GOING INDIE IN 2021

Self-publishing has always been the rebel of the industry, pushing back against “rules,” forging its own path, and pushing up against the established system. Unfortunately, this has also resulted in a stigma that it is somehow inferior to traditional publishing – and one that’s been hard to shake. Over the past decade, however, it has made great strides, garnering more attention and finally getting the respect it deserves as a viable path to publication.

The past decade has seen explosive growth in self-publishing with print-on-demand capabilities, eBooks that can now be read through apps on a variety of devices (including phones), distributions to readers around the world, unique marketing opportunities, and an abundance of resources on how to self-publish. There has never been a better time to be an independent author and take charge of your path to publication.

Whether you have already self-published or are considering this option, it’s important to understand the current industry because it changes and evolves constantly. By staying on top of new developments in the industry, you will have a clearer picture of what to expect, allowing you to better navigate through the ever-changing landscape.

RECENT SHIFTS IN SELF-PUBLISHING

Mindset

When Amazon Kindle came onto the scene in 2007 as the first eReader, it felt like the Gold Rush of publishing. Writers loaded up their authorial wagons in search of promised riches. They flooded this new market with 99-cent eBooks that admittedly weren’t always the best quality in the hopes of striking it rich. Many readers drowned in an avalanche of bad books, leaving them feeling uneasy about indie titles and harming the already-fragile reputation of self-publishing, all of which helped create the aforementioned stigma the industry still struggles with.

Authors who were serious about getting their books into the marketplace had to step up and realize there was more to self-publishing than writing novels and slapping them on Amazon. Being a successful independent author requires the mindset of an entrepreneur who understands the value of the product – in this case, books – and the value of the business side of it.

Today, there are various platforms to publish eBooks, print books, and even audiobooks, providing many opportunities for authors. To rise above the millions of other self-published books, authors must take advantage of the wealth of resources available to create high-quality books that have been formatted correctly, professionally edited, and have great content and professional covers.

Orna Ross, director of the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), says authors have only been widely self-publishing for 10 years, and the industry is still in its