Writers Who Inspire Us: Indie Authors
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There are many writers who inspire us across many genres and styles of writing, but there is one category of writers that inspires in ways I feel are undervalued. The indie author is a writer who independently publishes their work. These writers are often overlooked and dismissed because they are not traditionally published most think their work isn’t good. That just because it’s indie-published that means the “Big Five” rejected them. The actual facts are that a lot of indie authors set out to go the indie route. Most never query agents or submit to publishers. Their minds were made up either from the start or somewhere along the way. In doing so they take on a tremendous amount of responsibility both creatively and financially. For an indie writer, there is added pressure to be good. The idea that all trad-published books are good is false. Same as the idea that all indie-published books are bad. There is no standard for bad or good books it’s all about the writer. When indie writers set out with the obstacles already stacked against them, they have to figure out everything from the ground up. After they have outlined, plotted, and wrote their book, edits begin. There are professional editors and most hire them after they make their own edits.
Afterward, most who have already heavily networked on platforms like Instagram, Twitter, and even TikTok put out a call for what is called Beta Readers. These people read and give feedback on the novel, usually, at least two rounds of beta reads are done, sometimes more if the writer feels it is needed. Then there are cover designs, formatting, marketing the book before release, and of course afterward. Nothing moves forward unless the author does it. Everything from writing to publication is in their hands.
It wasn’t that long ago that indie publishing became a big thing. With the rise of social media, and of alternatives like Amazon, Ingramsparks, etc. A whole new world opened up to those who wanted full control over their work. The creative license to write what they wished and market who they saw fit. It gave writers the power to be independent and not have to rely on being traditionally published by a publishing company. It is a way to give a voice to a diverse group and allow for a diverse range of characters and stories to be available to readers. With the rise of indie authors, we see more LGBTQIA, BIPOC, and Gender Identity representation without the harmful tropes attached to them.
Authors who are among one or more of the groups have a way to get their work out with characters that are like them. Indie authors are the breath of fresh air that literature needs. Many of my favorite authors are Indie and have books that are nothing like what I find in stores. I admire these authors for the chances they take and the responsibilities they take on. There is nothing easy about going this route. When I first started writing I had no idea what an Indie Author was I didn’t know they existed. When I actually starting using Instagram was when I discovered this type of author. It was a dream come true, after finding out all the pros and cons of traditional publishing such as signing the rights to my book away. I really didn’t want to do that. Call me a control freak but I put the sweat and tears into it and the thought of just handing it over to someone else didn’t sit well with me. With Indie Authors, I truly admired the way that they took control and that every step was of their making.
These authors are underappreciated, their talents are not less than traditionally published authors. They put just as must effort into their writing. When you look for new books seek out indies as well, you will find a treasure trove of diversity and you will be helping an Indie Author. Recommend them to friends, give their books as gifts just like you would any other author. Their work is worthy and they do so much to create it.
Indie Author Recs
The Call For Finis: Pride by A.J. Torres
Heart and Seoul by Erin Kinsella
Nightmare Train by Karmellah Howlett
Nikki Come Home by Elizabeth Virginia Poirier
For more Indie Recommendations, visit our In the Spotlight interview series
About Nena Orcutt
Nena Orcutt is an aspiring author, who thinks too much, Listens to a lot of music. Needs coffee to function. Who thinks Bukowski was a wise man and Hemingway was a genius. And feels romance isn’t dead. She is working on her debut novel “The Crow and The Butterfly” Making her home in Music City she’s ready to conquer the writing world and leave her mark.
