Call yourself an Indie Author?

Justin Nemo · 03-29-2012, 06:11 AM

I was having a conversation over dinner last night about the way that publishing has changed over the past few years, when one of my friends asked me how I could call myself an Independent Author, when I publish my books with Amazon and B&N etc. I was about to respond with a witty rejoinder, when I realised that, maybe he had a point.

We all like to call ourselves Indie Authors, it's a cool sounding name, but are we truly Independent?

teh603 · 03-29-2012, 07:05 AM

I'm indie not because I have no publisher; I'm indie because I'm not trapped by one the way a lot of authors are these days.

Justin Nemo · 03-29-2012, 07:28 AM

But surely Smashwords is your publisher.

gmw · 03-29-2012, 07:50 AM

And if you do call yourself an Indie Author (I don't call myself and Indie Author yet because I have yet to publish any of my work at all, so the "you" is not meant in any derogatory manner), then how does this definition fit with the various fan-fiction authors out there? Are they also Indie Authors, albeit of a particular corner of the market and using a different "publisher"? (A thread I started some time ago on the general forum made me ask this, since I was very surprised to learn just how prolific such work was.)

I think that perhaps the description of Indie Author is more encompassing than "simply" having written a novel and uploaded it somewhere. It requires (or at least implies) full independent production of an entire book (even if an ebook), not just presenting the text of the story. That is: By caring about, and taking responsibility for, the presentation and artwork and reader reception of the finished article, you really are taking on the role of publication itself, and it is that aspect that makes you a distinctly Indie Author, rather than "just" (again no denigration implied) an author.

In the case of Smashwords and Amazon, and fan-fiction sites, these are really distributors, not publishers. Responsibility for the "book", not just the text, is what makes you an independent publisher/author.

Justin Nemo · 03-29-2012, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

And if you do call yourself an Indie Author (I don't call myself and Indie Author yet because I have yet to publish any of my work at all, so the "you" is not meant in any derogatory manner), then how does this definition fit with the various fan-fiction authors out there? Are they also Indie Authors, albeit of a particular corner of the market and using a different "publisher"? (A thread I started some time ago on the general forum made me ask this, since I was very surprised to learn just how prolific such work was.)

I think that perhaps the description of Indie Author is more encompassing than "simply" having written a novel and uploaded it somewhere. It requires (or at least implies) full independent production of an entire book (even if an ebook), not just presenting the text of the story. That is: By caring about, and taking responsibility for, the presentation and artwork and reader reception of the finished article, you really are taking on the role of publication itself, and it is that aspect that makes you a distinctly Indie Author, rather than "just" (again no denigration implied) an author.

In the case of Smashwords and Amazon, and fan-fiction sites, these are really distributors, not publishers. Responsibility for the "book", not just the text, is what makes you an independent publisher/author.

I accept what you are saying and in fact agree with most of it, but hasn't the roll of publisher changed somewhat with the coming of the ebook? With printed books there was so much more for the publisher to do and apart from the writing and maybe editing, the publisher did everything else. Obviously with ebooks most of that work doesn't exist.

With regard to Amazon and Smashwords. Amazon now considers itself to be a publisher and I think I'm right in saying that Smashwords were the first to call themselves epublishers.

HarryT · 03-29-2012, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

I accept what you are saying and in fact agree with most of it, but hasn't the roll of publisher changed somewhat with the coming of the ebook? With printed books there was so much more for the publisher to do and apart from the writing and maybe editing, the publisher did everything else. Obviously with ebooks most of that work doesn't exist.

With the sole exception of printing, all the work that publishers do with paper books also applies to eBooks. What is it that you believe doesn't have to be done for eBooks?

dadioflex · 03-29-2012, 09:25 AM

In the games industry an indie developer is one that isn't BANK-ROLLED by a publisher but there's absolutely nothing stopping them using a publisher to help with distribution. The relationship isn't that dissimilar with writing.

If you write a book you're a writer, if it's published somewhere you're an author. "Indie author" used to be synonymous with vanity publishing so let's assume the connotations stand and accept that anyone who publishes their work where it can be seen is an indie author, including fanfic writers.

There's no real difference between choosing to publish your own work through an ebook publisher with low or non-existent quality control - and what quality control there is usually only extends to the presentation of the work and not the content - or choosing to put it up on a slash website.

If the lack of distinction worries you, consider raising yourself out of the morass by becoming a "wealthy indie author" - nothing indicates success quite like pots full of money.

HarryT · 03-29-2012, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dadioflex

If the lack of distinction worries you, consider raising yourself out of the morass by becoming a "wealthy indie author" - nothing indicates success quite like pots full of money.

Or even better, consider having your books properly edited. That really WOULD be something that would make you stand out from the majority.

rhadin · 03-29-2012, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

But surely Smashwords is your publisher.

No, Smashwords is not a publisher; it is a distributor.

An indie author is defined, in the trade, generally as an author who undertakes to perform for him-/herself the functions that are normally performed by a traditional publisher, primarily:

editing and proofreading
arranging for distribution
marketing
verifying sales data and royalty distributions
dealing with customer complaints

There is no magic to being an indie author other than accepting 100% responsibility for all phases of the book production and retailing processes.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 03-29-2012, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmw

In the case of Smashwords and Amazon, and fan-fiction sites, these are really distributors, not publishers. Responsibility for the "book", not just the text, is what makes you an independent publisher/author.

I'd agree with this: An independent author still does the lion's share of the work, and the online resellers simply provide a sales outlet (despite claims to the contrary). It's up to you whether you use them, some of them or none of them (you can always publish through your own site, as I do), and you are not contractually obligated to any of them... you can pull your books and sever the connection at any time. Sounds pretty independent to me.

teh603 · 03-29-2012, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HarryT

Or even better, consider having your books properly edited. That really WOULD be something that would make you stand out from the majority.

Proper editing is a joke these days. Nobody bothers to proofread anymore, not even the big name guys.

HarryT · 03-29-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by teh603

Proper editing is a joke these days. Nobody bothers to proofread anymore, not even the big name guys.

My experience differs. Backlist stuff is often not proofed, but new eBooks from big-name publishers are generally of very good quality.

Justin Nemo · 03-29-2012, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhadin

No, Smashwords is not a publisher; it is a distributor.

An indie author is defined, in the trade, generally as an author who undertakes to perform for him-/herself the functions that are normally performed by a traditional publisher, primarily:

editing and proofreading
arranging for distribution
marketing
verifying sales data and royalty distributions
dealing with customer complaints

There is no magic to being an indie author other than accepting 100% responsibility for all phases of the book production and retailing processes.

OK so where do you publish your ebooks?

HarryT · 03-29-2012, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Nemo

OK so where do you publish your ebooks?

Rich is a professional editor, Justin, not an author.

Paul Dale · 03-29-2012, 12:09 PM

Isn't the clue in the word independent?

Indie authors answer only to their readers. They use services to get their work done. They are independent in the sense that they are free to make all the choices regarding getting their product to market, and are responsible for all aspects of that process. Any deadlines are self imposed. It is the lack of constraint by a third party that makes an Indie, independent.

03-29-2012, 06:11 AM	#1
Justin Nemo Stercus accidit Posts: 330 Karma: 513878 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Nookpadle 6	Call yourself an Indie Author? I was having a conversation over dinner last night about the way that publishing has changed over the past few years, when one of my friends asked me how I could call myself an Independent Author, when I publish my books with Amazon and B&N etc. I was about to respond with a witty rejoinder, when I realised that, maybe he had a point. We all like to call ourselves Indie Authors, it's a cool sounding name, but are we truly Independent?

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03-29-2012, 07:05 AM	#2
teh603 Autism Spectrum Disorder Posts: 1,212 Karma: 6244877 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Coastal Texas Device: Android Phone	I'm indie not because I have no publisher; I'm indie because I'm not trapped by one the way a lot of authors are these days.

03-29-2012, 07:28 AM	#3
Justin Nemo Stercus accidit Posts: 330 Karma: 513878 Join Date: Mar 2012 Device: Nookpadle 6	But surely Smashwords is your publisher.

03-29-2012, 07:50 AM	#4
gmw cacoethes scribendi Posts: 5,809 Karma: 137770742 Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Australia Device: Kobo Aura One & H2Ov2, Sony PRS-650	And if you do call yourself an Indie Author (I don't call myself and Indie Author yet because I have yet to publish any of my work at all, so the "you" is not meant in any derogatory manner), then how does this definition fit with the various fan-fiction authors out there? Are they also Indie Authors, albeit of a particular corner of the market and using a different "publisher"? (A thread I started some time ago on the general forum made me ask this, since I was very surprised to learn just how prolific such work was.) I think that perhaps the description of Indie Author is more encompassing than "simply" having written a novel and uploaded it somewhere. It requires (or at least implies) full independent production of an entire book (even if an ebook), not just presenting the text of the story. That is: By caring about, and taking responsibility for, the presentation and artwork and reader reception of the finished article, you really are taking on the role of publication itself, and it is that aspect that makes you a distinctly Indie Author, rather than "just" (again no denigration implied) an author. In the case of Smashwords and Amazon, and fan-fiction sites, these are really distributors, not publishers. Responsibility for the "book", not just the text, is what makes you an independent publisher/author.

03-29-2012, 09:25 AM	#7
dadioflex Dyslexic Count Posts: 526 Karma: 5041991 Join Date: Aug 2008 Device: Palm TX, Advent Vega, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle	In the games industry an indie developer is one that isn't BANK-ROLLED by a publisher but there's absolutely nothing stopping them using a publisher to help with distribution. The relationship isn't that dissimilar with writing. If you write a book you're a writer, if it's published somewhere you're an author. "Indie author" used to be synonymous with vanity publishing so let's assume the connotations stand and accept that anyone who publishes their work where it can be seen is an indie author, including fanfic writers. There's no real difference between choosing to publish your own work through an ebook publisher with low or non-existent quality control - and what quality control there is usually only extends to the presentation of the work and not the content - or choosing to put it up on a slash website. If the lack of distinction worries you, consider raising yourself out of the morass by becoming a "wealthy indie author" - nothing indicates success quite like pots full of money.

03-29-2012, 12:09 PM	#15
Paul Dale Member Posts: 15 Karma: 232646 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Bath, UK Device: Kindle	Isn't the clue in the word independent? Indie authors answer only to their readers. They use services to get their work done. They are independent in the sense that they are free to make all the choices regarding getting their product to market, and are responsible for all aspects of that process. Any deadlines are self imposed. It is the lack of constraint by a third party that makes an Indie, independent.