Since social media has taken off, a growing number of indie authors have been using these platforms to market their books and stay in touch with their loyal followers. While some are successful and can sell hundreds of books this way, this can prove to be an uphill battle that is as time-consuming as a full-time job.
Being a successful indie author requires knowledge of social media, marketing skills, loyal followers, time, and more. Indie authors need all our support to get their books into readers’ hands so they can follow their dream of becoming full-time authors.
So, who or what is an indie author, and why do they need your support? Learn this and more in the article below.
What are Indie Authors? | Who Is An Indie Author?
An indie author (short for independent author) is a writer of fiction or non-fiction books who publishes their own works. As a result, indie authors retain the rights to their books.
An Indie Author’s main goal is to make money from the sale of their books.
One key point is that indie authors are not associated with publishing houses. While they may use a publishing house, they retain the rights to their work. As such, some publish their work via independent publishing houses.
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Do Indie Authors Make Money?
Yes, they certainly do. However, the number of books they sell and the money they make depend entirely on their knowledge of the publishing industry and their marketing efforts. You can make a difference, too.
Independent authors are generally responsible for marketing their own books unless they outsource this. As such, they need to have direct contact with their readers.
The amount of money they make is highly dependent on their social reach.
As readers and social media activists, we can help extend their reach by sharing their work with others and by writing book reviews to bring awareness.
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How Do You Tell If An Author is An Indie Author?
To find out if an author is independent, you need to look at the name of their publisher. This is usually listed on the title page and in the copyright. You may also find it on the author’s website.
Independent authors may list their names or the name of their business as the imprint or publisher.
Independent authors take pride in this status and often share the secrets of their success on their social channels. A bit of research is all it takes to determine whether an author is independent.
The most popular publishing houses are Penguin Random House, Hachette Book Group, Harper Collins, Macmillan, and Simon and Schuster. If these appear on the imprint, that author is not independent.
Why You Should Support Indie Authors
The publishing industry has become quite competitive over the years. For far too long, publishers have been the industry’s gatekeepers.
They decide whether your book is good enough, what authors should write about, and what you, the reader, should or want to read. While this may be based on what’s trending, it also limits authors’ creativity and, ultimately, your reading choices.
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Advantages of Reading Books By Indie Authors
Why you support indie authors:
- You are more likely to be exposed to new ideas and have a more expansive list of books. In the traditional publishing world, writers often pitch a book idea or submit a manuscript, and publishers decide whether the story is worth publishing. On the other hand, indie authors may go from having a “great idea” to writing and self-publishing a book. Whether the book becomes a hit depends on the quality of the work, the marketing efforts, the satisfaction of readers, and even the willingness of readers to share their opinion of the work.
- You have direct access to authors. Some authors involve users in the publishing process. They may ask you for suggestions on plot twists, or you may become a beta reader to give the writer feedback or write book reviews. They also maintain a social presence in order to stay in touch with their readers.
- Authors maintain control of their work and benefit more from sales.
- Readers decide whether a book is good enough instead of publishers. This is why indie authors depend heavily on your feedback and reviews. You spread the word to let potential readers know what books they ought to be reading, which also helps indie authors in their marketing efforts.
Who Are Some Indie Authors
If you are looking for indie authors to support, here are ten that may pique your interest. Some have even achieved fame.
- Anthony Ryan is a fantasy, sci-fi, and non-fiction writer.
- James Fahy is an author of Urban Gothic and children’s books.
- Meredith Wild is an international bestselling author and publisher who has helped other authors to break out of the shadows and get their books into the hands of readers.
- Christy Reece writes dark romance. If you like this genre, be sure to check out her work.
- Isabella Khalidi writes dark and monster romance.
Some of these authors use both traditional and self-publishing to get their books into the hands of readers.
Final Thought
Many readers would have missed out on great reads had it not been for the persistence of the authors who refused to take no for an answer.
Now imagine how many great books you missed out on because the authors gave up, and as a result, the books never got into the hands of readers. Indie authors are people who go against the tide to ensure their books are seen.
You can contribute to their success by sharing the work of great independent authors who refuse to let “the gatekeepers” tell them what to write.