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.
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