If you are just starting out in the publishing industry, you may have come across the term “indie author.” and wondered what the term means.
Now, we are here to answer that question. So, what is an indie author?
An indie author is a name used to refer to someone who has complete control over their work, from writing to editing to marketing and more.
To help you remember what indie authors actually are, you can think of them as INDEpendent authors.
And when we say they are independent, we mean it in the sense that they do not need to go through a traditional publishing house to get their work out there.
Instead, they can publish their work themselves, whether that be through a digital platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or CreateSpace, or print-on-demand services.
Are Indie Authors The Same As Self-Publishing Authors?
The answer to this question is: not entirely. While both indie authors and self-publishing authors have control over their work and can publish it without going through a traditional publishing house, there is one key difference between the two.
Self-publishing authors are those who choose to work with a service to help them publish their work. This service may include cover design, editing, and marketing assistance, among other things.
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In fact, the word “self-publishing” can be confusing because these authors seldom do everything themselves.
Indie authors, on the other hand, handle all of these aspects themselves.
That being said, there is no right or wrong way to become an indie author – it all depends on what works best for you and your writing.
If you prefer to have complete control over every aspect of your work, then indie authorship may be the route for you. But if you would prefer to focus on writing and leave the rest to someone else, self-publishing may be a better option.
No matter which path you choose, remember that the most important thing is getting your work out there and letting people read it. So, whichever way you choose to publish, go for it!
What’s The Difference Between Indie Authorship and Authorpreneurship?
The key difference between indie authorship and authorpreneurship is that authorpreneurs are in it for the money. I
Indie authors, on the other hand, are typically more interested in writing than in making a profit.
That’s not to say that indie authors don’t make money – many of them do – but their focus is typically on writing great books, not on becoming millionaires.
If you’re looking to make money as an author, authorpreneurship may be the best path for you. However, if you’re more interested in writing for the love of it, indie authorship is a great option.
Are Indie Authors The Same As Author-Publishers?
Yes, they are! Indie authors are also known as author-publishers since they are both publishing their work themselves.
The term “indie author” is used more often these days, but both terms refer to the same thing: authors who are in control of their work from start to finish.
What Are The Advantages Of Being An Indie Author?
There are several advantages to being an indie author. Let’s take a close look at some of them:
Complete Control Over Your Work
As an indie author, you have complete control over every aspect of your work, from writing to editing to marketing.
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This can be a great advantage, as it allows you to tailor your work to fit your own vision and goals.
Increased Flexibility
Indie authors have greater flexibility than those who go the traditional publishing route. For example, you can release your work on your own schedule, rather than waiting for a publisher to give you the green light.
Higher Royalties
Since you are not splitting the profits with a traditional publisher, you can earn higher royalties as an indie author. This means that you can make more money from your work.
Greater Creative Freedom
Publishers often have specific ideas about what they want their books to look like, and how they should be marketed. As an indie author, you have the freedom to ignore these restrictions and do things your own way.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Being An Indie Author?
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to being an indie author. Here are a few of them:
Less Marketing Support
Publishers have large marketing departments that work to promote their books. Indie authors, on the other hand, must do all of the marketing themselves.
This can be a daunting task, and it can be difficult to get your work noticed in such a competitive market.
Upfront Costs
Traditional publishing houses cover the costs of editing, design, and marketing. Indie authors, however, must pay for these things themselves. This can be a significant financial burden, especially if you are just starting out.
Increased Competition
Since anyone can self-publish nowadays, the market is becoming increasingly saturated with new books. This can make it difficult for your work to stand out from the crowd. However, with a bit of hard work and perseverance, you can succeed regardless of the competition.
How Much Money Can An Indie Author Make?
This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on a variety of factors, including how successful you are in marketing your work and how popular your books are.
However, most indie authors earn enough money to support themselves financially. Some even make a full-time living from their writing.
Usually, the royalties paid to indie authors are higher than the royalties paid through traditionally published authors. Indie authors enjoy royalties at 40-60% of the book’s retail price, much better than the 10% or so that is standard for traditionally published authors.
To bring you into perspective, if you are an indie author, you can expect to get about $8 to $12 for a $20 book. An author using traditional publishers will only get about 10% of the retail price, translating to $2.
Of course, how much money you make also depends on how much you are willing to invest in your work. If you are willing to put in the time and effort to market your books effectively, you can potentially earn a significant income from your writing.
Final Verdict – What Is An Indie Author?
So, there you have it: a basic overview of indie authorship. If you’re still undecided about whether or not to become an indie author, these pros and cons should give you a good idea of what to expect.