Why Use the Term “Indie Author”? (Blog Post)

Written By: Stanley Perret

April 19, 2025

Why Use the Term “Indie Author”?

I know what you’re thinking: 

"If an indie author is just a self-published author, why not just call them that?" It’s a fair question. But here’s the truth—words matter. And indie author doesn’t just describe a method of publishing. It signals a mindset, a movement, and, more importantly, a choice.

The rise of self-publishing has revolutionized the literary world. In the span of a decade, it’s gone from fringe to formidable. Today, publishing a book no longer requires navigating the gatekeepers of traditional publishing houses. No waiting on approval. No compromise on vision. Just writers and readers, connected by passion and pixels. The playing field has changed, and that’s a beautiful thing.

But with change comes misunderstanding.

There’s a persistent myth that self-published authors only take the indie route after facing rejection from traditional publishers. And yes, for some, that may be true. But for many of us, that assumption couldn’t be further from reality. In fact, a growing number of writers choose indie publishing as their first choice. And we do it with intention.

Why?

Because we want full creative control. Because we believe in the stories we’re telling. Because we want to own our rights, dictate our timelines, and build direct relationships with our readers. This isn’t a fallback plan—it’s a business model. It’s artistic independence. It’s entrepreneurship wrapped in prose.

When I wrote my first book I didn’t pitch it to agents. I didn’t wait for permission. I wrote it, edited it, designed it, and launched it into the world on my own terms. That wasn’t a compromise—it was a conscious decision. And the pride I felt holding that book in my hands, knowing every piece of it existed because I made it happen? That’s something no publishing deal could replicate.

Another myth? That indie books are inherently lower quality—poorly edited, hastily designed, carelessly formatted. But let’s be honest: that’s a lazy assumption. Many indie authors invest heavily in professional editors, designers, and formatters—often the same freelancers who work with Big Five publishers. We understand that quality matters, and we’re committed to delivering it.

Sure, not every indie book is polished. But the same can be said for traditionally published works. The difference is, indie authors are held to a different standard, often unfairly. So here’s a gentle reminder: "judge the story, not the label". "Read the words, not the assumptions". And never, ever "judge a book—or its author—by its publishing path".

So yes, we say indie author—not as an apology, but as a declaration.

We are storytellers.    

        We are business owners. 

                We are risk-takers. 

                        We are creators.

                                We are indie by choice.

https://indieauthorchannel.blogspot.com/ | All Rights Reserved | Stanley Perret | 2025

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