Simply fill out the form
below to select a date & time for your no obligation consultation to see if self-publishing with
Outskirts Press is right for you.
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!
Three bullied boys become inescapably linked to an 11-year-old girl who makes it her mission to repair the relationship with her brother while saving her new friend. Can she help two troubled souls? Can she obtain closure from her recent attempt to unite two lost loves? Will her school project win a prize on Parent Night? Those are some of the issues that Smoochie, only days since her lunch money treasure adventure ended, needs to overcome. Join Smoochie, her brother, and her friends as they deal with bullying, relationships, and Algebra. A gripping, heartfelt story that challenges our understanding of bullies, victims, and second chances – a compelling tale with an important lesson. The Reluctant Bully belongs in every middle school classroom.
Want to see your book featured as an Amazon Book-of-the-Week? Click here.
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 moves fast—and so do holiday shoppers. As December winds down, many people are still scrambling to find meaningful, affordable, last-minute gifts. That’s great news for authors, because eBooks are one of the easiest, fastest, and most giftable digital products available.
Whether readers need a quick present for a friend, a budget-friendly stocking stuffer, or a thoughtful add-on to a larger gift, your eBook could be exactly what they’re looking for—and you can position it that way.
Here’s how authors can tap into this seasonal buying mindset to boost holiday sales and reach new readers at the very moment they’re ready to buy.
Why eBooks Make Perfect Last-Minute Gifts
1. Instant Delivery Means Instant Gratification
No shipping delays. No sold-out worries. No package tracking. Shoppers can purchase and send an eBook in seconds, making it an ideal solution for last-minute gifts or forgotten stockings.
2. Budget-Friendly for Tight Holiday Wallets
During a time when budgets are stretched, eBooks offer an affordable option that still feels thoughtful and personal. This makes them attractive to price-conscious shoppers.
3. Easy to Personalize with a Message
Most platforms allow gift senders to include a custom message (“Thought you’d love this!”), making the gift feel intentional—not rushed.
4. Perfect for Stockings and Add-Ons
Even digital gifts can be represented physically:
Print a pretty “You’ve Been Gifted an eBook!” card
Pair with chocolate, tea, or candles as a cozy reading bundle
It’s a small gift with big perceived value.
How Authors Can Promote eBooks for Last-Minute Holiday Sales
1. Run a “Last-Minute Gift” Campaign on Social Media
Use language that speaks directly to overwhelmed shoppers:
“Need a thoughtful gift—fast? My eBook delivers instantly!”
“Perfect stocking stuffer for readers!”
“Great for last-minute holiday shoppers—give the gift of a new read!”
Pair these with cozy holiday graphics, book mockups, or a simple “gift card” style announcement.
2. Post Countdown Reminders the Week Before Christmas
People wait until the final week for many purchases. Daily countdown posts (“Only 3 days left—avoid shipping delays!”) tap into urgency without feeling pushy.
3. Offer a Limited-Time Holiday Discount
A small markdown—especially when paired with messaging like “holiday special”—can attract buyers quickly. Make sure to emphasize: “Instant delivery—arrives in their inbox today!”
4. Share Easy-to-Gift Instructions
Not all readers know you can gift eBooks. Create a short post showing how:
On Amazon
On Apple Books
On Kobo
On other platforms
Screenshots or 10-second videos work beautifully.
5. Create Printable Gift Inserts for Last-Minute Buyers
Offer a downloadable PDF gift note:
“You’ve been gifted [Your Book Title]!”
Space for a personal message
Your cover image
A bonus quote or tagline
Buyers can print and slip it into a stocking, card, or envelope.
6. Send a Holiday Email to Your Newsletter
Include:
A short holiday message
A reminder that eBooks make perfect last-minute gifts
A clear link with “Gift the eBook” text
Optional discount
A printable insert download
People are actively checking email this time of year.
7. Encourage Fans to Gift Your eBook, Too
Ask your existing readers to gift your book to a friend who:
Loves your genre
Needs inspiration
Enjoys cozy winter reads
Is looking for something new for the new year
Fans often enjoy supporting indie authors, especially during the holidays.
Turn Procrastinating Shoppers into New Readers
December’s last week is a goldmine for digital gifts, and eBooks fit perfectly into the last-minute holiday shopping mindset. By naming this benefit, promoting it clearly, and giving buyers the tools to gift easily, you can boost visibility, increase sales, and introduce your book to new readers right as the year ends.
Outskirts Press Where gratitude meets great publishing.
Connect with a Publishing Consultant today to learn how Outskirts Press can help YOU publish YOUR masterpiece:
When was the last time you saw a garden grow from… bird poop? Not exactly the beginning most of us imagine for a vibrant flowerbed — and that’s exactly what makes The Bird Poop Garden so delightfully unexpected. In this charming new book, names like “Bird Poop Poppies,” “Bird Poop Sunflowers,” and “Bird Poop Lupine” are not jokes. They’re the real, happy result of nature’s surprises driven by a flock of crows, a little help from Mother Nature — and a grandpa’s backyard.
Written from the perspective of a child named Davey visiting his grandparents, the story captures the wonder and magic of how seeds travel, germinate, and transform into colorful, beautiful blooms. It’s a “true tale” — not a fantasy — and in that realism lies the book’s special power.
The Heart Behind the Garden: Barbara Plantholt Melera
Barbara Plantholt Melera isn’t a first-time gardener nor a newcomer to botanical storytelling — she’s a lifelong gardener, matriarch of a family of seven gardeners (including grandchildren), and co-owner of the gardening company Harvesting History. Her relationship to plants goes way beyond hobby: with seventy years of backyard gardening under her belt, she brings a deep respect for seeds, soil, pollinators, and the history of gardens.
Through Harvesting History, Barbara has long shared her horticultural knowledge — advising on heirloom varieties, seeds, pollinators, and gardening traditions worldwide. This book is a natural continuation of her mission: to reconnect people (especially young ones) with the origins of plants and the fascinating journeys seeds take before they bloom.
Why This Book Matters: More Than Just a Children’s Tale
It demystifies nature’s cycles — Many of us forget that gardens don’t begin neatly at a nursery; they often begin humbly, sometimes with seemingly messy beginnings. The Bird Poop Garden shows that even something as unglamorous as bird droppings can become the cradle of beauty.
It’s rooted in real gardening history and experience — Barbara’s decades of hands-on gardening and knowledge of heirloom plants give the story a grounding in real-world horticulture, not just whimsical fantasy.
It’s ideal for families and young readers — The structure is simple and accessible; the concept — that life comes from unexpected places — can spark curiosity, respect for nature, and a sense of wonder.
It bridges generations — With grandparents and grandchildren working side-by-side, this story celebrates gardening as a family tradition and highlights the intergenerational sharing of knowledge, values, and joy.
Where Gardening, History & Imagination Meet
The connection between The Bird Poop Garden and Harvesting History is more than incidental. Through Harvesting History, Barbara and her collaborators preserve and promote heirloom seeds, traditional growing methods, and the stories behind plants and pollinators.
This book doesn’t just entertain — it carries forward a philosophy: that gardens are living histories, shaped by animals (like crows!), the land, and human care. It encourages readers to see their own backyards as potential gardens, full of stories waiting to unfold.
For Parents, Educators, and Garden-Lovers — A Book Worth Turning into Real Life
If you’re a parent looking for a gentle, nature-infused story to read to a child, The Bird Poop Garden offers a wonderful mix of wonder and education. If you’re an educator or someone who loves gardening — it’s a small but powerful reminder that every plant’s journey matters, and that sometimes, magic comes from the most unexpected places.
I encourage you to give this book a read — or gift it to a young person who could use a fresh dose of wonder about the natural world. And maybe, this spring or summer, plant some seeds together and see what happens. Who knows — you might just grow your own “Bird Poop” flowers.
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:
