Definition
An indie author is a writer who publishes their books without going through a traditional publishing house. Instead of querying agents and waiting months for a book deal, indie authors take the reins themselves. They hire their own editors, commission cover art, format their manuscripts, and distribute through platforms like Amazon KDP or IngramSpark. The trade-off is real: you keep more creative control and a bigger cut of royalties, but you also shoulder all the business decisions yourself.
Why It Matters
Going indie is one of the most viable paths to actually getting your work into readers' hands right now. Understanding what indie publishing involves helps you make a genuinely informed decision about your career path instead of defaulting to whatever route you heard about first.
Types of Indie Author
Famous Examples
Originally self-published as a serial on Weir's blog, then as a 99-cent Kindle ebook before being picked up by a major publisher and turned into a blockbuster film.
Started as a self-published short story on Amazon and grew into a bestselling series that landed a major print deal and an Apple TV+ adaptation.
After multiple rejections from traditional publishers, Penny self-published her debut mystery, which went on to win the Agatha Award and launched a beloved 18-book series.
Common Mistakes
Budget for at least a developmental edit and a copy edit. Your future readers will notice the difference, and reviews will reflect it.
Hire a professional cover designer who specializes in your genre. Covers sell books, and readers judge them instantly.
Indie publishing rewards consistency. Plan a series or a steady release schedule so each new book drives readers to your backlist.
Try It Yourself
Research three indie authors in a genre you love. Look at their Amazon pages and personal websites. Write down what they have in common: how many books they have published, how often they release, how their covers look, and how they engage readers. Use your findings to sketch out a rough plan for what your own indie career could look like.
Write Your Indie Debut
Novelium's manuscript editor helps you draft, organize, and polish your book so it is ready for professional editing and self-publishing.