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What Is An Independent Author?

Independent authors ('indies) are often referred to as self-publishing writers, though nobody who produces a good book works alone. You are an independent author if you have taken charge of the publication (in ebook or pbook format), the distribution (how your reader gets hold of your book) and the promotion (letting readers know it exists and why they'd like to buy it) of one or more of your books. 
Independent authors own our own ISBNs and licence our own rights -- but that doesn't mean we do everything ourselves.  Indies hire designers and editors and sometimes (see below) make partnerships with trade publishers, rights agents, distributors -- anyone who can help us reach our readers.
Independent authorship is, more than anything else, an attitude of mind. It is the most creative choice a writer can make, and very empowering, but it requires a variety of skills. It is best suited to writers of an entrepreneurial bent.

-Passage from http://allianceindependentauthors.org/faq.html 




Indie Authors are still a new breed to the world. Many people assume if you are one- you must not have been good enough to be published normally. But contrary to that thought- it's not always the case. Sometimes, it is the MOST empowering thing an author can do.

Here are 16 facts about Indie Authors you MIGHT have not  known about.



16- Indie Authors are not rich.
              Ok maybe a few will/might get into the black. But MOST indie authors are aware that their book will cost them more then it will make them financially. However knowing this is the case- they still push on to do it independently. It's a choice of character not a choice of easier/harder/etc.


15- Indie Authors are renegades,  rebels, and a force to be reckoned with-
                These people are the ones who saw the big name publishers, saw the possibility of choosing them to help publish their books but said "No." They made their own path. They walk with the indie musicians, filmmakers, artist on the rough road that is indie. They know that it might have been easier and possibly safer to do it the "normal" way. But they wanted their way to the the way they chose. Not some other way.

14- They rarely are ever Alone
                Their name is on the book. Their creativity created the story. But their friends and family helped make that book go from the notebook, napkin, laptop, etc to your hand. They helped pay the publisher, helped edit the manuscript, helped make the cover image, helped by telling a friend of a friend's cousin about the book who bought a bunch of copies to give out at a school event or whatever. An Indie Author is only as strong as those he has offering help. Hopefully it's more then he has to ask for.


13- The indie author is the author you’ll be hearing about soon
                        Do you remember what is was like before Harry Potter? How about before Hunger Games or Twilight? Do you remember a time before those books were NOT around? How about a time where their authors were not known to the world. Or even their own town. They are rising stars and all they can do is get higher and higher in recognition. If you know an independent author don't write them off- keep them in your eye sight- they might do GREAT things.




12- The indie author is inspired to be a writer, not a marketer.
                    Writing takes talent. Marketing takes skill. Indie Authors usually don't have both. The ones that do had to develop one or both over time. If you know an indie author/artist that is trying to market themselves always offer to lend a hand- they'd do the same for you if they could. Besides- sometimes they could just use criticism/advice to market better and they'll be JUST fine.




11- Indie Authors are Proficient and Good Adapters
                    The indie author sometimes has to be technologically proficient. Artistically (drawing covers or concept art) or even data management proficient. Instead of paying someone to run a page, do the art work for them, manage payments, etc. They learn it all for themselves. Not by choice sometimes. Yes other times it's because they WISH to be in control of everything. Other times- it is because no other option is available. That time spent learning everything in the business causes stress. But after the stress they still find time to write that book you love reading.

10- They are following Tradition
                    Remember when telling stories by the fire WAS story telling. Before written words allowed story tellers to mass produce a story for millions not tens/hundreds at a time? Yeah Independent Authors remember this and remember that the spirit of storytelling is an age old tradition that will always have age old rituals that just sometimes can't be broken by the 'new ways.' Even if the new way is cheaper/easier on them.

9- They Read A LOT
                      Indie Authors most of the time- didn't take creative writing classes or more then high school classes in literature. That being said they will read more then the average author to learn new styles, understand new methods, terms, increase their vocabulary or even learn new ways of creating a scene, plot development or just character creation. Oh yeah plus they just love reading. Reading IS fun ^.^

8- They don't get a leg up
                   Ever see an indie author's book on the shelves of Barnes and Noble? How about your local Library? You haven't?! Oh...wait I forgot- that's because to be publicly marketed LIKE THAT you need money. Barnes and Noble, Boarders, Libraries, etc- they only have books that have publishers who put money into having the book on the shelf. (Kinda reminds me of congress...things are bought and paid for by the big guy pushing the little guy to the corner) The indie author is usually found selling his book on Amazon, his own personal site or from his house. This venue is changing daily though because more and more- indie authors are being realized/found/recognized.

7- Their Stories- are part of them
                  This one is touchy I bet. I am not claiming that non indie authors don't put more then indie authors do into their stories. What I am claiming is that indie authors put a LOT on the line just to finish the story under the constraints of everyday life. How much do you think the sink into the stories development? Betcha an indie author TALKS to his manuscript asking it to help him out. What to do next, where he should go with a chapter? These are his dreams, his ideas, his life in physical form. He is taking them and putting them in the public eye where they can be ridiculed, disliked, hated, or worse- ignored. They have to have SOME form of ego.

6- They are everywhere
                   That guy bagging your food? He is writing a graphic novel about a nightmare he once had. Oh that secretary from work who hasn't been promoted in years? She is still working on that romance novel since high school and that book is keeping her from climbing the corporate ladder because between work, life and the book she has no desire to excel beyond he basic job's requirements. Writers blend in before they get published. Why- because they are afraid of claiming their writer persona. Claiming that they are Indie Authors leads to stigma or even worse- expectations of results of said book before it's even done leading to stress.

5- Sometimes- they are really insecure
                          This is like everyone else that 'is famous'. You think oh- they are successful writer- they must be confident, awesome and cool. Sometimes they aren't. Some of them are actually the opposite and anti social people who just wanna be left alone to write and publish, never interact with people but are forced to. The stereotype of writers being like Stephen King or J.K Rowling is horrible because they are just that- stereotypes. Get to know the person. Not the writer sometimes (a lot) they are different people.


4- They are Always working
                  I don't mean this like I have stated above. I mean it in the sense- hey look I am staring into space and not doing anything. Wrong I am staring out into space yes, but spacing because I am thinking how to write a chapter. How to develop a character, reasons behind why that character must die in the end of the book. A LOT of writers lose sleep over an idea that just doesn't go away. Burning candles at all ends is a routine familiar to most indie authors.

3- indie authors are not  franchise figureheads leading a creative staff
               Star Wars creator George Lucas- wrote star wars first. it flopped as a book. But the movies- AMAZING because he had a staff helping with the creative portion of the movies. Indie authors- they are just one guy on his computer writing away from clocking out of work till 3 am when he starts seeing words become a foreign language or his wife tells him to come to bed before he passes out at the desk. They create ideas organically and hand shape it from a simple idea to a full length story. Their stories- are their children.

2- Indie Authors- are defenders of Independence and Keepers of Faith
               Here are people who live in a world where they know they are destined to create something in a form that most people would prefer was a different medium. They are people aware they might have an amazing story in their hands but without the right marketing will never see the hands of the world. These are the groups of people who place all their faith, hope, dreams and ideas in the hands of chance, fate, and sometimes luck. Sometimes this will pay off..Other times it leads to broken dreams.

1- Indie Authors- just are that.
                   No one can say you are/aren't indie author. It is a mind set/ life stlye. It is the first and last choice an author makes before sitting down to write and after sending the manuscript to a printer to pick a publisher. Being independent is accepting the responsibility of the title, and the consequences of the actions. Yet does it proudly and would do it again time and time again without fail. No regrets.

alright guys that was tonights entry- sorry bout the lateness. been busy doing stuff

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expect more entries/rants/lists in the future and please remember to help out your indie author/indie artist/musican/film maker/closet case/etc

@jmmulqueeney