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Outskirts Press Voted #1 by Top Consumer Reviews Nine Years in a Row!
It can be hard to decide where to publish your manuscript with so many options available.
But Top Consumer Reviews just made it easier to identify who you can trust. For the ninth consecutive year (2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, and 2025), the consumer product and services review site has again named Outskirts Press #1 in the self-publishing industry!
According to TCR, there are many reasons Outskirts Press has garnered this honor multiple years in a row. They cite a wide range of affordable products, an important level of customer service, and our 100% royalties structure. To quote TopConsumerReviews.com, “Everything you could need from a self-publishing provider can be found at Outskirts Press. This company’s strong reputation, excellent range of packages, and à la carte services are just a few of the reasons why they remain at the top of our rankings. Outskirts Press continues to be our top pick among self-publishing services.”
Now, it’s time for YOU to experience the service that is #1 in the industry. Our Publishing Consultants are waiting to help you get what you need to achieve your goals for your book.
Your dreams of becoming a published author are just a click away!
Harper, Alabama, is one of those tiny college towns where nothing bad happens. The population blooms every fall with fresh young faces, the students bright and eager to learn, and settles back into a gentle hum each summer as the year-round residents are left to their gardening and barbeques.
Until, one day, that quiet breaks.
There is a senseless murder-and then more. And Police Chief Grady Noland is challenged to find what links a teenage friendship, a family’s poisoning, a jailbreak, and an abusive ex-spouse. Can he, before someone else dies?
Author Mike Thorne, himself a professor in a sleepy college town for years, was inspired to write the crime novel Harper’s Bizarre by two horrific murders in his hometown. In real life, they happened decades apart, but in his fiction, Thorne weaves them together to explore new possibilities of plot. Fans of Thorne’s previous crime novel, Murder in Memory, will recognize Harper and some of the town’s inhabitants.
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Have you written a book that you’d like to publish?
Connect with a Publishing Consultant today to learn how Outskirts Press can help YOU publish YOUR masterpiece:
The holiday season is filled with gifts that sparkle, entertain, or bring temporary joy—but some gifts last a lifetime. For writers, dreamers, storytellers, and anyone who has ever said “I want to write a book someday,” there is no gift more meaningful than the chance to finally make that dream a reality.
With the Outskirts Press Gift Card, authors now have a powerful way to support the storytellers in their lives—family, friends, students, fellow writers, or even strangers who need encouragement to take the next step. Whether you’re an established author or simply someone who believes in the power of the written word, giving the gift of publishing can change someone’s life.
Why the Outskirts Press Gift Card Makes a Beautiful, Meaningful Gift
1. It Empowers Someone to Start their Publishing Journey
Many aspiring writers are held back by uncertainty—not knowing where to begin, how much it will cost, or what steps to take. A gift card removes one of the biggest obstacles and says:
“Your story matters. And it deserves to be shared.”
It’s an emotional boost and a practical push, rolled into one.
2. It’s Perfect for Any Writer at Any Stage
Whether someone has:
A rough idea
A stack of handwritten pages
A finished draft
A lifetime of stories they’re finally ready to tell
…the gift card helps them move closer to seeing their book in print.
It’s equally meaningful for brand-new writers and seasoned creatives who just need that final nudge.
3. It’s a Gift That Lasts Forever
Books outlive holidays, gadgets, and trends. When you give someone the chance to publish, you give them:
A permanent creative accomplishment
A legacy piece for their family
A professional stepping stone
A lifelong sense of pride
Few gifts carry this kind of emotional—and lasting—value.
4. It’s Easy, Instant, and Thoughtful
Perfect for last-minute giving, the Outskirts Press Gift Card can be sent by email instantly or printed as a beautiful insert for a holiday card or stocking stuffer.
It’s quick for you… but unforgettable for the recipient.
5. It’s Not Just for Loved Ones
Some authors and advocates choose to give publishing gift cards to:
Classrooms
Writing clubs
Senior centers
Youth programs
Community contests
Veterans groups
Nonprofit storytelling initiatives
Even a small gift card can help someone start or continue a creative journey they never thought possible.
Ways Authors Can Use the Gift Card This Season
Gift It to a Loved One
Know someone who’s always dreamed of writing a memoir, children’s book, or novel? This is their sign.
Surprise a Fellow Writer
A small, unexpected gift can strengthen bonds within your writing group or author network.
Donate It to a School or Library
Encourage the next generation of storytellers by making a gift to a creative writing class or teen writing club.
Use It as a Giveaway Prize
Hosting a holiday giveaway or reader appreciation event? A gift card makes an inspiring prize that spreads creativity.
Support a Stranger’s Dream
Some authors gift anonymously through community organizations, local nonprofits, or online kindness circles.
Publishing support can change someone’s life—sometimes all they need is one person to believe in their story.
A Gift That Inspires Creativity and Courage
In a world filled with quick, disposable gifts, the Outskirts Press Gift Card offers something deeper: the courage to share a story, the opportunity to create something lasting, and the joy of seeing one’s name on the cover of a published book.
If you’re looking for a holiday present that’s thoughtful, inspiring, and truly one-of-a-kind, consider giving the gift of publishing. It may become the spark that lights someone’s creative fire for years to come.
Ready to take your self-published book from great to award-winning? If you’re looking to boost your credibility, gain industry attention and open new doors for your book, the Foreword INDIES Book Awards may be your next big opportunity.
Unlike many mainstream awards that favor traditionally published titles, the Foreword INDIES were created specifically to recognize excellence in independent publishing—making it one of the most respected competitions for self-published authors today.
And the best part? If you’re an Outskirts Press author, we’ll handle the entire submission process for you.
Why Enter the Foreword INDIES Awards?
Each year, thousands of librarians, booksellers, reviewers, and media professionals look to Foreword Reviews for insight into standout indie books. Being named a finalist or winner can:
Validate your book in the eyes of readers and retailers
Increase discoverability through Foreword’s print and digital platforms
Elevate your marketing efforts with award-branded materials and credibility
Enhance your sales potential by catching the attention of bookstores and libraries
What Winners Receive:
Gold, Silver or Bronze medals in over 50 categories
Exposure in Foreword Reviews magazine and website
Promotion to a wide network of librarians, booksellers and reviewers
Use of the award seal in your marketing, cover and author branding
Long-term promotional leverage through award-related publicity
Let Outskirts Press Handle Your Submission
Submitting your book to awards can be time-consuming—but not with Outskirts Press.
When you reserve your submission through us, we take care of:
Completing the entry forms
Selecting the most strategic category for your book
Shipping your author copies to the judging panel
Managing all deadlines and communication with the awards office
Plus, you’ll receive our exclusive Award-Winning Author Tip Sheet, designed to help you turn a win (or finalist placement) into a full-fledged promotional campaign.
