Exploring a Career as an Indie Author

Before the internet took the literary industry by storm, publishing companies held the keys to most writers’ freedoms and success. A professional career in writing quickly became a realistic possibility for the most passionate of inexperienced authors, as a whole new world of opportunity opened up to them. Nowadays, not only can your book reach everyone in the country, but they can also sweep the nations and crossover into other countries. The worldwide web has made authors’ success limitless in these newfound abilities to effortlessly translate works into any language and make books available to anyone, anywhere, at any time.

Now that navigating oneself into the wading pool of creating chapters to share globally is deemed feasible, how does one make it deep enough to swim with the sharks and collect the bounties of treasures, once before only granted to the most prestigious of veteran authors? Carefully calculating how one steps into such a race by strategizing plays to land on the right track may take much time with maximum effort and trial-and-error. Still, as with anything, it is possible for anyone willing to put in the work.

More than the desire to become an indie author, now that you have chosen this pathway, consider what it takes to fulfill that desire. Similarly, as a business owner invests in marketing and promotional efforts, you too must follow suit to attract your customers (the readers). As with any business, start-up costs will apply here as well. The digital world grants writers the possibility of publishing without the necessity of paper and ink materials for physical copy books and distribution costs. However, self-publishing platforms operate on fees that deduct various royalties based on book pricing. Tasked with fulfilling your own needs in accomplishing the feat of self-publishing as a professional author, many resources are accessible in guiding you there successfully.

Realizing you have a knack for short stories, novels, nonfiction, or any caliber of writing is the fundamental necessity to propel oneself into the proper mindset of “What do I do next? How can I make a living from my talents and skills?” Take a workshop or (creative) writing class. Learn how to blend in with the many great authors before you. While there is no harm in being unique, understanding what your audience wants is key to your success as a writer. After all, writing the book is the painless part; getting the books to sell is a different story. Therefore, doing your research on the target market while picking up a few more valuable skills along the way to producing your manuscript is something you will thank yourself for later. We like to look at it as “two birds, one stone.”

In earlier days, both minor and major publishing house companies that picked up an author’s manuscript would fund the production of publishing the books to distribute onto the shelves; however, without the help of such an investor, you will be tasked with coming up with those funds on your own. The good news here is since we now live in the age of technology, many readers are not picking up books as they did in earlier days, but rather reading online from their devices. This has been a gamechanger in the literary industry, allowing authors the freedom they once lacked to produce their own content and retain complete creative control while guarding their rights to book royalties. Luckily, several increasingly popular resources and platforms help authors put their content together and release it into the world for all to enjoy. Those who have never experienced the publishing process firsthand will find these platforms have been created to lead the way. Kindle Direct Publishing, or KDP for short, is an affiliate company of Amazon that has become one of the preferred self-publishing platforms to use. It has brought success to the average author thanks to its tools that take you through the entire process from start to finish. Barnes & Noble Press, IngramSpark are also similar platforms, to name a few.

Importantly, construct a collective community of worthy associates that can support you during the progressive process of writing. Friends, family, or colleagues with backgrounds in literature to proofread your manuscripts may be a cheaper solution. However, it stands true here that “you get what you pay for.” To feel more confident in your work, it is a good idea to solicit the help of alpha and beta readers. Someone familiar with you personally may not be as straightforward in relaying constructive criticism. Having a knowledgeable, honest, and critical team is crucial to the developmental process. Alpha and beta readers play essential roles in evolving the manuscript into a book ready for publishing. Complete preparation using these resources ensures the best editing and proofreading to help revise your work to perfection for its release. Accepting criticism is a must, and you cannot get discouraged by the given feedback. Instead, use it as motivation to work harder to accomplish your intentions.  

Be mindful that your first book may not be a bestselling masterpiece, which is sometimes expected. Gaining momentum from experience is half the battle for an indie author to gain riches and royalties. One can easily be discouraged from literary works that do not receive the highest recommendations and reviews from their readers instantly upon release. Mindfully note that many of the greatest inventors and successful pioneers of our time were repeatedly told no. Yet, they often failed in their endeavors until they reached the epitome of their ultimate success.

As long as you continue pushing forward and giving every publication your all, your time will come when you least expect it. Always strive for greatness by bettering your skills. Join writer groups and take root in their communities. Network with other authors for diverse viewpoints, and you may even learn a thing or two that your writing has been missing. Publishing and releasing the book is what truly makes you an author, not by writing alone. Keep writing, publishing, and releasing content until you make your mark as an author. If you give up after the first no, you will never find the yes at the end of the tunnel.

Are you still feeling a little lost on how to start? Have more questions before you get those feet wet in the writers’ pool? It is natural to ponder the risks of not pursuing such a great task. You are not the first and will not be the last to linger on the fence of uncertainty. However, on the other side of all your fears and worries is the freedom of your wildest dreams. Are you ready to take the first step? If so, take a look at our articles that break down the process of successfully launching your career as an indie author.  

Are you thinking of starting a career as an indie author? Are you already an indie author and have advice for new indie authors? Let us know in the comments below.