing the logo for the Eric Hoffer Award.]

09/13/2024

Douglas Green, author of "The Teachings of Shirelle" published by Circuit Breaker Books, will be cohosting the Dylan Hours. The show airs this Sunday (9/15) on the SoCal Sound.

"The Dylan Hours features the music of and related works by and about American singer-songwriter, musician, author and poet Bob Dylan. The show is produced and hosted by Lisa Finnie, a Los Angeles-based singer-songwriter and longtime Bob Dylan fan. Lisa plays greatest hits and classic album cuts along with rare and obscure tracks from Dylan’s six illustrious decades of recording...."

You can listen here: https://buff.ly/4gnIH7C

Check out more about Douglas and his work here: https://buff.ly/3hGZ2q8

[PD: A photo of singer Bob Dylan in a pastoral setting petting a dog to the right of the frame.]

09/13/2024

Ahhhh, too real! 😂 Anyone else feeling this sentiment? Credit:

[PD: A text post from Phenomenal Book Club with a post from user nova in center. Text reads: "Nobody understands the bond between a girl and the mediocre book she read when she was 13 years old.]

09/12/2024

"Nowadays, other than for college, young adults often don’t fully move out of their parents’ house until they’re in their mid to late twenties, and people are getting married and having children later than the generations before, choosing to travel, get a higher education, live their young lives, and have fun. We are experiencing an extended young adulthood, if you will.

Despite this, the average recommended age for young adult (YA) books has not changed in sixty years, still hovering around..."

Collaborative Editor Bailey Potter delves into a burgeoning genre in "What You Need to Know about the New Adult Genre" from our blog archives.

Read the full piece here: https://buff.ly/3Nmt9Tc

[PD: A blue-green gradient graphic showcases the aforementioned blog post. A photo of a person reading on a couch is center. A headshot of the author appears in the bottom lefthand corner next to her byline .]

09/11/2024

Indigo Recommends: If you're in the Portland area tomorrow, (Thursday, September 12) be sure to check out the 18th event in the Constellation Reading Series () at Bishop and Wilde (2601 NW Thurman St.).

The series also hosts a live stream of the event if you can't make it in person. Find it here: https://buff.ly/46hDCc2

Find out more about the series here: https://buff.ly/44U6CWa

[PD: A promo graphic for the event listing the info above. Headshots of the three readers, Callum Angus, Kelly Novahom, and Chris Yamash*ta, are in center.]

09/10/2024

New Indigo Client Release: "Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling" by Chris Nichols from Angel City Press

"A fun, visual book exploring the art, architecture and style of America's mid-century obsession: Bowling!

Bowlarama: The Architecture of Mid-Century Bowling takes aim at the obsession that swept the post-war nation: bowling! More than just a sport or a hobby, bowling became the ultimate modern lifestyle for Americans savoring the boom years that followed World War II. Bowling alleys were modern palaces; companies constantly aimed to outdo each other, whether competing for the most spectacular architecture, the most luxurious lanes, the snazziest bowling balls, or the most exciting..."

Learn more about "Bowlarama" via Bookshop here: https://buff.ly/4cUWiQK

[PD: The cover of Bowlarama next to text "New Client Release" and the Indigo Editing logo.]

09/09/2024

Save the date! We're so excited for our friends at Ooligan Press for this release! Repost/Ooligan Press ()

Ooligan Press is excited to announce the release of our very first comic book: THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST DISASTER GUIDE by Henry Latourette Miller and illustrated by Jeff Parker. This comic will aid you in learning useful tips and tricks on how to be aware and stay safe when a natural disaster strikes. Get the book November 12, 2024 and get prepared!





[Image Description: "Announcing Ooligan's first ever comic. Coming to shelves November 12, 2024." Image of The Pacific Northwest Disaster Guide.]

09/06/2024

That next draft is calling! But so are the groundbreaking articles of Chocolate Today! Credit: Jorge Cham, PHD Comics

[PD: A four panel comic by Jorge Cham, PHD Comics. A person in a red shirt is sitting in a room reading next to a pile of papers. Panel descriptions from right to left. 1. A paper marked "Draft" hovers and speaks to the person: "Hello Cecelia!" 2. The person, startled, stares at the draft as it speaks again: "I'm the manuscript you're supposed to be writing. How's it going?" 3. The person grimaces, looks away, and says, "Uh, good?' 4. The draft speaks again, "I feel like you've been ignoring our relationship. The person buries their nose in what they're reading "Chocolate Today," and says, "I'm busy!"]

09/05/2024

"Word Up! How to Write Powerful Sentences and Paragraphs (and Everything You Build from Them)" by Marcia Riefer Johnston is a great guide for writers at a variety of levels.

"Want to write more powerfully? You've come to the right book. "Word Up!"--an eclectic collection of essays, more inspiration guide than style guide--serves up tips and insights for anyone who wants to write with more umph. "Word Up!" does what too few writing books do: it practices while preaching, shows while telling, uses powerful writing to talk about powerful writing...."

Learn more about the book via Bookshop here: https://buff.ly/3z2MTJ5

[PD: An indigo graphic with large white quills on either side. In the center is cover of the aforementioned title.]

09/04/2024

It's quite a robust first September display over at Ballast Book Company in Bremerton, WA.

Find more goodies here: https://buff.ly/3yUGdg5

[PD: A photo post from Ballast Book Company. A large display of propped up books sits in front of full, colorful book shelves.]

09/03/2024

Thanks so much for the thoughtful feedback and kind words, Arwen. We appreciate it!

Learn more about Arwen's work here: https://buff.ly/3zcN8Ba

[PD: An indigo graphic with a white box in center with text: “I've used a number of different Indigo services over the years, from developmental editing to proofreading to consultation. Their service is consistently excellent: timely, professional, high quality....” —Arwen Spicer, author of Being Cut]

09/02/2024

Applications for the Oregon Humanities Community Storytelling Fellowship open tomorrow, September 3! Repost/

Attention Oregon media creators and storytellers! Applications for Oregon Humanities 2025 Community Storytelling Fellowship open September 3.

The Community Storytelling Fellowship is awarded annually to Oregonians who belong to communities that are underrepresented in Oregon media. Each fellow receives $5,000 to support the creation of true stories about those communities—journalism, creative nonfiction, video, audio, and more—to be shared in Oregon Humanities magazine and other publications.

Learn more about the fellowship, past and current fellows, and how to apply at the link in our bio or at oregonhumanities.org.

Join us on Wednesday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m. for a conversation about law, justice, and the public interest with Dahlia Lithwick, senior legal correspondent at Slate and host of the Amicus podcast.

08/30/2024

Hard to believe September is just right around the corner! Get your September reading list ready for BookishFirst's () Book Bingo!

[PD: A BookishFirst September Book bingo board designed to look like a notebook with stickers around the edge. 25 squares appear on the board with text in center. Square descriptions from top left to bottom right. 1. Dark Academia 2. Visit your local library 3. Starts with S 4. Yellow Cover 5. Latinx Author 6. Character plays an instrument 7. Color in the title 8. Paranormal historical fiction 9. Audiobook under 10 hours. 10. Set in the fall 11. Speak out against book bans. 12. By an author you discovered in 2024. 13. Free space with a book illustration. 14. Two word title 15. Read for the cover 16. Set in another world 17. Published in September 18. Afro-Latinx protagonist 19. Blended family 20. Title comes from a song 21. Fire on cover 22. Under 300 pages 23. Debut author 24. A classic 25. Read on Read a Book Day.]

08/29/2024

One of the truly delightful treats we get here at Indigo! We love adding to our author library.

[PD: A graphic reads "Throwback Thursday" at top with a torn paper design beneath it. A circular stamped Indigo design is in the upper righthand corner. In center, a photo of three books laying on a table appears. At the bottom a graphic, appearing like paper taped on a page, bears a caption: "A collection of author comp copies Indigo received in 2019."]

08/28/2024

Indigo Recommends: Friend of Indigo and writer Katey Schultz of WRITEABILITY hosts a new book club and craft seminar for writers.

The club and seminar "will examine work from celebrated authors through the lens of a writer, considering the authors’ creative lives and writing processes. Each month for six months–through readings, conversations, livewriting, and live craft-based instruction–you will be given the opportunity to consider, discuss, and practice applying the featured author’s craft techniques to your own writing and creative lives."

Learn more and join here: https://buff.ly/3Mjr1Mi

WRITEABILITY is also currently seeking applications for the Right to Write Awards for two members of its Monthly Mentorship program. The award supports BIPOC and Veteran writers by waiving their tuition. Applications are open through November 12. Find out more here: https://buff.ly/3T5Bi2u

[PD: A promo graphic with the WRITEABILITY logo at top and a graphic showcasing the aforementioned book club below.]

08/27/2024

TODAY (8/27): Have questions about the progress of your book project? General publishing queries? Looking for help choosing your publishing path?

Join us from 12:00–1:00 p.m. for our virtual monthly publishing Q&A event with Indigo executive editor Ali Shaw. Register here: https://buff.ly/4ameVM3

[PD: A promo graphic for the event above with a file folder and headshot of Ali Shaw in the bottom lefthand corner.]

08/26/2024

Amazing award opportunity coming up! Repost/IBPA ()

🌟 Calling all books published in 2024! 🌟

We’re now accepting entries to the 37th Annual IBPA Book Award, now with 7 additional categories.

Enter here ➡ https://buff.ly/4bIst5t

Publishers of print and audiobooks with a copyright date of 2024 may enter the current competition. Qualifying publishers include:

08/23/2024

A good book is its own magical staycation! Anyone "traveling" anywhere via the page this weekend? Credit: Three Under the Rain

Check out more from Three Under the Rain here: https://buff.ly/3YRoNvm

[PD: A two panel comic, "Reading," with two wide panels on top of one another. The first is titled "What it looks like." A figure in a mostly black and white room is immersed in reading a pink book while sitting in a recliner. The second is titled "What it feels like" and shows the same figure transposed in the clouds amongst fantastical objects and scenery: a pirate ship, a train, a drag, an airplane, a witch on a broomstick, a couple canoodling, a spaceship.]

08/22/2024

Join us for a monthly Q&A about all things publishing and books on Tuesday, August 27

Every month on the fourth Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. Pacific. $15, preregistration required. Open to everyone!

Register on Calendly here: https://buff.ly/3M7RSuH

Mark your calendar:
Tuesday, September 24
Tuesday, October 22
Tuesday, November 26
events
[PD: A promo graphic for the above listed event.]

08/21/2024

Indigo Recommends: "Giving Yourself Permission to Grow as a Writer," Season 21/Episode 7 of The S**t No One Tells You About Writing podcast featuring author Parini Shroff

In this episode of one of our favorite podcasts, writer and lawyer Parini Shroff unpacks her path to publication and tips for changing up one's writing process.

Listen to the full episode here: https://buff.ly/3AFnFka

[PD: A promo graphic detailing the podcast episode above. The featured author's headshot is in center.]

08/20/2024

Congratulations to Indigo's founder Ali Shaw and her husband Tim on the next step in their journey opening BOLD Coffee & Books. They just signed the lease on their new space in SW Portland. Woohoo! We're so happy for y'all. 🎉

BOLD also has a brand new Instagram account (). Follow Ali and Tim's journey there and via the Kickstarter page here: https://buff.ly/4fP4mVU

[PD: A congratulations graphic with a photo of Ali and Tim with a "leased" sign above them in a circle frame in center. Below is the logo for BOLD, "coming soon," and its address (1755 SW Jefferson St., Portland, OR).]

08/19/2024

Proposal Opportunity: Repost/Literary Arts ()

Attention, Portland bars, cafes, restaurants, venues, shops, and beyond: we are currently accepting proposals for Cover 2 Cover events as part of Portland Book Festival 2024! Cover 2 Cover is an eclectic mix of fun events put on by community partners across the metro area that expands PBF into a weeklong event. This additional programming is aimed at going beyond the scope of a traditional reading or author panel. Past events have included a mock burial, tea ceremonies, and poetry karaoke! This year, events will take place from October 28-November 3. If you’re interested in hosting an event, please submit a proposal and we’ll get back to you by September 9th!

Learn more here: https://buff.ly/45LpWWa

Portland Book Festival's Cover to Cover will return during Festival week, October 28th-November 3, 2023!

08/17/2024

TODAY: Bust out the heart-shaped goodies! It's Bookstore Romance Day! The fantastic folks at the Romance Era Bookshop () have organized an amazing space for authors and readers for the occasion.

We're thrilled to be part of the vendor fair at Our 3rd Space (.3rd.space / 609 Main Street, Vancouver) today from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Peruse romance titles from local authors and creators.

Do you have a project in the works, romance genre or otherwise? Come talk to us about and enjoy all the festivities. Be sure to also check out what's going on at the Romance Era's storefront over at 608 N. Devine Road in Vancouver.

Hope to see you there!

[PD: A pink and purple promo graphic for the above listed event with logos from the organizer (the Romance Era Bookshop) and venue (Our 3rd Space) along with the information listed above.]

08/16/2024

We love all of the unusual and inventive Little Free Library locations. Forgive the dad jokes, but this one is quite the barrel of laughs.

Check out more amazing biblio-creations by following Little Free Library or checking out the website: https://buff.ly/4a9R3MO

[PD: A photo post from Little Free Library. A book depository, fashioned from an open barrel with a clear cover, sits in a verdant landscape.]

08/15/2024

Bookstore Romance Day is coming up this weekend on Saturday, August 17. To celebrate, we'll be part of a special event with Romance Era Bookshop () over in Vancouver, WA. 💕

Find us tabling from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m at the fair at Our 3rd Space (.3rd.space / 609 Main Street, Vancouver). Come by and chat with us and peruse goodies from local authors and publishers.

The Romance Era Bookshop has plenty of other fab ways to participate at the storefront (608 N. Devine Road, Vancouver) too! Make sure you pop by there before or after the fair on Saturday. Give them a follow to learn more!

You can find out more fun stuff here too: https://buff.ly/3yGww4y

Learn more about Bookstore Romance Day here: https://buff.ly/2IDWs5d

[PD: A purple promo graphic for the Bookstore Romance Day on Saturday, August 17 at the Romance Era Bookshop. A bookshelf and heart cartoon appear beneath the text.]

08/15/2024

"As readers, we know that descriptions are the pulse of the writing, the lifeblood that lets us fully experience a character’s journey. But that doesn’t mean that writing powerful description is easy.

Use this meditation to infuse your writing with the kind of descriptions that readers crave."

Check out this helpful, grounding meditation for writing practice courtesy of our own Ali Shaw in "Meditate First–Write Second:" https://buff.ly/46KAA0f

[PD: An orange-yellow gradient graphic showcases the aforementioned blog post. A photo of a person meditating in sunshine is center. A headshot of the author appears in the bottom lefthand corner next to her byline.]